I found your channel recently on suggestion from a good friend, as I just bought a 99 XJ. I wasn't really intending on getting into the jeep game purely for it; I bought it from another friend who needed to sell it, and I needed a reliable vehicle (my 84 S10 needs some serious love and what I think is a vapor lock issue). The Cheap Jeep (CJ? Pun intended!) series was specifically suggested because we're engineering students, and are basically the spitting image of the finances your intro jokes about! I've loved this series, and after binge-watching most of your content over the past couple weeks, I have to say I have enjoyed the vlog style of the cheap jeep immensely. It's easy to kick back and watch, and gives plenty of ideas on how I can fix up my 'new' jeep for cheap.
IMHO, this series got so many views for two reasons: 1. ZJs are a dime-a-dozen right now and that makes them a great entry-level off-roading vehicle. 2. Mixing and matching salvaged and repurposed parts to build a vehicle is almost a lost art with today's cars and trucks being so complicated and seemingly incompatible from one to the other. You gave ZJ owners a roadmap of how to build a great rig and maybe even sparked the creativity of future wheelers/builders! Awesome job!!
Reasons this video is popular: 1. It's cheep! 2. It's a ZJ Matt, the Scorpion crawler is awesome , but a lot of us are here because we like to see things that are within our own reach to build. This one is plenty accessible in that way. Keep up the good work!
I liked the cheap jeep build because yes it was something different, a zj which i have been curious about for sometime. But probably more importantly is the fact that it was done on a small budget. As stated by a few, most of us don't have big $$$ to build a rock crawler. So this budget build was right up my alley. And the zj kicked some butt on the trails! I was really impressed.
Reasons I like this project: I like daily driver stocker look Jeep projects, I Like XJs, TJs, JKs Zjs Yep...necessarily in that order! You showed you don't need to empty your bank account to build a well capable off-road. Informative & Fun.
I think what appealed to most was that you changed the platform to a different jeep. Usually you guys are all working on XJs, so a ZJ was a welcome change! Keep up the great work!
@@jacobcrandall5666 The WJ is the next model of Grand Cherokee after the ZJ. The ZJ was the first generation from 1993 to 1998, then the WJ came in from 1999 to 2004, then the WK from 2005 to 2010 and now they are on the WKII from 2011 to present.
@@jacobcrandall5666 eh.. the V8 in the WJ is garbage. And while the unibody is stronger and the brakes are better on the WJ, the garbage engines and super low hanging gas tank on the back (much lower than the ZJs tank) ruin the platform for me. Seriously, that gas tank is like a giant hemorrhoid hanging out the back.
I like any vidoes on wheeling your ride on a budget. Junkyard upgrades and making things that belong in other vehicles work for your application. All stuff most guys relate to.
Great little Jeep! What I loved about this series was two things. I own a 97 ZJ so I can apply these mods. And second the mods are accessible to the average guy or gal tryin to make something out of what they have. Thanks for the series, look forward to the next!
People liked this project because it was relate-able. Nobody is going to watch a video then go out and build a tube frame rock crawler. Lifting a cheap craigslist ZJ with a couple friends is something that people can realistically do, however.
I love this build because I can relate to it. I have a 98 5.9. She kicks ass. I have tons and tons of plans for her and it's awesome to watch someone such as yourself working on something I love.
I've watched all your builds, but what set this one apart was partially that you did it on a budget that anyone could work with. also the way you did the videos was more entertaining than before, i loved the cheap jeep intros they always made me laugh. I'm glad to hear so many people liked the cheap jeep as much as i did, P.S. thanks for the radiator flush video helped me out of a jam with my XJ crawler.
I think this was the most watched video series because of idea of this truck and that it wasn't just another XJ. Don't get me wrong, I love me some XJ videos! Because of this channel, my 19 year old son and I have been building our own off-roading/Overlander XJ Project. We now own a 95 XJ. Your videos have been hugely important to us. The very first thing my son did to our truck was the headliner. All because of your headliner video from Hope Floats! Since then we have removed the engine, trans and T-case, did an engine replacement and new head (I know you don't do engine stuff, but I do and these 4.0L engines are way easy and super tough). Swaped out a broken Dana 35 for a newer Chrysler 8.25 Then fitted it all up with new leaf springs. Swappped out the E-brake cables and rrebuilt the rear brakes. Then bought new front coils, new adjustable track bar, quick disconnect swar bar links, dealt with the terrible death wobble because of the lift and some trashed tie rod ends as well as a bad alignment. Thanks for that video! Lowered the T-case to get rid of the drive shaft vibration. I bought a MIG welder and have started to repair some of the terrible things the original owner did to this poor truck ( he jumped it). And I will be getting a weld-your-own bumper kit for the front bumper with a winch. Again, thanks for the videos! You've been an inspiration and big help to us. THANK YOU and please keep the videos coming!
Most people I know are on a tight budget and it's nice to know what you can get for the money and if you break it's not a big deal and grand Cherokee's are all over the junk yard so very easy to find parts for
96 ZJ Lerado is my first car. I live in Alaska. These videos have taught me soooo much about jeeps, lift kits, and off roading. that's what attracted me to this channel. I'm working on choosing a lift kit, but I'm a near broke college student.
Kudos for Pull-A-Part for sponsoring this series, I really enjoyed it and learned much. This and the Zombie jeep were my favorites. What I liked best about this was keeping the project on a tight budget. Well done!
I think it is the cheap/inexpensive aspect. You see a lot of videos out there talking about these high dollar mods that companies put on their rigs but never a practical, "Let's see if I can do this on my own" kind of feel. It gives people looking for ideas, alternative suggestions instead of just buying a kit and installing it.
