Jeep WJ Overland Build

[04land]

Hello Everyone.

Just recently joined the Overland Bound Family. I have been all over the forum and decided to post my progress.

I have a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland edition. I have owned a few XJ's and the wife wanted something a little more comfortable. Picked up the WJ October of last year. Been a slow start deciding what i wanted to do..

This is all stock the day i bought it.


Something started to feel a little loose..... This might be the reason.


Wanted to install the light bar somewhere. Without a roof rack i decided to install it between the tow hooks. In hindsight this was not a good spot once we hit the trails. So i will be moving it eventually.


Was stock for a little while, got through the winter.


Spring rolled around and i needed some new shocks. I went with the conservative 2 inch lift from Rough Country. I love the lift, since its my DD i wanted to keep the stock springs for now for the ride comfort. I do 100 miles a day round trip to work.

Here is a shot with the lift.

 

[04land]

I ordered new wheels and tires. They finally arrived and put them on. Got rid of the chrome 17's and got 16x8 black steel wheels. 245 General Grabbers AT2. So far so good!



Installed my OB badge last week!!


And a new steering damper


That's all for now.

Short term plans:
Roof rack
Relocate Light bar
Paint the front grill

 

[AG Sheep]

Good looking WJ's. My first Jeeps were a ZJ and then a WJ so I will always have a soft spot for grands.

 

[04land]

Roof Rack got delivered. Installed it last night.


Took a better picture this morning before i went to work.

 

[Chetta58]

What size tires are those? I have a 2000 GC that is waiting for me to finish (as much as one is ever done) my Wrangler JK. I've done several Wranglers but the running gear on the Wj's are a mystery to me. Still trying to figure out what SHOULD be done to the Quadrtrack system, if anything.

 

[04land]

What size tires are those? I have a 2000 GC that is waiting for me to finish (as much as one is ever done) my Wrangler JK. I've done several Wranglers but the running gear on the Wj's are a mystery to me. Still trying to figure out what SHOULD be done to the Quadrtrack system, if anything.

@Cheetah58. They are 245/70/16 with the 2inch lift they fit just right.

I love the look of the WJ's. Granted aftermarket parts are a little harder to find but worth it when it's done.



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[Jeff Graham]

Love the Grand Cherokee as an Overland vehicle. I'm trying to talk the wife into a WK2 Diesel, as our next family get away vehicle. This would give us something, not as extreme as my JKU.

 

[04land]

Another little project.
Installed a CB in the WJ last night. Yes i need to vacuum the floors


went with a 3' firestik off the driver side tail light.

Close up shot. Ran the cable through the bumper under the jeep along the frame rail.

Yes i tightened it down after this shot. still deciding if i need to go with an antenna spring or not

Next up, rear lights of the roof rack

 

[maxfederle89]

Great looking WJ! I just bought one to replace my Silverado. I really like the wheels and tires you did. What lift from RC did you do? Just the spacers or did you end up doing spacers with new shocks as well?

I'll be following your build for sure [emoji106]

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[04land]

Great looking WJ! I just bought one to replace my Silverado. I really like the wheels and tires you did. What lift from RC did you do? Just the spacers or did you end up doing spacers with new shocks as well?

I'll be following your build for sure [emoji106]

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I did the RC 2in spacer lift. I do not recommend the shocks from them at all!!! Spend the extra bucks and get some nice bilstein 5100's. The spacers are nice quality though.

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[maxfederle89]

I've always been a bit leery of RC from a quality standpoint. I figure the hardware is good but that's about it. Are you happy with a conservative lift and the 245/70/16? I bought mine with 245/75r16 on stock suspension and it doesn't rub in normal driving.

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[Vertigo]

This WJ is so much nicer than mine! To the OP, if you read my build, I gave the name of the guy who fabbed my light bar mounts. He also makes one for the top of the front bumper for a 20", I believe.

 

[04land]

I've always been a bit leery of RC from a quality standpoint. I figure the hardware is good but that's about it. Are you happy with a conservative lift and the 245/70/16? I bought mine with 245/75r16 on stock suspension and it doesn't rub in normal driving.

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I only rub slightly full turn left. And I think because the wheel well plastic is hanging a little.

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[04land]

Got home from vacation to a nice puddle under the jeep.


Radiator is leaking... only when the jeep comes to temp.


Having the mechanic do this one.
Dont have time to tare the whole front end off in my driveway.

 

[04land]

Got the Radiator fixed.

Finally had some time to install the rear lights. mounted and tested

next is getting the wiring from the battery through the firewall. I'm trying to run it though the passenger side.

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[stickel]

Nice. Got a 2003 WJ Overland this summer myself. Looking for ideas on what to do to it next as it came with a lift and tires. Subbed

 

[Chetta58]

I have a 2000 wj but don't even know where to start. I don't k is anything about the quadratrac setup for one. About all I've done is tires and roof rack setup for my kayaks. I have a 2009 jku Rubicon that I've built. It's the second Rubicon I've built , one rock crawler and the jk is more of a overland/expedition rig. The WJ has the small V8 in it and what little wheeling I've done with it confirms it's a great platform. Where did you start with yours? How much can you lift them without causing issues with the steering etc? I need shocks but want to lift it first so I don't end up buying 2 sets. I just want it for taking the grandkids on trips with us. So a 'mild' but capable off roader is what I'm aiming for... I haven't spent much time around the Cherokees so I don't really know what they are capable of. I've seen some wild ones in my research tho...

 

[maxfederle89]

I have a 2000 wj but don't even know where to start. I don't k is anything about the quadratrac setup for one. About all I've done is tires and roof rack setup for my kayaks. I have a 2009 jku Rubicon that I've built. It's the second Rubicon I've built , one rock crawler and the jk is more of a overland/expedition rig. The WJ has the small V8 in it and what little wheeling I've done with it confirms it's a great platform. Where did you start with yours? How much can you lift them without causing issues with the steering etc? I need shocks but want to lift it first so I don't end up buying 2 sets. I just want it for taking the grandkids on trips with us. So a 'mild' but capable off roader is what I'm aiming for... I haven't spent much time around the Cherokees so I don't really know what they are capable of. I've seen some wild ones in my research tho...

I'm in the process of building mine. It's a 2001 with the V8 as well. I'm going mild with just an IRO 3" lift and I don't plan on running anything bigger than 32" tires. Stock these things seem awesome and even mildly built ones seem extremely capable. Hope that helps [emoji106]

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[stickel]

The guy I bought mine from put on a 3.5" lift and 31" tires on it. Feels good on the highway and the few mild dirt roads I've been on so far. He added spacers but there were no fender modifications needed. I may have felt a little rubbing when I had the wheel completely turned to one side but it was minor and I was cranking on the wheel; backed off a little and it went away.


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[pikeintheboat]

I ordered new wheels and tires. They finally arrived and put them on. Got rid of the chrome 17's and got 16x8 black steel wheels. 245 General Grabbers AT2. So far so good!
View attachment 25823
View attachment 25824

Installed my OB badge last week!!
View attachment 25825

And a new steering damper
View attachment 25826

That's all for now.

Short term plans:
Roof rack
Relocate Light bar
Paint the front grill

I like the looks of your wheels and tires. I have a stock 04 Laredo with Quadra-Trac2. Your Overland has the quadra-drive system?

Matt