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Bama_WJ's Build Thread

281K views 1K replies 151 participants last post by  TX-WJ 
#1 ·
What my WJ looks like as of today:


Table of Contents:


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I figured I would go ahead and jump on the bandwagon and start my own build thead. :thumbsup:

It doesn't consist of my much right now, but I hope to change that by summers end. I'll try to put everything in the order that I got stuff installed. So here it goes...

First off, a little bit of stats:
  • 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • UpCountry Package
  • 4.0L I6
  • 242 Transfer case
  • 98K miles when bought in April of 2007

When I first got my WJ:



I then started to get the itch to start modding things. First in the line up was get some exhaust put on there. I ended up going with a Flowmaster 50 Series and a Magnaflow/Carsound Hi-Flow cat. Sounds pretty nice.



I love coming home from work and seeing a Summit box on the ground!



Video of my exhaust.

Next, I ended up installing a K&N FIPK kit. I found it on eBay for a decent price.



Then I finally purchased a lift. Only had the funds to buy Kevins 2.5" Budget Boost at the time. I really wanted the IRO 3", but I have been real satisfied with this BB paired with the MX-6 shocks. Once you learn how to drive the Jeep decent offroad, only a little bit of lift can get you quite a few places.



A couple pictures of the installation. Nothing to extreme.





Here is the end result. Stock vs. 2.5" BB and 31" Goodyear Silent Armors:



 
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#479 ·
Well the Jeep did good getting up to Purdue the yesterday. I didn't encounter any death wobble on the interstate even when I hit some decent sized holes and bumps in the road. But as soon as I get to school on regular roads at around 40 mph, I still get death wobble if I hit a good sized hole in the road.

<rant>

I swear I hate northern roads with a passion. In the four years that I've lived up here, you'd think they could have got their **** together and fixed at least half the roads. But no, basically all of them are still crappy as hell.

</rant>

So, I thought my bushings in my stock track bar were the problem, but they apparently weren't. The track bar certainly helped though. I guess the search continues.
 
#480 ·
I would start looking at tie rod ends, seems like it would be one of the last things to be the source of your problem. I know mine looked ok, but then when i took it to alignment they said 2 were shot. So i replaced all 4, and the other 2 were in decent but not great shape. I got a couple Moog's and two other offset brands, the moog's were the same price as the others too. If I were you, especially with the bad roads around there, you should consider looking into replacing them anyways. They are a piece of cake to do yourself too.

Just a thought.
 
#482 ·
Road construction is such a pain. Its usually very seldom around here, but when it is around I cant stand it. Everyones nice rigs can handle the bumps smoothly, while we can feel every pebble possible.

If you have a knechts auto parts or something around, I think they are about 45 bucks a piece. They helped me out a ton trying to find the right tre's, when i was looking for the other 2 i didnt order. Trying to find them is the hardest part lol
 
#483 ·
Road construction is such a pain. Its usually very seldom around here, but when it is around I cant stand it. Everyones nice rigs can handle the bumps smoothly, while we can feel every pebble possible.

If you have a knechts auto parts or something around, I think they are about 45 bucks a piece. They helped me out a ton trying to find the right tre's, when i was looking for the other 2 i didnt order. Trying to find them is the hardest part lol
It's not road construction. The roads around here just suck that much. They think that just patching things will make it better. While it makes it better for like a month, they eventually just end up being worse than when they patched it in the first place. Guess I'm just spoiled from growing up in the South where our roads basically look just as good as they did 5 years ago.

But yea, finding those Moog part numbers is a pain. I've tried looking for them before.
 
#484 ·
its the same way here, they spend a ton of time just patching up holes and big cracks and stuff and they are good for about three months. why not save themselves the trouble and just fix it instead of just throwing a bandaid on it
 
#485 ·
Exactly! The city finally realized that very thing about the road right in front of my dorm. The right side of the right lane was absolutely awful. Like multiple holes where I could stick my whole foot in and it would be at least ankle deep. They finally had the sense to rip the whole road up over the summer and repave it.
 
#486 ·
MOOG Part # ES3474
Frt Strg; Outer; RH; Pitman Arm To Steering Arm

MOOG Part # ES3472
Frt Strg; Outer; RH; Steering Arm To Steering Arm

MOOG Part # ES3473
Frt Strg; Outer; LH

MOOG Part # ES3475
Frt Strg; Inner; LH; At Pitman Arm


Are these the parts I need for all the tie rod ends? The lingo used for these tie rod ends kind of confuse me for some reason.
 
#493 ·
yea the moogs are nice, they make nice suspension/steering parts...as for the flip, i thought about it as well but since its my DD and i really have no steering/deathwobble issues at the moment why risk it...

reaming out the knuckles and welding in the inserts seems like a nice route but i wouldn't trust my welds just yet for that nor do i know how to weld to cast?

it may be a nice time for you to get Kevins WJ tie rod or just buy the tube and make it yourself....not sure if you're running one already i know mines taking a few nasty hits and its survived so far...i still wish it was flipped though it hangs pretty low
 
#495 ·
i wouldnt buy moog unless you are getting them from a parts store and you can open each box and make sure it says moog on the top of the tre. moog used to be great quality parts, but lately they have been buying junk japan parts and putting them in moog boxes. Ill post a pic for you later of what i mean. We have had many of the so called "moog" parts fail or wear out quickly because they are re boxed junk! I would go with masterpro from o rileys if it were me.
 
#500 ·
Has anyone ever tried a product called Water Wetter? Its a coolant additive that's supposed to lower engine temps. Ever since I put the bumper on, I can't run the AC without the engine running a little warm. Maybe it just needs a coolant flush and new stuff put in (been 2 years probably since the last flush).

I found some turbo lebaron hood louvers on ebay for $15 shipped, may pick those up if I need them down the road. Could always sell them if I never use them.
 
#501 ·
I used water wetter in my old 5.9 and it worked as advertised. Never got hot with the 180* thermostat. Do you have a 180* thermostat? That's what I would do first. I changed mine out the other week because my ZJ was running hot and the old one came out in pieces.
 
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