ZJ Suspension Questions

[M4tt]

I just bought a 95 ZJ 4.0 and I have a few questions. I live in Charlottesville, VA and every year we have a Camp Jeep and now that I have a Jeep, I think I will go to it. However, I'd like to make the zj a little more capable offroad. My first idea was to get a bit of lift and some bigger tires, about 32inch. I figure to do this, I would need to purchase a 3.5inch suspension lift and 1.5 inch body lift. Due to my lack of garage and neccessary tools to install a lift kit myself, I figured that I'd probably have to have it installed. I'm on a tight budget and the lift kits cost enough by themselves. What would be a fair price for installing a 3.5in suspension lift and a 1.5in body lift? I'd get the tires later, so I am not worried about that. Also, would there be any additional parts I'd need to get as far as steering components get to be able to drive this vehicle with such a lift?

One more question: How can I tell if my Jeep has the Up-Country Suspension package? I have the Vehicle Production Brodcast right in front of me and its all a bunch of codes. I would assume it does since it is a Laredo and has just about every option; leather, electronic seats, keyless entry, infinity sound system. But how can I tell?

THANKS!!

-Matt[addsig]

[dingus]

cherokee's are UNIBODY designs, so body lifts are NOT APPLICABLE.

check out http://www.rustysoffroad.com for suspension packages...

your suspension is all coils (no leaf springs) so installation will be pretty simple... just some basic hand tools, breaker bars, and a SPRING COMPRESSOR (rentable at pep boys and autozone)

check out my website for details about my XJ lift install: http://www.dingus.tqhosting.com/[addsig]

[M4tt]

Its pretty embarassing, but I don't even have a jack...[addsig]

[dingus]

you have one under your rear seat [addsig]

[M4tt]

I read in an article that you had to have a 4x4 jack to properly lift the Jeep to put on new springs and shocks. I guess I could rent a jack, spring compressor, borrow a few tools and do it in my driveway. Also, how long do you think it would take a novice to install all this stuff and is it really technical and hard to do?

-Matt[addsig]

[dingus]

i got away with using a standard floor jack and some short 2x4's stacked on top...

all you're doing is replacing the springs and shocks with longer ones... should be a pretty quick install, unless you have luck like mine and it takes 30 hours! :-O [addsig]

[jeepmaster]

so cherokees and grand cherokees are both unibody?[addsig]

[dingus]

yup. comanche's and wagoneers too... its just the wranglers (CJ/YJ/TJ) that aren't...

BUT if you do your research, body lifts only add clearance for tires... no ground clearance is gained and they raise center of gravity without making suspension any better.[addsig]

[judge09]

M4tt....I would strongly recommend not using the jack that came in the jeep. It was not meant for the type of work you are going to do. I would not recommend going with the 2x4 jack stands either. Just go to your local Sears and you can get craftsman 2ton jack stands for $20. Lets try to work safe!![addsig]

[Tug-n-pull]

Local tool rental store will rent you a couple of jack stand and a good jack to lift and hold it up there safly. Any tool you may need can be rented as a general rule. Look for a friend to help you out that day that has some experence with a tool or two and have at it. To pay some one to do the work will be as much if not more than the parts. Good luck and get that fancy ride all up in the air and post befor and after pics when you get done. later tug ;-) [addsig]

[dingus]

duh... i'm sorry... i DID use jackstands... thats' fundamental... i figured it was assumed. definately use jackstands. the only reason i used 2x4's was because the floorjack i had only raised up to 16" and i needed to get it higher (like 20 or something...) and the jack wouldn't do that.

i second tug's theory of having a friend help... they will make life much easier on you, especially when you realize you forgot something and have to run to napa or sears for something.

edited by: dingus, Feb 27, 2003 - 01:47 PM[addsig]

[dkreuzen]

I installed a 3.5" TeraFlex kit on my 96 ZJ and didn't need a spring compressor. Once all the control arms are loose the axles drop far enough to put the new springs in.

Dennis[addsig]

[M4tt]

Thanks a lot for the info. I talked to a friend of mine and it looks like we can do it all in his garage, that way I'll use good jacks and air tools. I'm probably going to go with Rusty's 3in lift and shocks and a 1.5in coil spacer budget lift. That way I can go for 32in tires. I hope to have at least this, a cb radio, and a brush guard installed atleast by Camp Jeep in June. I will post pictures when I complete it and I might even document the process.

Matt[addsig]

[dingus]

sounds cool dude... and good luck documenting the process... i told myself that i would do that, but all i ended up with was what you see on my website... haha... i just sorta got rollin' and didn't want to take pictures... just wanted to finish the project...[addsig]

[M4tt]

Do you think I could fit 32x10.5 tires with a 2inch Rancho Suspension lift and a 2" coil spacer lift with the stock spacers or would they rub?

Matt[addsig]