My First Jeep [Archive] - JeepGarage.Org

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Excalibur35

01-09-2011, 04:05 PM

Well I finally found a Jeep that fit my criteria so now I have one! In the past I've had Honda's/Acura's but I as well as the girlfriend were tired of getting into tiny lowered cars. I figured go the opposite way. Bigger and taller so I wanted a Jeep. My dad and bro both have Grand Cherokee's so I figured why not make our driveway all Chrysler products. I gave $2400 for this 96 ZJ Laredo 4x4 with only 110k miles on it. It's got a black leather interior with all the bells and whistles which is pretty neat. The only "problems" are the driver's side seat has a rip and also the lights on the dash at night dim in and out which is just annoying. Another ZJ I looked at had the same problem so is this a common issue with these? I'm excited about this little thing and eventually I'd like to do a couple inches of lift on it but nothing to crazy. After all, it is a daily driver. Before I go crazy I'll get the windows tinted and a CD player and just enjoy it until I get the itch to modify :)

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr149/mr_mustang35/newjeep1.jpg

That's the only pic I have right now. Hopefully tomorrow (if it doesn't snow here) I can get some more pics but if not Tuesday I'll go out and play with it and snap some pics. Any input or things to watch out for would be appreciated.

JDM12

01-09-2011, 04:54 PM

Those are notorious for faulty dimmer switches. Cheap part but you'll have to remove a lot of dash trim. Post some interior pics!

Excalibur35

01-09-2011, 05:01 PM

Those are notorious for faulty dimmer switches. Cheap part but you'll have to remove a lot of dash trim. Post some interior pics!

I kinda figured it was the dimmer switch. Once it gets on my nerves I'll probably fix it, but until then I'll leave it. I will post interior pics tomorrow. I had to work all day today and I go in tomorrow at 1, but I'm going to get it registered tomorrow before work so I should have some time to snap some pics.

apstang50

01-10-2011, 09:26 AM

Looks like a nice find for only $2400! Try wiggling the dimmer switch and see if the lights flicker, it's a very easy fix. What motor does it have?

Excalibur35

01-10-2011, 03:33 PM

Looks like a nice find for only $2400! Try wiggling the dimmer switch and see if the lights flicker, it's a very easy fix. What motor does it have?

I'll try that! :thumbsup: It's got the 4.0 in it. I thought $2400 was a really good price because KBB on it in fair condition was $2700 so I think I did well. Definitly didn't overpay which is whats important. I love the fact it's got low miles. That was a big reason I wanted this one.

Didn't get a chance to get it out today because it snowed and the court clerks office was closed so I couldn't register it :( Tomorrow though I'm off from work so I'll get it registered, insurance put on and I'm gonna take it to the Jeep dealer and have the oil changed cause they are running a special right now. Buy 1 get 3 free so it's kinda hard to pass that up. After all that is done, I'm gonna go play with it! And naturally I have been looking around at lift kits but I'm new to all this so what are some good companies to stick with. I'm looking to go 2-3". I've learned with cars you get what you pay for so I figure this is no different.

Excalibur35

01-10-2011, 03:36 PM

Oh yeah another thing I meant to ask, did all ZJ's come with keyless entry? I know my bro's 95 ZJ does and so I figure with mine being newer and that it's loaded it probably did but the owner didn't have the remote. Is there a way to tell if it previously did? I'm gonna see what the dealer charges for remotes and programming tomorrow but I was gonna see if anybody could answer that one for me.

apstang50

01-10-2011, 08:01 PM

I believe you can have the dealership do an inspection of the jeep to see if anything needs fixing and it's free. I could be wrong about that but think I've heard that. Since it's gonna be there for an oil change doesn't hurt to find out.

White Chocolate

01-10-2011, 08:05 PM

Sweeet!!! :)

Excalibur35

01-11-2011, 02:14 PM

Well just got done at the Jeep dealer and as part of the oil change they do a routine inspection and they found the following problems. A power steering leak and I'll need the pads and rotors replaced all the way around because they are down to 3mm. Other than that and some normal suggested services, everything looked great with it! I'm loving this thing so far!

