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]

Way kool

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

-----Matt-----

 

[ox4mag]

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.