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Anon155's Build Thread

54K views 162 replies 48 participants last post by  hrom12 
#1 ·
Here's a brief history lesson: Four score and 7 years ago my first car was a 99 Grand with a straight 6. I loved that jeep, but it gave me a **** ton of problems. I ended up selling it to a cousin and buying an 05 Dodge Ram 1500 HEMI. I customized it the way I wanted, and was a part of the dodge forums for a few years. I've owned Mopar's my whole life :2thumbsup:

Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Automotive parking light


I decided to sell the Ram last April and use some of the money for college. There was always 1 major flaw with the truck, I could not fit more than 2-3 girls in the cab at 1 time :thumbdown:

I needed a backseat! Which brings me to my 05 Jeep WK 5.7L Hemi (AKA: Green Lattern or Gerald) I ended up finding it on craigslist. An older lady had it, and it was practically brand new inside and out. It had just under 59,000 miles on it. I got it for a steal as there weren't many other WK's for sale at the time.

Here's a pic from the day I brought it home:

Automotive parking light Automotive side marker light Tire Wheel Land vehicle


Here's a few more recent pics:

Wheel Car Tire Automotive parking light Land vehicle


Automotive side marker light Automotive parking light Automotive tail & brake light Car Vehicle registration plate


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Here's a list of the mod's I've done so far (This list will be growing) I promised I would stop spending 6 months ago.
That still has yet to happen....So why stop now right? This jeep thing has been hard on my wallet :rofl:

-14% Tint and 5% Browl
-Infinity Dash Speakers
-Polk 6.5" DB Series Door Speakers
-10" Polk Sub in Custom Box
-Alpine 500 Watt Mono Amp
-Weather Tech Floor Mats
-New Rotors and Ceramic Pads
-Painted Brake Calipers
-Custom Retrofitted Projector Headlights (5000K HID)
-HIR 9011 Fog Light Bulbs
-LED Interior Lighting
-LED Cargo Lighting
-LED Strip Floor lighting
-7W Cree Reverse Lights
-Rola Roof Rack
-32" Tough Light Black Series LED Bar
-Rigid Industries Dually D2 diffused Back-Up Lights
-Custom Cubby Hole Switch Panel
-Otrattw Switches
-SRT-8 Pedals
-VW Style Flip Key
-Shorty Antenna
-Cabin Air Filter
-Debadged Jeep Emblems
-Plasti-Dipped Rear Emblems
-Plasti Dipped "Grand Cherokee" Side Logo
-Custom ORT Badges
-ORT Stripes
-Red Logo HEMI Side Badges
-Commander Shift Knob
-Custom Shift Knob Badge
-Jeep Emblem on Dash Cover
-Paracord Steering Wheel
-Paracord Side Grab Handles
-Paracord "Oh-****!" Rear Grab Handles
-Painted Mirror Covers
-OME HD Lift
-Bed-lined Rubicon Wheels
-255/75r17 BFG Mud Terrain KM1 Tires
-Full Size Spare
-Rear Hitch Mod
-Pinch Weld Mod
-Rear Fender Mod
-Superchips Flashpaq
-AFE Stage 2 Intake
-Modern Muscle 85mm Throttle Body
-Flowmaster Super 44 Muffler and 3" Exhaust
-Billet Technology Catch Can
-4xGuard Front Skid
-4xGuard Belly Skid #5
-4xGuard Rear Skid
-Stock Steel Front Skid
-Stock Transfer Case Skid
-Aspen Creek Transfer Case Adapter
-Stock Tow Hooks
-Rear Hitch D-Ring
-Custom Hemi Engine Cover
-Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs
-Custom Jeep WK Ottratw Switches
-Hitch D-ring
-ARB Snatch Strap
-Rugged Ridge Floor Liners
-Painted Wheels (Round 2)
-20" Osram LED Light Bar
-Cobra 75 WX ST CB Radio
-3' Firestick Antenna
-Steel Armadillo Antenna Mount
-Front Bumper Trim

Future Mods:
-6" Modified Superlift
-Bilstein 5100 Struts/Shocks
-JBA Upper Control Arms
-Rusty's Adjustable Track Bar
-Rusty's Adjustable Rear Lower and Upper Control Arms
-JBA 6" Rear Coils
-JKS Disconnects (Rear)
-37x12.50 Nitto Trail Grapplers
-Hidden Winch
 
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4
#2 ·
I would find a different front disconnect, the JKS pins tend to snap off, they work great in the rear. I just removed the front sway bar altogether.

Great looking WK!
 
#4 ·
Thanks! Yeah, I've heard that.....Any others you recommend? I'm thinking of actually using only 1 for the front. That way there's bit less chance I will snap it off. We have too many round-abouts near where I live to leave it disconnected permanently.

