How-To Build a Rock Crawler ZJ for $5,000 Total
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ส.ค. 2024
- Part 3 Of the Pull-A-Part Cheap Jeep Challenge - Bleepinjeep VS Busted Knuckle brought to you by Tekton Tools. In this episode I'll be building this cheap Jeep ZJ with a limited budget of $5,000 total. $2,000 for the Jeep and a $3,000 build budget. Can I make it? Will $3,000 be enough? Let's find out!
BleepinJeep
Episode 1: • Pull-A-Part Cheap Jeep... - Pull-A-Part Cheap Jeep Challenge - BJ vs BK - ep1
Episode 2: • Stock Cheap Jeeps Comp... - Stock Cheap Jeeps Compete Head to Head - BJ vs BK ep2
👉Episode 3: • How-To Build a Rock Cr... - How-To Build a Rock Crawler ZJ for $5,000
Episode 3.5: • Cheap Jeep COMPLETE!! ... -Cheap Jeep Complete How to Build a Rock Crawler ZJ for $5,000 Total Part 2
Episode 4: • $5,000 XJ vs $5,000 ZJ... - $5,000 XJ vs $5,000 ZJ - Let the Cheap Jeep Battle Begin!
Episode 4.5: • $5,000 XJ vs $5,000 ZJ... - $5,000 XJ vs $5,000 ZJ - Let the Cheap Jeep Battle Begin! - Part 2
Episode 5: • $5,000 Cheap Jeep ZJ B... - $5,000 Cheap Jeep ZJ Battles "Busted" XJ on Moab Rim
Episode 6: • Cheap Rusty Jeeps Take... - Cheap Rusty Jeeps Take On Rusty Nail in Moab Utah
Episode 7: • Can Cheap Jeeps Conque... - Can Cheap Jeeps Conquer Pritchett Canyon?
Busted Knuckle
Episode 1: • Pull-A-Part Cheap Jeep... - Pull-A-Part Cheap Jeep Challenge - Busted Knuckle vs BleepinJeep | EP1
Episode 2: • XJ vs ZJ Stock Jeep Sh... - XJ vs ZJ Stock Jeep Showdown Pull-A-Part CHEAP JEEP CHALLENGE - EP2
Episode 3: • $5000 Budget XJ Rock C... $5,000 Budget XJ Rock Crawler Build -Knucklehead Garage
Episode 4: • $5000 XJ vs ZJ Cheap J... - $5000 XJ vs ZJ Cheap Jeep Challenge Builds BleepinJeep vs Busted Knuckle
Episode 4.5: • Pull-A-Part Cheap Jeep... - Pull-A-Part Cheap Jeep Challenge SHOWDOWN XJ vs ZJ!
Episode 5: • CHEAP JEEP CHALLENGE I... - CHEAP JEEP CHALLENGE INVADES MOAB RIM
Episode 6: • Cheap Jeep Challenge t... - Cheap Jeep Challenge takes on Rusty Nail in Moab
Episode 7: • CHEAP JEEP CHALLENGE E... - CHEAP JEEP CHALLENGE ENDS ON PRITCHETT CANYON!
Whats more fun than a Cheap Jeep Challenge? How about one called the "Pull-A-Part Cheap Jeep Challenge, BleepinJeep VS Busted Knuckle brought to you by Tekton Tools"? Heck ya that sounds way better! In this 4 part series (4 parts each, 8 episodes total) Busted Knuckle Films and I will be acquiring a Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ and a Jeep Cherokee XJ. We both have $5,000 to spend total and that includes the purchase price of the vehicle. We also must outfit the Jeeps for safety and have a $500 budget allotted for safety gear. The first competition will be a stock challenge where BleepinJeep goes head to head with Busted Knuckle in our safety only modified Jeeps. After that we go back to the drawing board and can use our remaining budget to outfit the Jeeps any way we see fit up to a 35" tire for round two. It is allowed to sell parts off the jeeps to add to our cheap jeep budget but we cant use sponsored items or freebie parts unless we account for the cost of those items and take it out of the total. Our Judges for round 1 are Ian Johnson of Big Tire Garage, Ricky Berry from RCV Performance Products, and Eric Hagan a Downhill Dirt Bike Guru. A huge thanks for Pull-A-Part Used Auto Parts and Tekton Tools for making this possible!!
Pull-A-Part: www.pullapart....
If a BleepinJeep video has ever helped you consider returning the favor by:
• Supporting us on Patreon here: / bleepinjeep
• Becoming a Member here on TH-cam: bit.ly/2wGeSec
• See what we recommend on Amazon here: amzn.to/2kc6Syn
• Buying a T-Shirt Here: www.bleepinjeep...
