WJ Build-up

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Does anyone know of some aftermarket manufacturers for building up a 99 WJ limited w/ V8, I will use a trailer to haul much of the camping/supplies gear?
I find very little stuff on building Front bumpers, rear bumper w/tire carrier, ability to handle winch, suspension/axle upgrades. I need something with a medium off-road capability for my bigfoot research. Thanks guys for any suggestions. Times like this I miss my old 86 CJ7 with the 360....what was I thinking???????

[WJinTRSC]

www.ironrockoffroad.com


I installed their 3" lift kit last week and I love it. I recommend the hydro shocks, not DT 8000's. Also recommend the 1" sway bar, steering stabilizer and extended bump-stops if you wanna run 32's or bigger. Good luck!

[Dirty Harry]

I like the WJs, I think that they are good looking, quick, and fairly capable. The biggest issue seems to be that you have to spend $1500 on a lift to run the same size tires that come stock on a Wrangler.

Here are some links for info and manufacturers that offer products for your Grand Cherokee.

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/WJlift/
http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/78898_jeep_grand_cherokee_lift

http://www.arbusa.com/
http://www.teraflex.biz/
http://www.kevinsoffroad.com/
http://www.claytonoffroad.com/
http://www.trailready.com/bumpers_jeep.html
http://www.rocky-road.com/grand.html
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Thanks for the info. I found some stuff but bumpers, sliders, etc just seem to be missing. I'm planning on putting about $3500 into it not counting tires; it does run good with the V8; my other WJ limited has the 4.0, and that is a great motor even if it's not a power house. Keep'em comin, I appreciate the idea's and recomendations.

[Dirty Harry]

ARB and Road Armor make front winch bumpers.

Rocky Road Outfitters, Kevin's Jeep Parts, and even Jeep themselves (http://www.wjjeeps.com/overlandrr.htm) make sliders.

I am not certain who makes a rear bumper with a tire carrier. Perhaps Hanson? Or you could likely have a custom one made. +d might have some more suggestions.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=538

[WJinTRSC]

One VERY important thing to consider is if you want to lift 4" or more, then I would STRONGLY suggest adding control arms to the lift. From all the forums I've read and everyone I've spoken with, this is very important. IRO, mentioned above, along w/ Clayton's and Kevin's Offroad seem to cover this best. I really like IRO's kit b/c of long-arms, rather than just short adjustables, but I stayed w/ 3" for simplicity and driveability as a DD. Not to mention $$$$. I can't complain one bit about the capability either. I've already received many compliments regarding capabilty and looks. Hopefully, i can post a few pics soon. Good luck again and hope this helps!

[IXNAYXJ]

You may find this thread interesting:

http://www.pnwjeep.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6606

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Avanteone/SHOP%20WORK/11-11-06to11-14-06-102.jpg

-----Matt-----

[JPFreek1]

Here's another good resource:

http://www.nagca.com/

[The Swiss]

[http://www.kevinsoffroad.com/

Yep, bought some parts from Kevin.

Another well known secret among the ZJ, WJ, WK and XK owners is Nick from Kolak Performance (Kolak@aol.com). I got most of my suspension parts for my Wj and now my XK from Nick and I only can recommend him.

For custom spacers, Anthony C. DeFalco (anthony@extreme-engineering.com) is da men.

I would disagree that you need to pay $1,500 for a lift for the WJ, but it always depends on what you want. I was running OME HD springs, custom spacers and DoetschTec shocks on my WJ, which netted out to about 3.5" of lift. Together with the sway bar disconnects in the front and no rear sway bar off-road, all stock sway bars in place on road, this combo worked out real well. All for about $500-600.

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Thanks for all the links and bits of information. Some stuff I knew but a lot I didn't; now let the fun begin. I don't need a rock crawler but I do need something that can handle more than an ungraded fireroad. My bigfoot research takes me to some rather interesting area's to say the least, and being stranded is NOT good. I think front bumper and winch will be first; should you run two batteries with a winch? I would think a HV alternator would be in order also.

[The Swiss]

Hey

I think front bumper and winch will be first; should you run two batteries with a winch? I would think a HV alternator would be in order also.With the front bumper and the winch a first, you should make teh suspension a close second as with the additional weight in the front, your WJ will sag.

[Tanto]

You don't need two batteries unless you do ALOT of winching and/or run a whole bunch of auxillary lights. The concern is battery drain when the winch is putting constant load on the battery. Occasional use should not give you any problems. I would probably put in a stronger alternator though as a precaution.

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Thanks for the info.


Something I have been wondering about is: Do I upgrade the grand or trade it for a standard cherokee since there is so many more and often cheaper after market parts available. It's a shame Jeep can't design their vehicles with the ability to install larger tires with moderate lifts. A 4inch lift and maybe 285/75/16 isn't exactly great and forget about putting 37's.

[kjp98TJ]

they finally did. you can get 35's on 2" lifted JK, 37's on 4".:)

[cshontz]

Something I have been wondering about is: Do I upgrade the grand or trade it for a standard cherokee since there is so many more and often cheaper after market parts available. It's a shame Jeep can't design their vehicles with the ability to install larger tires with moderate lifts. A 4inch lift and maybe 285/75/16 isn't exactly great and forget about putting 37's.

