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I'm new here and looking for some advice

8K views 43 replies 23 participants last post by  RYANSWJ 
#1 ·
Hey! I have a 99' Grand Cherokee Limited with the 4.7L V8. I am looking to spend a little money on the vehicle this summer. It is currently all stock but here's what I'm looking to do:

  • I'd love to do something with the front bulbs/headlamps. The lights on my WJ don't have that clean, crisp, and bright look to them that some of the newer or aftermarket WJs have. I'd love to get that going first. What does that entail? I was also wondering what I could do for the taillights as well? Are there modifications as extensive?

  • It seems that a cold air intake from K&N (57 or 77 series) seems the way to go as far as intake's are concerned. I think this will likely be something I do.

  • In the same vein as the cold air intake, it seems like superchips is the way to as far as a primary performance modification. This will also be something I do.

Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance for any input you might have!
 
#2 ·
Welcome from NY. Hopefully one of the WJ guys will give ya some advice!!!
 
#4 ·
Welcome Bro.

As far as the headlights, you could pick up a set of Gen III projectors from eBay. They will give you that nice clean cutoff that you're looking for. They come in black and chrome housings so you can choose the one you like. Hear are a few links for you.

Chrome:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-0...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Black:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-0...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


Also, I recommend that you upgrade to some HIDs to really get the full benefit from the projectors. We have 2 vendors here, Xenondepot and Baja HID. They can hook you up.


As far as the tailights go, you can do the quad mod that some of the guys around here have done. Here is a link on how to do that:

http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=1079&highlight=quad+tail

Also, you can even upgrade the reverse lights to HIDs like 00wj and I have done. Here's that how-to:

http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=6398&highlight=hid+tails
 
#7 ·
Welcome Bro.

As far as the headlights, you could pick up a set of Gen III projectors from eBay. They will give you that nice clean cutoff that you're looking for. They come in black and chrome housings so you can choose the one you like. Hear are a few links for you.

Chrome:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00-01-04-Grand-Cherokee-Halo-Projector-Headlights-CH_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a56834044QQitemZ250559545412QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Black:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00-01-04-Grand-Cherokee-Halo-Projector-Headlights-BK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cecf58673QQitemZ330393028211QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


Also, I recommend that you upgrade to some HIDs to really get the full benefit from the projectors. We have 2 vendors here, Xenondepot and Baja HID. They can hook you up.


As far as the tailights go, you can do the quad mod that some of the guys around here have done. Here is a link on how to do that:

http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=1079&highlight=quad+tail

Also, you can even upgrade the reverse lights to HIDs like 00wj and I have done. Here's that how-to:

http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=6398&highlight=hid+tails

x2 and maybe tinted tail lights from our vender daniel

shorty antenna?
wheels?
some custim fog lights I have 4 sale?
 
#5 ·
If you want to get a K&N Intake, I would recommend the 57 series, it has a plastic tube as opposed the the metal tube of the 77 series. The plastic will soak up less heat from the engine bay. Our Vendor for that would be Airram. He sells them cheaper than anywhere else I have found, and here is a link to his site.

http://www.airram.com/product.php?categoryid=855&productid=1068

Personally, I don't know very much about the Superchips programmer, but if you're looking for anything performance related for the 4.7L then Airram is the guy you want to talk to. His site is dedicated to 4.7 performance.
 
#10 ·
Welcome!!

I agree with all of the above, and all your idea's. They are where I started with my WJ. The HID's are much better with the GENIII projectors. And some wj's look good with the halo's hooked up others....not so much. Like mine, looked like a$$ so I don't use them. Not a big deal though.

The only thing I would add to your list is a good exhaust also. With the intake and the tuner you should have a good way to get the gasses out too. Just my $.02 though.
 
#12 ·
Welcome,

The Gen III headlights would be the way to go, add a set of HIDs to them and you're sorted.

I have the K&N 77 (going to paint it though) and it does make one awesome noise. Performance? Not sure to be honest. Although the noise is worth it alone!

Superchips is a great upgrade for the 4.7, noticeable pickup and firms the shifts up a little too which is sweet.

Exhaust would be the next logical step although as I said the CAI makes enough noise on its own. :D


Any pics of the WJ?
 
#14 ·
I had a 99 laredo 4.7 QD. I had airraid CAI, Jet stage 2 chip(Go with superchip). One good thing that helped I put rancho rsx shocks and rancho stearing stabilizer and addco rear sway bar. This helped the ride and handling a great deal. You can upgrade the rotors and pads also. The mod list is endless. Good luck.
 
#16 ·
Holy! I'm surprised at the extent of all of your guys' responses. Thanks for the warm welcome.

Sorry I fell off the radar for a little, I've been swamped with work. Its like professors think all of the stuff they should have assigned throughout the semester should be assigned at the absolute end, right before finals, and that theirs is the only class your taking. I also need to start making a little cash after this semester is over in order to finance my newly found addiction to the WJ. :)

After doing some more reading, I decided that I'll likely go with the K&N 57 first (just because I will definitely love the sound, haha). Then, I was thinking about the GENIII with HIDs, though I've got a little bit of an issue. I have the big, black grill/brush guard mounted on this bad boy (protecting both the front and rear headlights). If I don't remove them entirely, does it make any sense to even doll out the cash for the GENIII? Similarly, I don't think I'll do anything with the taillights unless I decide to remove the grills.

