2000 WJ Expedition Build

[csclifford]

Hey guys,

So I bought a 2000 WJ four years ago when I was 17. Since then, I've done a few mods, etc. Currently I'm shifting my plans, and now plan to make my WJ more of an expedition like vehicle. I'm planning a 2 month long overland trip for my dad and I (see my planning thread here:

I don't really want to repost everything that I've done the first 4 years, so here is a link to my Jeep Forum build thread

I will, however, provide a summary of everything done to my WJ, and a list of what needs to be done.

Vehicle Specs:
-2000 Jeep WJ Laredo
-158,000 miles
-4.7L V8
-Quadra-Trac II
-fully loaded

Mods so Far:
-Iron Rock Offroad 3" Suspension lift
-Pro Comp MX6 adjustable shocks
-Iro-n Rock Offroad Adjustable front trac-bar
-KOR rear A-Arm spacer
-265/75/16 Hercules Terra Trac A/T tires
-Graphite painted rims
-Monstalined my front and rear bumper, and rocker panels
-New headlights
-Painted front grille
-Front tow hooks
-Debadged

So far I've basically made my WJ much more off-road capable, so now I need to start turning it into more of an overland vehicle.

List of things to do:
-Rear bumper tire carrier
-Roof rack
-Possibly custom front bumper (don't know if necessary, and would stretch my budget)
-Internal storage/sleeping solution
-Snorkel
-Dual battery setup

It's a pretty rough list, but you should get the idea.

How she sits right now:

(This is minus the tow hooks I just installed today)

 

[WKexpedition]

That's one clean looking wj. Got any other pics?

 

[csclifford]

Here's one I took today while driving around:


And then here are some that I took over a year ago when I put it up for sale (not for sale anymore):





And here it was pretty much stock (with a crappy Herculined bumper/cladding, which I had to redo with Monstaliner):


I don't really have any good action shots of the Jeep on this computer (I did on my old computer), so I might go out and take some photos tonight.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Nice GC. Love that you are planning a trip with your pops. Time to think about recovery, IMO. Just in case you need to self rescue.

Eager to see more, that is one clean jeep for the miles it has on it.

John

 

[JChatary]

Nice looking WJ! Looking forward to seeing trip pics and mod pics!

 

[csclifford]

Nice GC. Love that you are planning a trip with your pops. Time to think about recovery, IMO. Just in case you need to self rescue.

Eager to see more, that is one clean jeep for the miles it has on it.

John

Thanks! A winch front bumper is definitely number one priority on my list..It's just a shame they are so expensive. I don't have the metal working skills or space to make my own, so I'm hoping to find a decently priced used one somewhere..

 

[csclifford]

Nice looking WJ! Looking forward to seeing trip pics and mod pics!

Appreciate it! Now I just need another part time job to be able to pay for all of the mods I want to do to my WJ, haha.

 

[K2ZJ]

Thanks! A winch front bumper is definitely number one priority on my list..It's just a shame they are so expensive. I don't have the metal working skills or space to make my own, so I'm hoping to find a decently priced used one somewhere..

Do you have any welding skills or a friend with them? Check this out. Send these drawings to a local metal shop with a plasma/water/laser table and have them cut it out. Find someone to weld it up.

 

[csclifford]

Do you have any welding skills or a friend with them? Check this out. Send these drawings to a local metal shop with a plasma/water/laser table and have them cut it out. Find someone to weld it up.

Thanks for the link, I even like that design quite a bit as well.

Any idea on a rough estimate of the cost of metal something like this would need?

 

[madmax718]

depends on thickness, and your local sourcing.

One of the things that I like to do is spend the money on training and tools, rather than pay someone else. It gives you both in the end, but a skill set is good for a life time.

Unless your time is more valuable. Then buy it, and have someone else install it.

 

[madmax718]

btw, my first welder was gotten off craigs list for 220 dollars for a lincoln mig welder, 25/75 bottle full, a starter shield, a big 10lb spool of wire, a cart, and gloves.

I then got a miller synchrowave tig, but I very sparingly use it. the mig is my go to, for like 99% of all things.

 

[csclifford]

Well yesterday was an eventful day for my Jeep..and not in a good way (for the most part).

I had a couple places on my rear right fender well starting to rust, so I used a grinder to grind down the rust, then applied some rust proofing stuff, and then bondo'd/primed/painted it:

Bondo:


Primed:


Painted:


And now the not so good..

So my WJ had been overheating, and I was able to figure out why. My E-fan motor was not working..and the motor is pretty dang expensive. So I'm taking my WJ over to my mechanic friend's shop this afternoon to fix it.

 

[K2ZJ]

Thanks for the link, I even like that design quite a bit as well.

Any idea on a rough estimate of the cost of metal something like this would need?

I think I paid $120 for the metal I had cut for my rear bumper. I had some small pieces laying around that I used but not much. Call around, on the link it says it is a half sheet, see what they guess they may charge. Or go see them and show them pics so they can see how many cuts it would be. I was not in a rush so they waited to cut mine with another persons and it saved me from buying a whole sheet.

 

[Seamus]

I was wondering how you like the Hercules Terra Track at's. Looking for new tires and they are on my list.