Another 04 Grand Cherokee 4.0 build (WJ)

[Worms04WJ]

I bought this totally intending to just play in the rocks. Than wife and I are planning to move and where we are looking it looks more like overlanding trails. So I am going to be building her for Over landing. I have to adjust a few things inside but other than that I think she will be totally fine. I have a 4" RC lift Front Sway bar Disco's, Rear swap bars have been removed. Replaced the rear axle to the Dana 44a and front axle also replaced to match gear ratio. I only have now 3.73's for gear. I want to go up to about 4.10's possibly taller. Right now I am tossing around to build a trailer to go with her or just be in her. It will be mainly me going out on the trails. I may have my wife with me some times. So its still in the air on if I am building a trailer or not. :-) The rims a tires are 17" Rubicon wheels with 255/75r17 Wrangler Dura tracs. So far I am very happy with her.

Here is a picture of the day I bought her.


Here she is now.



As always a work in progress.

 

[MrWilsonWJ]

Always good to see another WJ getting built and looks like you have a good start on yours. For the money they are a great platform to start on, super capable and fun to play with. There are a few other guys on here with build threads going for WJ's so a lot of knowledge and ideas if you poke around a bit. There's people on here with all levels of build from mild to wheelers, mine kind of falls in the middle. I'm also kicking around the idea of a trailer for more room, but if you're going solo a lot check out my build thread for my storage boxes/sleeping area. Works great when I'm out with just the dog to sleep in the back. Build thread linked in my signature if you want to check it out.

 

[Worms04WJ]

Always good to see another WJ getting built and looks like you have a good start on yours. For the money they are a great platform to start on, super capable and fun to play with. There are a few other guys on here with build threads going for WJ's so a lot of knowledge and ideas if you poke around a bit. There's people on here with all levels of build from mild to wheelers, mine kind of falls in the middle. I'm also kicking around the idea of a trailer for more room, but if you're going solo a lot check out my build thread for my storage boxes/sleeping area. Works great when I'm out with just the dog to sleep in the back. Build thread linked in my signature if you want to check it out.

That is an awesome build on your WJ. Thank you. gave me Idea's for mine. Although mine is the 4.0 so I do for see me getting gears done on my WJ. :-) Right now I am on 3.73's with the same rear axle as yours lunch box locker in the front.

 

[MrWilsonWJ]

Thanks, it's been a process getting it where it is now. I should have just bought a long arm lift from the beginning but I tried to be cheap and run a small lift for a short while then it snowballed into seeing what I could make it do with short arms. It does surprisingly well on the current setup, I had it out on some harder trails the other weekend and the JKU guys with long arms and 37's were impressed with where it was going. If I change tire size again or axles I will regear but right now I'm getting away with the 3.73's and 33's. How are you liking the lunchbox locker in the front axle? I put one in the rear which is fine but I think a selectable for the front would handle better on road, I just don't want to drop $1200 for an ARB for a D30. I did just find an Overland model WJ at my local Pull-N-Save wrecking yard so I might go yank the Vari-Lok front axle out of it.

 

[Defiant Offroad]

My last offroad vehicle was an '04 WJ. I miss the hell out of that thing. The WJ platform is definitely underrated, given all that it can do.

 

[Worms04WJ]

Thanks, it's been a process getting it where it is now. I should have just bought a long arm lift from the beginning but I tried to be cheap and run a small lift for a short while then it snowballed into seeing what I could make it do with short arms. It does surprisingly well on the current setup, I had it out on some harder trails the other weekend and the JKU guys with long arms and 37's were impressed with where it was going. If I change tire size again or axles I will regear but right now I'm getting away with the 3.73's and 33's. How are you liking the lunchbox locker in the front axle? I put one in the rear which is fine but I think a selectable for the front would handle better on road, I just don't want to drop $1200 for an ARB for a D30. I did just find an Overland model WJ at my local Pull-N-Save wrecking yard so I might go yank the Vari-Lok front axle out of it.

I have had no issues with the Lunch up front. You can hear it when parking or turning a tight turn but other than that no issues. I have driving it in Snow and ice and still no issues. Just have to be careful with the corners when in 4x4. Other than that no issues for me.

 

[Worms04WJ]

My last offroad vehicle was an '04 WJ. I miss the hell out of that thing. The WJ platform is definitely underrated, given all that it can do.

View attachment 263390

I had rims like those and wish I had kept them. I really like those.

Yeah I am pretty impressed with my WJ so far. Have not been on a really difficult trail with mine yet. But Sunday I will be. I can't wait.

 

[36degreesNorth]

Love seeing WJs set up to have fun. Makes me miss my 2000. Looking forward to seeing your build and adventures with it