Good looking build!! JEEP stand for Just Empty Every Pocket so we all know that feeling hahaha! Any pictures of those paracord side handles? Can't wait to see updates :thumbsup:
Thanks man! I'm working with a local guy to try to make an adapter piece using our stock mounts that will work for upper grab handles similar to what JK's would wrap around their bars. For now I single wrapped paracord around the front handles built into the a-pillars. Gives ya better grip than just the plastic itself. Here's a pic of the headrests, you can see the front one as well:

Car Vehicle Land vehicle Motor vehicle Plant
 
#9 ·
Ok so first off, where did you get the Mopar badging?
The MOPAR badge on the rear actually came from the infamous Nate (AKA: Omelet). It's made from a set of RAM 1500 emblems. Which luckily I had just laying around lol. You use the R, A, M, and the 0 (Zero) turned sideways. Then for the P, you use the other R with the front leg cut off. I then put new tape on the back of the letters, and plasti dipped em. You can get the letters at a junk yard or on ebay rather cheap.

And second, can you post the flip key?
The flip key can be bought on eBay. The outside shell of my key fob cracked a few months back, and I had to replace it. I didn't want to go with the standard key fob again as it always poked me every time it was in my pocket! The person who designed that should be slapped!!!! So I ended up finding a replacement shell that uses your stock transmitter board. You simply take it out of the old shell and put it in the new one. It will have a new key that has to be cut. I got that done for 3 bucks by my local locksmith. I paid 18 bucks for shell, here's a link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIQUE-CHRYSLER-DODGE-JEEP-FLIP-KEY-KEYLESS-ENTRY-REMOTE-CASE-SHELL-REPLACEMENT-/360511714297?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AJeep&hash=item53f02c33f9&vxp=mtr

And here's a pic of the OLD vs NEW:

Watch Communication Device Car alarm Gadget Rectangle
 
#10 ·
Thanks Man! I got my Associates Degree from Longview a couple years back. I've been mainly working lately and trying to save up for the rest. Looking to head down to Florida (UCF) maybe to finish my degree. Tired of all the cold winters and nothing to do locally lol
 
#12 ·
Sorry for the delay on pics guys. I've been trying to get them organized. So here's a few updates on the projects I've done:

Stereo Upgrades:
1. Polk DB 6.5" door speakers (sorry no pics, didn't have a camera phone at the time)
2. Infinity Reference dash speakers
Hood Light Automotive design Automotive lighting Automotive tire

Vehicle Car Motor vehicle Automotive design Steering part


3. 10" Polk sub in custom made box
Car Vehicle Motor vehicle Light Automotive design


4. Alpine 500 watt mono amp wired into the cargo tray
Gas Composite material Metal Automotive exterior Machine
 
#13 ·
The next few things all happened rather fast. These all got done and installed probably within a month or two

AFE Stage 2 Intake:
Car Vehicle Vehicle registration plate Hood Automotive lighting


3" Flowmaster Super 44 Exhaust w/ Reso Delete:
Tire Wheel Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive tire


Debadged Rear Jeep Logo:
Automotive parking light Car Automotive tail & brake light Vehicle Vehicle registration plate


Moved the emblem inside on the dash:
Car Vehicle Speedometer Hood Light


Weather Tech Floormats:
Car Vehicle Motor vehicle Car seat cover Automotive design


Plasti-dipping the side chrome inlayed "Grand Cherokee" logo's
Before:
Motor vehicle Bumper Automotive exterior Automotive design Grille


After:
Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive design Automotive tire Bumper
 
#16 ·
It's actually pretty simple. It only took about 30 mins to do each side. I took some 2" blue painters tape and covered the entire logo with a single strip of tape. I then pressed on the edge of each letter revealing the outlines. I cut along that outline with my exacto knife, and removed the middle part of each letter. I sprayed several coats of dip on, and removed the tape before the last coat dried. I've been surprised how well it's held up! I've had it on there for 8 months now with no signs of peeling. I've even had people come up and ask if it was factory lol
 
#15 ·
Next came my sunroof issues. It lost its programming and I didn't know about it. I went through an automatic car wash with it cracked open in the back. Let's just say I ended up soaking wet by the end. I should have rolled down the windows down when the air dryers came on :laugh:

Here's a pic after I pulled all the seats out and was drying out the carpet padding:
Car Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive design Car seat cover


Next came my OME HD lift

Spidertrax 1.5" Wheel Spacers
Car Tire Land vehicle Wheel Vehicle


2012 Rubicon Wheels and Tires:
Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Alloy wheel


Pinch Weld Mod:
Tire Automotive tire Vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive exterior

Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire Hood


First pic after I installed the lift:
Automotive parking light Wheel Land vehicle Automotive side marker light Car
 
