WJ, Not ZJ
Comment: I just finished reading the tech article titled "Grand Cherokee Suspension Resurrection" in the January '07 issue and wanted to bring an error to your attention. You may have already noticed it or others have pointed it out, but the Grand Cherokee that the OME kit was installed on is a WJ, not a ZJ. Like I said before, I'm sure you've already seen this, but I wanted to make sure. Anyway, I love your magazine. Keep up the good work!Jeremy Adamsvia e-mail
A: Jeremy, congratulations! You've won the "Find the Most Glaring Error in the Magazine" contest. For being the first to discover where we purposely placed a ZJ indication where it should have read WJ, you will receive a 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine license plate frame and a handful of stickers. Thanks for playing and please keep reading, because you never know when or where we might throw in a mistake just to keep our readers on their toes.Kidding aside (except for the free swag, of course - it's on the way), you are correct that I called the WJ a ZJ. Just for the record, the Grand Cherokee ZJ was produced from 1993-1998. The Grand Cherokee WJ was available 1999-2004. My apologies for permitting such a glaring error. Thanks for reading.
This tailfinned Vrabrel Custom 4x4 was made from a 1942 CJ-2A.
Unique Jeep
Comment: I enjoyed the Jeepster pictures you recently ran. Here is a shot of a Jeep you probably haven't seen yet. It is actually a '46 CJ-2A. Some time ago though, it got really rusty and my grandfather decided to create this Jeep hybrid. I'm guessing that some time in the '50s he constructed this homemade body, complete with tailfins. Ever since I can remember, I've always wanted to drive it. It has been my life-long project. It runs quite well these days. In my grandfather's honor I call it the Vrabel Custom 4x4.No Namevia e-mailThis tailfinned Vrabel Custom 4x4 was made from a '46 CJ-2A.
A: No Name, you're right, we hadn't seen this one yet and it is certainly a sight to see. Thanks for sharing with us your grandfather's vision.
Fabtech Suspension Review
Q: My husband read that you were going to test Fabtech's high-clearance coilover suspension in the May issue of 4WD&SU. Have you tested it yet, and if so, what did you find out? Thanks.Timonii Coppingervia e-mailFabtech's high-clearance coilover suspension has proved to be a huge asset to this '03 Wrangler Rubicon.
Fabtech's high-clearance coilover suspension has proved to be a huge asset to this 2003 Wrangler Rubicon.
A: Timonii, yes, we did test the Fabtech system. With almost 12,000 daily-driver miles on the Fabtech kit on our '03 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the system is performing very well on the road, particularly at higher speeds on the freeway where some suspension systems tend to wander. The front end rides much better than stock, and the front coilover shocks work very well both at high and low speeds. Plus, they look cool and draw a lot of attention to the Jeep.Because the kit we installed is one of the first few produced, there were some problems with the shocks that were included and installed at the time, which led to a very stiff ride in the back at higher speeds with rapid suspension movement. This was not a problem at slower speeds and not noticeable on the trail. Fabtech is now offering a higher-grade shock with the system and it has improved the handling and ride of the rear suspension. Overall, the system flexes very well and is very stable on the trails. The plastic skidplate cover functions as intended, allowing the vehicle to slide over rocks without much resistance, plus it protects the metal skidplate so there is not a lot of raw metal showing from dragging the belly over rocks. The only thing we would like to do to the kit is change out the rear springs to the 6-inch and adjust the front shocks to give it a lower stance, though that is just personal preference.