I really enjoyed this series! Cheep Jeep was a great video series for those of us looking to build a budget rig that is achievable with a few weekends of work. plus you used a ZJ platform this time that was awesome. I appreciate Those Desert Hawk tires you introduced us too. seem very budget-friendly for weekend wheeling or commuting to work. I'm now hoping for your NEXT BUILD You will get a WJ 4.0 from Pull-A-Part and start a new build series. REALLY want to see you do a WJ build for sure. I definitely appreciate all the hard work your putting into the Bleeping Jeep videos. keep up the good work bro!
it was mix between your hilarious antics vlog style and your soothing mr rogers-like voice. also i just bought a zj and these are just great to watch to get ideas of what mine could be. great work!
There's not a lot of ZJ support out there so I loved the lift, transfer case swap, bumper build, and steak and mashed potatoes grunt of the v8. Please do a moonroof fix next so many people have them and they don't work. Thank you !
I like the hood release haha mine is the same way. you sure are right about the wiring gremlins :/ P.S. this was the best series because it was a ZJ, there isn't much good ZJ content on here
I found your channel after I bought my zj looking for ideas. Came across the cheep jeep videos. Loved them. I have gone back and watched just about everything you guys have. You three are amazing
I think it was the "Cheap Jeep" build and DIY how to that made this popular. And a big increase in your viewers. Enjoy "BP" you folk always bring a smile to my face.
I really liked knowing the prices and seeing you use your head to complete this project on its budget. It was relatable for us young guys with not a lot of money to blow
I've been vocal about having a hate relationship with ZJ's but I think you did a great job with that one. The troubleshooting one when you found the electrical drain was particularly good. As for the reason why I watched this series of videos, I'm always interested in cheap wheeling and this build doesn't disappoint, just like all the XJ builds before it. Great job, Matt.
I am a zj fan. I have an old, 93'! It has the AW4/ NP231, which makes the power train the same as the XJ. You've really well educated me on the finer points of a Jeep! I have a buddy who was a Jeep master tech for years. Between the two of you I feel like I'm really well covered!
These videos were really helpful for me while I was building my XJ. Focusing on more budget-minded content is what I would recommend moving forward. We all WANT to build our own Scorpion Crawler, but not a whole lot of us can actually do it. What I love about XJs is that they can be done on a budget, and I think that a lot of other people can agree with me.
Being a ZJ project is what caught my attention first but also it was the at home backyard mechanic aspect of the project that I really liked. I think it was a project that most of us could relate to. Been a bleepinjeep fan ever since.
Im finally building my 98 5.9 after sitting for 10 years. It has new engine, transfer case and many upgrades to come. My interior is very good with perfect leather and sunroof still works. These videos are great.
honestly, I have been following for a while and I would venture to say this was most popular because anyone can BUY a build with a checkbook. It's nice to watch someone make something real out of ingenuity.
Love that it didn't involve tons of fabricating, the scorpion crawler is cool but I don't have those tools or the materials to make something like that, I'm sure others feel the same. Keep up the work love the videos!!
I like this series because I am ZJ owner and because I as a fellow content creator I noticed the extra effort to achieve a higher quality of entertainment.
I was drawn to your channel because at the time I was building my own ZJ "cheap jeep". Then a couple years later you built your own. I watched these video to see what kinds of parts I could have retrofit, like the control arms from a JK. Great series. Most of all, it is relatable.
For me it was a combination of the vlog style of the video (made it more of a journey for me to keep up with), and the cheap aspect of it. The scorpion crawler is AWESOME, but for the everyday person it may not be as "do-able" as the Cheap Jeep. That and I bought a 1994 ZJ 4.0 4x4 (not awd thankfully) around the time you started this series.
The reason I like the Cheap Jeep video is that I have ZJs, 30 total in the past 2 years. I have 2 lifted, my father in law has 2 lifted (budget lifts) and I"ve torn them apart and put them back together. They are super easy to work on and there are a million of them around, so they are cheap and in the Seattle area, you can find one in really nice shape for 500.00
Loved the cheep jeep build. Mostly because it showed how to do mods that most people do, but on a tighter budget than most. Those 31s look HUGE on there!
It was the budget thing for me. As fun as it is to see high dollar parts getting unboxed and bolted together, this budget stuff is way more familiar to most of us. The diagnosis was helpful, too.
LOL I had the SAME hood latch on my ZJ. A certain tire chain....lets call them -"BurningRock" broke it and then said "it was like that". But anyways I now use my fingers to pull the nub. The headlights ya flimsy, door panels I have a whole bag of door clips to keep re-using and wiring IS a problem. My dash dims all the time some spots like the 4x4 indicator is very bright flashing. Dumbest thing also, who needs the 4x4 indicator....I know its in 4wheel drive I pulled the lever. What I love-- The tires are awesome! The building the bumpers, both of them, was really nice to watch. The innovative lift modification and rear controls arms were very cool. It wasn't just a buy and slap on thing.
I enjoyed watching the cheap Jeep challenge because it showed me that you don't have to have alot of money to wheel. I think you should do another cheap Jeep challenge using a different style jeep.keep up the good work I enjoy the videos
I love my 94' ZJ w/5.2L .. throughout the Cheap Jeep build I have saved every video into my library history in my jeep folder for quick reference, Have already collected the parts for my lift (like the cheap jeep) and the only items i had to buy were swaybar relocation bracket and the used control arms. Thank you for doing this build. Built not bought
I like the Cheap Jeep videos because it is an affordable build. We can sort of do build-along with your videos. And the creativity of finding parts and ways to keep the budget down.
I watched so many of the Cheap Jeep videos because Jeeps had always been outside my realm of possibility due to budget constraints. But this gave me hope! So, I went out a week or so ago and found a 99 WJ for under $500 with a cracked 0331 head and started working on it.
I am so glad that I found your videos. Awesome job on the cheap Jeep. I've owned two 98 ZJs and I'm currently in a 97. I have recently started trailing in the Ocala national forest and I want to put a 4 inch lift in this one and your videos are definitely going to help me out a lot.