#18 ·
Painted Mirror Covers
Textile Rectangle Publication Font Post-it note


Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Automotive carrying rack


Next to come was Armor and Recovery. I had none of the stock skids to start with. So luckily, my lovely mother has an 06 Jeep Commander with the off-road package. So one night someone ended up stealing all her skid plates.......They never did find the BAST@RD! Actually she was kind enough to let me have them since her Jeep stays strictly on pavement :2thumbsup:

4xguard Front and Rear Skids
Wood Grass Flooring Rectangle Linens


4xguard Belly Skid
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive parking light Car


Stock Transfer Case Skid (Cleaned up and repainted flat black)
Gesture Grass Automotive exterior Wood Bumper


Stock Tow Hooks (Cleaned up and repainted)
Light Black Wood Grass Gas


Fully Armored Up!!!!
Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Automotive parking light
 
#23 ·
Thanks man! Appreciate all the compliments. I've loved watching your build grow. Been watching it ever since I first got my jeep. I'll be posting up better pics of the headlights soon hopefully. Along with all my other light mods lol

nice jeep love what you've done with it.
Thanks a lot! :highfive:
 
#26 ·
Are you calling my Jeep a mall crawler?! That the only thing it goes over is a parking lot curb? That hurts man....I do wheel it, but 90% of the pics I have were taken when I was still putting it all together this spring. I've been wheeling it all summer now that I have full skids. I'll make sure to take my camera next time I go to Kansas Rocks!
 
#27 ·
Man that looks great.
 
#28 ·
Time for the semi informative "How to" on my headlight design :2thumbsup:

This was definitely a fun project for me, because I had never done it before. But also was a very big learning experience.
I watched what Omelet did with his, and figured it didn't look too hard. Boy was I wrong lol

***WARNING***
I already purchased a 35 watt HID kit several months prior to this install. I kept getting flashed because of the glare caused by the HID's in the stock housings. Which is why I decided to fit projectors. I do NOT recommend just putting HID's in your stock housings! In many state's it is also illegal.

I started off by getting some aftermarket headlights off eBay for around 100 bucks.
I got the paint from automotivetouchup.com, Love their products!!!!
Automotive parking light Automotive lighting Hood Drinkware Motor vehicle


I ordered my H1 projectors 5000K bulbs and mini gattling gun shrouds from theretrofitsource.com
Adhesive Rectangle Adhesive tape Table Material property


Time to get this party started!
I first opened the headlights up by heating them in an oven at 350 degrees several times for 15-20 minutes each time. I found its best to use a wide blade putty knife to open them.
I had trouble getting them to open with screw drivers like others have used. You will need to clean the rest of the butyl out of the channels that the lenses press into.
I wrapped the lenses of the headlights in saran wrap and set them off to the side for later. Once I had the headlight face removed and cleaned up, it was time to paint!

I taped off the chrome front rings first. I also took the side yellow reflectors off. I taped off the square shaped side marker towards the bottom of the reflector.
They are only held on by a couple clips.
Furniture Cap Chair Table Gas stove


Once I had the headlights sanded down, I put on 2-3 coats of sandable primer down first.
I sanded it after the last coat dried to get any impurities out before the color coat.
Textile Ingredient Font Newspaper Banknote


I then sprayed 3-4 coats of Dark Khaki. The color was a dead on match once it dried. After the color coats, I waited over night before I sprayed the clear coat.
I put on 4-5 coats of clear. The heaviest was the last coat to give it a glossy finish.
Automotive tire Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Automotive design Automotive exterior


Before the clear coat completely dried, I carefully removed the painters tape with a razor blade.
You have to be very careful here, not to touch any of your painted surfaces with the side of your hand. Luckily, that went pretty smooth for me
Automotive tail & brake light Hood Automotive lighting Grille Tea strainer


The back portion of the headlight housing I decided to plastidip. It actually tuned out really well.
Plastidip has a good head tolerance so I knew it would work. I left the turn signal and high beam housings chrome.
Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Hood Headlamp Automotive tail & brake light


Next I had to modify the back of the light housings so the projectors would fit correctly. All it took was a drimel sanding bit to make the tabs flat with the housing.
Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Motor vehicle


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Tread


I originally wanted to use the gatling gun 2.0 shrouds (which are bigger than the mini's).
But I figured out after some modification to the shrouds and many calls and emails to retrofit source that the mounting for them is a pain to deal with!
The larger shrouds attach via a round ring that acts as a compression fitting. To make a long story short, this ring was made too small by their manufacturing department.
So they would not work with my projectors, at least not anytime soon. I got impatient, and had them send me the smaller shrouds instead.
Here's a pic of the larger shroud with the headlight:

Automotive parking light Automotive tail & brake light Hood Automotive lighting Vehicle
 
#29 ·
I got the smaller ones a few days later, and installed the projectors into the headlights. I did not seal them up just yet though! I still had to aim them.
That part is pretty easy. Just make sure the beams are level together and tighten the back nut on the projectors.
I used some red locktite on the threads to make sure it wouldn't come undone.
Automotive lighting Automotive exterior Electricity Gas Tints and shades


That same night I re-sealed the headlights with new butyl bought from any auto parts store.
They were ready for install the next day:
Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Hood Grille Light


And there you have it folks!!!! Here's the final product installed!

