The "BEFORE & AFTER" of Rhino ZJ:
Well here we go. The story behind the "RHINO ZJ". It all started one fall day when I got a call from my buddy Nick. He told me about a Grand Cherokee for sale out by Durand Michigan. So I went out & took a look at it. Called the guy, he met up with me & I took it for a drive, then settled on a price. I will tell ya' later what it was. It ended up at my buddy Nick's house because I just couldn't wait any longer to get started. He's an experienced welder & he was ready to start building the rig in his shop. Little did we know that this rig would one day become what is now known as "Rhino ZJ".
After the initial build up, I played with it for a little while. But then I had this insane idea to build an Exo-Cage around it. I knew I might roll over with my wheeling habits, so I wanted to protect myself & the rig. The reason for an Exo-Cage instead of an internal cage, is because I am 6' 4" tall. I took my designs over to 2 Track Minds Off-Road (then it was The Jeep Outfitters), & they agreed to help me build it.
During the cage build up, I decided to put a HEMI in it. So again, with the deal of a life time & picked up a 2006 HEMI 5.7L w/Transmission out of a Grand Cherokee WJ. They were building the 1st. HEMI TJ in Genesee County at the time, so why not be the 1st. in the world to do a Grand Cherokee ZJ right? I was soon to be their worst nightmare (just kidding). After the HEMI & the Exo-Cage was done I found that I was breaking the already built & locked D44 axles. Which leads us to hopefully the final upgrade.
Once again I had another great deal fall into my lap, a set of 2 1/2 Ton Rockwell steering axles. So with the help of all of my sponsors, & the fella's at 2 Track Minds Offroad, we are again under the knife fitting the Rockwells & 44" Boggers under the masive ZJ. So click on the links below & follow the progress of all of the fabrication & upgrades that this rig has gone through to get to where we are today.
After the initial build up, I played with it for a little while. But then I had this insane idea to build an Exo-Cage around it. I knew I might roll over with my wheeling habits, so I wanted to protect myself & the rig. The reason for an Exo-Cage instead of an internal cage, is because I am 6' 4" tall. I took my designs over to 2 Track Minds Off-Road (then it was The Jeep Outfitters), & they agreed to help me build it.
During the cage build up, I decided to put a HEMI in it. So again, with the deal of a life time & picked up a 2006 HEMI 5.7L w/Transmission out of a Grand Cherokee WJ. They were building the 1st. HEMI TJ in Genesee County at the time, so why not be the 1st. in the world to do a Grand Cherokee ZJ right? I was soon to be their worst nightmare (just kidding). After the HEMI & the Exo-Cage was done I found that I was breaking the already built & locked D44 axles. Which leads us to hopefully the final upgrade.
Once again I had another great deal fall into my lap, a set of 2 1/2 Ton Rockwell steering axles. So with the help of all of my sponsors, & the fella's at 2 Track Minds Offroad, we are again under the knife fitting the Rockwells & 44" Boggers under the masive ZJ. So click on the links below & follow the progress of all of the fabrication & upgrades that this rig has gone through to get to where we are today.
"UPGRADES & FABRICATION"
THANKS TO ALL OF MY SPONSORS. THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT.
The Beginning of what is now the "RHINO ZJ"
"BEFORE"
"AFTER"
Exo-Cage fabrication. Fully functional, & one of the few on a ZJ.
HEMI installation. Check out what it took to make this fit.
2 1/2 Ton Rockwells with rear steer & a one-off suspension.
SPONSOR of the MONTH
Check out what they have to offer.
Check out what they have to offer.
The "RHINO" rolls
over on
Drummond Island
over on
Drummond Island
Off-Road Adventures Magazine Feature:
The "RHINO" does it's 1st.
SKY WHEELIE.
SKY WHEELIE.
