I've had my WJ for over two years and it's finally come time to put new tires and a lift on so it's time to catch up and start the build thread!
Hopefully this will help some others (or at least keep them entertained while they should be working :shhh:). I'm also bound to have questions and need advise along the way (read: installing the lift this weekend) so hopefully this will be a good way to keep it all together..
I bought the WJ to replace my old truck and get something more family friendly but that I could also eventually turn into a more serious rig down the road once it is no longer my DD. I looked at a few different vehicles but decided on the WJ largely on price (compared to a JKU) and the solid front axle/drivetrain compared to most SUV's lately. It took a while of looking but I found exactly what I was looking for... a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the V8 HO and Quadra-Drive.
HUGE shout-out to Billzcat1 for the Ultimate Buyers Guide, pretty sure I read this about 90 times before buying my WJ, so thanks Billzcat1 for making that so easy!
The Ultimate WJ Grand Cherokee Buyer's Guide:
http://ift.tt/1Dmcrx3
I'll try to throw in a bunch of pics as I go since I've got some catching up to do showing what I've done so far if anyone sees something they want to know more about let me know and I'll try to get more pics :)
Here it is the day I got it (with my other toy in front)!
Here it is after cleaning it up and yanking the silly bug guard and license plate bracket:
And a few from out playing:
You can see some of them in the pics above but here are some of the little mods I've done so far. Mostly of the ideas are stolen from other's on the forum :2thumbsup: I'll post more pictures and comments later showing some more detail for these..
Mods so far:
~Stock bolt on stuff (factory hitch, factory tow hooks, transfer case skid)
~Debadged (everything but the "JEEP" on the hood - I couldn't get rid of that :D)
~Plastidip (grill, lower part of bumper, and JEEP logo)
~CB Radio
~Extra cigarette ligther/phone charger (Thanks 'theksmith' for the ideas)
~Aux audio jack
~Roof rack for bikes
What's next:
~Lift! (3" OEM "Kolak" lift and JK take-offs) going on this weekend hopefully!
~Better storage system (gotta figure out the spare tire situation with the 32's I'll be running)
~HiLift mount for the crossbars
I also wanted to reference some of my favorite WJ build threads that I've drooled over the last couple years.. Thanks for all the motivation and ideas guys!
(do yourself a favor and never look at these, especially theksmiths, and you'll save a lot of time and feel better about your own Jeep :rofl:)
w0mps WJ Build Thread
http://ift.tt/1DmcsBg
ChrisHager's 04 WJ Build Thread
http://ift.tt/1Dmcrx9
The Billzcat1 Build Thread
http://ift.tt/1DmcsBi
My build - Expedition Rig - 2003 WJ 4.7 HO [theksmith]
http://ift.tt/1Dmcrxb
More to come soon! :thumbsup:
Hopefully this will help some others (or at least keep them entertained while they should be working :shhh:). I'm also bound to have questions and need advise along the way (read: installing the lift this weekend) so hopefully this will be a good way to keep it all together..
I bought the WJ to replace my old truck and get something more family friendly but that I could also eventually turn into a more serious rig down the road once it is no longer my DD. I looked at a few different vehicles but decided on the WJ largely on price (compared to a JKU) and the solid front axle/drivetrain compared to most SUV's lately. It took a while of looking but I found exactly what I was looking for... a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the V8 HO and Quadra-Drive.
HUGE shout-out to Billzcat1 for the Ultimate Buyers Guide, pretty sure I read this about 90 times before buying my WJ, so thanks Billzcat1 for making that so easy!
The Ultimate WJ Grand Cherokee Buyer's Guide:
http://ift.tt/1Dmcrx3
I'll try to throw in a bunch of pics as I go since I've got some catching up to do showing what I've done so far if anyone sees something they want to know more about let me know and I'll try to get more pics :)
Here it is the day I got it (with my other toy in front)!
Here it is after cleaning it up and yanking the silly bug guard and license plate bracket:
And a few from out playing:
You can see some of them in the pics above but here are some of the little mods I've done so far. Mostly of the ideas are stolen from other's on the forum :2thumbsup: I'll post more pictures and comments later showing some more detail for these..
Mods so far:
~Stock bolt on stuff (factory hitch, factory tow hooks, transfer case skid)
~Debadged (everything but the "JEEP" on the hood - I couldn't get rid of that :D)
~Plastidip (grill, lower part of bumper, and JEEP logo)
~CB Radio
~Extra cigarette ligther/phone charger (Thanks 'theksmith' for the ideas)
~Aux audio jack
~Roof rack for bikes
What's next:
~Lift! (3" OEM "Kolak" lift and JK take-offs) going on this weekend hopefully!
~Better storage system (gotta figure out the spare tire situation with the 32's I'll be running)
~HiLift mount for the crossbars
I also wanted to reference some of my favorite WJ build threads that I've drooled over the last couple years.. Thanks for all the motivation and ideas guys!
(do yourself a favor and never look at these, especially theksmiths, and you'll save a lot of time and feel better about your own Jeep :rofl:)
w0mps WJ Build Thread
http://ift.tt/1DmcsBg
ChrisHager's 04 WJ Build Thread
http://ift.tt/1Dmcrx9
The Billzcat1 Build Thread
http://ift.tt/1DmcsBi
My build - Expedition Rig - 2003 WJ 4.7 HO [theksmith]
http://ift.tt/1Dmcrxb
More to come soon! :thumbsup:
JayhawkADV's WJ Build Thread