The reason I like and follow this series is because I recently started accumulating parts for my own "cheap jeep" ZJ. I've had it for a while and decided I wanted to start adding to it. I got everything (correct "new" parts) for the 3.5" lift except for a few parts here and there for around $110 from craigslist and junk yards. The last thing left is control arms so I may use your idea with the JK arms when the time comes since its not really "NEEDED" immediately. I enjoyed the build, nice job.
Love your channel! You are the Mr Rogers of the jeep world, in a totally awesome way! Watched every minute of the Cheap Jeep build because it is the kind of things I can possibly do to my TJ on my budget. Did take a while to warm up to the Bavarian style music, but then I figured it was kind of like Oktoberfest and I was sold. Keep it up, the vids help me out all the time. Thanks
Matt - the bell icon is already there when you're subscribed, no need to risk having people unsubscribe so they can get content alerts. Love the ZJ build... I have a ZJ and XJ and have really enjoyed your channel! I too like the V8 and coil spring ride of the ZJ.
Really enjoyed the show down was definitely a draw you guys had me glued to the video wondering who’s gonna flip or roll first well no flips or rolls still was a great video,,shows a lot of expert driving skills.
To answer why I watched this more closely from my perspective -- it was mostly the aspect of gearing up a vehicle for off-road on a budget, and I think (or I hope) most folks would agree with this. And lets not lie to ourselves here: *VERY few* people have an extra five-to-thirty thousand to throw around at a wheeler for fun on the weekend.
I’m with several others that said there is not much out there about ZJ’s. Product support is low, but build info is very hard to find. My favorite was the rear bumper build. Thanks Matt.
I liked you doing it on the cheap! Not many can spend 30k, 50k, 60k on a trail rig. Getting out there on a budget can be hard and seeing what you can do on a budget is very nice.
I have a cheap jeep of my own. Reason why I loved watching this. It gave me ideas of what to do to mine and also the reason I started making videos about it. Granted I only have one video of it so far and mine is a WJ but hey. Loved the series it was awesome to watch.
As awesome as the scorpion build was, I think it was over the top myself. It was a great build and I enjoyed watching but I thought the zombie/hope floats/cheap jeep build were more interesting because they were relatable to something I would want to take on. The scorpion is obviously a purpose built toy and I hope you have a blast with it. I can't speculate why views varied from build to build, bleepinjeep has been and continues to be a great channel. Keep it up!
Affordable and relatable are the key words here. Most of us needs something which don't break the bank, and can keep its license plates. How about "budget conscious", not cheap? :)
When I built the winch mount for my 98 ZJ I cut out the lower part of the grill and set the winch as far back against the AC condenser as I could. The end result not only looks better, but gives that much more approach angle for when you are trying to get up a steep rock wall.
Cheap jeep was practical ... not many of us have money to do a scorpion build or extreme customizing. This showed us how with some ingenuity anyone can build a cool off road jeep on the cheap!
WJ Build!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WJ's are Jeeps, Too :) I like this series because it's the closest you've come to a WJ build.
Yep i think the reason for the most popular video was that lots of us are on the budget and this gave us great insight on how to build up a cheap jeep and still have fun offroad. MJ next?
@@wildbill23c yeah I've had them all, my only complaint is the Stupid 2 piece intake manifold with a gasket that is without a doubt going to fail and then it'll be sucking motor oil into the intake.. My 5.9 didn't have any problems even with high mileage, but both 5.2's were a pain in the arse.. next one is another 4.0 with the FACTORY tow package so it'll have 3.73 axle gearing AND most likely have a limited slip rear end too..
Yes to both, the new style is great and the budget build, for those of us that's broke like a stepped on cookie, is incredible because it's something that just about anyone can build. Budget build is the story of my life. I bought an '02 Bravada because it was cheap and came with a rear locker. It has since been lifted, converted to selectable 4wd with low range, and modified to suit my desires. Can I wheel in the same place as a Rubicon? Probably not, but I have so far, thing is, you bang up your Ruby, you're out tens of thousands for repairs. I have $6,200 in mine, and $1200 of that is tires (32" STT Pro). Keep up the great work!
All your videos are great Mat! Just finished installing a new drive shaft with new u-joints and the chromoly axle kit for the CAD delete on my 91XJ 5speed manual and your videos helped me a lot. Keep up the good work👍 looking forward to more vids!
I recently came across your channel and I love the way you explain your builds, I'm a faithful follower now and can't wait for your next build to see what you have in store. Keep up the excellent work and continue making these videos and ill continue following them.
This is all really new to me. I have already learned TONS from your videos in the last two days. Would you consider doing a series explaining the systems & parts of a jeep - maybe doing one series on the undercarriage and then another series under the hood, describing each system, what each part is, what each part does, how to recognize if it's got problems and how to care for it? Maybe then a link to your past videos about how to repair and replace them? Things newbies need to know?
There really isn't that many ZJ builds that won't cost an arm and leg so i enjoy it. Like you said in the video, there's not that much aftermarket support. Which means every ZJ owner wants to see all the options they have to make a good build.
I like this cause of budget build I started with a budget with my xj but have grown into more exspensive stuff. The other thing I like is being able to watch and help my buddies in our 4x4 club with lifting and modding there jeeps . Since I found your channel I have not missed one video . A bunch of the stuff you have done on zombie jeep I've been doing to my jeep myself . Keep it up ready to see we're the next video goes
I liked this series because it was something I could approach and do with simple tools and not much cash. I bought a WJ and did similar, trying to spend as little as possible. Main difference you did is the rear bumper - a lot of us don't have a plasma cutter and welder, much less the skills. But the rest - yep, good stuff.
I liked the z j cheep jeep . I have a 98 z j and you showed how to build and up grade some thing that my self and most average guys can afford to build .i enjoy your channel and hope to see more builds like this on your channel thanks i enjoyed it.
