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Zybane's "Arctic" Diesel Build

85K views 201 replies 58 participants last post by  mtnmerlin 
#1 ·
I am coming from a Rubicon Unlimited that I am used to modding. I have a Grand Cherokee Summit Diesel (Granite Crystal) inbound that I will customize for a more "off-road" flare/use. Any input/thoughts on the build are always welcome.

For modifications, I will start with purchasing a whole slew of items from Rocky Road Outfitters.

I have spoken with them and they are pretty sure the winch mount will be identical. They will just have to create a new bumper plate for the 2014+:




Since mine is a Summit, I will have to completely remove the lower front fascia. This will allow mounting of the OEM tow hooks and support for the winch mount. I am also interested in getting the above front prerunner skid plate, but I'd have to get pretty creative with custom mounting the adaptive cruise control "eye". Most likely cut a circle hole in the middle of the skid plate and use a custom bracket to mount the eye. Anyone know how the eye is mounted on the stock lower trim? Some sort of plastic bracket with screw "leveling"?

MOPAR trailhawk tow hooks:




For the winch, definitely going Warn since they are USA made and are top quality. I'd like to get a top of the line model with synthetic line, so thinking about the 9.5Xp or 9.5cti (not sure what the real difference is besides looks).

As for rocker rails, pretty much have to go with the MOPAR. They are the only ones that extend out and also go full-length that I could find:




Also being a Summit, I don't care for the body-colored wheel arch trim. I will be installing the Bushwacker flares and keeping them stock black:




Now, does anyone know if the OEM skid plates are any good? (The Summit doesn't come with any, so will have to purchase). They are pretty cheap on the MOPAR website, only around $80 each. Being that cheap, are they actual metal?

I will most likely end up with the Rocky-Road 3-piece set:




Is there any gaps that need to be filled between the Rocky-Road plates and the MOPAR ones? Are the adventure pack II skid plates plastic?

As for wheels, most likely going to go with the ones from the MOPAR buyers guide. 18" in black:




I'll just have to find the largest off-road tire I can fit on there with the air suspension and not rub. I know someone put 32" on there, thinking if I can make 33" fit maybe with a small spacer. Of course you then run into the issue of not having a spare of proper size. Diameter being the most important. Was considering looking for a tire not as wide as the stock one, but the same diameter as the off-road ones. Since the stock spare sit's in a recess in the trunk, a larger diameter tire would need to ride above the recess and hence be not as wide (tall) while laying flat. There happens to be enough room back there for a 32-33" tire with the removable "cradle" sections removed, but it would have to be pretty thin in order for the floor above the tire to lay flat. Not sure if such a crazy tire exists.

Not really worried about the small loss in performance with the slightly larger tires being a Diesel and all.

That leads me to all of the chrome on the Summit has to go! Is all of that chrome not actual metal but the standard chrome painted plastic? All of the chrome will be painted Satin black. Just curious about the way to go about it. Sand down the chrome, prime and paint? Looking for something that can hold up for years outdoors. Are those huge mirrors just "capped" with chrome or do I need to repaint the whole thing?

I'd like to get the SRT vented hood as long as the price isn't astronomical. When you order one of those things, do they come color matched or does your dealer need to paint them? So far I can not find the hood in the MOPAR system.

I'd be getting the full slush-mats front/rear and cargo tray.

Considering clear-bra'ing the hood/front bumper/fenders and sides of the car. Anyone ever price that out to help with minimizing pin-striping?

MOPAR also lists a rear fog light kit. Are the standard items on the bottom corners just reflectors? I am curious as to the wiring and how it would connect:




Other standard items I would have in the vehicle are:

Air compressor for airing up tires for after off-road
Collapsible shovel/axe/pick kit bag.
Tool/survival kit
Winch/snatch blocks/tow straps/shackles kit bag
10,000 lb Pull-Pal
Fire Extinguisher
MRE's/Water

And to top it off with the proper badges:




Should be fun!
 
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#43 · (Edited)
Got the wheels installed. Measuring paid off. These are the largest tires (33") that can be put on this vehicle. At full steering lock, they just brush up against the wheel well liners. Those have some flex to them, so no big deal. Plus I have 1" wheel spacers inbound.

Pictures also show the 3M Crystalline tint used on all glass.







