$400 1997 Grand Cherokee Build

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and_yourfriend_steve

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233
Murrieta, CA, USA
First Name
Paul
Last Name
Fallon
Member #

18744

I bought this Grand Cherokee about two years ago for $400, I started working on the basics to get it reliable first. The new catalytic converter, and a couple of sensors needed to be replaced. Here are some pictures of the starting project!
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and_yourfriend_steve

Rank I
Launch Member

Member I

233
Murrieta, CA, USA
First Name
Paul
Last Name
Fallon
Member #

18744

First major upgrade I did was a steel rear bumper from RockHard 4x4 which I found a good deal on facebook marketplace

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After the rear bumper, I gave Rhino-Rack a call and was able to find someone that worked there that had a Grand Cherokee that had already done the leg work figuring out how to mount a Rhino-Rack on my Jeep. I also took the time to rip off that stupid looking lightbar.

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Wesley Wooten

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233
Wilsonville, AL, USA
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Wesley
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Wooten
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19093

and_yourfriend_steve

Rank I
Launch Member

Member I

233
Murrieta, CA, USA
First Name
Paul
Last Name
Fallon
Member #

18744

Wesley,
I kinda just threw these together. I don't have any kind of plans for these. What I did first was made a base that was bolted in the back of the truck kind of like a goose gear plate. I used these screw-in bolt fasteners that I got off of amazon to secure the drawer system.
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Here are the drawer slides that I used.
I just measured the back of the Jeep and just figured out dimensions from there. I started with the base measurement and figured out how high I wanted them to be. Once I figured out measurements I started with the bottom and built the uprights there are four. I then cut the tops and screwed them down, the back is one solid piece and this tied them together and made it very strong. I coated them with truck bed liner and then built the drawers. These are pretty heavy and I plan on making them out of 8020 in the future to cut down on weight but it is really expensive.


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Wesley Wooten

Rank I
Launch Member

Contributor I

233
Wilsonville, AL, USA
First Name
Wesley
Last Name
Wooten
Member #

19093

Wesley,
I kinda just threw these together. I don't have any kind of plans for these. What I did first was made a base that was bolted in the back of the truck kind of like a goose gear plate. I used these screw-in bolt fasteners that I got off of amazon to secure the drawer system.
View attachment 108109

Here are the drawer slides that I used.
I just measured the back of the Jeep and just figured out dimensions from there. I started with the base measurement and figured out how high I wanted them to be. Once I figured out measurements I started with the bottom and built the uprights there are four. I then cut the tops and screwed them down, the back is one solid piece and this tied them together and made it very strong. I coated them with truck bed liner and then built the drawers. These are pretty heavy and I plan on making them out of 8020 in the future to cut down on weight but it is really expensive.


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I'm going to look into making a similar set up in the back of my fj. Thanks!
 

Forte

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Enthusiast III

1,210
Fountain Hills, AZ, USA
First Name
Colin
Last Name
McW
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15957

Awesome budget/DIY build! Looking forward to seeing what else you do with it.

How are the Ironman tires? Been considering them for my Jimmy when I get around to purchasing... Might look into the Ironman MTs, I read the ATs don't do well in snow.
 

and_yourfriend_steve

Rank I
Launch Member

Member I

233
Murrieta, CA, USA
First Name
Paul
Last Name
Fallon
Member #

18744

Awesome budget/DIY build! Looking forward to seeing what else you do with it.

How are the Ironman tires? Been considering them for my Jimmy when I get around to purchasing... Might look into the Ironman MTs, I read the ATs don't do well in snow.
Thanks! The Ironman tires have worked great but I do not have snow to contend with where I am. I have done some pretty serious trails with them and no complaints.
 
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