What I liked about the cheap Jeep build was the accessibility. Scorpion crawler is bad to the bone but not something most people have the budget, time or space to build, it's excess. The zombie jeep was cool and well built with some great accessories, I guess I just thought zombie was a little cliche, though I'm not a huge fan of all things zombie. My vote would be to build something else "accessible". Like an older 4 cylinder wrangler with a 4.0 (maybe stroker?) or SBC swap. I enjoy your vids, keep them coming! Editing skills are looking good Matt!
Awesome 4x4 channel! Been watching since the zombie jeep. I like the vlog style and cheap aspect of you building with tools that a common everyday person has. But my favorite is the skorpion crawler!
Yes, Chrysler was seriously stingy in the 90's. Have you seen the Rams from that era? I have a 98 and it is Fugg-Lee! Cheesy interior and body parts and crappy brakes. 5.9, 47RE, 231, DANA 44's are all pretty good. It's only saving grace is that it's more common and had a 10 year production run so parts are pretty easy to find.
I never really liked the styling of the ZJ for many years, and always liked the WJ far better. I still like the WJ, but the ZJ grew on me, and I ended up buying a very clean and pampered 95 Laredo. Forest Green Metallic, my favorite color, and a 4.0, which isn;t the most powerful option, but it's reliable. No dents. I decided from the get-go to keep it street sweet, with minimal upgrades. First to go were the Chrysler Mini-Van wheels. The saw blade type. I have always admired the clean utility look of the old Forest Service vehicles, so I found a set of steel rims from a 2002 Ford Ranger, cleaned them up and painted them rattle can silver, and mounted 30x 9.50x 15 KO2's for a taller profile and keeping the tread skinny and tucked in to the body drip line. The tires are not too heavy for the rather moderate duty power train. A simple puck lift of 3" was done and I called it quits The footprint is perfect, and I think they should have come from the factory with this option as a package. Totally stock suspension, but a new steering box. I don't "wheel" at all. I use it for getting me into the remote campsites I like and for launching and retrieving my 14ft tin skiff on worn out, muddy gravel ramps. It's a goat in snow - better than my 96 XJ that I had for 8 reliable years. I think it's because of the 700 extra pounds. So far, so good.
I think the faster pace to completion is a major factor. The Scorpion build took quite a while and at times became maybe too instructional and lacking enough of the goofy bits that make watching fun. That would be my main thought Also to consider: -The steady content release was nice, it made the story easier to follow. -The suspense of having a budget, wether it's a 30k or 1k budget it is always one bad purchase away, that suspense makes it more exciting to see what direction you go. -Relatability I think is a factor since more people have a regular Jeep that they want ideas for than Rock Crawler Jeepers. I personally totally enjoyed the Scorpion build and took much more away from it than the Cheap Jeep build. Not to say that less informational is bad by any means. The mix of Instructional, Personal, Suspenseful and Goofy is, I think, what Cheap Jeep did right. Happy Jeeping Matt, thanks for the ride along!
Cheap Jeep is awesome I actually like it so much I just bought a 2002, and will be using many of the things you did. I will be doing the suspensions and the tires for sure.
I really think you stated the popularity in your summary and a reason you didn't like the ZJ. for those of us with a ZJ addiction, you are correct, there isn't much aftermarket support and I feel like at times we pay a premium for the parts that are available. Fabrication and "making things fit" is much more feasible for a ZJ owner like myself. The series was outstanding and I hope you do consider showing other "odd ball" jeep builds.
The reason I started watching this series is because I actually have a 5.9 ZJ in the garage. It used to be a daily driver for her; but, after the fuel tank scare, a sedan with the highest safety ratings came into the family and the ZJ has been sitting on a battery tender, hoping to find a new purpose in the family. A lot of the mods in the videos are way more than I care to attempt; but, I am thinking of a 4.5 lift kit with 33's. I have a Suburban with stock 31's on it and for the places I go, I'll never scratch the bottom with 33's; so, we'll see how the fit goes. I like being able to see how the 31's fit; and, it looks like you had room for more, with a lower lift; than, what I'd like to attempt.
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I found your channel recently on suggestion from a good friend, as I just bought a 99 XJ. I wasn't really intending on getting into the jeep game purely for it; I bought it from another friend who needed to sell it, and I needed a reliable vehicle (my 84 S10 needs some serious love and what I think is a vapor lock issue). The Cheap Jeep (CJ? Pun intended!) series was specifically suggested because we're engineering students, and are basically the spitting image of the finances your intro jokes about!
I've loved this series, and after binge-watching most of your content over the past couple weeks, I have to say I have enjoyed the vlog style of the cheap jeep immensely. It's easy to kick back and watch, and gives plenty of ideas on how I can fix up my 'new' jeep for cheap.
The fact that you picked a zj was the reason we all loved the video
IMHO, this series got so many views for two reasons:
1. ZJs are a dime-a-dozen right now and that makes them a great entry-level off-roading vehicle.
2. Mixing and matching salvaged and repurposed parts to build a vehicle is almost a lost art with today's cars and trucks being so complicated and seemingly incompatible from one to the other. You gave ZJ owners a roadmap of how to build a great rig and maybe even sparked the creativity of future wheelers/builders! Awesome job!!
Reasons this video is popular:
1. It's cheep!
2. It's a ZJ
Matt, the Scorpion crawler is awesome , but a lot of us are here because we like to see things that are within our own reach to build. This one is plenty accessible in that way. Keep up the good work!
SOOOOO VERY TRUE
I liked the cheap jeep build because yes it was something different, a zj which i have been curious about for sometime. But probably more importantly is the fact that it was done on a small budget. As stated by a few, most of us don't have big $$$ to build a rock crawler. So this budget build was right up my alley. And the zj kicked some butt on the trails! I was really impressed.
