White Noise

[BigClay]

I have been lurking around here for a while now and I figured it was time to introduce my rig. I am calling it White Noise because I have almost 170k on it now and with time every jeep seems to begin to make its own unique “sounds” (right now my lifters are clicking), and right after I bought the jeep I put a Flowmaster on it, so I thought the name was fitting.
I bought this 1993, white, 4.slow ZJ in September 1999 with 99k on it. It was my DD and remained stock until I was out of school for a few years.
Stock

In college I bought a Tahoe, and that became my DD and the ZJ sat silent for a while. I would post more pictures below of my rig (because I am sure no one has seen a 93 ZJ on 31” tires!) but my hard drive crashed a few months ago, and I was only able to recover some of my pictures.
Finally I got the itch and it was time to start modifying the jeep in 2007. The jeep was still my secondary vehicle so I decided to keep the lift mild. Instead of a budget boost, I went with the OME 1” Heavy Duty springs and shocks. The lift netted me about 2” of lift. Before I put on the 31” Trxus M/Ts I trimmed the front plastic facia. After the trim I put on the Trxus M/Ts on 15x8 Cragger Soft 8’s.

I decided I needed some front tow point so I went with KOR’s radiator support. I also went ahead and trimmed the front plastic facia all the way around.

I needed more room in the cargo area so I decided to get KOR’s roof mounted spare tire carrier, along with the Hi-Lift attachment. I also added a CB, and painted the front “chrome” grill flat black.

 

[BigClay]

Then I bought a used front bumper originally built by Carolina Rock Shop and installed it. I thought it would be a direct bolt up, but I did have to do some cutting

I also didn't think about the KOR rad support already using the same holes, but I tihnk I got it to work

After a little work it finally all came together.

 

[BigClay]

Well with the help of another member on the Board and 13 hours later, we installed a RE 3.5” Superflex lift. I didn’t really know what to expect because this was my first full lift I have ever installed. I wanted to take more pictures than I did, but when you get in a rhythm of installing, you really don’t want to break it by taking pictures. Here are the ones I did take.

We started 8am Saturday morning. Here are some pictures of the ZJ with the OME lift on it.

I have heard the front is more difficult than the rear, so we started on the front first.

I really recommend renting a spring compressor, because I would not have been able to get 2 of the old springs out, and two of the new ones in if I had not had the compressor.

We could not get two of the lower control arm bolts out, they were rusted to the rubber and would not budge even after two days of spraying them with the Aerokroil. We had to cut them off and head to the local hardware store to get two new grade 8 bolts and nuts. By far I think the hardest part of the entire install was trying to get the front axle centered. We finally got it close and installed the KOR front adjustable track bar.

At the end of Saturday we had the front end installed and all that remained was bleeding the brakes. I also didn’t have all of the parts I needed for the front quick disconnects, so right now they are just bolted together, and the disconnects will come later.

 

[BigClay]

Sunday morning we started by bleeding the brakes, and started taking apart the rear end. I only took one picture of the rear installation because we were really just trying to finish everything up so we could enjoy some of the weekend (out from under the jeep that is).

I ordered the wrong heim joint for the rear track bar, so for now the stock rear is in there. I am not sure if I am going to replace it because the axle is really not that far out of center.

All in all I netted two additional inches above the OME lift, so I am sitting about four inches over stock right now. The only drawback is I can really tell a difference on the road, it now feels like driving a lifted jeep. I guess I got spoiled with the ride quality and handling of the OME lift, but I will get use to it.

 

[BigClay]

Next was painting and rust removal.

Now here is how it looks now:

I also painted the Carolina Rock Shop bumpers:

 

[grnsanddemon]

I like the front bumper, it looks really clean. Good job!...

 

[BigClay]

Getting help this evening with moving a mounting tab on my passenger side slider, then hopefully I can get it on the jeep.

 

[TapouT]

What type of paint did you use on the roof if you don't mind me asking?! Looks great dude!

 

[BigClay]

I used John Deere Blitz Black. I did a lot of research and I liked it the best. It is tractor paint, so it is supposed to be pretty durable.

 

[BigClay]

Here are some pics of the passenger side slider. Thanks to Spraypaintman for cutting one of the tabs off and re-welding it for me!

And here is what happens when you don't clean up your work area and you trip and fall on a jack stand

 

[jeepbme]

^ nice

 

[BigClay]

Yeah, I guess scars are just like dents and dings on your rig, they all have a story behind them!

 

[dmoore714]

Nice looking ZJ. Im doing a lot of the same stuff right now, with my '94 XJ.

 

[BigClay]

Finally got to URE. Went to day with JC here from the board (that his dark colored ZJ with my white one). We had a blast, and very little damage.

This hole dented both or our rear fenders, I must say my rock sliders saved me worse damage

John's ZJ

 

[BigClay]

I guess I earned my stripes

 

[chromerunner]

How you liking the bumpers? there looking good.

 

[mudslinginyota]

how do you like the trxus mt? on and offroad. do they have a thick side wall?

 

[BigClay]

Chrome, thanks! I love them, banged the front one on a rock yesterday and no damage at all, scratched the rear one just a little bit but nothing major. They are really heavy duty.

 

[BigClay]

Mudslingin, the trxus, in my opinion are the best dual purpose tires. The are great in the rain, have very little road noise, and they performed perfect yesterday. I aired down to 20psi and the sidewall held up just fine.

 

[spraypaintman]

I bet you liked using 4low! Are you still going to change your gears?

 

[BigClay]

4low was nice haha. I am gonna stick with the 3.55s until the rear 35 does splat, then swap in a 8.8 and maybe dome 4.56s

 

[BigClay]

Just a little pic to show what is going on the jeep next

 

[BigClay]

Got them on today!

 

[pigpen]

looks good. i like the yellow garage floor as well. I need to fix my runner so i can post these kinda pics!!

 

[BigClay]

LOL, yeah I have been too busy putting things on the jeep and haven't cleaned up the overspray haha