The Triple Threat Grand Cherokee (2003 WJ)
- Thread starter theksmith
- Start date
theksmith
Explorer
unfortunately not going. even if i get all of my known issues worked out in the next couple of days, too many things are unproven - the entire drive-line and half of the suspension changed and i haven't had it on dirt yet. i don't want to be "that guy" everyone is waiting for to fix his junk on the trail. unexpected breakdowns happens to all of us at times, but heading to an event with completely untested mods would be irresponsible.
hopefully next year (been saying that for 3 years!)
theksmith
Explorer
yeah, the inline-6 jeeps have a nice flat area on the manifold that you can just throw some tin-foil wrapped stuff directly on. my v8 engine bay is way more crowded!
so i took a medium sized loaf baking ban, riveted a hinge to it and to an aluminum plate that i cut to match the shape of the pan (to be the "lid"). then added a magnetic latch on the front and a high-heat handle screwed to the top of the "lid".
i had to move a couple vacuum hoses slightly and had to make one little steel bracket to hold it (which mounts to where the ABS module bolts in nearby). it rests right on the valve cover and just below that is the exhaust manifold, so it stays toasty. it's tucked in there and just barely fits actually. i had bought 3 sizes of pans and the middle size was perfect.
thank you very much!
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
Very nice setup and some great ideas. After awhile you get used to the scratches and dents to the point that you become ecstatic when you hit a rock so hard it dents your sliders or belly skid, and you keep trying the same line your buddy's buggy on 38's just went up! And I haven't been to GSW in the 12 years I have owned my Jeep, I prefer smaller groups and going in cooler weather, and especially avoid EJS. On our trip to Moab almost 4 weeks ago one of the people in our group had a food warmer on their manifold that cooked up some tasty salmon for all of us to try. I read the entire thread you posted from your Colorado trip and it made me miss Colorado a lot, lived in Colorado Springs for 7 years. I haven't done that particular trip, but did do a few passes including Hagerman and Mosquito, as well as Wheeler Lake. Utah has some great wheeling spots, but nothing like Colorado.
theksmith
Explorer
so a few updates.... mainly i'm chasing vibration problems since the axle swap. but in between that:
i was giving it a nice cleaning the other day when Noche decided to help
i finally installed a speedo corrector after having lived with the speedo/odo/mpg all being off for years. the full writeup is here...
my friend Number 7 helped me with a few things, including new ball joints in the used JK axles
took it for it's first run since the axle swap. didn't really hit the full limits, but overall made sure nothing was completely wrong. i did kill a shock, but it was several years old. i think i'll spring for some limiting straps.
also took the new Kodiak tent out for it's second trip, really loving it now that the sticker shock has had time to wear off!
i was giving it a nice cleaning the other day when Noche decided to help
i finally installed a speedo corrector after having lived with the speedo/odo/mpg all being off for years. the full writeup is here...
my friend Number 7 helped me with a few things, including new ball joints in the used JK axles
took it for it's first run since the axle swap. didn't really hit the full limits, but overall made sure nothing was completely wrong. i did kill a shock, but it was several years old. i think i'll spring for some limiting straps.
also took the new Kodiak tent out for it's second trip, really loving it now that the sticker shock has had time to wear off!
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
What are you going to install for a front bumper?
theksmith
Explorer
this is the only commercial one i like at all, but will probably do something custom that has a similar look: http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/sh...-Bumper-now-available-for-WJ-Jeeps!!&p=250437
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
Start saving your pennies! When I bought my ARB front bumper in 1999 it was around $620, today it's almost $900. Sometimes it sucks having a Jeep that hardly anyone takes off the pavement, increases the price of parts.
srmitchell
Observer
Love the build man.
I'm an xj guy, but my dad has a 2004 WJ. I love it.
I'm getting some thoughts about selling my xj and upgrading to a WJ. Are you happy?
I'm an xj guy, but my dad has a 2004 WJ. I love it.
I'm getting some thoughts about selling my xj and upgrading to a WJ. Are you happy?
theksmith
Explorer
i miss the more nimble handling of the XJ sometimes, the rear leafs (and only ~4" lift that i had) made it more fun to haul *** on forest roads and pitch it around the corners.... the WJ rolls around corners after the 6" lift like a boat on the high seas!
other than that - i love the WJ! the V8, a little more room, the V8, more towing capacity, much nicer interior, the V8, the heated seats, the pretty decent soundsystem, and mainly not having my right leg cramp up due to that damn wide hump in the middle (i'm tall)... oh and the V8
overall it's just a different level of vehicle, but everything costs twice as much for it and there is half the aftermarket stuff even made for it... so again, not apples to oranges at all. best i can describe is if you've ever driven a base TJ and then driven a limited XJ... the WJ is like that sort of up-step in many areas, but even much more disconnected from the trail.
other than that - i love the WJ! the V8, a little more room, the V8, more towing capacity, much nicer interior, the V8, the heated seats, the pretty decent soundsystem, and mainly not having my right leg cramp up due to that damn wide hump in the middle (i'm tall)... oh and the V8
overall it's just a different level of vehicle, but everything costs twice as much for it and there is half the aftermarket stuff even made for it... so again, not apples to oranges at all. best i can describe is if you've ever driven a base TJ and then driven a limited XJ... the WJ is like that sort of up-step in many areas, but even much more disconnected from the trail.
theksmith
Explorer
added a Bussman fuse/relay box to cleanup some wiring. used the complete kit from WagonGear - full writeup here....
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
What is the maximum gauge wiring it is rated for?