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"Oscar the grouch" build thread

101K views 678 replies 52 participants last post by  Lucas J 
#1 ·
Finally introducing myself after months of lurking lol. Been a big advocate of Jeeps forever. After building multiple XJ's, a couple WJ's I finally stepped up and graduated to a WK. By far my favorite Jeep thus far. About a month ago I picked up a '05 Hemi WK, QDII Limited. Front struts were blown, EGR was bad, the only fluid that was routinely changed was the engine oil, some light body damage, bad ball joints, and brakes. All that being said for the price I really couldn't pass it up, knowing that it was going to be "upgraded" ASAP. After doing a tune up, changing the EGR valve, new PCV, cleaning the TB, changing tranny filters and fluid, and all the other fluids I got around to modding it some. First was the Volant CAI, then the Gibson CB. Just got around to doing the OME HD and changing out the ball joints(all 4, pain in the a$$). Just added the Flashpaq and am quite amazed with the difference in throttle response and shift points alone on the 87 tune. I'm waiting on some JBA UCA's(GF's XK is getting my stock UCA's w/fresh bj's since her bushings are squeeking to beat hell after a RC 2"). Also am going ahead w/the patent pending "Omelet lift" with spacers front and rear. Big thanks to Omelet btw for all the help via PM's, dude knows his stuff!

As for the name, the gf likes to name all the vehicles and when it came time to name this one she flat out said, " It's Oscar, cause it looks like it crawled out of a trash can!" Bahahaha! Couldn't argue with that. On to the pics!!

Stock

GF removing the front valance

pinch weld taken care of

Installing the OME HD

Right after

New 285/70/17 Duratracs, 1.25" spacers, and side skirts removed

 
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#37 ·
#38 ·
Had to work in the AM, so no partying for this guy. Instead got a chance to finally put in the spacers, trac bar, disco's, and notch the fuel tank skid. Everything went pretty smooth, the only thing that really hung me up was setting up the trac bar just right. The rear Rustys spacers also have a nice chamfer in them that stop the spacers from sitting flush in the spring perch. Guess that's where they got the extra .5". Just had to grind that down and it was good to go. All said and done it measures 23" hub to fender all around and about 38-3/16" ground to fender. Drives great, although the esp is a bit moe sensitive in quick u turns.
Top plates

JKS Disco's

Spacers with the little chamfer(lip)

Without

Fuel tank notched and folded

Rear spacer, sway bar link, and trac bar

How it sits now



 
#42 ·
#41 ·
Looks great! Im thinking about doing something similar to my jeep, but I want to but 20's or 22's on mine. and I dont think I want to go with as high of a lift, maybe the 2 inch. My Jeep isnt 4x4.
 
#43 ·
I'd maybe stay stock height then. The 20's would look good on stock height I would think.
 
#44 ·
Got around to wrapping my Volant intake tube with some thermowrap. Anybody running a Volant I would strongly suggest doing this. Seeing as how the intake tube sits on the upper radiator hose the intake tube gets incredibly hot, thus making the IAT sensor read hot, resulting in pulled timing. Immediately I noticed the pfffbbt noise under load I thought was from an exhaust leak was actually from the intake tube. I've heard this can be caused by the egr being more audible through an aftermarket CAI. The thermowrap helped insulate the noise and its barely audible now. IAT's are greatly reduced and I can actually hold onto the tube without burning my hand after running the jeep. Feels a bit more peppy but could be in my head right now.
 
#45 ·
Thats weird that they would design it like that, seeing as the whole point of a CAI is COLD Air Intake.... lol
 
#46 ·
True but there is no Volant setup for a 5.7 WK. This is a setup for an SRT8.
 
#47 ·
Oh well there ya go lol
 
#48 ·
Finally got around to changing the TC fluid and adding the 4xguard belly skid after changing out the drivers front half shaft. I must've knicked the cv boot when I put the spacers in last week, as grease was flung everywhere from the cv boot. I bought a new axle and plan on replacing the boot on the stock one to keep as a spare. The 245 is by far the worst tcase to fill. NP231/242/249/NV247, were all a cinch. This one no matter how you held the fill tube it wanted to squirt back out the hole. Finally finnessed enough in there after wasting about a half quart lol.

 
#49 ·
Got a chance to bolt on the sliders this past weekend. By far the easiest set of rock rails to install. A+ 4xguard!!

 
#50 ·
Nice! Those are f'n sweet :thumbsup:

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk
 
#51 ·
Yup, they generally pay for themselves the first time you hit a rock lol.
 
#53 ·
Thank you sir!
 
#54 ·
Looking good. Im glad to see that they stopped cutting 4xguard in to the steps causing major rust issues and replaced it with a sticker. Much cleaner, hopefully the new setup wont rust as fast as previous 4xguard sliders.
 
#58 ·
#55 ·
Those look great, wish they were a little less pricey.
 
#56 ·
hows your rubbing
 
#57 ·
THAT is the best looking WK I have ever seen! :kewl::drool:
 
#59 ·
Finally got around to throwing the rear diff guard and front skid on. Man those things are beef! Sucks about 4xguard closing its doors. Hopefully someone will pick up on their designs. Also had a chance yesterday to replace that POS upper pinion isolator bushing and the front bushing on the front diff. Idk if its because of the lift or what but it was a huge PITA to get the diff to spin both down and back up. I had to disconnect the upper A arm from the spindle and remove the cv nut to give enough flex to get the diff to clear. I also filled the bushings w/3M window weld polyurethane. Firmed it up a good bit. Hopefully enough to where I don't have to change it again. On to the pics

Filling the bushing

Using the gf's sweet zebra duct tape cause you can't find yours...

Thank God for air tools. The air chisel made easy work of this.


Armor!



Wish I had a better camera for this shot. Cell phones are progressing though.
 
#61 ·
Where ya seeing green bud? Didn't have to drill any holes. The kit came with two different size self tappers and I just used the bigger of the two for the 2nd hole on the front mount. Easy peezy! Takes about 20-30minutes for install, you're gonna love it!
 
#62 ·
Great Jeep! Love how clean and classy it looks.
 
#63 ·
Thank ya sir!
 
#64 ·
Looking great man!
 
#65 ·
I'm adding a 1" spacer to the rear along with my OME lift.

I'm asking people the same question fir multiple opinions. So as long as I stay under 23" in the rear, I won't need extended sway links or any other mods like bending the fuel tank skid?
 
#66 ·
I would say you do need the extended links as well as nothing the fuel tank would be a good idea. I would also strongly suggest an adjustable trac bar, otherwise your axle will be shifted to he drivers side and you will run into issues with your driveshaft hitting the fuel tank.
 
#67 ·
After the 1" spacer, I'll be at 22.5" in the rear. Any of that still recommended?
 
#69 ·
Yup. All the above.
Weird the reflection on your hood made it look green lol

Sweet can't wait to get that box in the mail woot woot!!
Lol, I could see that a bit. Dark khaki though ;)
 
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#71 ·
Haha the jeeps blushing!
 
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