ZJ or XJ.. Cant decide

ZJ or XJ.. Cant decide

  • Keep ZJ and build..

    Votes: 6 46.2%

  • Sell ZJ, buy XJ and build

    Votes: 4 30.8%

  • Buy wife XJ and mildly build both

    Votes: 3 23.1%

  • You dont care because you would rather be watching sponge bob

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    13
JeepN1371

JeepN1371

ZJ's UP!
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Location
Lexington, NC
Alright.. I currently have a 97 ZJ that has a 4 inch RC lift and 31-10.50-15 MTr's and thats it. Here in the next couple months I had plans on changing the rear axel from the 35 to the dana 44, getting front and back bumpers, winch, locking the front and all the other little goodies in between.

We have decided to sell my wife's car(tired of the huge payments on it) and she said she wanted an XJ. So for the last few days I have been searching on here, craigslist and ebay trying to find her a decent XJ around the 99 model. I have found a few she liked, but I have found a bunch that I liked.

I have been told several times that I dont wanna go above a 4 inch on my ZJ because anything over will start creating the death wobble that I have heard so much about. As this will be my DD/trail rig and I drive about 20 miles on the highway daily and 40 miles all together, I dont want that. I would like to be able to run 33's.

Are there any advantages dis-advantages between the ZJ and XJ?? What would you do?
 
I have a RE 4.5" lift on my 98 ZJ and I have been running 33x12.5's, with a very little trimming, for years. It is my wife's DD.
5-6-08 031.jpg
 
I have a Zj on 6.5 and no wobble but you do need long arms above 4" or so to have better ca angles.
 
Rox&Mud said:
I have a RE 4.5" lift on my 98 ZJ and I have been running 33x12.5's, with a very little trimming, for years. It is my wife's DD.
Click to expand...
Do this hit the trails?? I am only running 31's and and having a problem hitting my fenders when I flex out.

biggoofy said:
I have a Zj on 6.5 and no wobble but you do need long arms above 4" or so to have better ca angles.
Click to expand...

How does this drive on the roads? Mine is a 70% road 30% trail rig.
 
I love my ZJ, and I am like Goofy, 6.5", and no DW; however, mine sees little to no highway use, and it has cost me a pretty penny to get it like it is (was).

My ZJ was a dual purpose rig for a while, and eventually I relaized that if you want a trail rig, it is better to get a different DD.
 
as far as the death wobble, the ZJ & XJ have the same front suspension, so any issues would be the same... the only real difference between the 2, imo, are weight and rear suspension... If you go taller on either, though, i would look into longarms esp since it will be street driven.

also, if you are looking for a nice xj, I know of one that might be for sale... shoot me a PM
 
My plans are to eventually get a different dd. but for right now it is either do some upgrades to my zj or buy a different dd. if I buy a dd now, then I can't do the upgrades to my zj. Also who sells a lift over 4 or 4.5 for the zj? I have been on several sites and can't find a lift over that. I live my zj because I have plenty of room and also it gives my kiddos plenty of room in the back so that way they are not on top of each other fighting. Thanks for the responses.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.682023,-80.488322
 
Like a few have said, on short arms, don't go above 4.5", Clayton and Iron Rock Offroad I believe both sell long arms kits for the ZJ with either 6" or 7" springs. But to go long arms on a ZJ you are talking some $$.
 
Here's my .02. I voted build the ZJ because that was the best option available in the poll.

IF you continue to go trail ride, and IF you continue to ride with CTB or any club for that matter, and IF you are at all like the rest of us:

1) You will want to make more and more modifications to your rig
2) At some point you will try something you did not intend to try
3) You WILL damage the rig
4) While it can be done, it is almost impossible to have a DD/trail rig combo that will work as you want it to for both purposes.

NOW is the time to make some hard decisions.

If you want to be "one of the guys" buy a $1k XJ, modify it and beat it. Be prepared to buy a tow rig and trailer!

If you think you will be happy as an on looker as others beat on the hard stuff, modify the ZJ.

Build once and enjoy = $
Build multiple times and levels = $$$$$

From my experience, I would put a mild build on the ZJ; lift, 33"s, locker/s and winch and enjoy with your family.
 