The matte black wheels contrast a bit with the flashy Summit chrome, but the chrome will be dealt with!
 
#48 ·
They are the 18" Jeep Night Fever, bought them here:

Jeep Grand Cherokee Wheel - 18" Night Fever Black (Part No: 82212377): MoparOnlineParts.com

(Mods edit out if links aren't allowed).

These are awesome wheels for $221!

18" Wheels with 33" tires allows a nice side-wall for off-roading, allowing me to air down etc and also gave me over 1" extra ground clearance. Stock summit tires are 30.5".

This wheel and tire combo also drives really nice on the road and are quieter than I thought they would be. Steering feels just a little more loose, but nothing terrible.

Overjoyed with the swap out, and to find the tire will fit in the stock storage compartment (without air) makes everything that much easier.
 
#49 ·
#50 ·
You have any pics with the QL up to the highest setting? Interested to see how high it is
 
#51 ·
I can take some pics the next time I have her out, with quadra-lift highest. My largest worry with the tires was the bolt/suspension knuckle that sticks out just inboard of the top of the tire. It clears by about half an inch so good to go!
 
#54 · (Edited)
Left the jeep out in the sun to help the window tint cure.

Measured around the vehicle in Off Road 2 setting, ground clearance around the chassis is an impressive 12.5 to 14 inches.








An easy way to tell ground clearance is take the major lines of the running boards and line them up with the center of the wheels. With a 33" tire, the center caps should be just over 16 inches high. I am removing those running boards of course and putting on rock rails. Good news on that front Amazon just sent me a email stating they should be shipping early December. I hear those are a bitch install!
 
#66 ·
Man, not only does that have serious clearance now, it is just going to be a tough looking truck. Can't wait to see what else you do.
 
#57 ·
Depends. If you are planning to put on the bushwhacker flares, then yes. Otherwise, I'd just leave them the way they are.
 
#58 ·
Well, since you asked...

I think if I was going to dip the flares black with your black RRs, I'd want to have that "theme" carry through the front and rear (i.e., also dip the lower facias). But I can't tell from your pics what the transition between them is in the rear. Looks like at the front flows naturally, but the rear looks like the flare ends at about the 2:00 position, and the finish of it is part of the rear fender wrap around. There doesn't look like a really good way to complete the flow line there - hope that makes sense.

The best example of what I'm trying to say is how the grey flows all the way around my ZJ - the bumpers and flares are the same color (RRs haven't been re-sprayed in years, and they're not the same color).

On the other hand, if the Bushwhackers go all the way around the rear fender openings, then that might be a good way to go. Just not a fan of them, myself.
 
#71 ·
Thanks man, ordered!

I'm definitely going to be watching to see how your winch install goes. I've been planning to get the RRO bumper, brush bar, winch setup but I was hoping to have someone else be the guinea pig. :)

My RRO roof rails and rack are currently scheduled to be delivered on friday. I was bummed we had to take my g/f's vehicle to get the xmas tree this year because I didn't have my rack yet. Was hoping to use the SFU this year.
Hopefully RRO will ship my winch bumper and front runner skid plate this week. I'd like to get it installed before Christmas.

Also finalized a MOPAR 8 year/120,000 mile warranty on the diesel and 7-year full wheel/tire protection from Zeigler for $2265 out the door.

I got another nice piece of kit in, 14,000 lb baby:




Literally, half of my garage is filled with stuff to install. :lol:

I tested the under-chassis camera and everything looks good to work for "off-road" viewing, got the Lockpick inbound to view the video, also have to install two BlackVue Wi-Fi 2 Channel DR550GW-2CH 32GB for a total of four interior cameras. Also have to install all the V-LED fog lights, rear turn signals, back up lamps etc. Gonna go through a lot of solder with all this stuff. :thumbsup:
 
#70 ·
I'm definitely going to be watching to see how your winch install goes. I've been planning to get the RRO bumper, brush bar, winch setup but I was hoping to have someone else be the guinea pig. :)

My RRO roof rails and rack are currently scheduled to be delivered on friday. I was bummed we had to take my g/f's vehicle to get the xmas tree this year because I didn't have my rack yet. Was hoping to use the SFU this year.
 
