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Snobrdrkid's WJ Build Thread

420K views 7K replies 99 participants last post by  snobrdrkid07 
#1 ·
I figured I would start one of these for the fun of it! Unfortunately no lifts yet. But my WJ is at least not bone stock anymore! :D

I will start from the beginning.

The build Sheet
Code:
Sales Code:  ---    Description:
*E7 Cloth Low-Back Bucket Seats
-L5 Taupe
ADC Convenience Group
AHT Trailer Tow Group
APAS Monotone Paint
A24P 4.0L Engine(ERH)/4Spd Auto Trans(DGK
BAZS 136 Amp Alternator
BC6S 625 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BRYS Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
CACS Low Back Bucket Seats
CBWS Highline Door Trim Panel
CFNS Rear 60/40 Folding Seat
CGUS Child Seat Anchor System-LATCH Ready
CG1S Next Gen Multistage Front Air Bags**
CKDS Floor Carpet
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CLE Front & Rear Floor Mats
CLHS Cargo Trim Panel w/Storage Net
CLPS Door Sill Scuff Pads
CSC Cargo Compartment Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CUDP Mini Overhead Console
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
DGBS All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGK 4-Spd. Automatic 42RE Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHPS Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
DJJS Dana 30/186MM Front Axle
DMEP 3.73 Rear Axle Ratio
DRMS Dana 35C/194MM Rear Axle
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GEPS Flipper Liftgate Glass
GFAS Rear Window Defroster
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNVS Sun Visors w/Vanity Mirror
GTNS Power Mirrors, Fold-Away
GWA Power Sunroof
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
GXXS Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
HAAS Air Conditioning
HGAS Hood Insulation
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group
I38S Route 38 - UP, Mesquite, TX
JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBS Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JKAS Locking Glove Box
JKPS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JKYS Power Accessory Delay
JPBS Power Locks
JPDS Power Windows, Driver One-Touch
JPSS Power 6-Way Driver Seat
KRSS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KWSS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
K4SS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
K5SS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
LACS Illuminated Entry
LAGS Warning Chime
LAZP Vehicle Information Center
LBBS Courtesy Lamps
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LCES Rear Courtesy/Reading Lamps
LDBS Cargo Compartment Lamp
LETP Traveler/Mini Trip Computer
LMBS Halogen Headlamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
MDAS Front License Plate Bracket
MFTS Body Color Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MT2S Trail Rated Badge
MVCS Jeep Badge
MWES Side Roof Rails
NAS 50 State Emissions
NBGP Federal Tier 2, Bin 9A Emissions
NFPS 20.5 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHMS Speed Control
PB8 Midnight Blue Pearl Coat
QB8S Midnight Blue Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RBKS AM/FM Compact Disc Radio w/Chgr Ctrl
RCGS 6 Speakers
RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCAS Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SUAS Tilt Steering Column
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TTB P245/70R16 OWL All Terrain Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WDQP 16" Steel Spare Wheel
WDRS 16X7.0 Lux Alum Silver Wheels
WLYC All Steel Wheels
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
XFJP Class III Receiver Hitch
XFKP 7 Pin Wiring Harness
XFLP 7 to 4 Pin Wiring Adaptor
XPFS Protective Coating and Remover
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
YGCA 7 Additional Gallons of Gas
ZKFP Spring - Left Front
ZKYP Spring - Left Rear
ZYFP Spring - Right Front
ZYYP Spring - Right Rear
Z6DS GVW/Payload Rating
1AAS U.S. Dealer Retail
135S Zone 35-Washington
2TEA Customer Preferred Package 2TE
26E Customer Preferred Package 26E
3FTA Convenience Group Discount
39BA New Price Tracking
4X7A Virginia Chapter-90 Recovery
5I1S WJ-Vehicle Family
5I4S Four Wheel Drive (4WD)/(4X4)
5I8S Left Hand Drive (LHD)
594S Vehicle Order Tracking
6USS U.S. Specifications Label
647S Virginia Ship to State Code
947S Virginia Sold to State Code
My 2004 Grand Cherokee was bought brand new in 04, It was the family SUV until it was given to me in the Summer of 2010. I have been driving it and loving it ever since!

