Used parts, specifically XJ grill

[Fen]

Anyone got a good suggestion for used parts?

Right now I'd really like to get a grill for my '96 XJ to replace the chrome one it has just now, and it would be handy to have a name or two in hand for the future.

Alternatively does anyone have an XJ grill in anything but chrome they want to sell - or swap for a chrome one?

[yeti]

paint it black man

[downunderxj]

You can't have mine, it's unique. Just a quick spray with a rattle can and everybody knows it's me.

As far as spare parts, the internet is your friend. For the most part I have bought parts from the US and had them shipped back for significantly less than I could source them here. And that includes a replacement high torque camshaft. Two Crankshaft Position Sensors landed at my door for less than the price of one new one from Chrysler NZ.

If there is anything in particular you are after just post it up and I can suggest a few places. I know that Summit Racing is great for engine parts. www.summitracing.com

[Fen]

Paint it black is my fall-back position, but I've read conflicting stuff on the web about how best to do it and it do not want it to be black with chrome chips in a few weeks.

I've had some bits from the US already, Ian. Specifically clear indicators as I had a broken orange one, and I also have had some bits from Aussie, but on looking at US eBay nobody listing grills seems to want to ship outside the US, presumably because of the length of the thing, although again I had in mind that I could ask for a price if I can't source one locally.

I take it there isn't anyone in NZ who dismantles old Jeeps when they've become too unloved to keep going, then?

Off topic, but you have 30's on your car - is that with standard Sport ride height or a small lift?

[yeti]

fen ,try http://www.4wdacc.com as well

[Fen]

Thanks, saw them when I was reading some older posts earlier and way eying up a 3" lift, but I'm not sure if I need a lift or I just fancy the look

[yeti]

get the lift . you know you want to ............

[xj]

theres a Chrysler wrecker in ChCh, can bloody find their card right at the mo...... "hiSpec", or "hitech", good fellas and prompt courier service too, ill go google and see if i can find their details.....

Hi Tech Auto Parts
118 Hazeldean Road

Christchurch

0800 244 832

[downunderxj]

Hi, I've got 30" on the standard suspension. However it is not a "Limited", it is the "Sport", or "Up Country" as they call it in the US so rides higher anyway. The 30"s fit well and even under serious flex do not cause any problems.

Go for the 30"s, though that will only be an intermediate step - you will go for a lift soon. I'm just waiting to get past my impending redundancy, and finding a new job and once it all settles down will be looking for some height under the jeep too!!

Cheers
Ian

[xj]

heres a list of parts for the XJ that hitech have - http://www.hitechautoparts.co.nz/panels.html

[TJ]

There are two or three wreckers in Aussie, and they ship to NZ. Prices are reasonable. Try Mascott Motors, good guys around Melbourne.

Otherwise, painting should work the cheapest.

[TJ]

Forgot, I have used SummitRacing for many things and they are the best trader I have ever dealt with. They do ship directly.

For other traders from US who don't or won't ship overseas, I have set-up an account with www.buyusa.co.nz and get the items shipped through them. They are not the cheapest, but are very helpful and easy to deal with. They are running a special at the moment for lead up to Christmas.

[Fen]

Excellent - loads of good info there guys, thanks.

My car actually has 30s on it just now, but they are pretty average looking Pirelli Scorpion ATs on those hideous Jap-market alloys with 3 angled spokes. It's a Sport and they only rub on full lock, which is probably because the car needs spacers to limit its steering lock - not that it's been off-road with me yet to check when it's flexed.

I've got a reasonably priced set of Sport steel wheels off Trademe which are coming with standard size Wrangler GSAs (once I can collect them, having broken my arm I can't drive in to work and then pick them up as I had planned) that will be better for the road than the current ones. I might just wait until I have put a lift on it and get 31s if that's the way to go. I don't know that I want to get into diff upgrades to run 33s.

Which lifts do people have / plan to go for and is the 3" lift 3" over Limited or Sport ride height?

[xj]

3 inch lift is a 3 inch lift... regardless of what it on..... a ton of bricks and a ton of feathers is still a ton. However, i figure most would use the "Sport" as the benchmark. I had a 2 inch lift on one cherokee (limited) and a three inch on the other (sport), with the stock Jeep steel rims i had no rub with 31's on either.
On the first one i got all forur springs from autolign via Chaimberlains in Chch. There were issues with both the front (collapsed on their first outing) and the rear (arrived as 4inches higher, not 3), however, we got them sorted. Popped a drop to the transfer case and that was all that was needed. No need for longer brake lines, new control arms etc etc.



The second was an OME kit that the previous owner had installed. It was sagging so popped block spacers in the rear and poly coil spacers in the front to re-lift it. It ended up at 3.5 inches.


Tyres rubbed very marginally with the White rims on, on the bottom back of the front guard.

And with the swarbar off the front crammed right up on in the wheel well.

[Fen]

3 inch lift is a 3 inch lift... regardless of what it on..... a ton of bricks and a ton of feathers is still a ton.

I hear what you're saying, but I have to disagree. The ride height is a result of the springs (the spring seats / mounting points and shackles being the same on the Limited and Sport), and you replace the springs (fronts at least) with most lift kits.

The springs you take out can give a ride height of x inches on a Limited or x+1 inches if it's a Sport, but the new ones you put in will give a ride height of y inches regardless of the model you fit them to, so it's key to understanding where the height will end up to know if y=x+3 or y=x+1+3.

Of course if you add to the existing springs then that's a different story as you will simply add to the height you already have.

I don't suppose it matters much, but I wouldn't want to pay for one manufacturer's 3" kit if someone else makes a cheaper 2" kit that would give me the same amount of clearance.



Anyhow thanks for the info - real world experience is always the most valuable, especially some static pics that give me an idea how different lifts / tyres compare with where I am now.

[downunderxj]

Some of the basic lift kits from the US supply just a replacement shackle for the rear, so the effect you get will be different depending on what model you start with. I believe that it is just a longer rear shackle that gives the extra height from a Limited to a Sport.

[Fen]

That's interesting; I guess my assumption was that the springs were the difference, but surely the Sport isn't just higher at the back is it?

I'd be looking more at a lift kit as a suspension refresh personally, so dampers and springs all round ideally, but if the difference is only shackles then it does mean a 3" kit is a 3" kit regardless of the starting height. And XJ was 100% right.

[xj]

I do believe that Fen is quite correct in his mathmatical logic. the rear will have the extended shackle, the front definately has longer springs.

Any-hoo..... see if you can get some ZJ springs. Theyll pop the front up 2.5 inches and slot right in.

[yeti]

fen have a look at this site .. www.cherokeeforum.com

[downunderxj]

Found what you are after. Try http://motionoffroad.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=51_108&products_id=639&zenid=bfff82d56366a6673a14ea878282eff2, they have black grills for $US38, and according to the site will ship it to NZ for $US16.

Worth a look

[Fen]

Thanks guys, will check out both links.

[Shoe]

I have a black 94 xj grill that I will swap for a chrome one call me on 021320985

[Fen]

Sorry for the delay, I was having my arm bolted back together and out of action for a few days. Unfortunately I ordered a black grill before I went to hospital, so I don't need the swap, which is a shame as it would have been cheaper for me and given you what you want.

If you want the chrome one anyway then it's yours for a small beer-fund donation, plus shipping if you're not local to Wellington or Wairarapa.

[Shoe]

Fen

Done deal can you give me a call on 021320985 or post up your phone number

Regards

Shoe