Daytime:
Tire Automotive parking light Wheel Vehicle Grille


Night:
Automotive parking light Car Automotive lighting Vehicle Automotive design
 
#32 ·
Next up is a couple more random goodies....

Rear hitch mod to fit a full size 255/70r17 BFG Mud Terrain
Automotive lighting Automotive exterior Vehicle door Material property Tints and shades

Wheel Tire Vehicle Car Automotive tire


Painted brake calipers with black Jeep logo. I used Silver G2 caliper paint.
Wheel Automotive tire Locking hubs Vehicle brake Alloy wheel

Wheel Automotive tire Locking hubs Vehicle brake Vehicle


Paracord wrapped steering wheel
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Rola roof rack
Gas Font Electronic device Machine Advertising

Plant Automotive tire Automotive lighting Hood Motor vehicle
 
#33 ·
Awesome build so far man, very clean and well done!

Are these the headlights you ordered off of ebay? http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Pair-Se...el:Grand+Cherokee&hash=item5af4a22b41&vxp=mtr

And is this the only other part of your project you ordered (minus the paint)? http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=3181

Love the way your headlights turned out, they look awesome! Sorry for all the questions, I'm a complete noob when it comes to lights or anything electrical to be honest. I'm trying to decide between 4300K and 5000K also.
 
#34 ·
Thanks for the compliments! It's been fun doing all the mods. You're welcome to ask away. That's why I made the build thread, to help inspire others for their own builds.

1. Those look to be similar to the one's I bought. If you look around, you can find them cheaper though. Here's some for 96 bucks: http://www.ebay.com/itm/05-07-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-Headlights-Headlamps-Pair-Set-NEW-/130662140005?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AJeep%7CModel%3AGrand+Cherokee&hash=item1e6c120865&vxp=mtr

2. I already had purchased the HID kit from another company a few months before I did my install. I was constantly getting flashed because of how the HID's caused glare in the stock housings. Which is why I decided to upgrade to projectors. I only had to buy the projectors at that time. If you don't already have HIDs you will need to buy a 35 watt kit from them as well. Here's a full package (bulbs, ballast, projectors, and wiring harness all included): http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=227

3. The 4300K or 5000K debate is kinda up to the person. I like them both. They give out a similar light output overall. The 4300K is more yellow and will match the color of your stock halogen bulbs. That's what most of the newer cars have now. The 5000K is more of a pure white. I chose the 5000K to give it a more custom look rather than stock look.

Here's a good comparison shot from inside the jeep of the 5000K HID's vs my 3800-4000K HIR fog lights:
Atmosphere Window Automotive lighting Car Road surface
 
#35 ·
Anon, I see you are running 1.5" spacers with those rubi take offs... Could you fit without the spacers? Is it a UCA bolt issue or is the offset too little with the rubi wheels?

I'm about to pick up a set of 4 rubi take offs with the MTs and throw em under an OME md. Just curious if you could have gotten away without the spacers. I'm not a big fan of the idea of them.
 
#36 ·
Anon, I see you are running 1.5" spacers with those rubi take offs... Could you fit without the spacers? Is it a UCA bolt issue or is the offset too little with the rubi wheels?

I'm about to pick up a set of 4 rubi take offs with the MTs and throw em under an OME md. Just curious if you could have gotten away without the spacers. I'm not a big fan of the idea of them.
The Rubi wheels will fit without any modification of the bolt because they have a smaller back spacing than the stock wheels. But they will require at least a 1/4" spacer up front to clear the front brake calipers. Most use 1.25" or 1.5" like me. The key to wheel spacers is to make sure the are hub and wheel centric. I have seen/heard horrid stories about them too, but usually that's because they weren't installed correctly or weren't a quality brand. My spidertrax have given me zero problems since I bought them. Plus they help to give the jeep a wider stance which helps with the 255 tires since they are narrower than a 265/285. You will prob need to do the pinch weld mod as well. With or without the spacers, the 255's usually will rub on it at full lock.
 
#41 ·
Haha. You definitely should! The WK has been a great vehicle for me. My dad ended up buying a lifted TJ shortly after I got mine all together. I think he got a little jealous :rofl:

Can you mount the Rola directly to the factory rack?
Jeepforthewin nailed it on the head. I mounted it with the rola's mounts upside down and I removed the factory twist screws on the rails and replaced them with bolts as well. The rola sits a couple inches lower that way.
 
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