Reasons I like this project: I like daily driver stocker look Jeep projects, I Like XJs, TJs, JKs Zjs Yep...necessarily in that order! You showed you don't need to empty your bank account to build a well capable off-road. Informative & Fun.
I think what appealed to most was that you changed the platform to a different jeep. Usually you guys are all working on XJs, so a ZJ was a welcome change! Keep up the great work!
The Jeep ZJ is definitely the bad boy of the jeep fam.. V8 growl with coils all the way around. Can't beat it!!
Yes and a more reliable, bigger V8 than the WJ got.
wj?
@@jacobcrandall5666 The WJ is the next model of Grand Cherokee after the ZJ. The ZJ was the first generation from 1993 to 1998, then the WJ came in from 1999 to 2004, then the WK from 2005 to 2010 and now they are on the WKII from 2011 to present.
Kur Norock i know what i was saying is that the wj also has coils all around an v8.
@@jacobcrandall5666 eh.. the V8 in the WJ is garbage. And while the unibody is stronger and the brakes are better on the WJ, the garbage engines and super low hanging gas tank on the back (much lower than the ZJs tank) ruin the platform for me.
Seriously, that gas tank is like a giant hemorrhoid hanging out the back.
I like any vidoes on wheeling your ride on a budget. Junkyard upgrades and making things that belong in other vehicles work for your application. All stuff most guys relate to.
Zjs have a huge following. And theres not a ton of people doing youtube videos on them other than wheeling them
Great little Jeep! What I loved about this series was two things. I own a 97 ZJ so I can apply these mods. And second the mods are accessible to the average guy or gal tryin to make something out of what they have. Thanks for the series, look forward to the next!
Thanks for the comments! They are helping mold my next project!
People liked this project because it was relate-able. Nobody is going to watch a video then go out and build a tube frame rock crawler. Lifting a cheap craigslist ZJ with a couple friends is something that people can realistically do, however.
I love this build because I can relate to it. I have a 98 5.9. She kicks ass. I have tons and tons of plans for her and it's awesome to watch someone such as yourself working on something I love.
This series caught my attention due to the cost factor of building it. the vlog style was also a deciding factor for enjoyment of watching.
thanks
I've watched all your builds, but what set this one apart was partially that you did it on a budget that anyone could work with. also the way you did the videos was more entertaining than before, i loved the cheap jeep intros they always made me laugh. I'm glad to hear so many people liked the cheap jeep as much as i did, P.S. thanks for the radiator flush video helped me out of a jam with my XJ crawler.
no problem!
I think this was the most watched video series because of idea of this truck and that it wasn't just another XJ. Don't get me wrong, I love me some XJ videos! Because of this channel, my 19 year old son and I have been building our own off-roading/Overlander XJ Project. We now own a 95 XJ. Your videos have been hugely important to us.
The very first thing my son did to our truck was the headliner. All because of your headliner video from Hope Floats!
Since then we have removed the engine, trans and T-case, did an engine replacement and new head (I know you don't do engine stuff, but I do and these 4.0L engines are way easy and super tough). Swaped out a broken Dana 35 for a newer Chrysler 8.25 Then fitted it all up with new leaf springs. Swappped out the E-brake cables and rrebuilt the rear brakes. Then bought new front coils, new adjustable track bar, quick disconnect swar bar links, dealt with the terrible death wobble because of the lift and some trashed tie rod ends as well as a bad alignment. Thanks for that video! Lowered the T-case to get rid of the drive shaft vibration. I bought a MIG welder and have started to repair some of the terrible things the original owner did to this poor truck ( he jumped it). And I will be getting a weld-your-own bumper kit for the front bumper with a winch. Again, thanks for the videos!
You've been an inspiration and big help to us. THANK YOU and please keep the videos coming!
Most people I know are on a tight budget and it's nice to know what you can get for the money and if you break it's not a big deal and grand Cherokee's are all over the junk yard so very easy to find parts for
96 ZJ Lerado is my first car. I live in Alaska. These videos have taught me soooo much about jeeps, lift kits, and off roading. that's what attracted me to this channel. I'm working on choosing a lift kit, but I'm a near broke college student.
Kudos for Pull-A-Part for sponsoring this series, I really enjoyed it and learned much. This and the Zombie jeep were my favorites. What I liked best about this was keeping the project on a tight budget. Well done!
The blog style is good, probably more popular than the Scorpion Crawler because more people can relate to the cheap and easy stuff.
I like this because you can not have very much money and have fun, I like the scorpion crawler which you've put quite a lot into it
I think it is the cheap/inexpensive aspect. You see a lot of videos out there talking about these high dollar mods that companies put on their rigs but never a practical, "Let's see if I can do this on my own" kind of feel. It gives people looking for ideas, alternative suggestions instead of just buying a kit and installing it.
I really enjoyed this series!
Cheep Jeep was a great video series for those of us looking to build a budget rig that is achievable with a few weekends of work. plus you used a ZJ platform this time that was awesome.
I appreciate Those Desert Hawk tires you introduced us too. seem very budget-friendly for weekend wheeling or commuting to work.
I'm now hoping for your NEXT BUILD You will get a WJ 4.0 from Pull-A-Part and start a new build series.
REALLY want to see you do a WJ build for sure.
I definitely appreciate all the hard work your putting into the Bleeping Jeep videos. keep up the good work bro!
it was mix between your hilarious antics vlog style and your soothing mr rogers-like voice. also i just bought a zj and these are just great to watch to get ideas of what mine could be. great work!
There's not a lot of ZJ support out there so I loved the lift, transfer case swap, bumper build, and steak and mashed potatoes grunt of the v8. Please do a moonroof fix next so many people have them and they don't work. Thank you !
I like the BUDGET aspect of this build, still an xj fan but this is probably the coolest zj I've seen.