#72 ·
In my opinion, this is the coolest build in JG history and one of the coolest Jeep builds of all time (some of the Wrangler conversions, like the AEV Brute with the 6.4L Hemi top this for me). I'm going to let you test this stuff out, and if you like it, I will put some of it on my Jeep as well (not as much as you, however :lol:).
 
#80 ·
I just did the plates on my diesel summit. The stock items aren't really "cardboard". I had to trim one (transmission) to fit after the metal plates were installed and it's quite durable, like a felt covered thick plastic. Obviously I would have liked a metal piece there, but I believe they did it that way as the engine oil pan and transfer case skid plates hang down a good four inches below the transmission oil pan. So the likelihood of it getting damaged is pretty remote.

Even though I installed the fuel tank skid plates first , I still had to remove the fuel line skid plate once or twice as there was a certain overlap order with the rest of the plates, including the stock transmission cover. So it's like install both fuel tanks, then the stock transmission cover or just leave it on all together, then put on the engine oil pan cover then the transfer case cover is last. I can confirm the metal vibration damper weight on the transfer case plate needs to come off on the diesel.
 
#83 ·
Wow, started the MOPAR rock rail install today and talk about a lengthy process lol. Gave up for the night. My favorite part is removing all the foam in the frame rail channels.

Also installed the Bluespark and have it set at I believe stock D-6. Wow, nice power boost. Was spinning all four wheels in a turn in the wet. Noticeably peppier.

Also installed the V-LED's Triton LED brake/turn signals. Didn't take any pictures of that as someone already did a write up. Let's just say it's also a time consuming install as you have to put some custom wiring in to hide the control module. I also did it proper soldering everything and heat/shrink wrapping + silicone.
 
#85 · (Edited)
Ugg, the rock rails. I think either mine got damaged in shipping or the guy that built mine was drunk. They did not fit that good at all. There was no way in hell the exterior side bolts and the underbody pinch weld bolts were ever going to line up as designed.

Let's just say, I had to Dremel entirely new bolt holes on all the pinch welds underneath. Also, if they made those damn exterior side bolts just 2mm longer the process would have been SO much easier. These rock rails and associated hardware don't seem to be designed/tested well. If there was more attention to detail and install process thought with the kit it would cut the install time in half. With all the custom work I had to do, took about 15 hours total. I made sure I did it to last though, all cuts/mods and hardware was thoroughly coated with anti-rust enamel.

I also sealed up the seam between the car body and the rock rails as I don't like that small gap and water etc running down in there. My favorite part of the rails is they make an easy jack point now for the truck. They are on there like no-ones business. Plus the added benefit of keeping most doors from being able to dent yours.

I will post some pics hopefully when I do the following mods tomorrow:

RRO winch bumper installed
Winch install
Front-pre-runner skid plate install (cut-out adaptive eye hole)
Air horn install
LED fog light install
Laser jammer and radar detector (front) install
Grill / plasti-dip black / cutout winch remote access in grill
Front tow hooks

Actually I don't know how much of the above I am going to get done tomorrow as I like to do things right the first time. I promise I will post pics, I know threads are boring without pics LOL. ;)
 
#86 ·
Ugg, the rock rails. I think either mine got damaged in shipping or the guy that built mine was drunk. They did not fit that good at all. There was no way in hell the exterior side bolts and the underbody pinch weld bolts were ever going to line up as designed.

Let's just say, I had to Dremel entirely new bolt holes on all the pinch welds underneath. Also, if they made those damn exterior side bolts just 2mm longer the process would have been SO much easier. These rock rails and associated hardware don't seem to be designed/tested well. If there was more attention to detail and install process thought with the kit it would cut the install time in half. With all the custom work I had to do, took about 15 hours total. I made sure I did it to last though, all cuts/mods and hardware was thoroughly coated with anti-rust enamel.

I also sealed up the seam between the car body and the rock rails as I don't like that small gap and water etc running down in there. My favorite part of the rails is they make an easy jack point now for the truck. They are on there like no-ones business. Plus the added benefit of keeping most doors from being able to dent yours.
It took the dealer a couple of days to install the rails on my Summit. They said it was a pain in the A.
 
#91 ·
Nice pics and explanation.

I wouldn’t leave those parts lying around or your police work dog may chew on them.
 
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#92 ·
I wonder if you could have had rock rails made custom for your rig that would have been a faster/easier install.
 
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