When I got the Jeep - could not wait to start making it my own
  1. New Steering Stablilzer
  2. 4 Skyjacker Nitro 8000 Gas charged shocks
  3. New tailgate lift struts. (June 2010)
  4. Projector and Halo headlights (Aug 2010)
  5. Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X794 Head Unit (Aug 2010)
  6. Interior white LED's put in. (September 2010)
  7. New Yokohama Geolander All Terrain 245/70/16's (November 2010)
  8. Memphis Coax 3-way 6x9's Fronts and Memphis Coax 2-Way 6.5 Rears. (which are freaking loud) (November 27th 2010)
  9. 55w H1 HID Lights at 6000K Color Temperature (December 1st 2010)
  10. Alpine MRP-M500 amp with Alpine 12" 1223D Dual Voice Coil Subs running at 2-Ohms (500 watts RMS)
  11. Alpine MRX-F30 amp for the doors pushing 75 watts x4 (August 2011)
  12. SuperChips - Flashpack
  13. Painted the bottom part of the bumper to look like an Overland.
  14. Got the Front Windows Tinted
  15. Put on a set of Overland Rims
  16. Electro-Luminescent Overland Gauges

Table of Contents
1. HID's
2. Halo Lights
3. Subs
4. Snow Jan 2011
5. Kenwood Headunit
6. Factory Build Sheet
7. NC Pictures, OBX
8. Fuel Filter Change with Picture
9. Mopar Skid Plate
10. Auto-Dim Mirror
11. Rear 3/4 Inch Spacer Install
12. Front Bumper Painted Silver Strip
13. Yard Work
14. Left for VT
15. Front Drive Shaft
16. Sinking Creek - Potts Run 1
17. Double Din Face Plate
18. Highlights from Callalantee, Mountain City, TN
19. Maintenance Day
20. Hit the 4Runner Pretty Good with the Trailer - Pictures
21. Idle Videos
22. First Look at the OME HD Coils
23. OME HD and JKS Adjustable TB - Pictures
24. Overland Rims 1
25. Gear Oil Change and Differential Pictures
26. Overland Rims on
27. Overland Rims 2
28. Window Tint Pictures
29. Rock Light Switch 1
30. Rock Lights On!
31. Car Show - Jeeps!
32. Ready to go back to Tech
33. Rolled 100,000
34. Overland Gauges Came in
35. Overland Gauges at Night!
36. Mountain Lake Wheeling
37. To-Do List
38. Kickdown Video
39. Snow at VT
40. Another Wheeling Picture
41. Wheeling Aftermath Clean Up and EVIC disassembly
42. Rear Axle Seal Going
43. Cleaned up
44. OME HD Coil Spring Update!!
45. 0-60 Videos
46. Back at VT - Spring 2012
47. K&N Filter Numbers
48. Cold Start Up Video
49. HID's driving
50. Auxiliary Transmission Cooler 1
51. Auxiliary Transmission Cooler Install
52. Copperhead Wheeling Pictures
53. Copperhead Rocks with the WJ
54. Mechanical Fan Hitting the Electric Fan
55. Noob Lift Chart
56. Turbo Encabulator
57. Freedom Roof Rail Teaser
58. Freedom Roof Rails Installed with Pictures
59. Cam Talk
60. Can't Trade in my Jeep
61. City Driving and Acceleration Videos
62. 2/10 Would no Drive - VERY FUNNY
63. OME HD LIFT - FINALLY
64. Trunk LED's
65. Painted Rear D.S.
66. Cleaned Up with the Lift
67. Moog Order - Open boxes
68. Stillen Brakes
69. Moog TRE - Measurements
70. Brakes and Tie Rods Installed
71. Rear 5100's
72. JKS Track Bar Movement 1
73. Air Box Mod
74. 4.0 Wheel Spin
75. Front D.S. Angle :(
76. IRO Control Arm Info
77. Broken U-Joint
78. JKS Track Bar Movement 2
79. AP Run-Down
80. Results from Southern Performance

Pictures:


Current:



 

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7
#5,884 ·
Thanks Chris!

Wow, that Jeep is freaking sweet! WK's have been growing on me over the years. When they first came out in 05, I did not like them at all. (Because the WJ was the best Jeep ever ;) ) But that have grown on me for sure.

I like the bull bar as it does not interfere with the approach angle!
 
#5,888 ·
Here's my jeep... My WJ anyway.
Your Jeep looks awesome!!!!!! I hope to get either a 2.5" lift or at least a set of UpCountry springs for mine. That's exactly how i want my Overland to sit. If i may give input, don't add a bull bar. A clean/simple light rack might look nice though. Sweet Overland!
 
