The Triple Threat Grand Cherokee (2003 WJ)
- Thread starter theksmith
- Start date
theksmith
Explorer
rear storage
until i one day have a rear bumper with tire carrier, i keep the tire inside as i don't like it on the roof. stacking stuff on an uneven shaped tire has always been a problem during trips as well as getting to the tire without unloading everything. so here was my solution:
the tire will easily slide out while everything stays loaded on top of the platform. this allows me to get the tire out as well as access the spare tire well underneath it where i have the batteries and air tank.
the bag in the center of the wheel is spare parts. i also use the "corner" space between the back seat and tire to store spare fluids in 64oz nalgene rectangle bottles, and also have room for the spare front and rear axle shafts to sit in there - oh and some spare metal for emergency trail repairs with the battery welder (yeah, the back end of this thing is heavy!)
and while i was at all this, i incorporated a pull-out table for making food and such when on trips (was intended to match the fake wood interior):
the table is on lock-in/lock-out slides and has been one of the greatest additions i've ever done to the jeep!
also added a light inside the rear hatch that shines down on the table and immediate area when on. the light is from Adventure Trailers and was 'spensive but very bright and has dual red/white led's to allow it to be on and not ruin night vision:
here's the table in use as an emergency foul weather cook station:
until i one day have a rear bumper with tire carrier, i keep the tire inside as i don't like it on the roof. stacking stuff on an uneven shaped tire has always been a problem during trips as well as getting to the tire without unloading everything. so here was my solution:
the tire will easily slide out while everything stays loaded on top of the platform. this allows me to get the tire out as well as access the spare tire well underneath it where i have the batteries and air tank.
the bag in the center of the wheel is spare parts. i also use the "corner" space between the back seat and tire to store spare fluids in 64oz nalgene rectangle bottles, and also have room for the spare front and rear axle shafts to sit in there - oh and some spare metal for emergency trail repairs with the battery welder (yeah, the back end of this thing is heavy!)
and while i was at all this, i incorporated a pull-out table for making food and such when on trips (was intended to match the fake wood interior):
the table is on lock-in/lock-out slides and has been one of the greatest additions i've ever done to the jeep!
also added a light inside the rear hatch that shines down on the table and immediate area when on. the light is from Adventure Trailers and was 'spensive but very bright and has dual red/white led's to allow it to be on and not ruin night vision:
here's the table in use as an emergency foul weather cook station:
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theksmith
Explorer
thanks!
Nice truck, I like it! But I'd put a front bumper on it...
thanks, and i will! currently the axle swap, then need to widen the sliders, then next on list is front bumper - of course that will probably be next year
theksmith
Explorer
we hit The Maze again in 10/2010. this was a crazy weather trip, i had my cousin from FL and my 62 yo mom from VA on this trip with me, and they certainly got the full expedition experience!
you can read the full trip report and see more pics here: http://www.offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=772
you can read the full trip report and see more pics here: http://www.offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=772
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theksmith
Explorer
random photos
was messing around and made a couple cool designs from some of the shots of my WJ (style goes with our whole Offroad Passport stamp style logo):
expo:
flexo:
thought they'd look good on a shirt, so i got some:
also did a buddy's XJ and TJ too in that style for fun.
here are a couple pics that a photographer friend took when i brought him along on a trip, just thought they came out nice:
one of my other favorite pics is from a crazy little last minute run to see some snow (trip report here: http://www.offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=881)
then i was messing around on ebay the other day and i bought this old magazine ad for the jeep to hang up:
and with some quick playing in photoshop, i was seeing what it would be like to put my jeep into that pic
was messing around and made a couple cool designs from some of the shots of my WJ (style goes with our whole Offroad Passport stamp style logo):
expo:
flexo:
thought they'd look good on a shirt, so i got some:
also did a buddy's XJ and TJ too in that style for fun.