• Or Just leaving a kind comment on FB here: / bleepinjeep
This product is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, cherokee XJ, wrangler TJ, wrangler JK, or any Jeep vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. How-to videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the 4x4 ride has come to a complete stop. Studies have shown viewing these videos causes increased cancer risks in laboratory test people. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction strictly prohibited. Driver does not carry cash. Objects in Bleepinjeep mirrors may be farther than they appear.
Gotta love it when the parts you buy come with a bag of "joints"!
10:48 I had to do this very same thing on my ZJ - went from the burnt out 249 to a 242. Swapped the entire mainshaft over and it works great!
I swapped 231.... works great too....
On Project ZJ I went from 249 to 242 with a Tom Woods SYE. Worked awesome!!
Well, if he built the axles correctly, it’s a bargain. Big IF
Personally I think I would have swapped the rear axle back in and sold the other
Proud owner of a 95 Grand that came stock with the np231. Great combo with 4.0 and 3.73s. Works really well.
I did 2 inch spacer on my ZJ THEN 3.5 front to rear lift then 6 inch lift custom long arms with full cage custom bumpers lol went from mild to all out in 4 years
15:45 that's an awesome transmission jack you got for the transfer case there lol
The hitch was actually a recall repair. The recall was damage happening to the exposed gas tank and the fix was putting a hitch on all the Jeeps without hitches
And they offered a Gas tank Skid plate, mine had the skid-plate option and tow, so it has a hitch and TC and Gas tank skids.
@@MrPiimpslap Do they still honor these?
Its cool seeing these builds done on the ground without way expensive lifts! Good work!!
Hell yeah, I'd love to see some WJ love, but hey ZJ is close enough.
Grandma jeep
@@charlesfrazier2371 Nah man, underrated luxury overlander. Mine holds its own just fine with the xj's in our group.
Wranglers are overrated
Look into getting ourself a spot blaster instead of grinding
Iv got wj done up with 6.5 long arm kit !! And on 33s
Fantastic....I can't see BK taking this time(away from their paying customers) to do this kinda work. This is straight up love right here.
I was just watching videos on RC crawlers and stumbled upon your video thinking it was RC crawlers being built for $5,000.
I love this! I miss these 'Cheap Challenges' .. You're getting me motivated to get back at it on my XJ build
Do it, stop procrastinating!
@@bleepinjeep I'm only procrastinating on non essentials like replacing floor pans, adding rock sliders, rear shackle relocators, etc.. all stuff I have, I just don't have time to tear into it & get it back together before the next trip.. it runs/wheels amazing for what it is.. low-ish mileage 94, 5sp, rear locker, frame stiffeners, lift, winch, bumper, all the basics are good to go. I'll get on it Matt! & btw I think these sum bidges are making up the rules as they go....Ha! you got this!
This fella is a gifted fabricator.
Man, you got vision and mad skills.
Awesome! Stuff the rag and rotate the pinion. Or use a box wrench on the ring bolts and rotate the pinion until it locks in and it’ll pop every time.
The most fun I ever had was in my XJ with 4.56 gears and lockers with 31s. It could do amazing donuts in 2WD and in 4WD in the desert I would have a blast running with JKs on 35s.
I regret selling it but it sucked as a daily driver.
i daily my XJ and love it. I’ve done pretty much everything to make it modern. Sunroof, Apply Carplay navigation, 9 speaker system, heated seats, 4.7 stroker rebuild. It’s a blast driving and i can take it pretty much anywhere.
As soon as you said the 8.8 was set up for a TJ I knew you were in for a nasty surprise when you went to install it! Nothing a grinder and welder can't solve though. Nice score on the axles even with the rework, I just picked up an HPD30 with 4.56s and locker for $200 and I'm stoked to get it trussed up and under my ZJ.
Ya, it didn't just bolt up 😕
I wanna see something like a runner build. Not necessarily pounding whoops. Just more for speed that can handle a whoop here n there. Strengthened/reinforced, but still retaining the solid front axle.
I could've told you the bracket orientation is different between the TJ and ZJ they look pretty similar yes, but you'll figure it out!
Well why didn't you say something then? 🙄
Now we know why that guy never put them on anything... 😂
😂 Still jealous of the deal
he got. locker 4.56 gears and and a 8.8 alone would run around 2500 or so and that’s without the truss and diff cover
@@cablenowadays6586 he got a sweet deal, but if you watch you can find set up 8.8s now and again for fairly cheap.
@@cablenowadays6586 You're kidding right?
I liked your hammering sequence it was cool.
I'm into Jeeps and motorcycles, and I really like food. Seems like my food addictions suffers a lot.