I like the hood release haha mine is the same way. you sure are right about the wiring gremlins :/ P.S. this was the best series because it was a ZJ, there isn't much good ZJ content on here
I found your channel after I bought my zj looking for ideas. Came across the cheep jeep videos. Loved them. I have gone back and watched just about everything you guys have. You three are amazing
I think it was the "Cheap Jeep" build and DIY how to that made this popular. And a big increase in your viewers. Enjoy "BP" you folk always bring a smile to my face.
I really liked knowing the prices and seeing you use your head to complete this project on its budget. It was relatable for us young guys with not a lot of money to blow
I've been vocal about having a hate relationship with ZJ's but I think you did a great job with that one. The troubleshooting one when you found the electrical drain was particularly good. As for the reason why I watched this series of videos, I'm always interested in cheap wheeling and this build doesn't disappoint, just like all the XJ builds before it.
Great job, Matt.
awesome!, thanks for watching man!
I am a zj fan. I have an old, 93'! It has the AW4/ NP231, which makes the power train the same as the XJ. You've really well educated me on the finer points of a Jeep! I have a buddy who was a Jeep master tech for years. Between the two of you I feel like I'm really well covered!
These videos were really helpful for me while I was building my XJ. Focusing on more budget-minded content is what I would recommend moving forward. We all WANT to build our own Scorpion Crawler, but not a whole lot of us can actually do it. What I love about XJs is that they can be done on a budget, and I think that a lot of other people can agree with me.
Being a ZJ project is what caught my attention first but also it was the at home backyard mechanic aspect of the project that I really liked. I think it was a project that most of us could relate to. Been a bleepinjeep fan ever since.
Im finally building my 98 5.9 after sitting for 10 years. It has new engine, transfer case and many upgrades to come. My interior is very good with perfect leather and sunroof still works. These videos are great.
honestly, I have been following for a while and I would venture to say this was most popular because anyone can BUY a build with a checkbook. It's nice to watch someone make something real out of ingenuity.
I think you are great. Just found you looking around about Cherokees...and I am really happy....will be checking all videos I guess. Cheers. Keep well
Love that it didn't involve tons of fabricating, the scorpion crawler is cool but I don't have those tools or the materials to make something like that, I'm sure others feel the same. Keep up the work love the videos!!
I like this series because I am ZJ owner and because I as a fellow content creator I noticed the extra effort to achieve a higher quality of entertainment.
I was drawn to your channel because at the time I was building my own ZJ "cheap jeep". Then a couple years later you built your own. I watched these video to see what kinds of parts I could have retrofit, like the control arms from a JK. Great series. Most of all, it is relatable.
For me it was a combination of the vlog style of the video (made it more of a journey for me to keep up with), and the cheap aspect of it. The scorpion crawler is AWESOME, but for the everyday person it may not be as "do-able" as the Cheap Jeep. That and I bought a 1994 ZJ 4.0 4x4 (not awd thankfully) around the time you started this series.
The reason I like the Cheap Jeep video is that I have ZJs, 30 total in the past 2 years. I have 2 lifted, my father in law has 2 lifted (budget lifts) and I"ve torn them apart and put them back together. They are super easy to work on and there are a million of them around, so they are cheap and in the Seattle area, you can find one in really nice shape for 500.00
Loved the cheep jeep build. Mostly because it showed how to do mods that most people do, but on a tighter budget than most. Those 31s look HUGE on there!
For me I have a 95 zj so it was fun to watch a build on a vehicle that I own , I'm building mine slowly and got several tips from this series.
It was the budget thing for me. As fun as it is to see high dollar parts getting unboxed and bolted together, this budget stuff is way more familiar to most of us. The diagnosis was helpful, too.
LOL I had the SAME hood latch on my ZJ. A certain tire chain....lets call them -"BurningRock" broke it and then said "it was like that". But anyways I now use my fingers to pull the nub. The headlights ya flimsy, door panels I have a whole bag of door clips to keep re-using and wiring IS a problem. My dash dims all the time some spots like the 4x4 indicator is very bright flashing. Dumbest thing also, who needs the 4x4 indicator....I know its in 4wheel drive I pulled the lever.
What I love-- The tires are awesome! The building the bumpers, both of them, was really nice to watch. The innovative lift modification and rear controls arms were very cool. It wasn't just a buy and slap on thing.
I enjoyed watching the cheap Jeep challenge because it showed me that you don't have to have alot of money to wheel. I think you should do another cheap Jeep challenge using a different style jeep.keep up the good work I enjoy the videos
ya, maybe wheel the snot out of a stock rig!
I love my 94' ZJ w/5.2L .. throughout the Cheap Jeep build I have saved every video into my library history in my jeep folder for quick reference, Have already collected the parts for my lift (like the cheap jeep) and the only items i had to buy were swaybar relocation bracket and the used control arms.
Thank you for doing this build. Built not bought
I have a ZJ and am new to lifts. I loved watching the process and seeing the problem solving.
I like the Cheap Jeep videos because it is an affordable build. We can sort of do build-along with your videos. And the creativity of finding parts and ways to keep the budget down.
I watched so many of the Cheap Jeep videos because Jeeps had always been outside my realm of possibility due to budget constraints. But this gave me hope! So, I went out a week or so ago and found a 99 WJ for under $500 with a cracked 0331 head and started working on it.
Budget is why I like this build best‼️
I am so glad that I found your videos. Awesome job on the cheap Jeep. I've owned two 98 ZJs and I'm currently in a 97. I have recently started trailing in the Ocala national forest and I want to put a 4 inch lift in this one and your videos are definitely going to help me out a lot.