here are a couple pics that a photographer friend took when i brought him along on a trip, just thought they came out nice:
one of my other favorite pics is from a crazy little last minute run to see some snow (trip report here: http://www.offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=881)
then i was messing around on ebay the other day and i bought this old magazine ad for the jeep to hang up:
and with some quick playing in photoshop, i was seeing what it would be like to put my jeep into that pic
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theksmith
Explorer
theksmith
Explorer
the last major trip was a return to the Mojave Road in February (brrrrr).
this was a great trip, we had sportsmobiles, chevys, toyotas, fords, jeeps and nissans with us. we weren't sure of what we would find as far as river depth or the "dry" lake conditions and so was a true exploratory expedition!
a great pic from my friend Diane:
some of my shots:
rolled over 126,500 miles exactly as pulled back onto pavement at the end of the trip!
coming home we took an alternate route (back-road) which turned out to be a mud fest!
still had a great time though!
this was a great trip, we had sportsmobiles, chevys, toyotas, fords, jeeps and nissans with us. we weren't sure of what we would find as far as river depth or the "dry" lake conditions and so was a true exploratory expedition!
a great pic from my friend Diane:
some of my shots:
rolled over 126,500 miles exactly as pulled back onto pavement at the end of the trip!
coming home we took an alternate route (back-road) which turned out to be a mud fest!
still had a great time though!
theksmith
Explorer
OBHS - On Board Hot Shower
wanted to mention this mod because it makes those long trips better, the on-board hot water shower system.... it uses the engine heat to warm up water and uses a RV pump to push the water. there are different commercial systems like this, some use battery pumps, all sorts available, this was my attempt at a DIY system.
the pump:
the heat exchanger:
the interface:
first test:
cover for the interface:
so you start the jeep. hook up one hose to the interface input and drop it in a 5 gallon water jerry can. hook up the shower hose to the interface output. flip the "on" switch. adjust the temp to your likeing. take a shower! the on-off valve on the shower head allows you to turn the whole system on/off because the pump senses a pressure build up and shuts off. the hot output is has a thermostatic mixing valve that regulates the temp so that you don't get scalded after having water sitting in the heat exchanger while you were busy soaping up. there is also a "cold" output that bypasses heat exchanger so in the summer if you want a nice cold shower you can have that too.
the full writeup (including plumbing diagram) is here: http://www.offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=754
future plans are for an onboard water tank integrated into the system instead of using water jerry cans.
UPDATE - had to replace the connectors due to rust issues, info here:
http://offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?p=13246#post13246
wanted to mention this mod because it makes those long trips better, the on-board hot water shower system.... it uses the engine heat to warm up water and uses a RV pump to push the water. there are different commercial systems like this, some use battery pumps, all sorts available, this was my attempt at a DIY system.
the pump:
the heat exchanger:
the interface:
first test:
cover for the interface:
so you start the jeep. hook up one hose to the interface input and drop it in a 5 gallon water jerry can. hook up the shower hose to the interface output. flip the "on" switch. adjust the temp to your likeing. take a shower! the on-off valve on the shower head allows you to turn the whole system on/off because the pump senses a pressure build up and shuts off. the hot output is has a thermostatic mixing valve that regulates the temp so that you don't get scalded after having water sitting in the heat exchanger while you were busy soaping up. there is also a "cold" output that bypasses heat exchanger so in the summer if you want a nice cold shower you can have that too.
the full writeup (including plumbing diagram) is here: http://www.offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=754
future plans are for an onboard water tank integrated into the system instead of using water jerry cans.
UPDATE - had to replace the connectors due to rust issues, info here:
http://offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?p=13246#post13246
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Project510
Adventurer
His rig is even sicker in person! Great work K!
Lichen
Explorer
I didn't know that your Jeep was capable of time travel!
theksmith
Explorer
haha, i meant 2010 of course! nice catch!
howz the FJC? did you end up doing any mods after the rock clinic?
Lichen
Explorer
No mods. George will try to talk me into buying a Jeep this weekend in Wikieup.
theksmith
Explorer
:coffeedrink:
Project510
Adventurer
Where you hiding the Flux Capacitor!