Jeep WJ "Goldilocks" build

[CrimsonBoat]

CrimsonBoat, where are you stationed?
I was stationed at the Naval Base SD. I went in & out @ the W 8th Street Gate.
I spent a 'few' weekends @ the hobby shop back in the day.

I'm stationed in Miramar. I honestly don't use the hobby shop a lot. Usually I just use my buddies garage.


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[maxfederle89]

Love your Jeep for starters!

If you're still working on what rock sliders to go with, I just put a set on my new project from Rock Hard 4x4. I love how rugged they are but there were a few little imperfections in them. But those were tolerable enough for me.

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[Sudz]

somebody at rockhard needs to visit the Optometrist, and soon..

[BCWildman]

Those are definitely mall rated.

[maxfederle89]

somebody at rockhard needs to visit the Optometrist, and soon..

Yeah I was really disappointed there... I will give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

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[maxfederle89]

Those are definitely mall rated.

The points where it ties back to the unibody frame are really heavy. I think they'll be a little better than that. If they get torn off I'll figure something else out.

Back to the OP. HK offroad has some robust parts but they are out of my budget. I think their sliders were the ones where you cut out your rockers and they go in their place. They might be more than "mall rated"

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[Tuzmaster]

For future refence, when doing a 242 swap, unless you can find a 242HD, you will have to take the donor 242 case out of any 4.0 GC and take it completely apart to swap out the input shafts. You can technically know it out in a day. I did it on mine and it worked fine till i went on the first wheeling trip. It shifts into low range with no issue, but doesn't no 4wd. Need to dig into that. Anyway, I found these videos on youtube of a guy who shows how to strip the case down step by step almost. Here is the link:
part 1 techinally even though it says part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibY_xzCn10k&t=1s
next: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKRmaJsJ17g
last: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZysKLOdX1g

I don't know if this info helps or if you already knows this, but figured put in my 2 cents

[CrimsonBoat]

Love your Jeep for starters!

If you're still working on what rock sliders to go with, I just put a set on my new project from Rock Hard 4x4. I love how rugged they are but there were a few little imperfections in them. But those were tolerable enough for me.

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I have looked at a lot of rocker guards and I think that I have decided to do a rocker replacement instead because of the gain in ground clearance plus the strength of being welded in. Right now I am looking at a set from spadano enterprises that look pretty beefy. They are weld in rocker replacements and also have sliders. They are pretty expensive though. Here is a link if anyone is interested. Anyone that has had experience with these, feedback would be appreciated.

http://spadanoenterprises.com/-wj--grand-cherokee.html


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[CrimsonBoat]

For future refence, when doing a 242 swap, unless you can find a 242HD, you will have to take the donor 242 case out of any 4.0 GC and take it completely apart to swap out the input shafts. You can technically know it out in a day. I did it on mine and it worked fine till i went on the first wheeling trip. It shifts into low range with no issue, but doesn't no 4wd. Need to dig into that. Anyway, I found these videos on youtube of a guy who shows how to strip the case down step by step almost. Here is the link:
part 1 techinally even though it says part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibY_xzCn10k&t=1s
next: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKRmaJsJ17g
last: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZysKLOdX1g

I don't know if this info helps or if you already knows this, but figured put in my 2 cents

Yes, I have looked into my options and I think that I should be able to get an hd and not have to worry about the input shaft swap. Ideally that's what I would like to do but if I can't find one I'll just settle for a regular 242. Thanks for the YouTube video links though. If I do the input shaft swap they will really help out.

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[maxfederle89]

I have looked at a lot of rocker guards and I think that I have decided to do a rocker replacement instead because of the gain in ground clearance plus the strength of being welded in. Right now I am looking at a set from spadano enterprises that look pretty beefy. They are weld in rocker replacements and also have sliders. They are pretty expensive though. Here is a link if anyone is interested. Anyone that has had experience with these, feedback would be appreciated.

http://spadanoenterprises.com/-wj--grand-cherokee.html


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Wow those are really impressive. I like the video of the guy going over a bolder the size of another Cherokee

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[CrimsonBoat]

Well I pulled her out of storage today after 6 months. Started right up, no flats so that's good. Here is a good picture of what I did right before I left. I got the Hkoffroad winch mount and installed it with a smittybilt 9500 with synthetic cable. I still haven't figured out how I am going to mount the grill back up but I'll look at it tomorrow. Anyone know of a 242hd for sale in southern California?

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[Chuchmouse]

As for GSW, I would love to come out. Even though I'll probably have the smallest tires there...

I think I have the honor of having the smallest tires (running essentially 29" tires) on a budget boost and I lead most of the "easy" rated trails. We will find trails that would work with your build and get you through the trails

[CrimsonBoat]

I think I have the honor of having the smallest tires (running essentially 29" tires) on a budget boost and I lead most of the "easy" rated trails. We will find trails that would work with your build and get you through the trails

Well I am sad to say that I am very quickly outgrowing these 31's. My buddy just got 35's on his jk and I am jealous.

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[jetnjeff29r]

I think I have the honor of having the smallest tires (running essentially 29" tires) on a budget boost and I lead most of the "easy" rated trails. We will find trails that would work with your build and get you through the trails

I did the the rock Junction trim on 29s and stock height. I thank my lucky stars that I put on the Iron Rock TC skid Plate. I thought is was just protection, but we used like a piece of a equipment as the "easy" trails evolved into not so easy trail.\\

Hope to have my own build thread soon and do GSW!

[CrimsonBoat]

There is a 242 out of an 03 Grand V8 sitting in the back of the jeep with a rear drive shaft from the same car. Going to put it in this weekend.

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[CrimsonBoat]

Sorry it's been so long since an update but I've been super busy with work and getting the jeep ready for a wheeling trip. I installed the 242 and oh goodness it's so much better. Best modification to date. Everything is so much smoother. I also ended up selling those 31s and jumped to 35s because there was a sale. I'm very happy with that decision. I did have to do a pretty extreme amount of trimming in order to fit them and still actually have to trim more but I'm ok with that. I also figured out the winch situation with the grill and the solenoid sits perfectly right behind it. And lastly I installed a cb radio and antenna for an upcoming wheeling trip.

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[CrimsonBoat]

Went on a trip out to Johnson valley and found some rocks. Not a ton of pictures of what we did but here's a couple.

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[CrimsonBoat]

And most recently I did a trail down by corral canyon, i can't remember the name though.

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[Ken L]

Nice job tucking the winch in!

[CrimsonBoat]

Nice job tucking the winch in!

Thanks

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