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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
#2,567 ·
SnowLeopard said:
This is a long-term project for you, but you're not in a position to continually spend money on your Jeep. So save up to do it right as you can. Everyone wants to cheap out on shocks, but there seems no point. If you can't afford to mod your Jeep, then you can't afford to mod your Jeep. ;) Be ready for all the extra, unanticipated complications that may result as well.
Sometimes the Jeep has a way of forcing you to replace certain things on a timely basis. Tires are worn out and suddenly you need to get new tires, but why buy stock size tires you want to get 32s because you're planning to lift soon anyways, but you can't put the 32s on until you get your lift on, and you can't put your lift on without shocks. By the time you've bought the new tires you're out of money, so you have to settle for a little less ride comfort in the shocks. And then even after that you want to have $X left over to buy additional components because you can't just buy really nice shocks and springs and expect the lift to ride perfect. Nope you need an adjustable track bar, and you need extended sway bar links and you will probably need to replace a couple bushings while you're underneath there. As for shocks, when your stock shocks are blown and you're bouncing up over train tracks you just want a firm ride and don't care if it's a little stiff as long as its safe. Third on the topic of bilsteins, they only make lift shocks for up to 2" and 3-4" on a WJ. OME coils put you right in the middle and so you'll either be bottoming out or overextending your shocks in certain situations, it's no good. What's more, if you use Spacers to get up to 3-3.25" that enters the realm where your factory driveshafts on a WJ are inadequate, and you start to need adjustable arms for the front and a spacer at the back for the a-arm. IMO it's best to make sure you get all your bases covered as needed versus covering some of your bases with the most expensive parts, that way things are much less likely to fail and leave you financially wiped.

Especially when you're like me and you try to save up the money and something comes along that forces you to spend the money you've saved up for your Jeep.
 
#2,569 ·
That was pretty much the best write up that I could have said too. That is pretty much what has been going through my mind as well like the entire time. I really want to slap them on and go, but I have learned that that is NOT the way to go, with anything! I will continue to acquire all the parts when I can.

Since I have the "B" springs that should put my at around 2.75 inches. With old Isolators that will also lose about a half an inch so net lift will be around 2.25-2.5 inches. Which is a good amount of lift for what I need and will also keep the cost to a minimum. I may still run my 3/4 inch spacers in the rear to keep the raked look of the WJ. Will have to play around once this actually starts to happen. As for shocks, I have been running skyjacker and I have not had to many compaints, they give a firm ride and do not let the Jeep "bounce" all around after hitting bumps. Which is what you want.

2.5 inches should keep me pretty safe in the realm of need a crap ton of parts.
- Have the OME HD "B" Springs
- Have a JKS Bar
- Going to find a deal on SkyJackers (MAYBE I can get some 2" Bilsteins for Christmas)
- Need to check out the TRE's
- Rear sway bar links for sure
- Keeping my 30" tires because they are pretty new.
- At 2.5-2.75 inches the Rear A-arm should be okay... I am pretty sure I either need a new ball joint or the rear shock mounts are loose because they are aftermarket bushing and can 'clunk' around.
- I also do not know what the parents are going to say either... :nono::nono::nono:
- So you can see what a crap position I am in right now. I also have to worry about Finals for the next 10 days then I am home free for the next 5 weeks.

put those springs on yet?!
Explanation Above ^ :)
 
#2,570 ·
Well said sir. I'm running 400+ lbs of bumpers on stock springs and shocks with a 2" spacer lift, wanna ask me about "doing it wrong" lol?!
 
#2,571 ·
Thank you sir. HAHA what are you netting right now? Like an inch? :laugh:
 
#2,574 ·
compcrasher86 said:
lol jeep likes to nose dive and sway around till it bounces off the limits of the swaybar, its like okay time to take a turn... Whoah whoah and then you get a snap as the rear swaybar kicks.
lmfao!!! Thanks 
 
#2,575 ·
snobrdrkid07 said:
Well it looks like it is time for some needed new parts for your Jeep as well. I am actually pretty impressed with how those coils are holding up with that weight! How is your MPG's on the stock tires? Yeah those tires fit pretty well for only 1.5 inch of lift! It looks like when the sway bar becomes less then perpendicular from the road in the rear, it will more easily flex and lessen the effect?

Yeah those WK's... Haha.
Ohhh yah. You'd actually be surprised, I noticed absolutely no mileage decrease when I put the bumpers on with the stock tires. Combination of the jeep going down 1/2" (front a lil more than rear) and also the added aerodynamics from the ARB, yes believe it or not it pushes air away from the tires and the lower air dam also channels air properly through the radiator and away from the suspension. Tires were what really did it I noticed a good mpg less in town and 3-4 less on highway with the 32s. The i6 struggles with 32s, take that into mind if you're considering new tires.
 
#2,576 ·
Well for how much the ARB costs, I am glad they put some good engineering into it! :2thumbsup: How were the shift points with 32's and 3.55? Like OD had to be locking up at like 35 mph!!