Edit:
Here are some pics I took today
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr149/mr_mustang35/newjeep3.jpg
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr149/mr_mustang35/newjeep5.jpg
That is the only real problem with the interior looks wise is the rip in the driver's seat. It's not that big of a deal though
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr149/mr_mustang35/newjeep4.jpg
Passenger side and rear are minty fresh though. My girlfriend appreciates it haha

95_V8_ZJ

01-13-2011, 03:51 AM

Excalibur35

01-14-2011, 09:52 AM

good thing about the 96+Zjs the headlight switch is easier... the bottom knee bolster plastic, then pull the wood trim and then its 3 screws to remove the switch...
good luck

nice find, too... 110K, that motor isnt even broke-in yet.. that 4.0 will last forever with regular oil changes...

By headlight switch you mean dimmer switch? At least that's what I've always called them. If so, that's really simple! Does the bolster plastic just pop off along with the would trim or are there gonna be screws? I come from working on imports where interior panels just pop off. Don't wanna go break anything haha.

Yeah I know the motor will last forever, I'm just worried about the trans. After doing some reading on here I think the consensus is once it gets to about 140k, it'll go out. I guess we'll see. Hopefully a lift and slightly larger tires won't speed that process up.

Excalibur35

01-14-2011, 03:27 PM

Anybody used this lift kit? I've been thinking of how big I wanna go and right now it just doesn't make sense to go over 2" so I've been looking at some budget boost kits and it's basically come down to the 2 below

Rubicon Express
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits-Suspensions-and-Shocks/2-inch.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=38&t_pt=5491&t_pl=101371&t_pn=R%2fERE8030
Rusty's BB with shocks
http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=RK-BB20-ZJ&Category_Code=sus_zj_kit

Anybody have experience with either of these? How's the ride with them? I figure I should go ahead and get one with shocks because the one on it are shot and it needs some new ones. The other question would be should I just get a kit with out shocks and run some Bilstein's or something? If Bilsteins are going to give a better ride quality I'd consider it, but I plan on going bigger in the future so I would think I'd have to get new shocks then. I'm still new to lifting a truck. I've had lowered calls and done my own lowering, but I've never lifted anything so I don't know what's best. Any help is appreciated.

95_V8_ZJ

01-15-2011, 02:23 AM

By headlight switch you mean dimmer switch? At least that's what I've always called them. If so, that's really simple! Does the bolster plastic just pop off along with the would trim or are there gonna be screws? I come from working on imports where interior panels just pop off. Don't wanna go break anything haha.

Yeah I know the motor will last forever, I'm just worried about the trans. After doing some reading on here I think the consensus is once it gets to about 140k, it'll go out. I guess we'll see. Hopefully a lift and slightly larger tires won't speed that process up.

yeah, dimmer, light switch, headlight switch... all the same
IIRC 6 screws total on yours... the lower knee bolster is on by screws, and the headlight switch itself is held in by 3 screws. if you're really skilled, you can do it without removing the lower knee bolster, if you can gegt a screwdriver on to the bottom screw of the headlight switch.. the wood grain is simple grab-n-pull method

Anybody used this lift kit? I've been thinking of how big I wanna go and right now it just doesn't make sense to go over 2" so I've been looking at some budget boost kits and it's basically come down to the 2 below

Rubicon Express
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits-Suspensions-and-Shocks/2-inch.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=38&t_pt=5491&t_pl=101371&t_pn=R%2fERE8030
Rusty's BB with shocks
http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=RK-BB20-ZJ&Category_Code=sus_zj_kit

Anybody have experience with either of these? How's the ride with them? I figure I should go ahead and get one with shocks because the one on it are shot and it needs some new ones. The other question would be should I just get a kit with out shocks and run some Bilstein's or something? If Bilsteins are going to give a better ride quality I'd consider it, but I plan on going bigger in the future so I would think I'd have to get new shocks then. I'm still new to lifting a truck. I've had lowered calls and done my own lowering, but I've never lifted anything so I don't know what's best. Any help is appreciated.

