Finally bought a Jeep

Joined: 09 Aug 2003 Location: Perth, Western Australia

Hi all,
I wrote a thread earlier asking for info on buying a Jeep (see Info wanted on buying a Jeep) and am now the proud owner of a 1996 Grand Cherokee Limited.

I have a few questions that I'm hoping you could answer:

1) I was intending on putting on an Old Man Emu suspension set to enhance wheel travel and give a better ride for the Pilbara, but I noticed that the truck already has Tough Dog foam cell shockies. What is the average life span of a set of shockies like these? Are they any good? (I know they're pricey).

2) The only options the original owner didn't go with were the sunroof (no big deal), child seat (no big deal) and the CD stacker (damn). I've been told that you cannot connect an after-market stacker to the original Jeep head unit. Is this correct? (An original stacker from Chrysler is AUD950)

3) Is the sound system head unit a typical double DIN setup? ie. easily replacable with after-market units.

4) Is there any other pitfalls/weaknesses/anomalies/quirks I should be aware of?

Thanks,
Darren

Joined: 24 Oct 2002 Location: syd

1, dunno nothing about tough dog shockies.. they might not be longer then stock shock, maybe they are replacement shocks, who know..
have you got pics of it, maybe we can tell if we can see..

2, the stacker that they use was a Alpine one.. not sure what model.. i see if i can find out for ya.

3, DIN.. not sure.. was never a stero person.

4, can remember been a while since i had my ZJ.

5, go to www.ausjeepoffroad.com -> aussie jeep forum
or go to www.jeepsunlimited.com -> US jeep forum
you might find out more there...

cheers

Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 6:50 am

Hey congrats.....Anyways onto your q's:

1. As I recall tough dog shockies WILL last a long time - but I thought they were a very firm shockie.....If you're happy woth the ride then keep em - unless you lift then look rancho or OME IMHO.....

2. BS you CAN connect aftermarket CD stackers - but the range is fairly small and I think they need an adaptor.....One option is to try the US Ebay.

3. DIN? the stereo makes a DIN....welll turn it down Wink

.....

4. None that spring to mind - but I'm not a GrandChero owner....

5. I agree with Billsta - get yer butt over to AusJeep Very Happy

(but still visit here Embarassed

)

Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Location: West Gippsland

The ZJ is one good machine. Had mine since 54k to 170k coming up.
Forget the head unit and buy in a good Dayton MP3 player - forget the stacker. You have the Infinity Gold speakers and a good amp already installed.
I have LPG on mine with no problems. Run (at moment) 36mm spacers in the suspension and 30x9.5x15 Coopers ST's. Ranchos in the rear and OEM at front.
Little else done and just enjoy the ride!

Ah - fergot to mention. If you start to have water coming out of the "underneath somewhere" and can't seem to track it - and your topping the coolant up - then it's the welsh plugs! Motor and gearbox out to replace one (one) 1 plug!!!! in the rear. as well as the rest. Awareness thingy....
My ZJ is my 6th Jeep out of 7....

Joined: 09 Aug 2003 Location: Perth, Western Australia

Thanks for the advice on the sound unit. I never considered an MP3 player, but it would be easier than carrying around CD's and I've already got most of my CD's backed up as MP3's anyway. Can it connect to the current head unit or does the head unit need to be replaced by the MP3 player? If it is an addition, where is the best place for it?

I've always thought that all the extras in vehicles were unnecessary, but after driving my Grand for a week, I'm becoming attached to all the little features. You just feel so removed from the outside world and so relaxed.
Oh yeah, it gets the looks from the ladies too!

Thanks,
Darren

Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Stayton, Oregon, USA

wistler u traitor! lol glad u like ur jeep... too bad ur spoiled an pampered! #Rofl