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Grand Cherokee or Wrangler Mod Suggestions

1K views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  iamshark 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello all. I was hoping maybe someone could advise me on my next Jeep purchase. I know everyone has their own ideas as to whats best, but am looking to do the following and stay within budget. 30K

I want to

1) Buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee or 4DR Wrangler. New Engine can be done but trying to avoid it in atleast the first couple years so looking to stay under 60K Miles if I can.
1a) Grand Cherokee no lift as I understand there to be Tire size limitations to fenders OR
1b) Wrangler 4 Door with a 2" Lift to allow for slightly bigger Tires that are not over the top so as to allow for better clearance yet not sound like a Chinook Helicopter when rolling aound on the streets.

2) Add a steel Front Bumper
3) Add a Winch to save my arse when alone in a hole in the back woods.
4) Add a rear steel Bumper
5) Add a Roof Rack
6) Add a Ladder to acess the Roof Rack

I understand that for example the ARB Bumpers are made for Jeep Grands up to years 2010 (I think).
Jeep Grands have more required work for Tire upgrades.

Things I want inside the Jeep are Heated Front Seats or more. I would also require a rear view Camera (rear view mirror or Navi Screen display) if I get a Wrangler so I dont hurt anyone due to poor visability around Spare Tire.

I know this may be a very broad question but could anyone share some insight they have gained from their own builds or that of others?

I will be looking to buy within the next week or so the jeep itself and then order parts for professional install whatever didnt come with the jeep.

My use is for Poor Weather roads and getting to those hard to reach fishing holes. No Speed Mods or Interior bueatification mods. In other words Im not going to seek out bad conditions and purposly go play in them. I will almost always have my 7 and 8 year old boys with me so need to be able to handle the terrain on my own and not face a 20 mile hike to the main road if you get my meaning.

Sorry for the long post and thank you in advance for any advice.

Also open to buying as much of all the above intact if I can find it. I see many for sale buy an not sure about having to fly 1000 miles to test drive and buy. Could be done, but hate to destroy my 30K budget doing so. I will be living in the Ann Arbor Michigan are this week and see few modified Jeeps on the Market.
 
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#2 ·
OK..So perhaps the above was simply to long winded for replies. May I ask yall if there is a Jeep Grand Cherokke YEAR that is more open to modifications such as a 2" Lift, Larger Tires and Steel Bumper(s)/Winch? I have owned 1989, 1992 and 1998 Grands in the past but havent ever attempted to upgrade these with the above mentioned features. The newer years above 2010 seem to have fewer options If I'm correct.

Thanks for any input you could spare.

Regards
 
#3 ·
You can modify any year Grand (ZJ, WJ, WK/2), look @ these guys running 33's-35's on some SWEET WK's. Mallcrawlin.com has some impressive ZJ/WJ love. Wranglers will always have a larger aftermarket when it comes to mods. Loved rolling the WJ with QuadraDrive & 30" tires, with more aggressive tires in the 31"-32" range/2"-3" lift, skids/sliders/winch, I would've felt pretty confident on some difficult Colorado trails. A JKUR would be a turn key vehicle for what you want to do, add a winch & go. Drive them all, then decide. HTH

Sam
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the input. I bought 2011 WK2 Laredo Limited yesterday afternoon. I pick her up this afternoon. I was very happy with what I saw. I did get the V6 which was important as I wanted to save at the pump and don't plan on pulling much of anything if I can avoid it. I don't know if everything in it was standard or not but it's loaded to the hilt in options. Nothing to add inside allows for me to focus on the lift , wheels and winch I desire. I also had looked at a very nice but less loaded Laredo but it did lack in some of the extras. So now the entire family can enjoy the heated seats on these cold Michigan days. Will spend the next month piecing together the externals finding the right kit for the right price.
 
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