Grand Cherokee lift kits?

[fhjonesjr]

I have a 97 Jeep ZJ and want to do a litf and tires. I am looking at the Rubicon Express 4.5 so that I can run 33 tires. Anybody have any experience with this or can recomend another lift kit? I was also consideing a Tera-Flex kit but they are 3.5 in and can only run 31 tires. Any help would be great.
Thanks Frank jones

[Linda]

The RE 4.5 with the Johnny joints is a much better choice than the Tera-junk. Polyurethane does not belong in suspension parts. Johnny joints have poly, but it isn't a solid surface like the bushings used on the Terajunk kits. There are other lift kits for ZJs. you might check nagca.com for other choices.

A 4.5" lift isn't enough to run 33" tires on a ZJ, unless you never plan on taking it on a trail that will flex the suspension. In addition to a 4.5" lift you will have to trim out the front wheel wells (won't be noticable except for a little bumper trimming) and maybe a little on the rear, particularly the right rear wheel well. There's a seam back there that will cut into larger tires. If you do go to 33" tires, look at the narrower ones, 285/75r16s or 33x10.50s, or maybe 34x10.50s. They fit better. You will also need adjustable trackbars front and rear, not just the front.

FYI, don't let anyone talk you into an SYE or a transfer case lowering kit for a ZJ unless you plan more than 6" of lift. Neither is needed. The rear drive shaft on a ZJ is long enough to handle these angles without enhancements.

I used to own a 93 ZJ. It was excessively modified and saw a lot of extreme trails. I sold it last year with a custom 6" lift including custom control arms and a lot of other modifications. The money went toward my latest project. Another station wagon, 1954 Willys-Overland 4x4. I really liked the ZJ, but the Willys project needed the money.

[danno]

Another option is going with a long arm kit. One problem with 4.5 inch short arm kits is that they tend to have funny handling (skateboarding is what I like to call it) on the road. Going over a rough road or driving on the freeway with a cross wind, the vehicle will tend to get a bit twitchy and you will find it takes much more attentive driving and an increase in steering corrections to keep going straight.

I have a friend out in Texas that has been running the Clayton long arm kit Link here (http://www.claytonoffroad.com/has/has_zj4.html) and he is extremely pleased with it. I actually helped him put the kit on and it is very high quality and you can choose the size of your springs and easily upgrade them later if you decide to go bigger to fit larger tires.

I have also heard good things about a local manufacturer called Kevin's Jeep Parts that makes a really good kit Link here (http://www.kevinsjeepparts.com/zj/zjlongarm.html) but I do not have any personal experience with it.

Either way, I would highly recommend going with a long arm kit. The initial cost is more, but I feel you will be much more pleased with the outcome in the long run. I have a long arm suspension on my TJ and I am sure that anyone that has driven both Long Arm and Short Arm lifts will tell you that the long arm beats the short arm any day from a ride comfort and straight tracking standpoint, especially if it is a daily driver.

If you are going to go with the short arm purely because of budget limitations, I would go with the Rubicon Express Kit.

[John in AZ]

If looking at long arm I wouls also say to call Kevin @ kevin jeep parts he is local here & has wheeled his grand for years so is very knoledgeable (sp it is early). Also a real nice guy I also believe he carries Rubicon stuff if you decide to go short arm.
John

[Linda]

A long arm suspension is a great way to go. I would recommend that over a short arm. Regardless of the suspension you use take the extra trouble and $$$ to tie the front and rear subframes together to tighten up the unibody. This isn't a real big problem. I beat the crap out of my Jeep for several years before making those repairs to mine. Though I wish I had done it early in the game. The first signs of unibody problems I encountered were cracks on the inside of the rear hatch. I took the interior cover off to replace the hatch light switch and found cracks on the hatch's reenforcement. I never had any problems with opening/closing the doors or the rear hatch.

I would also recommend talking to Kevin Fell. His Grand has seen a lot of trail use and he builds things specifically for Grand Cherokees and not just as an afterthought like so many other companies do.

[jeepin_al]

friend of mine wheels a 95 ZJ on 33's and he is running the RE 4.5", it was great, but will bind some at full flex. He is converting to a LA kit right now and reinforcing the subframe, definitely do that. Talking to him he made it clear that if he had it to do again he would have waited to put the LA on rather then a short arm lift. GL, AL

[Joe West]

Linda... did you ever sell your ZJ?

Joe

[Joe West]

Oh... and by the way...

Congratulations on finally being layed off...

Wooo Hooooo!!!

No more Circle M ranch!

Joe

[fhjonesjr]

Thanks for all the great input. I am going with the short arm system because of $$$. I am just getting into Jeeping and need to keep it small at first. And yes I know that as soon as I get it done I'll want to go bigger(ha-ha). I did look into Kevins lift but for some reason I can't get a responce from him. I e-mailed him and even called his shop. I wanted to see about instalation but nobody will give me a price.I don't have the tools or time to do it myself. Thanks again and see ya on the trails.

[Linda]

Oh... and by the way...

Congratulations on finally being layed off...

Wooo Hooooo!!!

No more Circle M ranch!

Joe

I got outsourced to CSC (Computer Science Corporation) last year and they have tried to lay me off twice since then and both times they backed down. :mad: If they won't lay me off, maybe I can get them to fire me. :) All I want to do is finish my degree on time and under budget. :cool: