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Jay's 05 WK Build Thread

113K views 396 replies 62 participants last post by  Wingnutj 
#1 ·
Figured I'd start a proper build thread so I'd have somewhere to post up my progress rather than dropping random pics all over the place. After wearing out my WJ I decided to stick with another Grand and get a WK. Here is the WJ prior to selling with 180k miles on the clock:

After selling the WJ I looked long and hard across the entire US for the best deal on the exact WK I wanted. I had a few color choices but a few other specs were must have's-
-tow
-5.7l Hemi
-Heated Seats
-Sunroof
-QDII
-<50k miles
After a few months of patiently waiting and negotiation attempts I found the right WK at a steal of a price. So I made a two hour trip and negotiated that steal price further down and drove it home. I sold my Yakima basket with the WJ, so I picked up a Rola and installed it along with my Yakima load bars and bike trays:

I found that along with my Yakima parts, some of the black trim was beginning to fade, so I picked up some U-Pol Raptor liner and began removing and spraying parts. It's been months since spraying and each piece looks brand new. I highly recommend this stuff!


After saving for a couple more months and reading what seems like almost every lift related thread on the forums I decided on a 4" Superlift. My WJ had 2" pucks and crappy shocks and rode like a shopping cart. This time around I wanted maximum lift with minimal geometry change and ride impact. I'm picky about chrome but decided I liked the mix of chrome and silver on the Jeep, with the exception of the stock chrome wheels. I wanted a bit of a dish, but a very simple wheel. I also wanted a tough wheel that would take some abuse. The winning choice for me was the AEV Savegre. AEV makes great products and I knew I couldn't go wrong with them.

After much debate I decided to have someone do the Superlift install as I just didn't have the necessary tools to do it right. I wouldn't take it just anywhere, but I got connected with a great local shop[/URL] that does awesome work. Here is the post-lift result:



The next product I recommend is Plasti-Dip, at least as a temporary solution that is completely reversible. I'd read about it on the forums and I was toying with the notion of painting my grille black. So a trip to Home Depot and 5 bucks later, I sprayed the grille with Plasti-Dip:

I'm glad I only used Plasti-Dip instead of actually sanding, priming, and painting, becuase after two weeks of it I decided it wasn't for me. I peeled it off in about 30 seconds and my chrome grille was good as new. I've got plenty of upcoming projects, starting with a lighting overhaul. I chose Rigid Industries for the majority of my aftermarket lighting. They are pricey, but if you compare their light output vs current draw, then watch their ballistics testing videos on YouTube, you will see they make an incredibly great product. I am currently testing different fitment locations to achieve the max light output. Once that is complete I will setup a shoot that shows the different lights and their outbut brightness, all at same ISO/speed/arpeture. Here is a quick look at light output of just the Rigid LED, no headlights:
 
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#2 ·
That is one hell of a jeep my friend, Ive always thought about going with the superlift. If you dont mind me askin whats the kit go for? Did you order directly through their site??

Im debating and have been for awhile doing 20" SRT8 reps with a 4" superlift, dont know if I can use the SRT reps incase of possible spacing issues
 
#4 ·
That is one hell of a jeep my friend, Ive always thought about going with the superlift. If you dont mind me askin whats the kit go for? Did you order directly through their site??

Im debating and have been for awhile doing 20" SRT8 reps with a 4" superlift, dont know if I can use the SRT reps incase of possible spacing issues
I ordered the SL through a local dealer, but the advertised online prices are all about the same. You should go for the reps, I've been wanting to see someone running them with a SL.
 
#9 ·
The Jeep looks great. I'm a fan :pimp:



That's what I was thinking, too ;)
 
#5 ·
Lighting updates:
I picked up a pair of Hella 500FF's and mounted behind the grill (This wasnt my idea, plenty of people on the forums have done similar installs). I used flat stock as mounting brackets.
NOTE: I drilled my holes slightly larger than diameter of the bolts so I would have room for fine tune adjustment to line up the lights exactly in the right position. With the use of lock washers, they will not move once tightened down.

I used a couple of empty spots in the engine bay fuse block in order to keep the fused connections more water tight and out of the way and used an open space in the rear right corner of the engine bay to mount the relays.



As for now they only have 55w bulbs, but I intend to retrofit HID's into them in the near future. They will most likely scatter all over the place, but they will NOT be used on road (or at least not with oncoming traffic) so I'm not concerned with the bad light pattern. I am actually hoping to get some scatter in order to produce more of a flood pattern. Only after installing the HIDs will I know the result.



 
#7 ·
nice job on the lights.

now that im focused on the grill, i think you should go with a color matched one. the black looked pretty good and the chrome looks okay but i think color matched would be perfect. just throwing that out here, ha.
 
#8 ·
Well, at the minimum I am in the market for a new hood. Worst case scenario a new Jeep. After last nights hailstorm/tornado I've got matching dents in every body panel. Sunroof and windshield are both busted.
If insurance chooses repair over totaling it I'm looking into maybe a BlackOps or Trufiber hood painted to match...Maybe.
 
#13 ·
I see a Medic hood in your sig pic, how has it worked out for you? Lots of people have complained about them, but I'm thinking of taking a chance on it.
 
#14 ·
How much was your lift install?
Love the rig
 
#15 ·
Love the first pic of your WK, that is brochure material!

Can't believe what's happened to your roof and hood though, damn that sucks. :( Hope you get it sorted out to your advantage.
 
#16 ·
Great Jeep!
 
#18 ·
Last night while out on a night biking trip I took some light comparison shots. The three shots were taken at f/5, 3", @ISO200.
I'm running a pair of Hella 500FF's in the grille and a 20" Rigid LED on top. Here are the differences:
Hella 500FF:
Halogen bulbs - 3,300 lumens 110 watts total
Ridgid LED 20" E-Series:
LEDs 7200 lumens, 78 watts total
Low Beam:

High Beam + Hella's:

High Beam, Hella's, and Rigid:



I've got some more parts to throw on so I'll keep updating...
 
#21 ·
I just got a bigger one (30") that showed up today. it's about 35% brighter! Also got some Overland saddle brown seat covers which are a b#*tch to get on. They might take a while.
 
#23 ·
Got them from another member in the classifieds. I don't know where he got them originally but he scrapped the install when he found he would have to purchase an 08+ rear seat back to make them fit.
 
#27 ·
Got a quote for $500 by an upholstery shop. I'll keep hacking away at it for now. When I throw a wrench through the garage wall I'll know it's time to hand it over :)
 
#28 ·
Such a sick jeep. Im jealous
 
#30 ·
I finally got my Gibson cat-back and bolted it on. I couldn't stand how low the tip hung down...



So, I notched the bumper...



And had a muffler shop reweld the tip facing straight out.

 
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