way too much... you dont need shocks, stocks are good from -1, to about +2.5 inches of lift... i ran stock shocks on my Budget Boost forever, then found a nasty deal on SkyJacker Hydro shocks (0-3 inches of lift) for 30 bucks a piece, plus i got a 30 dollar mail in rebate, so i got one for free... plus lifetime warranty, made in the USA... the budget boost i got is 2 inches and is from 4wd.com, i got it in 2006 for 80 bucks, so its prob cheaper now...
the good thing about the BB is you dont need to do anything to the sway bars, or end links, or control arms. and if you want that aggresive look over all the stockers, thats a good start.. cheap and easy.. prob about a solid nonstop 4-5 hours, and you're done, if you dont do shocks... plan on replacing the front shock bolts (the ones on the axle, 2 a piece) with grade 8s, nothin fancy. just a nut, bolt, locknut, and washer. i used ARP stainless ones on mine, and it was a peace of mind type of thing... the old ones were orig from 95... the rears were kinda odd, in that they wouldnt come off the top bolt.

lemme know if you wanna know anything else..

Excalibur35

01-15-2011, 08:45 AM

Well the only reason I am considering shocks is because when I hit bumps there is a clunk like a shock is blown and when the dealership did the inspection they said the right front shock was leaking. That's the only reason I wanna do shocks. I'm deciding on whether or not I wanna tackle this little project in the driveway. If I end up doing shocks, I doubt I will, but if I don't do shocks I might get one of my mechanically inclined buddies over and do it. I know a few things but he works at a shop and knows a little more. Now I'm sure this is a noob question, but where do the spacers go?

apstang50

01-15-2011, 12:05 PM

The spacers go on top of the coil springs.

Excalibur35

01-16-2011, 05:48 PM

So I was told on another forum that if my jeep has a CV axle instead of a u joint on the front drive shaft that I'll wear it out real quick with a lift even as little as 2 inches. Any truth to this? Do ZJ's have a u joint or CV?

1 GRAND

01-17-2011, 08:19 AM

Excalibur35

01-17-2011, 09:52 AM

You have the cv front axles and cv front drive line. My 94 has the u joint driveline and it has been replaced twice. I will never lift another one. Mine was lifted to actually be used in the mountains getting back to a cabin we have, so it has been abused hard and I think I have found every flaw of a lift lol.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs035.snc3/12307_116127678417127_100000596851557_164101_80264 94_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs035.snc3/12307_116127685083793_100000596851557_164103_52484 56_n.jpg
.

So you have u-joints and still had trouble? So it doesn't matter which driveline I have with a lift they both are screwed basically? If the U-joints are better is there a way I can swap them out? If so what should I be looking for? Good looking jeep by the way!

1 GRAND

01-17-2011, 01:57 PM

So you have u-joints and still had trouble? So it doesn't matter which driveline I have with a lift they both are screwed basically? If the U-joints are better is there a way I can swap them out? If so what should I be looking for? Good looking jeep by the way!

Excalibur, click this link. http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/Truckhtml/Jeep.html

Type one is what my old 94 has. It has been replaced twice due to bad ujoints, due to me having it in mud and sand over the hood lol. Under normal use lifted I am sure the stockers would be fine.

Type two (upper pic beside type two) is what your Jeep has. You can get a replacement ujoint style driveline shown in the link.

I hope I have not confused you. Congrats on the purchase. It looks like a nice ride. Always cool to see a Laredo with leather.

Excalibur35

01-17-2011, 03:47 PM

Excalibur, click this link. http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/Truckhtml/Jeep.html

Type one is what my old 94 has. It has been replaced twice due to bad ujoints, due to me having it in mud and sand over the hood lol. Under normal use lifted I am sure the stockers would be fine.

