Slower-poke Build. 98 ZJ 5.9 Limited

First topic message reminder :

Ya, I'm gonna build it.
(Updated 2/18/13)

For those who don't know, the 5.9 Limited was a 1 year only deal. Only 15,000 were made. It included the high output 5.9l v8 (premium gas only), 46RE (i think) trans, D30 Front and D44a Rear with LSD, NP249 Tcase, Full set of skid plates underneath, recovery hooks, functional louvers on the hood to vent heat, electric only fan (a first for GC's), a redesigned roof rack, and a super cherry interior including real calf skin leather on the seats, leather trim on door panels, extra wood grain trim around the shifter, and 10 speakers for the tunes (the extra speakers mounted on a soundbar on the roof of the cargo area).

Right now its stock with a 2" BB lift. Sitting on 225/70/16 road tires. 225/75/16 Goodyear Wranger MT/R's.

This will probably be more of a question and answer thread for a while until I can build up some funds to buy needed parts.

My current plans are:

2" Spacer lift DONE 2/18/13, larger tires, hopefully 265/75/16 will fit with that lift
NP242 swap. The 249 VC is shot and has to go! (Or maybe, fix the 249, its really not a bad tcase)
Keeping the 249, has proved itself offroad. Will have to put a new VC in it soon though.

Replace the speakers (most are blown) Need my tunes.


Far far future plans may include a larger lift, custom roof carrier w/ light bar, steel bumpers w/ winch (more lights), steel rocker rails, and who knows...


Day 1 (sitting next to my old ZJ - 98 4.0 Limited)


2/18/13

good deal. i think i would definitely go ahead and throw some 2" pucks in there while your at it.

Any recommendation on replacement bushings? AZ stockers or polys?

it's just your preference really. if your planning on continuing to wheel it i would say go with polys, they'll hold up longer from all the mud/dirt and flexing.

But the rubber bushings are so cheap!!!
May go with them so more money for some spacers.

Still need to source some matching size tires, otherwise will have to leave the front driveshaft out for a while.

what size you looking for? i'll keep my eye out

225/70/16 would be the easiest route as I have 3 of them on the 5.9 wheels and would only need 1 tire.

Was gonna get a set of 265/70/15 on wheels for $75 but haven't had the cash. hopefully he still has them when I get paid.

A little flex.

WOW! REALLY!!?

I said "a little"

not bad for a stocker

LOL... OK... maybe I was harsh. But I didn't think it was thread worthy... but at least someone is posting...

Its my Build thread lol...

On another note, I am hoping to trade my 96 Camry for a 95 Grand Cherokee Limited v8 today!!!! Wish me the luck!

Needs some work on front axle (great, i'll have 2 v8 jeeps without 4x4). None of the windows go down, needs taillights, and maybe rear bumper.

I'm guessing this one will be a trail truck? And he 5.9 will be the dd

It will probably be my DD + trail rig and the wife will drive the 5.9. So we can get rid of her car payment.

We'll see. He may take one look at the Camry and say no.

Got it, Got it, Got it!!!



Gonna need some tail lights right away. I need to fix the windows ASAP, all stopped working. Has a miss in the engine, but suspension and trans all seem in good shape. Front driveshaft is out, pinion yoke is not in the right place, not sure what this all means, but I suspect I'll be needed yet *another* front axle...

The rear gate lift shocks work good, might have to move them to the niner. Dang, I need to start another build thread!

Looking good cant wait to see it in the trail

As soon as I get the 4 wheel drive working, its trail time!

sweet! yet another white zj on the forum haha! can't wait to see progress

gs69350 wrote:

As soon as I get the 4 wheel drive working, its trail time!

Maybe not. I think i'll save the white one for the trails. That last ride was rough on the niner. But, I plan on having the new axle swapped in before the end of the year. Hoping to grab a set of matching tires to get it back on the niner wheels too.

Better Flexy... Still stock

Now it my turn to give some body a hard time to go... Awww look at the baby flex!!!!!

Hoping to get some new tires on it tomorrow, back on the factory wheels, no more mismatch. Next step will be getting the front axle swapped out for the return of 4wd. Maybe some sway bar disconnects for less of the "baby flex"...

those axle swaps are a task lol. hopefully you get yours done quicker than i did in the mj, took me about 2 weeks i think, but i was installing lots of other parts at the same time

Didn't get the tires, turns out they were in pretty bad shape. he thought I wanted the wheels. But I did score some 265/75/16's for the price of FREE! Now I have a very compelling reason to pick up some 2" pucks.

Sometime in the next 4 weeks I plan on getting the pucks, then party time at my house for axle swap, then new tires mounted, and the return of 4wd. Soon after will be new shocks and swaybar discos.