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jlewissystem's Build Thread

49K views 219 replies 25 participants last post by  jlewissystem 
#1 · (Edited)
Had to join in the fun here, but try to keep up with these sweet Jeeps at the same time. For all of you ADHD ppl out there - you're going to like this thread....there's not really a nice flowing story line here.....just a bunch of "hey I want to do this" ideas that become reality :) I want to take a quick sec to thank everyone on this forum: this is a great place for ideas, trials/errors experience - 1/2 of this stuff would not have been possible for you guys. At the same time - that's where i place all of the blame for the MOD BUG :p

In the past I've owned a TJ, ZJ and now this WK. I've loved all of the past flavors and figured i wanted to try the ZJ's grandson - new and improved, with HEMI.

This Jeep started off a 2006 5.7 Limited. I had a great experience acquiring this Jeep:
At the time the only thing i new is that I wanted a JGC, BLACK, HEMI with lower miles....dont care about anything else. After searching nationwide for about 2 months, my Mom calls me up saying that she passed one where she lives (Chicago). I live in STL. Got the background on it (35K miles - 1 leaser) clean past. At the time my ZJ was on it's last leg - 210K (not all from me). The day before XMAS eve (2 years) ago, i got to Chicago to check out this Jeep. It looked great and i took it out for a spin (it was a Chicago winter): test drove in ice/sleet. I floored it all over and this thing grabbed and didnt loose control. I bought it right there.

After the purchase, i drove to my Mom's house to get her luggage, cuz we were due in Detroit for XMAS. The beauty was that we took this Jeep (first ride ever) through a 5 hour ice/snow storm up to Detroit and back through a different storm. I had no idea on expectations and with all stock equip, had no issues there or back - i was SO impressed. So impressed, i couldnt wait to see what this thing could do all MODDED up :D:D Let's get to work:

Before i get to "modding" i need proper lighting - at least something better than what was in my garage - so a few garage LYTES to setup shop:

I really dont have any "before" pics, so i'll have to start with this one - only mods showing are window visors, painted calipers and brush guard and rear tail light guards:


Speaking of - the 1st mod on this thing was a brush guard. The only reason why this is the 1st one is because i hit a deer with my ZJ. That wasnt it's ultimate demise. Crappy story too - I'll make it short - was coming home from a buddy's house (in a rural neighborhood) (going 20mph) a deer popped out of a street and tucked into someone's shrubs. As i slowed down to look where it jumped in, it jumped out in front of me. I hit it doing about 12-15mph. It bounced off my grille, hit the ground and popped back up like WTF. WTF to you deer - i have 2 guns on me and can't use them! :) Anyway - that cost me about $200 for new header panel, grille and headlight.

Not to be made a victim like that again (and soon to take my revenge on deer in Missouri) i put the Aries brush guard on :) and took some time to do a grille mesh (JJ helped and added the same mesh to her KJ :)). We took gutter guard, cut it, plasti-dipped it, cut it to grille hole length, bent them a little for better fit and glued the edges with Gorilla Glue. At the same time, i did the rear Aries tail light guards.






After some light protection on the outside, i took it inside: i could not handle the stock radio! Did a little upgrade: ordered the DVD NAV bezel - $75 eBay, i think and a Pioneer AVH-4200. It's a double-din with DVD, SD card...AUX inputs, camera - yadda, yadda. When i put all this in, i also wanted to watch movies when i drove (of course), so referenced this link for the DVD override.
Stock:

Relay:

New:


At the time of radio installation, i ran an input (for iPhone) through the center console and up along side of the drivers seat. I also ran a video/red/white wire into the glove box, in case we need a console system on a long drive :thumbsup:

While i've been liking the driving experience, i wanted to give it a little better sound than stock, so researched and ended up going with the MagnaFlow 16631 cat-back. Here's a comparison to the stock - i believe same diameter piping:
Side by side:

Tip comparison ;)



 
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#176 ·
Thanks doods!!

Brad - I like the Plasti-Dip man - its a pretty good (and removable) MOD :) Not sure if I'm going to do that rear strip or not - i was also thinking about the side window strip - that's the only chrome left. I kinda like the 1 stripe on each side - i'll have to see about the rear. :)

I'm digging the black with little RED and chrome accents :)

Thanks again to Nate for the schweet badges!!!
 
#178 ·
Thank you! Well - we can always Plasti-Dip and take it off, if i dont like it :D
 
#181 ·
Agreed! Paul - NICE pic!

Tanks brudduh Coop!
 
#182 ·
Looks fantastic dude!!!
 
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#183 ·
Where did you get the ORT 4x4 badging from?? I must know because I'm in love with them
 
#184 ·
Check the ORT thread :D We ordered them from Nate - his contact info is in the thread....sorry i dont have it handy. GREAT badges!!
 
#185 ·
Hey jlewis can you give me some measurement of the area that you cut out for your hitch? My bumper was replaced last summer and the new one doesn't have to markings of where to cut. Thanks
 
#186 ·
Surely! I'm running out to dinner now, but will take some measurements for you later :thumbsup:
 
#187 ·
Thanks man!
 
#188 · (Edited)
Sorry for the delay and quality of these pics - I'm a 1-man show over here. This cutout is flared at a few different places. If you have a bezel: It might be best to take off the bumper and lay your bezel on the backside to get an inside rim - for better fit. If you're just cutting a hole - let me know and i can re-measure for pure "requirements". Here's what i have so far (and mind you - i dont have my bezel on yet, so not sure if i need to adjust any of this):

Very top part - measured about 12.5"



The next section wen to about 14"


The very bottom seemed to be 17"



Also - here's a pic of the bezel install - not sure if you need this or not:
 
#189 ·
Thanks j!
 
#190 ·
Hey j how bad are your front angles with the strut plates? Looking at adding them when my OME gets here
 
#191 ·
I'll have to measure - i only have 1 plate up front, so it didnt change much from the OME. I'll post up by tomorrow.
 
#192 ·
I only plan on running one plate so it will be good!
 
#193 ·
Sorry for the delay Jordan - pulled a muscle in my back, so i havent been able to crawl under. i WILL get to it :D
 
#194 ·
Dang that sucks bro. Im in no rush! Heal that bad boy up
 
#195 · (Edited)
Hey Jordan, I'm "back" in action :)
I snapped a few pics and even measured the angles (with my iPhone), so i'm not a 100% confident in the values :D





If you want the values of the angles, let me know.....not sure if you're just after pics or not :)
The angles range from ~9-~14.8 degrees. Looks like it's only a matter of time until I need new UCA's - might check out the RRO ones :thumbsup:
 
#196 ·
The pictures are good! Thanks J!
 
#197 ·
Let me revive this old thread ;) Dave was nice enough to get the GB going for tough lights, which adds to my SYDE LYTES initiative :) haven't seen too many WK's with full coverage, so I'm looking forward to a roving "spotting" machine! :D as always-pics to follow :) Nate-where's your 42" brotha? :)
 
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#199 ·
UPDATE:
SYDE LYTES have been added. These are (2) 7.5 ToughLights, from the groupbuy on here. I dont have any good output pics, but they go out about 80yds. Pretty good for the price. ALTHOUGH it would be nice to have the 20's for MOAR deer spotting :D





A few shots in the neighborhood:





Also updated my switchpanel as some switches fell off. I meant to order the switches with no "dash" on it, but oh well. I ordered some photo gels off ebay for $20. They look a little purple(ish) - wanted more blue, but oh well - still like them :)

Pic of the gel:


Back of switch and the cutouts of the gels:


Just pushed in it for now - we'll see how that goes:


New vs Old:


Off:


On:



And no - the last switch does not give beer - unfortunately :) It's an optional switch - might use it for Xmas lights or something on the rack.
 
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#201 · (Edited)
still looking good man. i atleast know who to call when i need wiring done. about 50% of my center console lights are out.... if you have any extra spotting or fogs your aint using i could put them to use too........:)
 
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