98' 5.9L ZJ Chase Build ideas

[Zullock Holmes]

unibodies suck ass.

[#DEZERTDAD]

I'll chase for you in our Motorhome if you want?

[ne14dbn]

Ok, we need a snowball smiley! I can see this quickly going over the top, like all of my other projects. My first priority will be to get it running (sat for two years). Hopefully a fresh battery and some new fuel will do the trick. Next order of business is to get a front driveline in it. I broke the OE lpD30 back in the day (spiders through the diff). This 30 has a regular u-joint style yoke on it. After that it will be a fresh tune-up/service. All fluids and filters, check brakes, lines, mounts, seals etc.

This truck is rough for how nice it use to be. My pops turned this thing into an OBX cruiser/fishing rig back when he got his first WJ. So currently, I'm not sure if I'm going to gut the interior or not. All this will ever be is a chase/farm/jeepspeed/backup/recwheeling truck. Nothing crazy.

On that note, this is why I'm thinking 35's. Probably going KM2. Also, like Zullo suggested, I am strongly considering going with Clayton's LA kit. They have been good to me over the years and offer a top notch product. Can't beat the LA ride!

Keeping 4 seats is critical. Every pit need a MINIMUM of 3 guys but ideally there will be 4+. Because of this, it looks like I will have to do a roof rack. I will be able to carry the ZJ & 4421 spare up there plus whatever else doesn't fit in the back.

This truck will get a cage but before KOH I don't think its realistic. Are frame plates worth doing before JV? Any merit in coming through the floor in the rear (ie. lateral bracing) and utilizing shock mounts integrated with a chase rack or something?

Hmm so many options...I'm taking all of this in so keep the ideas coming. Any pics of one off mounts, racks etc are welcomed. Looking for Ideas.

Maybe I should just say fawk it an take Will up on his offer. With my crew, this is probably one you would regret my man

[HeavyMetal]

if you want it to be truly 'jeepspeed/chase', the list will go on and on and on and on and on................

if you want it to be a quick and dirty budget chase truck for KOH this coming year, i think things like going through the floor with shocks and similar stuff like that will be beyond what youre lookin for in the window of time before then. i did mine that way but it wasnt earth shattering or anything with difference. it eliminated body roll more than anything. if youre building an involved chase rack maybe itd be worth it just to integrate.

the more bracing you can get the better, the more quality parts u can get, the better. i guess it all comes down to time/money.

if this truck has been beaten on previously, it may be fatiguing already and plates prob would help you out, but if this is gonna be a virgin beat down you can honestly probably 'get away' with nothing if it comes down to it.

clayton radius arm, 2.0 shocks, bracing, support rack. shocks tuned for heavy compression low rebound and medium stiffness springs are gonna do your body good, but then again you know that.


the only crew driving my jeep anywhere is me and my right foot

if this were me, for racks id be integrating ideas from this thread maybe...cuz youll probably be hard pressed to find ZJ chase setups

http://www1.pirate4x4.com/forum/show...ighlight=chase

[Buffalo Phil]

I heard Helicopters are sweet chase vehicles.

[ne14dbn]

if you want it to be truly 'jeepspeed/chase', the list will go on and on and on and on and on................

if you want it to be a quick and dirty budget chase truck for KOH this coming year, i think things like going through the floor with shocks and similar stuff like that will be beyond what youre lookin for in the window of time before then. i did mine that way but it wasnt earth shattering or anything with difference. it eliminated body roll more than anything. if youre building an involved chase rack maybe itd be worth it just to integrate.

clayton radius arm, 2.0 shocks, bracing, support rack. shocks tuned for heavy compression low rebound and medium stiffness springs are gonna do your body good, but then again you know that.

I think you hit the nail on the head...quick and dirty budget chase. I have longer term aspirations for this Jeep but as of now I just need it to work and be able to assist in recovery also.

I heard Helicopters are sweet chase vehicles.

One day!