The reason I like and follow this series is because I recently started accumulating parts for my own "cheap jeep" ZJ. I've had it for a while and decided I wanted to start adding to it. I got everything (correct "new" parts) for the 3.5" lift except for a few parts here and there for around $110 from craigslist and junk yards. The last thing left is control arms so I may use your idea with the JK arms when the time comes since its not really "NEEDED" immediately. I enjoyed the build, nice job.
I believe it's popular because it is more common-man. And having different body styles in Matts videos is cool!
ZJ is like the Underdog after the well known XJ. A great fan base, we ZJ owners need more videos for help building
Love your channel! You are the Mr Rogers of the jeep world, in a totally awesome way! Watched every minute of the Cheap Jeep build because it is the kind of things I can possibly do to my TJ on my budget. Did take a while to warm up to the Bavarian style music, but then I figured it was kind of like Oktoberfest and I was sold. Keep it up, the vids help me out all the time. Thanks
I really enjoyed these cause I have a zj myself. Watching these made me peice together a 4 inch lift and make a front bumper and I love it!
This build is much more applicable to most people, which is why i liked it. And i did like the style of the videos a lot as well.
Matt - the bell icon is already there when you're subscribed, no need to risk having people unsubscribe so they can get content alerts.
Love the ZJ build... I have a ZJ and XJ and have really enjoyed your channel! I too like the V8 and coil spring ride of the ZJ.
Straight up the reason, I like this video series is that I am cheep. Keep the shiny side up and I look forward to the next video.
Really enjoyed the show down was definitely a draw you guys had me glued to the video wondering who’s gonna flip or roll first well no flips or rolls still was a great video,,shows a lot of expert driving skills.
I like the Vlog style, and the budget builds are always cool to watch too! Good stuff Matt!
To answer why I watched this more closely from my perspective -- it was mostly the aspect of gearing up a vehicle for off-road on a budget, and I think (or I hope) most folks would agree with this. And lets not lie to ourselves here: *VERY few* people have an extra five-to-thirty thousand to throw around at a wheeler for fun on the weekend.
I’m with several others that said there is not much out there about ZJ’s. Product support is low, but build info is very hard to find. My favorite was the rear bumper build. Thanks Matt.
I liked you doing it on the cheap! Not many can spend 30k, 50k, 60k on a trail rig. Getting out there on a budget can be hard and seeing what you can do on a budget is very nice.
I have a cheap jeep of my own. Reason why I loved watching this. It gave me ideas of what to do to mine and also the reason I started making videos about it. Granted I only have one video of it so far and mine is a WJ but hey.
Loved the series it was awesome to watch.
As awesome as the scorpion build was, I think it was over the top myself. It was a great build and I enjoyed watching but I thought the zombie/hope floats/cheap jeep build were more interesting because they were relatable to something I would want to take on. The scorpion is obviously a purpose built toy and I hope you have a blast with it. I can't speculate why views varied from build to build, bleepinjeep has been and continues to be a great channel. Keep it up!
Also I hope to see more bleepinjeep meet up wheeling videos in the future 👍
Affordable and relatable are the key words here. Most of us needs something which don't break the bank, and can keep its license plates. How about "budget conscious", not cheap? :)
When I built the winch mount for my 98 ZJ I cut out the lower part of the grill and set the winch as far back against the AC condenser as I could. The end result not only looks better, but gives that much more approach angle for when you are trying to get up a steep rock wall.
Its giving us loads of info on our zj build here in the uk
Loved the idea of it being an improvised rig from day 1. More fab videos!
I like the blog style. But, I enjoyed all the ideas on the cheap.
I like this project because i be poor
Exactly lol
Cheap jeep was practical ... not many of us have money to do a scorpion build or extreme customizing. This showed us how with some ingenuity anyone can build a cool off road jeep on the cheap!
Yes the scorpion is something id love to to do but just doesn't make financial sense right now. Maybe one day. When the kids are done with school.
WJ Build!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WJ's are Jeeps, Too :)
I like this series because it's the closest you've come to a WJ build.
When the ZJ first came out it was also listed as the fasted SUV of its time (the 5.9L and 5.2L versions, obviously...)
I have the same Jeep an love that you made this project
I found your channel while searching for ZJ build ideas. There are too few of them considering how popular the ZJs are. Keep up the good work.
Yep i think the reason for the most popular video was that lots of us are on the budget and this gave us great insight on how to build up a cheap jeep and still have fun offroad. MJ next?
because I am on of the subscribers , and I just like what you talking about, useful solutions, cheap parts and tools.
simply, enjoy cheap way.
I like that 5.2l under rated...
Find a 98 5.9L Limited they're harder to find because 98 was the only year it was offered in the ZJ :(.
@@wildbill23c yeah I've had them all, my only complaint is the Stupid 2 piece intake manifold with a gasket that is without a doubt going to fail and then it'll be sucking motor oil into the intake..
My 5.9 didn't have any problems even with high mileage, but both 5.2's were a pain in the arse.. next one is another 4.0 with the FACTORY tow package so it'll have 3.73 axle gearing AND most likely have a limited slip rear end too..
I found ur channel because I just purchased a jeep wj myself and I was impressed by the way u can still keep a good budget wile still having fun
Yes to both, the new style is great and the budget build, for those of us that's broke like a stepped on cookie, is incredible because it's something that just about anyone can build.
Budget build is the story of my life. I bought an '02 Bravada because it was cheap and came with a rear locker. It has since been lifted, converted to selectable 4wd with low range, and modified to suit my desires. Can I wheel in the same place as a Rubicon? Probably not, but I have so far, thing is, you bang up your Ruby, you're out tens of thousands for repairs. I have $6,200 in mine, and $1200 of that is tires (32" STT Pro).
Keep up the great work!
All your videos are great Mat! Just finished installing a new drive shaft with new u-joints and the chromoly axle kit for the CAD delete on my 91XJ 5speed manual and your videos helped me a lot. Keep up the good work👍 looking forward to more vids!