#5,886 ·
Ummm, can we trade WJ?! :drool::drool::drool: Damn that WJ is nice! So SO clean, hard for me to say to add anything else to it!

WK is tricked out very tastefully too!
 
#5,887 ·
double post.
 
#5,889 ·
Thanks guys. I appreciate the kind words. The bull bar is definitely a no go. I was looking at an Aries brush guard (fairly useless, except to mount lights) but I do like the look of that 4xGuard matrix setup on AJeepZJ. I was also thinking about Kevin's roof rack... It seems not everyone is a fan if his, but I do think its the best looking rack around...
 
#5,890 ·
If you want my honest oppinion, it looks perfect exactly how it is. Clean and its got stock form but with the bigger tires and a subtle amount of lift, how I would expect a WJ Rubicon or an offroad package to be designed. Brush guards and bull bars really aren't that useful except for mounting lights. Brush guards look "cool" I suppose maybe on pickup trucks and stuff but they're usually pretty weak, bend easily, and their frame attachment is quite lacking and has the potential to cause more damage in a crash than without it.
 
#5,891 ·
You make a very good point and I definitely agree with you. Looks like its time to turn my attention back to my ZJ...
 
#5,892 ·
Well, I do believe my front pinon bearing is on its way out! Get a nice and declared whine/"whirrrrr" sound on coasting and or acceleration. At this point I am just tossing my hands up in the air. I am not really caring because I can't do much about it. Noticed this the other day and today. I have been running 4wd Full Time on the snow covered roads and part time if it gets real bad. Hey, at least I have 4wd.

As far as the shimmy it has piratically been gone with all the *short* trips I have been making, under 15 minutes tops. Today I drove around in the snow for over 90 minutes, and when I went to take the highway back, it had a slight shimmy in the wheel over bumps where as previously on those short trips I seemed to notice less. Just so weird, makes me wonder. #needtires

Jeep has been good overall though, no "debilitating" issues.

I am working on wiring my inverter, a lead for OBA, and run wires to the 12v cargo outlet. Plan to do a high amp (50?) relay to the inverter so I can wire a switch to the dash for the "on-off" use. There is a physical switch on the unit that I can just leave on and then just be able to cut the +12v from it. Then I have plans to wire in an outlet somewhere. Maybe inside the console?
 
#5,893 ·
Meh. Leave it. For 7 Jeep-years ownership I've had bad front pinion bearings. Other than a little hum on the freeway there has never been any problem as a result.

Regarding your other projects.... my advice would be to focus on fixing your complaints instead of taking on other unrelated projects. Tires are more important than inverters and OBA. Get your priorities straight, brah! ;)
 
#5,894 ·
Yeah, after recalling what you had said about your Jeeps, I was less concerned. I wasn't planning on taking any action either, it seems like its not worth it from the general consensus.

When away at school, the priority list splits. Tires are #1 on the list for when I got back for spring break. Should prove to be an interesting/crap drive home if the jeep proves my theory of not liking extended trips. Fingers crossed that some Silent Armours on the WJ will be sexy! (And fix the tire issue)

While I'm away, only so much I can do. I like to do random "tinker" projects and the weather has been crap.
 
#5,895 ·
Can someone confirm that the front upper arms use a T-50 torx? It apparently is either a T-50 or T-55

The Lower CA's are 21 mm nuts and bolts.

I scored one of these today for a great deal!


Gonna be fun to retro fit this in.
 
#5,896 ·
Added the Power/Heated/Auto-Dim/Memory Driver side mirror today! So nice to have heat! I can't take advantage of the memory feature but still can take advantage of the Auto-Dim. I need to find one thread where someone ran the wires from the rear view mirror to the door, but how hard can that really be!
 
#5,898 ·
I have the harness and got the auto-dim for $15. I have that harness and I am going to assume just run two wires from the rear view down to the lead on the harness for auto-dim.
 
#5,901 ·
Just ordered a 10 piece 1/2" drive socket set from 15-24mm, a Torx Bit set from T5-T60, and an extendable 1/2" drive ratchet. Front end will be checked and tightened up this weekend, no more excuses. All that is being shipped free and will be here Thursday, thanks Amazon Prime. :)

Partially finished the install of the Mirror
Finished the Cargo outlet install and the Inverter install
Still need to do the bolt upgrade at some point from KOR for the TB. Surprisingly it has not been clunking/popping. Just jinxed that one!