[SupermanIce-J]

Do you need people on your crew Erik???

I agree with will on everything.

[HeavyMetal]

I agree with will on everything.

[ne14dbn]

Do you need people on your crew Erik???

I agree with will on everything.

Always looking for additional help Josh. I will let you know what we need race we. Your offer is greatly appreciated.

[Pedro]

I like what has been said in here. I would pretty much agree with all of it. Long arms, good shocks, bam. I also agree with will on the 33's. Less weight, same width, more power, faster, and easier on the driveline parts. Keep it low, there will be a lot of weight being carried around in that thing.

And Erik, you know any of us would be down to lend a hand, just say the word

[CumminsJeep]

CB3 says to run 10.50s on volcanic ash sand so since you are in Johnson valley, make sure you get a 33x10.50 or 35x10.50...those are his two favorite sizes :X

[Buffalo Phil]

CB3 says to run 10.50s on volcanic ash sand so since you are in Johnson valley, make sure you get a 33x10.50 or 35x10.50...those are his two favorite sizes :X

And when you break in your suspension, put sand bags on all the seats that don't have people in them so the suspension breaks in evenly.

[CumminsJeep]

and running 10.50s will cure all death wobble

[Grandzjtsi]

i actually wouldnt even bother with 35s

"chasing" in JV by KOH standards is nothing more than mild desert running for the most part, youre gonna get everything you need (and more) out of a set of 33s. more power, less wear/tear, so on.

the only unibody bracing worth talking about comes with a cage. stiffeners alone just aint gonna cut it long term. short term youll be fine probably with nothing, (koh 2011), but plate stiffeners certainly can and would only help. full u-channel ideal, angle iron minimum.

or just haul my caged foxed airbumped deavered shit out there to chase . turnkey

long arms and MINIMUM 5150s if you want a half way decent performing truck at any speed. i would look for bilstein 7100s on the cheap, as they can be found for some smoking deals used. 10-11" travel max. though maybe glenn can hook you up. radius arm it.

if youre staying budget, and arent driving this all over creation back home, do a spool rear and call it done.

spare, if youre not space conscious, put it in the back of the jeep inside, its best there weight wise and containment wise, also a quick jobber to do. if you need the space inside, get it on a tire carrier out back somehow (built into a fabbed bumper), but brace the shit outta that baby cuz thats a lot of weight leveraging on the ass end at speed

brace the Cs on the dana 30 with some plate, across the front of em on the top and bottom does a body good. bending those is a bummer.

x2 on not doing 35s...33s would be the best bet on a 5.9 ZJ the wheel wells don't like 35s without a good deal of cutting

I vote for the claytons setup with an 8.8 rear and a HP D30 go 4.56s.on 33s... A 5.9 ZJ will haul on 33s, some 7100s would be a nice find but if this is going to be one of the lighter duty chase trucks are they necessary This with a 242 sye would be a stout setup! Add a JCR 1ton package OTK for the steering, a sway bar setup if you've got the funds

The performance ECU from mopar, a cam, intake and exhaust and your gonna have the nicest fastest 5'niner out there!

Tire carriers look to kevins offroad hes got probably the best deal for a simple, the best thing I've seen is an internal mount that keeps the tire at about a 45 degree angle in the cargo area for better visibility and less weight that far back.

[ne14dbn]

Thanks guys. Lots of good ideas and things to think about...i appreciate all of the input so far, keep it coming...

I agree with you guys on the 33's. I am all for keeping it low. I will probably end up using the 4.5in RockKrawler coils b/c I have them. I am really leaning towards the 35's again b/c I already own a set. They are Krawlers on WE beadlocks that I had on the old stock mod. I realize the toll this will take on the driveline if abused but I think it will be ok to get through pit duties at KOH.

Already running a K&N intake and exhaust. The cam and Mopar ECU has me interested down the road...

Any links for any 5.9L performance parts? Can't seem to find the ECU.