JC said:
Here's my .02. I voted build the ZJ because that was the best option available in the poll.
IF you continue to go trail ride, and IF you continue to ride with CTB and IF you are at all like the rest of us:
1) You will want to make more and more modifications to your rig
2) At some point you will try something you did not intend to try
3) You WILL damage the rig
4) While it can be done, it is almost impossible to have a DD/trail rig combo that will work as you want it to for both purposes.
NOW is the time to make some hard decisions.
If you want to be "one of the guys" buy a $1k XJ, modify it and beat it. Be prepared to buy a tow rig and trailer!
If you think you will be happy as an on looker as others beat on the hard stuff, modify the ZJ.
Build once and enjoy = $
Build multiple times and levels = $$$$$
From my experience, I would put a mild build on the ZJ; lift, 33"s, locker/s and winch and enjoy with your family.
Click to expand...


Agree with everything here except the bold and blue... I think my ZJ hangs good with the "others" :D
 
Check out clayton off road and Iro but with Iro if you ever want to ditch the d30 you will have to get different long arms.
 
I eventually do want to create my Zj as a rig only and buy a dd. right now it is my dd/rig. Withing the next year I will be swapping the rear axel out, front and rear bumpers, front locker(most likely just a lunch box). Eventually I wanna get up there near clay and a few others. Higher lift, rear locker larger tires, exo frame.

I have only wheeled at URE, besides back country roads and power lines. So I can only compare to URE. I wanna be set up to be able to fully do danIel(without being pulled up the ledge) and be able to do areas of kodak. As I said before, URE is the only park I have been to and the only one I can compare to. eventually I do wanna to bigger and bad'r, but of course that comes with time.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.681766,-80.487990
 
JC said:
I voted build the ZJ because that was the best option available in the poll.

Be prepared to buy a tow rig and trailer!

From my experience, I would put a mild build on the ZJ; lift, 33"s, locker/s and winch and enjoy with your family.
Click to expand...


This^. I have a 99 XJ 4in. RE lift and 31's for my DD/trail rig. I don't mind crusing around URE and watching people beat on there stuff. That way I learn what not to do.:lol:

Build your ZJ, have fun with the family at URE and then save money for a tow rig and trailer!
 
You can do anything at Ure on 33s with your current lift.
 
grnsanddemon said:
This^. I have a 99 XJ 4in. RE lift and 31's for my DD/trail rig. I don't mind crusing around URE and watching people beat on there stuff. That way I learn what not to do.:lol:
Build your ZJ, have fun with the family at URE and then save money for a tow rig and trailer!
Click to expand...

We already have enough for a tow rig and trailer right now for what I have. We have a 97 and 98 Z71 and a 16ft(i think) flat bed double axel trailer. Enough to haul 1 rig on, as we use it now to haul my brothers TJ on. I do completly agree with everyone though. Build enough for me and the family to enjoy, and thats pretty much what I want to do. Soon go larger, but for now make sure I have enough done to enjoy myself :bounce2: on the trails wherever it is that we go.
 
hadfield4wd said:
I don't like the IRO lift. Has a goofy camber adjuster and week body attachments.

There are plenty of radius arm long arm kits. Claytons (http://claytonoffroad.com/product_info.php/cPath/20_54/products_id/118), RE, T&T. I only know of 1 true 4 link kit for the zj. It's a BDS kit. No radius arms. It's a nice kit. Great warrantly, but pricey.

http://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=7&mo=35&ty=40&yr=1993-1998

Got to pay to play.
Click to expand...

full traction has a 3.5 and 6in long arm true 4 link.
 
JeepN1371 said:
Do this hit the trails?? I am only running 31's and and having a problem hitting my fenders when I flex out.
Click to expand...
I have simply folded the front fender lip up slightly to keep the body lines but nothing major. They occasionally rub when I'm REALLY flexed out but nothing I've ever needed to address. I also run Daystar bump stops on my shocks but I don't think they really help much.
My ZJ gets wheeled, occasionally wheeled hard when my wife isn't in the passenger seat :D, and I've taken it everywhere I wanted it to go. We take this setup on road trips as well as around town and have no issue with DW.

Good luck deciding.
 
Back
Top