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TX-WJ's build thread.

192K views 512 replies 99 participants last post by  TX-WJ 
#1 · (Edited)
I finally get to start my build thread :p.

So far I have owned 3 WJs, started with a graphite '99 Laredo, loved that color, kept it stock until I sold it; gone but never forgotten.

Then came the silver '03 Laredo, bought it new for $29K :eek: (worst deal I ever made on a car :brickwall), started wrenching on it, 2"BB+UC, MX6s, JKS Disco's, rear Addco, 32 ATs, freedom conversion LOL; was fun while it lasted, lots of mudding, minor dents.



But with the 4.slow and 32s, major loss in power came (was my DD then), started thinking about re-gearing the 30/35, but after pricing the gears/install opted to look for an '04 with the V8; then I found her........

My current (and probably last) WJ is a steel blue pearlcoat V8 4.7 Ltd., what a joy it was stock on the freeway, plenty of power for such a heavy rig; got her on Sept '07 for $13K with 37K mi on the odo; sold the '03 for $10K with 65K mi on it :D.

The build sheet:

Dear David:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center requesting the build sheet for your 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

According to our records, your vehicle was equipped from the factory
with the following:

*XL Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
-L5 Taupe
ADE Cold Weather Group
AFFS Luxury Group
AHX Trailer Tow Group IV
APAS Monotone Paint
A82P 4.7L Eng (EVA)/5Spd A/T 5-45Rfe(DGQ)
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
CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats
CLGS Covered Cargo Storage
CLHS Cargo Trim Panel w/Storage Net
CLPS Door Sill Scuff Pads
CSCS Cargo Compartment Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CUDS Mini Overhead Console
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
DGES All 5-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGQ 5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHFS Quadra-Trac II On Demand 4WD System
DJJS Dana 30/186MM Front Axle
DMEP 3.73 Axle Ratio
DRKP Dana 44/226MM Rear Axle
EVA 4.7L V8 MPI Engine
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GEPS Flipper Liftgate Glass
GFAS Rear Window Defroster
GNCS Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GNKS Rear View Auto Dim Mirror
GT3S Power Mirrors, Fold-Away
GWA Power Sunroof
GXMS Remote Keyless Entry
GXXS Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
HAFS Air Cond ATC w/Dual Zone Control
HGAS Hood Insulation
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group
I23S Route 23 - CSX, Jessup, MD
JA6S Electroluminescent Instr Cluster
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBS Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJP 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JKAS Locking Glove Box
JKPS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JKYS Power Accessory Delay
JPBS Power Locks
JPDS Power Windows, Driver One-Touch
JRHP Pwr 10 Htd Mem Drvr 6-Way Pass Seats
K4QS 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
LEWS Radio/Driver Seat/Mirrors Memory
LMBS Halogen Headlamps
LMGP Automatic Headlamps
LNJS Fog Lamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
LSAS Security Alarm
MDAS Front License Plate Bracket
MFZS Bright Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MT2S Trail Rated Badge
MVAS Limited Badge
MVBS Grand Cherokee Badge
MVCS Jeep Badge
MVEP V-8 Badge
MWES Side Roof Rails
MWTS 4X4 Badge
NAS 50 State Emissions
NBGP Federal Tier 2, Bin 9A Emissions
NFPS 20.5 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHFP Power Steering Cooler
NHMS Speed Control
NMHP Hydraulic Engine Cooling
PBQ Steel Blue Pearl Coat
QBQS Steel Blue Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RBP AM/FM Cass/CD Radio w/Changer Ctrl
RCES Infinity Speakers
RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna
RDZP Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCLS Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SUAS Tilt Steering Column
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TSVS P235/65R17 BSW AS Perf Tires
TZHP Michelin Brand Tires
WF1P 17" Steel Spare Wheel
WGPS 17X7.5 Alum Silver Accent Wheels
WLYC All Steel Wheels
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
XFHP Class IV Receiver Hitch
XFKP 7 Pin Wiring Harness
XFLP 7 to 4 Pin Wiring Adaptor
XGDP Universal Garage Door Opener
XPFS Protective Coating and Remover
YAAS Build To U S Market Specifications
YGCA 7 Additional Gallons of Gas
ZKGP Spring - Left Front
ZKYP Spring - Left Rear
ZYGP Spring - Right Front
ZYYP Spring - Right Rear
Z6BP GVW/Payload Rating
04HA FAM: LH TRACKING: 20823L06 MY:2003
04IA FAM: LH TRACKING: 20814L05 MY:2003
1AAS U.S. Dealer Retail
135S Zone 35-Washington
2TGA Customer Preferred Package 2TG
28G Customer Preferred Package 28G
3C3A V-8 Bonus Discount
32FA Limited Equipment Discount
39BA New Price Tracking
5I1S WJ-Vehicle Family
5I4S Four Wheel Drive (4WD)/(4X4)
5I8S Left Hand Drive (LHD)
594S Vehicle Order Tracking
6USS Label - U.S. Specifications
621S Maryland State Code
921S Maryland State Code

If I can be of any further assistance please let me know.

