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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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7
#2 ·
Couple comparison pics



The GF's XK
 
#5 ·
Thank ya gentleman! Work in progress.
 
#13 ·
Sitting in my storage collecting dust.
 
#14 ·
She loves it. Plastidipped the wheels. Stuff is amazingly durable as well. Trying to convince her on doing the grill too but she thinks it'll look too much like a V6 lol.
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the compliments fella's.
 
#15 ·
looks great! interested in selling the side skirts?
 
#17 · (Edited)
Might be. I'll let ya know. Debating on either putting them back on after the additional lift goes in or forking out the extra for some 4xguard rock rails.
Good girl!


How is rubbing with those tires? Not that I could ever roll them on my 4.7... sub double digit fuel economy ftl trying to spin those meats, none the less that I think is the biggest tire i have seen on anything smaller than the SL.

It looks awesome! Keep up the good work, you obviously have good taste, your woman too ;)
Thank you sir! Only rubbing I experience right now is at full lock on the unibody, pinch weld was already taken care of before the new meats. I love the Duratracs. Had em on my last WJ. With the Gibson cb, Volant cai, and flashpaq the jeep still gets up and moves. Duratracs also tend to be lighter than most in that size, but still weigh a hefty 54 lbs. a piece.
 
#22 ·
Thanks guys. Will post some more pics soon when it's boosted up another inch.
 
#23 ·
My JBA UCA's showed up yesterday. Time for install.


 
#24 ·
Also got around to putting one of my control arms in the gf's XK only to find out her squeek was coming from the drivers side away bar bushing. Removed it and sprayed some lithium on it and its now quiet as a mouse again. Also painted her grill to match, she's not quite sold on the look just yet. Lol.

 
#25 ·
:drool: over the uca's. I like the blacked out grille. It'll grow on her, I'm sure. :thumbsup:
 
#27 ·
Thought so to, but she couldn't stand it. Women.... :lol:
 
#26 ·
Must say, this is becoming more of a WK/XK/his/hers build thread lol. Today got around to replacing the squeeky wobbly water pump and peeling the plastidip off her XK's grill(she wasn't a big fan). For those who ever need to replace a water pump on a 5.7 it's much like that of the 4.7, attatched pulley and formed rubber seal, no RTV needed. Also the '05 FSM talks about removing the A/C compressor and moving it and the lines out of the way, no need. It sneaks right past the lines.


new Mopar replacement(made in good ol Korea!)

installed and coolant bled

Peeling the plastidip!
 
#29 ·
Just got all my goodies from Rusty's to finish the lift. If you'll notice their rear puck that they advertise as 2" is actually 1 9/16" thick where the coil will actually sit. This will actually work out better since I was planning on cutting the 2" down to 1.5". Now I'll just run the spacer w/out the rubber seat on the top since the spacer has a coil seat built into it. Will be running two .25" spacers up front, longer sway bar links in the rear, JKS quicker disco's up front, and an adjustable trac-bar to help center the rear axle(as it sits w/just the OME HD it's shifted towards the drivers side maybe .25". Will post pics after install.

 
#33 ·
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