The Evolution of a Jeep Grand Cherokee

[magaw]

I'm not sure if they are still in business? I have seen some used sets floating around from time to time

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Iceland is out of business. Are you running the budget boost and flares with stock size tires? As for your shocks, they will seriously limit your down travel until you upgrade to something better. I personally would have spent the money on a good lift instead of the bumper and flares, but I guess it all depends on if form or function are of more importance.

 

[billyzj]

your one of the lucky ones then,it looks like it was worth the effort,looks good

 

[magaw]

Iceland is out of business. Are you running the budget boost and flares with stock size tires? As for your shocks, they will seriously limit your down travel until you upgrade to something better. I personally would have spent the money on a good lift instead of the bumper and flares, but I guess it all depends on if form or function are of more importance.

The spacers do limit my down travel some, with the factory shock length but then again I'm not building a Rock crawler either. This build is only gonna see some light trail use. Most of the time we have a two year old with us. As far as form over function, I was looking at winch bumpers at the time and ran across the Iceland stuff. For an extra $300 I got the flares which allow you to run 33s. So for $900 I got a winch bumper, fender flares and enough clearance to run a 33 inch tire. A descent lift would have cost $1200 and I would still be down a winch bumper. I do like the way they look and I'm planning on slinging some different coils and some long arms on it, eventually.

 

[magaw]

your one of the lucky ones then,it looks like it was worth the effort,looks good

Thanks, it was a long wait, but I'm more than happy with the end result. Glad you could take a peak

 

[docb14]

Be careful with those spacers on the Ole Grand Cherokee! :Wow1: I had a 98 ZJ with the budget boost (essentially spacers) that I really liked but it developed the "Death Wobble" This occurred usually between 45-55 MPH. If i was traveling that speed and hit just the tiniest of bumps, it would set off a terrible front end shake and was almost uncontrollable. The only way to get it to stop was to slow to a near stop. Not a good idea in busy traffic. I was running 31 10.50 mud tires on the stock rims. Make sure the tires are balanced well and the front end is tight before adding 33s. Supposedly the reason was the spacers messed up the alignment. Plenty of info from Dr. Google on the "Grand Cherokee Death Wobble". Some recent dodge trucks have had the same issue as well.
Just a little friendly FYI.

 

[magaw]

Finally up to date

It was time to start putting it all back together and take care of some much needed, recover-ability



I settled on this Wheel and tire combination: Rubicon Wheels/285 75 16 Fierce Attitude Mts



I got a smoking deal on the Rubicon wheels, here locally. Originally I was going to go with Duratracs but I decided on the Fierce Attitudes, because of the very similar, but more aggressive tread pattern. We have a lot and I mean a lot of mud here in WV.

So here is the before and after: (Rear bumper has been painted since this pic)











And that is where the build is currently sitting. I am constantly tweaking on it, so I'll try to keep this thread up to date.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Needs more flexitude!

 

[RiverRatXJ]

Good looking Jeep. Have to say that thing has taken a huge leap forward! Keep it up.

 

[magaw]

Be careful with those spacers on the Ole Grand Cherokee! :Wow1: I had a 98 ZJ with the budget boost (essentially spacers) that I really liked but it developed the "Death Wobble" This occurred usually between 45-55 MPH. If i was traveling that speed and hit just the tiniest of bumps, it would set off a terrible front end shake and was almost uncontrollable. The only way to get it to stop was to slow to a near stop. Not a good idea in busy traffic. I was running 31 10.50 mud tires on the stock rims. Make sure the tires are balanced well and the front end is tight before adding 33s. Supposedly the reason was the spacers messed up the alignment. Plenty of info from Dr. Google on the "Grand Cherokee Death Wobble". Some recent dodge trucks have had the same issue as well.
Just a little friendly FYI.

Thanks for the concern. I am all too familiar with the threat of death wobble, but thankfully not on my own jeep. I helped a buddy diagnose it on his tj about ten years ago. Back then we didn't know what to call it, but we knew it wasn't good. Being conscious of that fact, is another reason i chose to go with the small 1 3/4" spacers instead of the 2 3/4". I've noticed that once you get into the 3 and 4 inch lift range, while still running factory control arms, it opens the door to several issues. Between radically changing your caster angle , having big heavy tires, worn front end parts, and a bad tie-rod drag link design to begin with, it kind of sets things up to have a perfect storm. So far I have had zero issues. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Needs more flexitude!

Haha. I'm looking into getting one of the IRO long arm kits, as soon as I get my groceries out of layaway

 

[jscusmcvet]

Looks like it should have from the factory. The bumpers and flares really work great together.

Congrats.

John

 

[ruffshod67]

Is that one picture of thurmond WV?

 

[magaw]

Is that one picture of thurmond WV?

Yes it is Thurmond, WV. I lost all of the pics from the time we took the Ural.

 

[magaw]

Looks like it should have from the factory. The bumpers and flares really work great together.

Congrats.

John

Thanks, imagine how sweet that would have been if the wheel openings would have been this large from the factory. Gotta love jeeps of the 90s

 

[Ben Holeton]

I like the rims on it. I have been looking for a set for my Orvis and that may have just swayed me. Especially since a lot of people in my local Jeep club ditch them. Can probably get them cheap