Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 Project ZJ Part 52 4.88 Gears Detroit TrueTrac Trac Lok Steering Winch Armor

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×4 with 5.2 V8

Steering Info:

The tie rod, drag link, and track bar were all custom made by Metal Craft Offroad Innovation using parts from Ruff Stuff Specialties. The tubing is all Ruff Stuff 1.5″ x .25″ wall DOM. The drag link bolts to a TeraFlex crossover / high steer knuckle which has been sleeved from 7/8″ holes to 3/4″ holes to allow the use of heim joints. KRF Machine provided the custom made hardened and heat treated steel sleeves. The knuckle swap was done to eliminate tie rod roll which causes a dead spot in the steering, and also to provide a higher mounting point which eliminates maxing out of misalignment angles on the drag link heims during flex. The pitman arm and knuckles were drilled to 3/4 to support 7/8 heim joints and grade 8 hardware. The tie rod sits over the knuckle which required trimming of the factory coil brackets and track bar bracket on the front axle. Ruff Stuff lower coil plates and retainers were used for additional clearance which increased the coil base height about 1.5 inches.

Check out my other videos if you want more info on the steering box brace from MountainVistaFabrication.com which has been a great addition since I’m running 35×12.50 tires. The steering box was recently replaced with a new one. We’ve swapped out the drop pitman arm for one that is about 2″ shorter than the one we had installed previously because it works better with my lift and steering setup. The goal is to always have the drag link and track bar be similar in length and angle.

Axle Info:

The front is a Dana 30 with IRO inner axle sleeves, IRO Almost Alloy Spicer 760x u-joint axle shafts, Synergy heavy duty ball joints, Solid Axle Industries differential cover, 4.88 gears, and Detroit TrueTrac. Ruff Stuff lower coil plates and retainers were used for additional clearance which increased the coil base height about 1.5 inches. The CV differential yoke has been replaced with a u-joint yoke for the new drive shaft. The front axle also has heavy duty Rusty’s Offroad lower control arm mounts to replace the bent stock ones.

The rear is a Dana 44A (D44A – aluminum center section) with 4.88 gears and Trac Lok. The differential is protected by a Blue Torch Fabrication diff cover and a Mountain Vista Fabrication skid plate with pinion guard. The The axle shafts are still stock and have not yet broken.

Armor:

Rear quarter panel armor was provided by MountainVistaFabrication.com and is made from 10 gauge steel. Each panel uses 11 bolts to attach to the unibody. The panels help protect the rear windows and also will spread any impact from trees or rocks across the entire panel rather than a focused point.

The belly skid plate is made by IRO and bolts onto the IRO front long arm subframe and the uniframe. The belly skid is very heavy duty and will protect the transfer case while on the trails.

Solid Axle Industries front differential cover and Blue Torch Fabrication rear differential cover protect the gears.

The rear differential is protected by a Mountain Vista Fabrication skid plate with pinion guard.

The plastic fuel tank is protected by a heavy duty IRO fuel tank skid plate.

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