Matt, your skills are always incredible! Having just blown apart my ZJs 242 you made it look easy. Hope i get the chance to win this jaw dropper red rocker
😄 hopefully its still in one piece.
Jaw dropper red rocker panty
Got the D30 and 8.8 combo in my Cherokee and its been stout. Awesome build! these are fun series to watch
Thanks muddy!
Great video with an extreme amount of resourcefulness displayed. Further, every time I watch one of your fabrication videos I learn a lot, but also how much I have yet to learn.
I have much to learn too!
Wow! This is amazing! Nothing like this out there. You have a style that pulls your viewers in and keeps them lasered in on what's going to happen next!
Thanks!
So jealous. My ZJs were budget boosted with open diff. That thing is proper
I had a 94 Jeep ZJ loved that SUV , the Next auto I get will be a RAM 1500 or a New GRAND CHEROKEE 4XE TRAILHAWK would be awesome
great tip on torquing the carrier using the axle shaft
06:16 I got the same problem bud 🤏
Not sure about a ZJ but rear JKU springs give 4” of lift to a TJ with an 8.8, 3” of lift with D35. Cheap lift
Your build videos are my favorite content, good one as always!
Idk if anyone posted this already but you can get a factory gas tank skid pretty cheap or a ZJ. I actually took a 26 gallon tank and the gas tank skid and put it on my XJ.
yes you need that... and put some plate into the unibody for the winch plate................ LOVE MY BLEEPINGJEEP
The rear axle truss was set up correctly for a tj zjs have always had different spacing you can reuse some of the rear arms tho
Loved watching this video...awesome job!
After I saw you and Jeremy's video a couple of years ago about why not to use chrome sockets on an impact, I've only used impact sockets on it and it's become a pet peeve of mine. I'm pretty sure every video since then you exclusively used chrome sockets on your impacts lol. Gives me a weird sense of anxiety and comedic irony every time 👍
Lol, I still need to organize my toolbox better and I dont have many impact sockets yet. 🥲
@@bleepinjeep haha all good, gives me a good laugh every time. Thanks for the awesome content!
That what happens when your sponsor doesn’t make impact sockets
@@ronnie955i he's given away impact socket sets from sponsors 🤷
Love it!! Your channel has taught me so much about saving a buck but still doing things right throughout the years
Everything I have read says the TJ and ZJ rear axles are not an exact swap. It’s said the shock locations, spring perches and top control are mounts are different.
Don't forget to add some extra 10mm sockets to that budget.
For the transfer case input shaft, take it out of that planetary assembly and switch them, then you dont need to grind it short.
Its not that simple
You should budget for a taller set of Jack Stands! Considering all the tall/ lifted vehicles that you are always messing with..
Love the Tekton money shots....no shame in sponsorship as long as you believe in the product.
@BleepinJeep i kno its a old vid, But Thank you for all the tips and tricks and Information you have given me
!
Hey man I live in jacksboro about 30 min from windrock I got a 96 zj I need to build mine lol good videos you put on here
I'm going to do the 2x6 steel rocker panels. Great idea and look easy.
Wow and here i was thinking I could never do something like this without a lift! Great video!
I just saw this thing at the Wrecker games. Very cool build
Awesome and inspiring! Building a beater budget ZJ in Sweden so some great tiups and ideas. I gotta try the Hockey puck seal mod haha!
Love the rock sliders!
Glad to see you back in the FC project!
Jeep made a gas tank skid for the zj, my 98 5.9 has it.
Yaaaaaa Matt is building again in the shop
I love this type of build! you should look at lemons racing
Matt, that’s some very cool stuff you’re doing with that Jeep. I’m still pretty sure you’re gonna win this thing!
Love the vids! I want to add some rock sliders like yours to my XJ but my rockers are rust free and I cant bring myself to cut em off
Just cut em before you bash em!
Have you used the winch with any big pulls?
Most guys sleeve the front bumper horns into the frame rail a bit, rather than just butt weld them to the thin stock bumper.
jeep TJ did NOT come with a high pinion
this front axle is not from a tj originally
Always good builds. I've been looking at a red ZJ to replace my XJ... It's got a decent lift and setup to start... I'm sure I'll leave it as is.... NOT !! Look forward to seeing more of this beauty!!
reminds me of myself always wrenching alone
Something with some good content from matt after a year of not watching
Watch them all bro, we've always got good stuff 👍
Awesome man!! Can't wait for the next video😎
Wow, incredible skills.
I don’t know how the XJ is going to compare to this.
I'm gonna blow him away! 😁
@@bleepinjeep In your dreams!
Great score on those parts. Sure wish I could come across an 8.8 set up like that. I’ve been looking for one to put in my 85 Scrambler
Really enjoying this zj
How hard is it to learn how to regear? Forums make it sound impossible.
