Tire/Wheel Combination

My wheel are Centerline Hellcat 15x8 with 3.75" back spacing (stock 5.25"). They look awsome on a Jeep and it is the modification that brought the most for the "unique" look of the ZJ.

The tires are Cavalier A/T 31". They were cheap and I had a great deal for them. Unfortunately, they are not very efficient on hot days (lot of squeeling, drop in handling) and also during winter The traction is good, but it's the turning/cornering process that is a bit dangerous on snow. Last winter (2002), I purchased four Michelin Artic Alpin (235/75/15) and I must say that the difference was HUGE in every aspect; better traction, huge improvement in direction and stability, great reduction in stopping distance, and enhance passive security. My advice: Even if it is a Jeep or 4x4, put winter tires (during winter only). All-season or all-terrain tires, even new, does not provide the performance near what a good winter tire will give you, especially for emergency or high-speed manoeuvres.

Custom Bumper

I trimmed the front bumper to give a more "off-road" look to the Jeep and also because I wasn't sure if the bigger tires would rug on the inside of the fender.

Powermaster 200 amp alternator

This is a really tight fit. Since I chose the late GM model, a custom bracket had to be done as well as some electronic tricks to avoid the engine check light to come on.

Second Battery: Optima Yellow Top

To make space for a second battery, we had to remove the stock air box and customize a support. But now, I'm very restricted in the size of air filter I can use; my next mod will probably be to relocate the K&N on the passenger side of the engine.

Update: I removed the Optima battery since I had to get rid of the solenoid and the circuit breaker I used because of electrical problems (fuses started to blow up for no reason). With no solenoid, if the Jeep stayed more than 36 hours without moving, the two batteries would have drained each other, so that the Jeep had to be boost in order to start. Since this was very annoying sometimes, and that the second battery was taking so much space, I decided to remove it and I will built a custom air intake that will make my engine breathe normally and with fresh air.

Poweraid Throttle Body Spacer

The spacer did improve the throttle response, but the improvement in performance and gas mileage are negligeable. Nice bright red color and it is a cheap mod (40.00$). In my view, it's worth it and the performance benefit will become more significant after I will enlarge the throttle body, as well as the spacer.

High Performance Cooling System

Shown above is the Flex-a-Lite 15" Black Magic electric fan. It has a built-in thermostat to adjust when the fan will kick in (180* to 240*). Also, I have installed an on/off switch in the cabine.
Very nice piece on equipement, nicely built and very, very efficient.

Trail Master 2" Suspension Lift

The kit comes with 4 spacers that you install over the coil springs and with 4 shocks. At the same time I installed the kit, I switch to polyurethane bushings all aroud, so I don't know how the kit itself performe. The only remark would be concerning the rear shocks which seem too small for the vehicule: they don't provide a long travel. But on the road, it handles great.

The springs are HD and have been purchase through a Jeep dealer. I just painted them red to had a touch on the ZJ. Unfortunately, they are pratically invisible if you don't get close the fender. Oh well...

That's about it for the presentation of "BIG JEEP". I hope you like it and that it gives you more ideas to improve your vehicule. Feel free to give me any comments.

Regards,

Matt