I recently came across your channel and I love the way you explain your builds, I'm a faithful follower now and can't wait for your next build to see what you have in store. Keep up the excellent work and continue making these videos and ill continue following them.
This is all really new to me. I have already learned TONS from your videos in the last two days. Would you consider doing a series explaining the systems & parts of a jeep - maybe doing one series on the undercarriage and then another series under the hood, describing each system, what each part is, what each part does, how to recognize if it's got problems and how to care for it? Maybe then a link to your past videos about how to repair and replace them? Things newbies need to know?
There really isn't that many ZJ builds that won't cost an arm and leg so i enjoy it. Like you said in the video, there's not that much aftermarket support. Which means every ZJ owner wants to see all the options they have to make a good build.
I like this cause of budget build I started with a budget with my xj but have grown into more exspensive stuff. The other thing I like is being able to watch and help my buddies in our 4x4 club with lifting and modding there jeeps . Since I found your channel I have not missed one video . A bunch of the stuff you have done on zombie jeep I've been doing to my jeep myself . Keep it up ready to see we're the next video goes
I liked this series because it was something I could approach and do with simple tools and not much cash. I bought a WJ and did similar, trying to spend as little as possible. Main difference you did is the rear bumper - a lot of us don't have a plasma cutter and welder, much less the skills. But the rest - yep, good stuff.
I liked the z j cheep jeep . I have a 98 z j and you showed how to build and up grade some thing that my self and most average guys can afford to build .i enjoy your channel and hope to see more builds like this on your channel thanks i enjoyed it.
What I liked about the cheap Jeep build was the accessibility. Scorpion crawler is bad to the bone but not something most people have the budget, time or space to build, it's excess. The zombie jeep was cool and well built with some great accessories, I guess I just thought zombie was a little cliche, though I'm not a huge fan of all things zombie. My vote would be to build something else "accessible". Like an older 4 cylinder wrangler with a 4.0 (maybe stroker?) or SBC swap. I enjoy your vids, keep them coming! Editing skills are looking good Matt!
Awesome 4x4 channel! Been watching since the zombie jeep. I like the vlog style and cheap aspect of you building with tools that a common everyday person has. But my favorite is the skorpion crawler!
Yes, Chrysler was seriously stingy in the 90's. Have you seen the Rams from that era? I have a 98 and it is Fugg-Lee! Cheesy interior and body parts and crappy brakes. 5.9, 47RE, 231, DANA 44's are all pretty good. It's only saving grace is that it's more common and had a 10 year production run so parts are pretty easy to find.
More zj stuff
I really liked the build I have a 96 zj that I’m currently running and I’m trying to build on the cheap. So thanks for all the tips and tricks.
I never really liked the styling of the ZJ for many years, and always liked the WJ far better. I still like the WJ, but the ZJ grew on me, and I ended up buying a very clean and pampered 95 Laredo. Forest Green Metallic, my favorite color, and a 4.0, which isn;t the most powerful option, but it's reliable. No dents. I decided from the get-go to keep it street sweet, with minimal upgrades.
First to go were the Chrysler Mini-Van wheels. The saw blade type. I have always admired the clean utility look of the old Forest Service vehicles, so I found a set of steel rims from a 2002 Ford Ranger, cleaned them up and painted them rattle can silver, and mounted 30x 9.50x 15 KO2's for a taller profile and keeping the tread skinny and tucked in to the body drip line. The tires are not too heavy for the rather moderate duty power train. A simple puck lift of 3" was done and I called it quits The footprint is perfect, and I think they should have come from the factory with this option as a package.
Totally stock suspension, but a new steering box. I don't "wheel" at all. I use it for getting me into the remote campsites I like and for launching and retrieving my 14ft tin skiff on worn out, muddy gravel ramps. It's a goat in snow - better than my 96 XJ that I had for 8 reliable years. I think it's because of the 700 extra pounds.
So far, so good.
I think the faster pace to completion is a major factor. The Scorpion build took quite a while and at times became maybe too instructional and lacking enough of the goofy bits that make watching fun.
That would be my main thought Also to consider:
-The steady content release was nice, it made the story easier to follow.
-The suspense of having a budget, wether it's a 30k or 1k budget it is always one bad purchase away, that suspense makes it more exciting to see what direction you go.
-Relatability I think is a factor since more people have a regular Jeep that they want ideas for than Rock Crawler Jeepers.
I personally totally enjoyed the Scorpion build and took much more away from it than the Cheap Jeep build. Not to say that less informational is bad by any means. The mix of Instructional, Personal, Suspenseful and Goofy is, I think, what Cheap Jeep did right.
Happy Jeeping Matt, thanks for the ride along!
Cheap Jeep is awesome I actually like it so much I just bought a 2002, and will be using many of the things you did. I will be doing the suspensions and the tires for sure.
I really think you stated the popularity in your summary and a reason you didn't like the ZJ. for those of us with a ZJ addiction, you are correct, there isn't much aftermarket support and I feel like at times we pay a premium for the parts that are available. Fabrication and "making things fit" is much more feasible for a ZJ owner like myself. The series was outstanding and I hope you do consider showing other "odd ball" jeep builds.
The reason I started watching this series is because I actually have a 5.9 ZJ in the garage. It used to be a daily driver for her; but, after the fuel tank scare, a sedan with the highest safety ratings came into the family and the ZJ has been sitting on a battery tender, hoping to find a new purpose in the family. A lot of the mods in the videos are way more than I care to attempt; but, I am thinking of a 4.5 lift kit with 33's. I have a Suburban with stock 31's on it and for the places I go, I'll never scratch the bottom with 33's; so, we'll see how the fit goes. I like being able to see how the 31's fit; and, it looks like you had room for more, with a lower lift; than, what I'd like to attempt.
ive a ZJ and enjoy it very much... would Love it if you'd do Sliders on the cheap jeep