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ZJ 5.9L Restoration

Discussion in 'Grand Cherokee' started by Gideon_Rah, Jun 1, 2018.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jun 1, 2018 at 8:03 AM
    #1
    Gideon_Rah

    #1
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    About a week ago I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a 1998 5.9L Jeep GC.

    The Jeep needs a lot of work but that's ok. I have always wanted to work on one of these and now I have the chance.

    I have decided to post my progress on this thread as others will probably have some of the same issues I run across and this will provide a source of information for other like minded individuals.
     
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 1, 2018
    #1
    JKBob 25, aggrex, chris4x4 and 1 other person like this.
  2. Jun 1, 2018 at 8:04 AM
    #2
    Gideon_Rah

    #2
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    Also epic Jeep pics.
     
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 1, 2018
    #2
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  3. Jun 1, 2018 at 8:53 AM
    #3
    Gideon_Rah

    #3
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    I have identified these issues I would like to deal with:
    1. Grommets on suspension need to be replaced. Track bar, drag bar
    2. Shock absorber on steering stabilizer needs grommets replaced and the tube is rusty.
    3. Coolant leak (minor) under front of engine.
    4. Transmission leak (very minor) under transmission pan.
    5. Fan has been bipassed with an electric switch in cab.
    6. Rust body (cosmetic mostly)
    7. Obvious wiring issue in sterio. As lights flicker intermittently.
    8. Front drive shaft is broken. (CV joint is torn and it seizes up. Axle has been removed)
    9. Crack in windshield.
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2018
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 1, 2018
    #3
    JKBob 25 and OFFGRID like this.
  4. Jun 1, 2018 at 8:59 AM
    #4
    Gideon_Rah

    #4
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    Member:
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    Messages:
    30
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    Getting the vehicle dependible on the road is my main priority.
    1. I have started by pulling the steering damper shock off and I am reconditioning it. It should be done by tonight.
    2. I am trying to find a replacement from the front drive shaft that won't cost me an arm and a leg. Considering replacing it with a u joint if at all possible. I would rather service a u joint routinely than replace a CV shaft every time the boot rips.
    3. Need to find out of I can replace the grommets on the suspension instead of replacing the entire rod.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2018
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 1, 2018
    #4
    JKBob 25, OFFGRID and chris4x4 like this.
  5. Jun 1, 2018 at 9:21 AM
    #5
    OFFGRID

    #5
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    Are you IFS or solid front axle? It sounds like IFS if you have CV Joints.
     
    OFFGRID, Jun 1, 2018
    #5
  6. Jun 1, 2018 at 11:13 AM
    #6
    Gideon_Rah

    #6
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
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    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    20180601_130059.jpg
    Not IFS.
    I believe a pic is worth a thousand words also it's much easier for me to explain things with them.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2018
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 1, 2018
    #6
    OFFGRID and JKBob 25 like this.
  7. Jun 1, 2018 at 11:14 AM
    #7
    Gideon_Rah

    #7
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    Here is a pic of the broken front drive shaft. 20180529_174629.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2018
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 1, 2018
    #7
  8. Jun 1, 2018 at 11:33 AM
    #8
    aggrex

    #8
    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    That looks like a drive shaft
     
    aggrex, Jun 1, 2018
    #8
  9. Jun 1, 2018 at 11:38 AM
    #9
    Gideon_Rah

    #9
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
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    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    I meant drive shaft sry.
     
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 1, 2018
    #9
  10. Jun 1, 2018 at 12:53 PM
    #10
    OFFGRID

    #10
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    I agree. Get you a normal drive shaft with the double cardon on Tcase side and a 1310 yoke and ujoint on the pinion side. I would call Tom Wood's Custom Drive shafts and get them to hook you up. Hands down my favorite for lots of reasons. 1(877)497-4238
     
    OFFGRID, Jun 1, 2018
    #10
    Rc Jeep, JKBob 25, aggrex and 1 other person like this.
  11. Jun 1, 2018 at 2:27 PM
    #11
    aggrex

    #11
    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Vehicle:
    Backcountry '16
    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    That's okay as you got a decent list of tasks to perform that will be an interesting build. The suspension is not stock so replacement parts/bushings might be available from the lift manufacturer. I'm wondering whether the work/expense for pressing in bushings would be be cost-effective. Subscribed....
     
    aggrex, Jun 1, 2018
    #11
  12. Jun 2, 2018 at 3:24 PM
    #12
    Gideon_Rah

    #12
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
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    Gender:
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    First Name:
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    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    Over the course of the week I removed the shock on the steering stabilizer, removed ALL the paint and rust with a wire wheel, removed the single rotten grommet (the other one was missing entirely) primed and painted it. Then added new polyurethane grommets from energy suspension.

    20180602_155513.jpg
     
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 2, 2018
    #12
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  13. Jun 2, 2018 at 6:21 PM
    #13
    JKBob 25

    #13
    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Seems like we've been here before. Is that a yellow shock?? :cool:.
    Subbed to your build dude. Still lookin forward to those epic jeep pics thou. :).
     
    JKBob 25, Jun 2, 2018
    #13
    Billy1234 likes this.
  14. Jun 2, 2018 at 6:34 PM
    #14
    Gideon_Rah

    #14
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

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    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    Thx hope I have some to show soon.
     
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 2, 2018
    #14
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  15. Jun 2, 2018 at 6:41 PM
    #15
    Gideon_Rah

    #15
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

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    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    20180602_203545.jpg
     
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 2, 2018
    #15
    chris4x4, aggrex and JKBob 25 like this.
  16. Jun 2, 2018 at 6:44 PM
    #16
    JKBob 25

    #16
    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    My first jeep was an XJ. Current jeep a JK. But there's some thing I like bout those ZJs. Nice dude....:thumbsup:.
     
    JKBob 25, Jun 2, 2018
    #16
  17. Jun 7, 2018 at 12:47 PM
    #17
    Gideon_Rah

    #17
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    Minor update
    Installed steering damper
    Next I have to replace the tierod ends in the drag link.
    It's minor but at least it's progress
    20180607_124945.jpg
     
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 7, 2018
    #17
    OFFGRID, chris4x4 and JKBob 25 like this.
  18. Jun 13, 2018 at 5:39 PM
    #18
    Gideon_Rah

    #18
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    Minor update.
    Tie rods are either terrible or worse. I'm pulling the tie rods and drag link.
    20180612_181108.jpg 20180612_181058.jpg 20180612_181042.jpg
     
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 13, 2018
    #18
    chris4x4 and JKBob 25 like this.
  19. Jun 13, 2018 at 6:33 PM
    #19
    Gideon_Rah

    #19
    Gideon_Rah [OP] Active Member

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    Gender:
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    First Name:
    Gideon
    Vehicle:
    Black 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L
    5.5" lift K and N CAI
    I now have the replacement parts but it seems like every time I have time to work on putting them on, it starts raining.
    Hope to have the new drag link and tie rods on by Friday evening.
     
    Gideon_Rah, Jun 13, 2018
    #19
  20. Jun 13, 2018 at 6:35 PM
    #20
    chris4x4

    #20
    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Rain? Not sure what that is here in AZ...…...
     
    chris4x4, Jun 13, 2018
    #20
    UrbanCowboy and JKBob 25 like this.
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