Video request
It's not that hard to swap gears. But you do need some proper tools.
It requires a lot of investment in tools and a lot of trial and error. Not a job for a newbie, im still not comfortable doing them.
Bleepin you should go 1ton and sell me your axles you have now. 😂
24:27 Just curious, how many hours do you think it took to build the rockers (including cutting off the factory rockers, etc)? My ZJ is starting to show some rust through, and instead of replacing it, I think it would be 'better' to do something like what you did.
IDK, I took two afternoons to do it, maybe 6 hours, 8 hours... something like that if you are working like a madman.
@@bleepinjeep Ah, cool, sounds like it isn't too hard then! Thanks!
out of curiosity and budget wise why didn't you put the front springs in the back and add a spacer to get the rest of the lift? Thought front to rear netted around 5" of lift.
front V8 ZJ springs to rear net 3.5 inches. At least thats what I remember from the black cheap jeep series I did.
Did you have to bypass the charcoal canister in any way? Or can you just rip it out like that and call it a day?
I just ripped it and plugged the holes.
Tj rear brackets are different, I tried to do this same thing with a 44
Ahh, well thats where I went wrong but I figured they would be in further rather than out... either way I made it work.
We own a ZJ, XJ and TJ. Not sure if my hubby has seen the first 2 videos in this series, but just in case he hasn't, any chance you could pull this series from TH-cam and just pretend it doesn't exist??? :-)
Lol, no chance!
Love the video man, keep em coming. When are you guys planning on revving up the WJ Project again?????
This first chapter was for me a full season with three episodes, cause I fall sleep two times😆. I'm so tired cause I working in my ZJ 93 lot of sanding work, but this is interesting. I'll be waiting the next episodes. Greetings fron Sonora Mexico
By the way , wich gauge are you using for the rock sliders?
Time to stop taking those siestas
1/8" on a budget but I prefer 1/4" on my crawlers.
Learned a lot from this. Thanks for uploading this
Glad you enjoyed it! check out the challenge, its already up!
Gods video, tekton makes some quality tools also, never had an issue with them
I’m 16 saving up for a Jeep Ik what I wanna build now lol when I get the money lmao 😂
Don’t forget it’s a Jeep though
@@neonxeno2 I juts got a xj I love it man
Man. Been waiting on an update video on these. Cheap Jeep
awesome video, its cool to see how an average person could build a rig this way
I love it, great series. You're a savage aha
i need to do that rocker rail mod cuz mine got some rust id like to cull
Does youtube tell you how many times I've watched this? If so 🤫🤫😅🤣❤
Lol, no, how many??
@@bleepinjeep at least over a dozen. So much knowledge to be learned in every video my brain can't retain it all the first time around Haha. Do you still have the templates for the ghetto gas tank skid?
5k? More like 10k in tools and welding equipped and money for someone to take care of my kids while i figure this one out lol jokes a side i really like all the effort and final product great job. I am looking for a jeep this years myself just for beach use. I used to have a really nice 05 sequoia but someone offered me good money for it so thats gone. This year i will start a jeep zj build
Is there any basic Jeep videos that explain dana 30’s and all kind of other stuff?
Hmmm, maybe some of my older videos from years ago.
Nice vid, looking forward to part 2 👍
Wednesday evening!!
@@bleepinjeep 😎
You guys are awesome!
Great stuff Matt
Thanks for a great video 😎👍
I love zjs i have one and im putting a 4.5 inch lift on it today
Why didn't you just open the planetary on each transfer case and swap the input shafts instead of grinding them?
Hey Matt! Didn't you say that those axles were supposed to be set up for a Jeep "TJ" then that is why the rear doesn't fit.
I like this series but it’s hard to compare. You got a smoking deal on the base unit. A smoking deal on a lot of the parts. Plus you have a lot more fab tools and skills than the every day guy. I guarantee I couldn’t pull of this build for the same price. In NY 2k gets you a completely rotted out Jeep that runs if your lucky
Nice build🤩
Yes I have been waiting for this video for a while
400 for a tcase? We trip over them and junkyards and I scrap them. They must be hard to find down there. They normally go for 50-100 up here
Z J THE DADDY!!
Bro wish I had scrap metal sitting around like that🤣🤣
You are the best, actually i think you saved some money. I was expecting to see some cheap DIY long arms
Yall are lucky. Come to the rust belts and your 5k is an automatic 13k build.
Worst part about getting into a build, waiting for the bloody parts to arrive!!
No bracing for the rock sliders?
Nahh, it'll be fine 🙂 🙏 ☺
@@bleepinjeep I like it! Just send it!