i have a 98 grand and i am on a budget but what a searious machine but i am patient.  should i get a lift system or would it be cheaper and more effecient build one start with the rubicon budget boost? please help.  

Honestly I would look for another Jeep. There are better platforms for this than a Grand.  

Marty,

There are other Jeep platforms that are better for building a serious four-wheeler, but the ZJ is not a bad place to start, and its not as bad a trail rig as some enthusiasts like to think. You already own a Grand here so here are my thoughts on your vehicle. Just about any vehicle can be built into a hardcore trail rig, but it takes time and money. Also, the definition of hardcore means many different things to many people! I don’t know if you are going to four-wheel trails in Moab, Tellico, Johnson Valley, run mud pits, or just explore unimproved roads for overland adventure. Since I don’t know what you are planning to do with the vehicle, contemplate this before tearing into your vehicle.

Before spending your hard earned money you might want to reevaluate your budget and plan. Do you want to turn the Jeep into a perpetual build by adding parts here and there as you can afford them, or do you want to build it all at once? In the long run a perpetual build will cost you far more money because you will be replacing already purchased aftermarket parts with other “hardcore” components (budget boost vs. long arm kit). Think about tire size; you can only get so large a tire under the ZJ without chopping up the fender wells with a sawzall. If you lift the Jeep to much for oversized tires you’ll sacrifice stability by raising its center of gravity. If you install the budget boost, you’ll be able to run 30 to 31-inch tall tires and 33- to maybe 35-inch tire with a high-dollar suspension system. You also need to think about a number of other components that need attention like axles, gears, the T-case, body armor, and stiffening the uni-body. T&J Performance Center in CA make a chassis stiffener that also works as rocker guard. Check out some of the Grand Cherokee clubs across the US, and Kevin’s Off Road, www.kevinsoffroad.com. I’ve owned a ’97 ZJ for a number of years and have wheeled it hard without any problems, I am very happy with it, but I’ve also invested thousands of dollars. There is a complete Grand Cherokee suspension and axle swap article in the August 2008 issue of the magazine so keep your eyes peeled.  
Good luck

Kevin McNulty  

go to the fourwheeler site and look up the "aint it grand" project, they do a 96 zj project and do what you want to do.if you already have the zj and are committed then theres no reason to get another jeep and waste the money you have for something else.ive seen alot of zjs that are done up the way your thinkin and they work great for off road.if your not worried about dents and scrapes and broken glass and not worried about it being too long on trails then keep it and do somethin different than a cj or wrangler...not that their bad but it be cool to be different.  

A ZJ is heavy for its size, over stiffed and if it has a V8 cooling issues too. Sure you can convert it with enough money but you will wind up with something that is neither a good off road rig or daily driver and will drink gas big time. There really are better vehicles for this.