Once I sort that out, I'll also go with the Superchips for my 4.7. Between the CAI and the Superchips, I think it should be a little more fun to drive.

Next, I will have to decide between an exhaust or some sound. I am an electronic music enthusiast. I do some mixing/remixing as a hobby and understand the value of a good sound system. Both of these will be relatively expensive investments and I want to make sure I am committed to either one or the other before doing anything. Thoughts?

I forgot to mention that I've got relatively new tires on this thing. They look considerably different than the set that came with the WJ. I wish I had access to the vehicle right now so I could get some pictures up, but its sitting at home 50 miles away. I will get some visuals for you guys as soon as I can. Also, I'm really feeling the shorty antennna. :)

Thanks for the help!

XenonDepot said:
Welcome! Please feel free to send me PM regarding any lighting related questions :)
We'll definitely be in contact!
 
#17 ·
I have the big, black grill/brush guard mounted on this bad boy (protecting both the front and rear headlights). If I don't remove them entirely, does it make any sense to even doll out the cash for the GENIII?

!

It's a HUGE difference with good projectors and HID's...

Here's mine with a little black bumper and the gen III's.....


And a short vid of the Jeep with a K&N, Superchips, and the Gibson exhaust...



 
#18 ·
Nice video! That WJ sounds mean, haha.

I was on the Gibson Performance website and found a kit for approximately $500 USD, featuring the following:

"Swept Side; Single Exhaust Kit; Stainless; Exit Is Straight Out The Back; Incl. Muffler/2.5 in. Pipes/3 in. Stainless Tip/Hangers/Clamps"

Is that a similar kit to what is featured in that video?
 
#21 ·
Quick questions:
1. what is the level of difficulty for installing the CAI? It seems easy enough, but I just want to get an idea.

2. similarly, what is the level of difficulty in installing the Gibson exhaust? I have a friend who I trust to do the work, but I just want to know if its worth getting dirty and learning more about my vehicle or is it going to be wayyy over my head?

3. The way I understand it, the Superchips is essentially an exercise in following directions? Or is it a little more intricate than I think?

Thanks in advance!
 
#23 ·
If your buying a catback that is pre-made...it should just bolt right up in the stock locations and hand from the stock hangers
 
#24 ·
Well the most you will have to do it cut the old one off and then bolt/clamp on the new one. Its really up to you, I had mine welded.

BTW welcome to JG and I agree with what everybody else has posted thus far (Gen III projectors, K&N, HIDS from one of our 2 lighting vendors). Also, as a required rule, we need to see photos of the WJ before giving out more advice. :D
 
#28 ·
Before you get a K&N setup, go to your local Advanced Autoparts or Autozone. I got my K&N off ebay for $140 used. A week later when I went to Advanced and found that they have all the parts there for a lot less. I added up what I bought, and It would have been around $50 for all the piping and fittings and I could have gotten an air filter to match my jeep for $25. They don't have the heat shield, but I'm sure that could still be fabricated cheaper...
 
#29 · (Edited)
Finally, here are two pictures of the WJ! I'm sorry it took so long. I still haven't done anything to it given that I am dirt broke. However, I start work on the 8th of next month, so I'm gonna get going on her.

EDIT: If I wanted to do something as far as the brakes are concerned (so I can stop this behemoth a little better), what would you guys suggest?
 

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#37 ·
ilirdino,

Hi, I have planning on modding my new 02 WJ a bit (previously had a 99 XJ) and have been thinking hard about what kind of brush guard to get.

Yours looks awesome and may actually be just what I'm looking for (same with the rear guard). If its not too much to ask, would you be able to send me a couple pictures and maybe let me know what kind it is?

Thanks a ton.:thumbsup:

Otherwise if anyone else knows that would be great too.
 
#30 ·
Sorry for the double post! But I was reading a little bit about braking and stumbled across the Akebono caliper upgrade that became standard in WJs beginning in 2002/2003. Does anyone have any experience with such a mod? Would it help my WJ stop better? And on that same note, is it even worth doing any brake upgrades that aren't all out performance modifications?

Thanks guys! You've been a tremendous help thus far. I should put in the K&N 57 within the next two weeks!
 
#31 ·
Sorry for the double post! But I was reading a little bit about braking and stumbled across the Akebono caliper upgrade that became standard in WJs beginning in 2002/2003. Does anyone have any experience with such a mod? Would it help my WJ stop better? And on that same note, is it even worth doing any brake upgrades that aren't all out performance modifications?

Thanks guys! You've been a tremendous help thus far. I should put in the K&N 57 within the next two weeks!

Yes the Akebono upgrade will help your stopping. I would recommend it to anyone without it. Some say not to worry about it unless your rotors warp though.

It's not hard to do at all, but you do have to bleed your breaks to complete install. I hate doing that part!!



I like your rear bumper, how does it mount?
 
#33 ·
I have absolutely no idea how the rear bumper mounts. It was factory installed when my dad bought the car in '99 and I never bothered to look. Sorry!

And I've only seen three WJs in that color. Ever.
 
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