New Guy question ... please don't beat me! LOL!

[MitsosOSougias]

Hello,

I own a stock Jeep WJ 2000 model. I want to make some modes in order to increase it "expedition" capability. What I cannot do is add to its height and do visible alterations since that would require a special license at the country where the vehicle is. For instance I could add a winch but only if it relatively covert and that the front bumper is not changed ...

Thank you in advance.

 

[maximumrob]

Lockers and stock-sized mud tires. There are plenty of folks here who can show you what to do with the interior to make it more useful.

Good luck! Why not post some pictures for us?

 

[Haggis]

Commence the Beatings!!! Just kidding, the people on the Expo are way to nice to put a beating on you. Most stock vechicles are more than capable to "soft" expedition travel with little more than a swap of the factory tires for some good all terrian tires. The WJ is a great platform in its stock form and should serve you well. Consider mods for interior storage and prepare a recovery kit. Better shocks might be in order if you're adding weight, and with a 2000 they're probably due for a change anyway. Rember the best mod you can make is getting off your duff and going someplace, the more you go the more you can figure out what you need and don't need to do to your rig. Now get off the computer and put some dirt under those tires and be sure to post some pictures for us.

 

[DaktariEd]

Don't forget extra water storage, and a 12 volt fridge if possible!

Oh...and welcome to ExPo! :wavey:
The folks here are very helpful and have lots of great suggestions.
Ask away!

 

[MitsosOSougias]

Interior mods: Please do say more ...

Extra Water storage ... that is already taken care of.

12 Volt fridge ... any suggestions?

Keep them coming guys!

 

[Martyn]

I have a stock WJ as well. It's very capable off road as is, even better is you have the Quadra Drive option.

Engle and WAECO make great fridges, check out www.frogsisland4X4.com for info.

I'm still trying to work out a way of mounting the fridge on a slide in the back and at the same time having access to the spare tire. I don't want to have a swing away tire carrier on the back.

For expedition I'd look at lockable storage, fitting a roof top tent (T-Top Eezi awn), and if you don't have the off road package some body armor for the underneath.

For essential spare parts I'd carry a water pump and a plastic radiator repair kit, both are weak spots on the vehicle.

Our philosophy with the WJ is keep it stock as a daily drive, and then hook up a trailer for expedition. With the price of fuel at $8.00 per gallon in Europe you have to take into account that any additional weight added to your vehicle decreases miles per gallon. The trailer also allows you to travel in comfort with 4 people in the vehicle, instead of two people plus all their equipment.

 

[RoundOut]

I can't help you with your WJ, but can say that this is a civilized place. You won't get flogged here. Welcome to the ExPo!

.

 

[MitsosOSougias]

Thanx for the info guys, keep them coming!

Martyn: My philosophy would be to the same as yours, a main issue I have is not wanting to compromise it on-road performance as I seen to use it on road for long trips, but upgrading its "soft" expedition capacity is something I would like to do as I have been is a couple of "sticky" situations where i would have needed some extra help.

Guys to your knowledge is ther any "covert" winch solution for the WJ around? and how does the placement of the winch affect airbag operation?

 

[maximumrob]

If I recall, the airbags are operated by an accelerometer mounted to the chassis. It doesn't matter what the steel looks like on the bumper...if that accelerometer feels a huge vector change from the front, your bags will deploy.

 

[Lynn]

Guys to your knowledge is ther any "covert" winch solution for the WJ around? and how does the placement of the winch affect airbag operation?

Mounting a hidden winch on the front of a WJ is going to be a challenge, I think. I used to own a CJ, and I remember the area behind the bumper being pretty tight.

Would one of the removable systems suit your needs?

Basically the winch is installed on a carrier, and the carrier temporarily mounts to a 2" trailer hitch receiver. That way with the winch removed all that would be visible is a 2" hitch receiver.

A removable carrier has several advantages:

1. When not needed, it can be locked away someplace secure

2. Can be used on either the front or rear of vehicle

3. Only carrying the weight when needed (fuel economy).

And, as far as I know, only one disadvantage:

1. Not practical for larger (heavier) winches. But with a Jeep, this shouldn't be much of an issue.

In your situation, I imagine that the winch would have to be stored inside the vehicle when on major roads, and that may be a problem. Or inside the trailer, if you have that option.

 

[MitsosOSougias]

Lynn, I have thought of that myslef ... do you have any idea about anyone making a front hitch base for the WJ or does it have to be custom made. I guess the front towhooks would have to be removed for the hitch base to be attached.

 

[adrenaline503]

Have you considered adding a small trailer? This would allow you to retain a more stock vehicle for DD and far better storage. If I ever got a Jeep that is the route I would take.

 

[JChatary]

I would definitely put on a good roof rack with lights. There are lots of accessories you can add to your rack....shovel...jack....spare tire (which opens up your spare tire well for other tools, parts, misc stuff!) I also have a 2000 WJ which I'm still upgrading.

Also....get rock rails. I just got some for mine and I'm going to install them any time now!

hope this helps! :beer:

 

[Martyn]

Thanx for the info guys, keep them coming!

Martyn: My philosophy would be to the same as yours, a main issue I have is not wanting to compromise it on-road performance as I seen to use it on road for long trips, but upgrading its "soft" expedition capacity is something I would like to do as I have been is a couple of "sticky" situations where i would have needed some extra help.

Guys to your knowledge is ther any "covert" winch solution for the WJ around? and how does the placement of the winch affect airbag operation?

Warn offers a front receiver hitch http://www.autostyles.com/warnfrontreceiverhitches.htm

A great solution for a winch.

 

[MitsosOSougias]

Martyn ... it looks like a viable option and I probably be able to mount it myself! Now I just have to find someone that sells it in Europe ...

I had seen a semi convert winch solution a couple of years back but I cannot seem to remember where ...

I will most certainly invest in a trailer at some point!