Tires in March! :)
 
#5,902 ·
snobrdrkid07 said:
Just ordered a 10 piece 1/2" drive socket set from 15-24mm, a Torx Bit set from T5-T60, and an extendable 1/2" drive ratchet. Front end will be checked and tightened up this weekend, no more excuses. All that is being shipped free and will be here Thursday, thanks Amazon Prime. :)

Partially finished the install of the Mirror
Finished the Cargo outlet install and the Inverter install
Still need to do the bolt upgrade at some point from KOR for the TB. Surprisingly it has not been clunking/popping. Just jinxed that one!

Tires in March! :)
Snap-on ?

Sent from my iPhone5 using JeepForum
 
#5,903 ·
Nahh, I wish, I got the internet specials ;) We will see how long it takes for them to break. Got all that for less than $50 :laugh:
 
#5,904 ·
I love Amazon Prime. I haven't really taken advantage of the content streaming but free shipping is always a win in my book.

Occasionally, nothing beats a cheap socket set. If you lose or break something, no big deal! I wanted to get a Craftsman tool set for the jeep as a permanent kit (though now I hear their quality has decreased). RJ had a generic set that I threw in. Works fine in dandy and saved me quite a bit of money!
 
#5,905 ·
Amazon Prime is the best. I only pay half the cost, because I'm a student.

The way I saw it was the closest Harbor Freight is an hour away so probably 30 or 40 in gas when all said in down. Just wasn't worth it. Then Lowes around here has Kobalt which is what I usually buy but, just didn't want to spend like $200+. I figured this was the best thing in the situation. We shall see!
 
#5,906 ·
Picked up, (Ordered) an LED Light bar today, pretty excited about this.
 
#5,909 ·
My Valentine's Gift to myself... (yeah, that is sad). Maybe end of next week or the following it should be here. It is only a small one Light Bar ~8". All those tools will be here Tomorrow. :)
 
#5,910 ·
Really sucks that I have to go back over the front end.

1. Flip the LCA's around so the Jam nut faces the frame.
2. Switch the bolts on the passenger side LCA. Frame side bolt is on the axle and vice versa.
3. Take the Uppers out and check them and re-torque them back.
4. Snug up all the TRE's, especially check the Pitman Arm TRE
5. Snug TB and mark the nut compared to the frame mount and check for play after a few days.

There has got to be something loose that is just not helping my situation. I would think that a tight front end would be able to handle crappy tires?

Also considering swapping back to the RC-X SS because it was stiffer than the Moog STB SS. #blah

Tools:


 
#5,914 ·
Really sucks that I have to go back over the front end.

1. Flip the LCA's around so the Jam nut faces the frame.
2. Switch the bolts on the passenger side LCA. Frame side bolt is on the axle and vice versa.
3. Take the Uppers out and check them and re-torque them back.
4. Snug up all the TRE's, especially check the Pitman Arm TRE
5. Snug TB and mark the nut compared to the frame mount and check for play after a few days.

There has got to be something loose that is just not helping my situation. I would think that a tight front end would be able to handle crappy tires?

Also considering swapping back to the RC-X SS because it was stiffer than the Moog STB SS. #blah
1. Why? Shouldn't matter which way the jamb nut faces.
2. Why again? If the bolts were different sizes, you'd have a serious problem you'd know about right away. Bolt sizes are the same on ZJ control arms- don't see why it would be different on a WJ. Control arm bushings are the same size on each end.
3. Weren't these just replaced?
4. Good idea.
5. Another good idea. Crank this down as tight as you can. Axle side too.
 
#5,911 ·
Hey if you need stuff from Harbor Freight we have one here in town. Im just 40 miles up 81 from Tech. I'm sure you could buy enough stuff there to justify a trip.

Sent from my iPhone 6 using JeepForum
 
#5,912 ·
Yeah I have been there. I don't trust the Jeep to drive that far. Then that'd be a bit of gas too. Amazon was easier in this case. Did not have to leave my chair and probably spent less than gas and HF tools.
 
#5,915 ·
Squashman:

1. Jam nut is "supposed" to go on the axle side to be further away from rocks etc, I guess DD'd on the street, it should be alright.
2. They bolts are the same diameter but NOT the same length.
3. So I thought, I checked them out recently and they were actually not done. I was upset about that. So I've got no idea what the condition of the bushings are.
 
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