The standard Cherokee XJ suffers from the same problem with oversize tire fitment. I run 245/75R16 on mine now and it seems to be roughly the limit without tweaking and/or fender well modification. I ran 32x11.50 before on a previous Cherokee w/ 4.5", and they were too big for the unmodified fender well. Of course I'm referring to off-road use.

I don't really think you'd be gaining anything by switching to an XJ, except for slightly improved aftermarket availability. Keep in mind the golden age of the XJ is over. Unless your WJ is generally problematic, I'd stick with it. :)

[pete.wilson]

Hey

cshontz,

Lucky for me, my Grand Cherokee runs great and everything works perfectly except for an intermittent glitch with the climate control (Stupid PO##$%*&%$!!!), usually I just leave the selection of where you want the air to go on where I will use it the most, winter I will leave it in defrost. If it acts up, sometimes I can shut the Jeep off and then restart it and it will work fine. Sometimes not. It has 111K miles and I love the 4.7 v8, good power. I think I'm just going to put a budget boost lift of about 2 inches and just slightly bigger tires.

[The Swiss]

Something I have been wondering about is: Do I upgrade the grand or trade it for a standard cherokee since ...
Keep the WJ!! IMHO there is no better working suspension off road than two solid axles and 4 coil springs. The WJ has great combination of refinement, comfort and capability, lot better than my current Commander.
You don't need a monster build up to have a very capable rig. Mild lift and good rocker protection, and you are good to go.
Only draw back of the Grand is that with the V8, it has a "aluminum" Dana 44 rear end. To my knowledge nobody makes a locker for Dana 44 al.

[Tanto]

Keep the WJ!! IMHO there is no better working suspension off road than two solid axles and 4 coil springs. The WJ has great combination of refinement, comfort and capability, lot better than my current Commander.
You don't need a monster build up to have a very capable rig. Mild lift and good rocker protection, and you are good to go.
Only draw back of the Grand is that with the V8, it has a "aluminum" Dana 44 rear end. To my knowledge nobody makes a locker for Dana 44 al.

Actually you can get them for the D44a, Aussie has been making them since '05 they go for $260 new. You, don't have to belive me just click the link: Aussie Lockers (http://www.aussielocker.com/make.php/TMe2828f/e28a/10/.html)

Keep the Grand, you'll be glad you did.

[calamaridog]

I love the 4.7L V8. Great motor.

I love these sliders on +D's Grand:

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=89676#post89676

I'm not sure about the space available for mounting a second battery, but if you are drawing a bunch of amp hours in remote locations then you may want one. If you are going to run only one battery and use accessories, I'd switch to an Odyssey battery.

I would say the second battery would be more useful than an upgraded alternator. I imagine the stock one is 100amp or so and should be more than adequate.

[The Swiss]

Actually you can get them for the D44a, Aussie has been making them since '05 they go for $260 new. You, don't have to belive me just click the link: Aussie Lockers (http://www.aussielocker.com/make.php/TMe2828f/e28a/10/.html)

Keep the Grand, you'll be glad you did.
I believe you! The years I built my WJ really was in '01 through summer '04. Once I was satisfied with the way everything worked, I left her pretty much unchanged until I sold her in '06, so I did not really keep up with all the new gadgets.

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Well I did it. I'm still keeping my WJ for an everyday driver but bought a 94 GMC Suburban for my bigfoot stuff. Even though it's big and IFS; it was hard to beat a reasonable shape sub that 4x4 with a 350 in good shape and 155K miles for 3 grand. So I will fix it up starting with new tires, change of fluids all around and design a layout for the back. I'm adding radio gear, off road lighting next. It has 265/75/16's on it now and I may put 285/75/16's if they fit. I won't need serious hardcore stuff but will add a new bumper and winch also.

Thanks for all the help on the WJ just the same. I still miss my old 86 CJ7 with a 360 v8.

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Well now for an update. With the recent changes in gas prices and my Sub although fitted out nicely will get sold and I'm going back to building the Grand. I have a Garvin roof rack to install and the next item I wantto add is a 2in spring lift and new mud tires ( I have hankook Dynapro M/T's in 235/85/16's on the sub.....good tires). Then I will add a simple brush guard/light bar for two lights. A Small box setup in the back end for gear wil do. The cargo area boxes (w 2batteries/inverter/microwave oven) will go into my 4.5 X 8ft. utility trailer and will use it for camping gear. Mod. suggestions are welcome.

[theksmith]

2 resources that i didn't see posted:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13

http://www.mallcrawlin.com

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Thanks for the additional information. Right now I've got a few issues, like a leaking rear axle seal, and a front axle pinon seal w/suspect bearing (makes a hum/whine sounds at speed and begins to resonate at 68 and 72mph. Some of my plans are on hold till its fixed. Did I mention new exhaust and tires also and blower motor. Just empty every pocket....but I love my 99 WJ (well except for the plastic front end where you can't mount lights) LOL

Pete Wilson

[theksmith]

Hey

(well except for the plastic front end where you can't mount lights) LOL

Pete Wilson

some people have mounted them into the plastic bumper and then used a piece of plate steel on the inside of the bumper to help tie all the lights together and re-inforce the plasctic (maybe some epoxy or JB-weld on the steel bar too).