How did the lift affect the MPG?
 
#2,577 ·
Yeah I would reccomend the ARB to anybody in a heartbeat if they are looking at front bumpers, very well made. Honestly I didnt notice much of a big deal with shift points actually if anything it locked overdrive earlier at like 45 which I kinda liked. It did, however, tend to hold 2nd gear longer than I really wanted it to but I guessed it helped a bit with accelerating and keeping in the powerband. Also, something weird is up with my ECU (but I like it so I'm not fixing it) where if I get to 40 with OD locked out it will normally lock up the torque converter. Then if you coast down to 30 you can STILL accelerate torque converter locked. Trust me 30mph in a WJ in 3rd gear with torque converter locked rolling like 1200 rpm sounds freaking awesome. I am pretty sure when I replace my battery this "feature" is going to dissapear, my ECU and BCM really dont like my impending death in form of battery.

As far as lift affecting MPG, it did absolutely nothing with stock tires. I did my 400mi drive home from school and got 24mpg... then I lifted my Jeep and with stock tires got 25mpg on the way back up.
 
#2,578 ·
compcrasher86 said:
Yeah I would reccomend the ARB to anybody in a heartbeat if they are looking at front bumpers, very well made. Honestly I didnt notice much of a big deal with shift points actually if anything it locked overdrive earlier at like 45 which I kinda liked. It did, however, tend to hold 2nd gear longer than I really wanted it to but I guessed it helped a bit with accelerating and keeping in the powerband. Also, something weird is up with my ECU (but I like it so I'm not fixing it) where if I get to 40 with OD locked out it will normally lock up the torque converter. Then if you coast down to 30 you can STILL accelerate torque converter locked. Trust me 30mph in a WJ in 3rd gear with torque converter locked rolling like 1200 rpm sounds freaking awesome. I am pretty sure when I replace my battery this "feature" is going to dissapear, my ECU and BCM really dont like my impending death in form of battery.

As far as lift affecting MPG, it did absolutely nothing with stock tires. I did my 400mi drive home from school and got 24mpg... then I lifted my Jeep and with stock tires got 25mpg on the way back up.
On mine, it will lock the Torque converter in 4th gear at 45 mph. I guess that's normal. If you hold the gas a bit and go up a hill, and let the speed decrease, I got it to about 36 the one time, it was still locked until I hit it under and it bumped down to 3rd. It does sound pretty cool under load down low too haha. Hmmmm our jeeps don't like low batteries. Hahaha

I do like the ARB front bumper, but also pretty partial to the Incline SLR bumper, I am not a fan on the bars that come up over the headlights, that just me.

Wow thats pretty good mpgs. I can not get that good. Idk what im doing wrong. I only got 19.8 mpg from the trip from home to va tech. Then again there was city mixed a bit, stop and go traffic, and some sitting idling. So that probably didn't help. When I go home for winter break. Gonna do a straight trip to home. It will be like 99% highway. I also drive fast/aggressive at time. 75+ at times. So that prob doesn't help the mpgs. What do you do pull those numbers?
 
#2,579 ·
Wow thats pretty good mpgs. I can not get that good. Idk what im doing wrong. I only got 19.8 mpg from the trip from home to va tech. Then again there was city mixed a bit, stop and go traffic, and some sitting idling. So that probably didn't help. When I go home for winter break. Gonna do a straight trip to home. It will be like 99% highway. I also drive fast/aggressive at time. 75+ at times. So that prob doesn't help the mpgs. What do you do pull those numbers?
All highway, set cruise control to 63, far right lane, pass nobody (except trucks up big hills that are doing like 45), try to ignore the truckers flying by you downhill. It takes alot of patience ignoring the people zipping by doing 80 but worth it plus you're following the speed limit so you'll be the last to get a speeding ticket. If I do 75+, to hell am I doing anything better than 20mpg lol! You gotta remember you're pushing a brick through the air... it gets much worse as you go faster. A week back up in Rochester and my Avg is down to 18, roads around here though the state speed limits are 50 so if I do longer trips (other than the 2am walmart/wegmans runs) I can still pull 20+.

I time traffic lights and I also downshift my Jeep coming up to changing reds so I dont have to come to a stop and waste the gas accelerating through 1st again. My roommate actually taught me how to do this its really cool I usually dont do it when I'm pulling out of OD because of the unpredictable electric lag but the 3-2 shift I can make the physical shift and them time a tap on the gas pedal to perfectly rev-match the engine to the tranny so that when its shifting it doesnt have to wear the clutches getting the engine to the same speed as the gear ratio permits. Then from there it uses engine braking to slow the Jeep down and you literally watch your speedo fall without having to hit your brakes hard. I'll see if I can take a video some time from 55-60 getting off the highway its awesome and is great at slowing you down especially when the ECU hits fuel cut.
 