Thanks again for your email.

Sincerely,

Senior Staff Representative
Chrysler Customer Assistance Center
Here's the window sticker:





And here she is, in its pure "stock" form (sidesteps installed by the PO :teehee:; as a first mod, those sidesteps have to go).





In with the new, out with the old:



more to come....
 
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6
#4 · (Edited)
Then the process started; transplanted the 3" lift from the '03 to the '04; that was a long weekend, which ended with a sore back and a big smile on my face LOL.



Got some chrome mopar towhooks:



Added tera bumpstops front and rear, they suck!, what a waste of money :thumbdown:, too short to do anything at 3"; should've gone with IROs custom ones.



Added the JKS adjustable trackbar while I was there, since was dogtracking a little at 3":



Redrilled holes for the washer bottle mounting bolts on it's stock location and was able to move it forward about 1", which worked well with the 32s fully stuffed; but will need to get a bottle inside the engine bay for the next phase of the build.



Tossed in the front Addco and added grease zerks to the mounting brackets since the poly bushings that it came with would squeak like crazy after a few days.....especially after water crossing with the heep :nono:. (Had to drill the front addco holes to fit the JKS disco pins as the bolts were bigger than the addco's holes, what a pain!, make sure you have some sharp cobalt drillbit for this, I think it was 1/2").



Getting her dirty after the lift and wheel/tire transplant:

 
#5 ·
I love the color. You need the Freedom Edition wheels though. They look better. I'm just saying. I love them even more than my Canyons, and I thought I'd never love a wheel more. Simple, sophisticated, sharp.

You know, I like pics of the interior, also. I know it's not everyone's favorite thing on JF, but I love to see a well outfitted interior. Is it charcoal or regular gray? I've never liked tan, but I'll forgive you if yours is that color. ;)

Now for the 'upgrades'...
 
#7 · (Edited)
Painted the inner grille gunmetal to match the wheels; also swaped the Laredo black housing headlights from the '03 and got rid of the ugly chrome ones on the Ltd. (I wonder if the lady that bought the '03 ever noticed that :D).





OME SD40 SS (sat too low):



Flipped the brackets on the TR to get better clearance; helped some but still managed to hit the SS on the rocks, 32s" FTL :p.





Driver side tire stuffed, testing the bumpstop extensions..... not even close :-(



To be continued....
 
#9 · (Edited)
Then scored some JKS supernerfs for cheap on craigslist, I think I paid $150 for them, were never installed by seller; of course, I put them backwards thanks to the infamous mislabel issue :brickwall; they still work pretty good though, again some sharp drillbits and a right angle drill are a must for this one; I added some extra pinchweld self tapping screws for good measure (has provisions for only 2 screws per side out of the box). Best money ever spent on armor fo shoo!, have saved my butt countless times.







Finally tracked down and fixed the stupid clunking up front; superglued some rubber washers to each side of the JKS QDs top and bottom, and voila, clunk free (until the Aussie install that is :p).





Flipped and pushed the fog lights forward to save them from the tires, and trimmed the bumper cover at the "rubbing corner":
(More details on it here.)





 
#10 · (Edited)
Then came some interior misc. stuff.

All weather mats (F/R) and trunk liner: (forgive the dirt :eek:)





One of my favorite mods, the RB1 (E-bay $600ish) with iPhone integration and MP3 10CD changer; oddly enough the limited was the only one of my WJs not to have factory CD changer :confused:, but that's OK cause the one on the '03s crapped out after 3 yrs: (The iPod cable is now shrink wrapped in black to blend it in).





 
#12 · (Edited)
On to the lights.

E-bay projectors with HIR bulbs; also swapped fog bulbs for 9005s :cool:: (some more info here.)







Will prolly unhook the halos eventually, but figure I'd rock'em for a while :p, oh yeah, also swapped the sidemarker white LEDs for ambers.



De-ambered and quad tails: (more info on the quads here.)







 
#16 ·
Then, got tired of the way the chrome ring on the grille looked like, so I sanded and body match spray painted it; while at it, added some mesh grille love ;): (more on it here.)

before:



after:





Some action shots of the front end, I love the more aggresive look now (Yes, I do have a Freedom ed. fetish :D):

This pic. don't do it justice, this is some nasty steep loose gravel Texas hillcountry climb at Cline's ranch "throttle up".



 
#17 · (Edited)
Then the D44a Aussie goes in :):





(No, I'm not lifting the Heep by the diff, jst. supporting the axle while in the air.)



Working on the floor sux. Where's that lift?