Type two (upper pic beside type two) is what your Jeep has. You can get a replacement ujoint style driveline shown in the link.

I hope I have not confused you. Congrats on the purchase. It looks like a nice ride. Always cool to see a Laredo with leather.

No no you haven't confused me that's a lot of good information and it's another site that I can browse to learn. I don't plan on having it up to the hood in mud or sand, yet at least. Really it'll just be a daily driver and then a, at the most, once a month toy to go out and play around in the mud in. I'll save that link and if I start having trouble then I'll look into swapping. Are there pro's and con's for either style? Sorry with all the questions, I just wanna learn haha. Are there any good books out there I should pick up to help me understand Jeeps or 4x4ing in general?

1 GRAND

01-17-2011, 04:49 PM

I have always heard the ujoint style was stronger.

I like the Hanes Parts breakdown manual. It shows how to tear down anything on the Jeep and put it back together.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CVMJ1HN5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I am not sure on any 4x4 books. Check some videos on youtube and you will get an idea of what your Jeep can do.

Excalibur35

01-17-2011, 07:23 PM

Ok cool. See for Hondas those aren't very helpful, but I've had them for other cars and they were. With my Hondas I downloaded shop manuals so I used those but I haven't found one for a ZJ yet. Ill do some research on the CV vs U joint, but I'll stick with what I got for now. I'm leaning towards not lifting it right now anyway cause I just wanna drive it and make sure I'm gonna keep it haha. Lately I haven't been keeping cars.

apstang50

01-18-2011, 09:04 AM

Go here and register (for free) then click on downloads and go from there. This is where I downloaded the FSM for my 98. http://www.jeepslimited.com/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=47

Excalibur35

01-22-2011, 11:37 AM

Thanks for that link

So my next question might sound dumb, but remember I'm a n00b. So I was gonna put this in a hypothetical as my girlfriend did this while driving, but I'll just man up and say I did it. I used 4 wheel drive to get out of my GF's driveway yesterday because it was icy. Got out fine and then put the lever back into 2wd. So naturally I thought I was in 2wd. I got on the interstate and once I got to 50mph I knew there was more noise than normal and so I thought well maybe it's still in 4 wheel. So I pulled over and ran it through 4 wheel back to 2 wheel to see if that would make 2wd engage and it didn't. I was headed to work so I didn't have anymore time to mess with it. I didn't get above 70 with 4wd engaged. Did or could I have cause any damage driving with it in 4wd at 70mph? The reason I ask is because now you can smell diff fluid when you get in and while driving. I was afraid maybe I've somehow damaged the transfer case. This ever happened to anybody? Should I be worried?

apstang50

01-22-2011, 03:49 PM

Well you shouldn't be smelling diff fluid cause TC take tranny fluid. Were you moving slowly with the tranny in neutral while shifting the TC? If your smelling diff fluid you may have other issues.

Excalibur35

01-22-2011, 05:08 PM

Yeah I was in neutral when I shifted the TC. Well I'm pretty sure I'm smelling did fluid cause that crap smells terrible. I used to work at Valvoline and did a number if diff fluid changes so that why I say it's diff fluid. Since the 4wd was engaged and doing 70 is it possible I burnt the fluid in the front diff since in all likely hood it probably hasn't been changed recently? I'm not so much worried about the smell, I'm worried if i cause any damage. Doing 70 in 4wd, will/can it cause damage? The diff fluid smell I can worry about later. I've been planning on doing a TC and front and rear diff service anyway. I have been keeping a close eye to see of anything is leaking anywhere and it's not so I don't think I've busted any seals, the smell bothers me though because its only come up since that little 70 mph incident

1 GRAND

01-23-2011, 07:17 PM

Excalibur35

01-24-2011, 02:51 PM

All of my Jeeps are Full Time 4x4 and I run 120mph alot in them lol. I don't think 70mph would hurt you.

Ha ok cool. the last couple of days the smell has died down so I'm not as worried. Thanks fellas!