#2,581 ·
No... Normally I wouldn't suggest just pulling the lever back and letting the transmission deal with it, especially if you're in overdrive. Itll just wear out the clutches in the tranny. Gettin off highways I'll get myself out of overdrive (you can also do that by mashing the pedal a bit and then hitting the button once it shifts out) and then from 3rd anything under 65ish you can safely pull it to 2 you can jab the gas and itll match perfectly if you have your timing right. If you don't time it right, you get jerking and clunking from the rear end, not pretty. I'll take a YouTube video some time cus I've got it down.
 
#2,584 ·
Yeah you're on less of a time pinch than me man... I know I won't see the money for bilsteins till the summer though and I'm pretty sure one of my stock shocks is going to implode before then so I'm skyjacking it up. But it seems like you're just about ready to get em on otherwise. PS if parents are willing to get you bilsteins for Xmas just do eeet and give em the part numbers as said before. Despite what everyone's saying though I really don't think putting on skyjackers would be doing it wrong. Does anybody know a source for bilsteins for a good price and fast shipping. Id go with Kolak and I did for my OMEs but it's like a month wait and if I come across the money I'll impulse buy the steins and try and get em in over break.

I will agree though if you keep the rear 3/4 spacer you really need to get the a-arm spacer. I'd say extend your rear links but if you're looking to wheel it often also consider JKS discos for front and see what billzcat did to modify his slightly. Oh if I had a steady income the things I'd have done to this Jeep :(
 
#2,585 ·
Comp: Would like to see that video when you get around to it!

Well I am glad that everyone understands what I am trying to do here, do it right, haha.

Here I am going to pretty much compile everything and put some prices by them:

Michael's OME Lift:
- OME HD "B" Springs - Purchased
- JKS Adjustable Track Bar - Purchased
- Shock Option 1 - Bilstein 5100's for a 3-4 inch lift ~ $325
- Shock Option 2 - Bilstein 5100's for a 2 inch lift ~ $325
- Shock Option 3 - Skyjackers for a 2 inch lift ~ $180-200 from various sites (Could have sworn they were cheaper... wth)
- Shock Option 4 - Any other shock that is decent for a 2-3 inch lift - Input welcome
- A-Arm Ball Joint - Rock auto has a few ~ $28-32 What brand? IRO has "OEM" replacement for ~ $55
- A-Arm Spacer - Seen that from IRO for about ~ $100 (100 bucks for a chunk of metal, what a rip off. If only I had access to that CNC Milling Machine...)
- TRE on the front, all 4 - Moog Parts: See note 1 below!
- Front Sway Bar - I WANT to get JKS QD's (Fat Chance)
- Rear Sway Bar - Hack and tap extend the links
- Front LCA - JKS Adjustable LCA Kit ~ $375!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!
- Isolators - Rock Auto all 8 for ~ $105 Raybestos



Note 1: Rock Auto. Do these look right?
$26.79 x4:
MOOG Part # ES3473 - Front Left Outer
MOOG Part # ES3474 - Right Outer (Pitman Arm To Steering Arm)
MOOG Part # ES3472 - Right Outer (Steering Arm To Steering Arm)
MOOG Part # ES3475 - Front Left Inner To Pitman Arm

Wow there is literally so much crap!!!
 
#2,587 ·
Hahaha nothing is cheap.... :mad:
 
#2,589 ·
yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :cool::cool:
 
#2,591 ·
Up to 3 it SHOULD be okay. I was just throwing it in there for consideration.
 
#2,592 ·
Just been reading about some shooting at Virginia Tech at the news. 2 people shot, you ok?
 
#2,594 ·
Okay guys, this is what I know right now:
This started around Noon EST.

There were two gun man on the campus, one police officer has been shot and killed, another has been shot and wounded. There have also been reports that have been released that a student was also killed.

One of the two gunman has been arrested and the other is still on the lose.

I am okay and currently locked up in my dorm and I am okay. There are police rushing around the streets right outside my building.

There about 50 to 90 law enforcement on campus. Local PD, SWAT teams, and then State Police.

Here was the view from my dorm room window.


Will keep you all updated. The lockdown is still in effect and there is still a person lose
 
#2,596 ·
^^^x2
 
#2,597 ·
Thank you all guys. Prays go out to the people who have lost their lives.

Will keep you all posted.
 
#2,598 ·
holy crap........
glad your alright man, stay safe and use your head. my prayers go out to those who lost their lives and wounded, i hope the boys in blue catch that other mother ****er!!!!
 
#2,599 ·
They have caught the one, they are STILL looking out for the other right now.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.
 
#2,601 ·
From what it SOUNDS like on the press conference is that they shooter is indeed dead and was found at the second scene in the "Cage" Parking lot.

They were running around campus from the leads at the time. Because they did not know at the time that the second person was found dead was the shooter.

They are not releasing any direct statements but if you kind of read between the lines you can put it together.
 
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