Putting the Aussie to the test at K-rocks: (Mopar front, t-case and gas tank skids went in sometime around here, sorry no pics; the front one seems like a waste, the t-case one is pretty bent but has done it's job; the gas tank one is PURE BEEF!, and was a pain in the arse to put in).













"Have you scraped your alum. diff lately?" :D, damn leaky D44a.



 
#18 ·
Nice lookin jeep! :thumbsup: Was the grill pretty easy to paint? I'd like to get mine painted black
 
#20 ·
+1! I was just thinking yesterday that I'd like to lose the "chrominess" of my WJ's grill, but I'm a total newb when it comes to prepping/painting/finishing. Can't be too hard, but I wonder if someone would be interested in putting together a how-to...

Anyway, that's a good looking Jeep! :cheers2:
 
#21 ·
Where abouts in Texas are you? I'm jealous of your Jeep. The color is great, and I have a Freedom Edition fetish as well. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ission=&max_price=&cardist=280&standard=false

That has me drooling, but I can't pay that kind of money. The HO V8 is awesome. I have an I6, and I know the difference. Anyway, I don't want QTII anyway. :p Selec-trac ftw!

All right then, just wondering as I'd like to meet up with local Jeepers from time to time. Might learn something. Especially since I don't know how to do anything yet. My first upgrade will be the KOR steering brace. Wish me luck.

Geeze, just seeing your WJ in all those pics is making me want one. I'm going to have to really work on my ZJ to make myself happy. It's bronze. That color can work, right? Just gotta wax it enough...
 
#24 ·
Ummmhh, there aren't any stacked spacers anywhere in this Jeep, r u talking about the BB? :dunno:; the fronts go on top, the rears at the bottom as per Daystar's instructions. The factory rubber isolators are suposed to stay in under the BB.
 
#25 ·
I think he's talking about the spring seat, whatever you call it. There's that small piece that the spring sets against and then the spacer on top of that. Though it looks like you could use some spring retainer post extensions. Had any issues with that? You'd said your bumpstops weren't any good either. Do you have problems with that?
 
#27 ·
Yeah, I think you're right, he's referring to the spring isolators, they are suposed to stay in AFAIK. I do have spring retainers / post extensions somewhere in the pile of parts siting in the garage, awaiting for the next phase of the build ;). Since so far I've been running stock arms, the droop is limited by the arms themselves, so not enough droop to pop a coil :rolleyes:. See max droop below:

(as a side note, you can see the small loop with a velcro strap that I screwed inside the wheelwell to secure the swaybar when disco'd, not in use in the pic).
 
#26 ·
2 overwelming thumbs up

beautiful jeep, i happen to have a freedom fetish too, just bought an 04 inferno red freedom, its only downfall is open/open diffs and the i6, fixin to do locker in the rear and 245/75/17 at's, and also thinkin about spidertrax spacers. have heard they don't ride well though, bein a dd and all, anyways, good luck with the build.:2thumbsup:
 
#28 · (Edited)
beautiful jeep, i happen to have a freedom fetish too, just bought an 04 inferno red freedom, its only downfall is open/open diffs and the i6, fixin to do locker in the rear and 245/75/17 at's, and also thinkin about spidertrax spacers. have heard they don't ride well though, bein a dd and all, anyways, good luck with the build.:2thumbsup:
Thanks, inferno red was the color I always wanted on a WJ, but never found one when I was in the market for one. I've been running 1.25" Spidertrax for 2 yrs with NO issues whatsoever, and I DD'd the WJ forever, so fear not and git'er done :thumbsup:. Just recheck torque on the spacers with every tire rotation or oil change and you should be good.
 
#29 ·
MX6 goodness? I don't know how I missed that before. I have to wonder, what with all the expensive upgrades you've made so far, why the BB? I'm planning on the OME springs myself. I have a list of mods so long I'd need to work three jobs and not sleep to pay for them all. :p I guess that's what they're talking about when they say, "It's a Jeep thing." I am surprised the droop is so restricted by the stock arms. Do you have an adjustable trackbar, and if not, how's the steering? Were you able to get it aligned?
 
#30 ·
I do have a JKS TB :rtft:, LOL; I got the BB/UCs combo for cheap over on JU a while back, it was, as for most of us, just a starting point and honestly I must say I doubt 3" coils would have been that much different on or offroad. Anyways, the BB will pass on pretty soon, stay tuned ;).
 
#31 · (Edited)
OK, so then started thinking on going bigger (it's like a disease :D), and considered getting 4" teraflex coils to run 33 MTs, but then the axles became the weak link as I knew eventually I would want 35s, so the next phase started, and the brown truck paid me a few vitis.

Hobart handler 210 :) (disregard the niteshades can LOL, that's for a different project).



Need I say anything? :2thumbsup:



JK Rubi 44s FTMFW! :drool:

 
#37 ·
where are you located so i can come rob you. j/k j/k i wish i had a sugar momma i hate riding stock.
 
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