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Build thread: 'The Money Pit'

8K views 57 replies 7 participants last post by  Kryton 
#1 · (Edited)
Been on here a while & just realised I never actually introduced myself. Sorry for being rude!

Anyhoo, thought I would post up about my Jeep & hope you all enjoy my handywork. I've got A LOT of parts arriving over the next few weeks & will update when at my computer

I will edit this as I go & apologies if there's any delays as I'm in Europe so way ahead of most of you.

The wagon:
2005 Jeep WK / WH 5.7 Hemi, Startech / Brabus spec. I bought the 2005 specifically as the 2006 is around $350 more per year to tax. This will only be doing around 1000-1500 miles each year so refused to pay the extra

What was already done:
Startech brabus dual exit exhaust
Startech 20" rims
Startech illuminating side runners
Startech front bumper
Startech chrome pack inc door runners, grill, mirrors, tailgate handle etc

Whats been done by me:
Exterior:
Custom Startech rear bumper (as none seem to have these in the UK that I have seen, even though mine had the rest of the kit)
Powder coated wheels in shadow black
Wind deflectors
Rear spoiler (from CarID)
Custom arch extensions / fender flares in SRT style (but much wider)
SRT grill inserts
Hood bug deflector
Private plate
32" Cooper Zeon LTZ's
Fully detailed & painted where needed (only done 34,000 miles so wanted it to look that way)
Plasti-dipped all chrome on exterior
Detachable swan-neck tow bar

Lighting:
Fly-eye style rear light & front fog covers
Vinyl headlight cut to look like facelift & cover orange side light (will buy stillen when next in USA as refuse to pay $80 shipping)!
LED reverse lights
DRL activated & moved to fog lights
Aux lights fitted under front plate, connected to fogs
Custom headlights including painted shrouds, led side lights, led high beam, hid dip beam with high beam solonoid

Interior:
Vinyl wrapped all visible wood in 3d carbon
Overland door cards, dash bevels, shifter knob & surround
Gear shifter from late 2006 to gain trim that goes round selector then wrapped in carbon vinyl
Overland wheel wrapped in carbon
Full led interior (& they turn off)!
Carbon vinyl sill guards
Mopar rubber mats
Travall dog guard & trunk mat

Engine / Suspension / Other:
k&n induction
HKS earthing kit (inc throttle ground)
3" electric exhaust cut
Remote start kit using OEM key, guts swapped to newer style flip key
Passive keyless entry (so the car locks & unlocks as I approach / walk away)
2" RC lift/level kit
1.25" hub centric spacers
BRC LPG / gas conversion
Bricked my PCM courtesy of SuperChips & in no rush to deal with them again
Bought an official starscan so I can do my own work :)

Audio:
Boston speakers changed for Kicker all round
REC sat nav swapped out for JVC dab/dvd/nav unit inc harness adapters
Reverse camera
Pioneer double under seat sub (mounted under shelf, flush with rear seat as have rubber boot liner & dog guard for my Tamaskan)
Screens in headrests
OBD fusion app with wi-fi reader

Bought but to do:
Auto up / down windows all round (have wiring harness, door modules & switches)
Auto folding mirrors with lock / unlock (just need to tap off the PKE module in theory)
Auto headlight kit (already have the parts, just trying to work out the wiring)
Highland roof rack (on its way from USA)
Light bar(s) (awaiting roof rack)
Fit mopar tail light covers (on way from USA)
Fit USDM tail lights (on way from USA)
Fit mopar chrome fuel door (on way from USA)
Startech illuminating inner sill guards (on way from Germany)
Led halo side repeaters with 'trail rated' badges (on way from Canada & China)

Wish list:
Get a spare PCM to see if I can get the tuner to work without bricking another. Will try a Diablo Sport this time
Crazy Jays cam & supporting mods (throttle body, headers, 180 t stat, valve springs etc)
 
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#2 ·
Been on here a while & just realised I never actually introduced myself. Sorry for being rude!

Anyhoo, thought I would post up about my Jeep & hope you all enjoy my handywork. I've got A LOT of parts arriving over the next few weeks & will update when at my computer

I will edit this with info in the morning & apologies if there's any delays as I'm in Europe so way ahead of most of you
Welcome to the Garage! what kind of jeep are you building? I cant wait to see what you got planned!
 
#6 ·
Today I've cut a set of front mud flaps & made them fit my modified fender flares & side skirts. Also dechromed my light guards in preparation for the new tail lights & finished front parking sensors install. Early start tomorrow as dropping the jeep off to tint the front side windows
 
#8 ·
Thanks, glad you like it. I don't have tapatalk I'm afraid. I'm a bit backward as literally only just setup eBay & photobucket in the last couple of months. I work in IT so try to avoid technology out of hours :D Feel free to post any questions though
 
#10 ·
No problem! I'll list them below so its easy for everyone to follow if they have similar questions:

1: Have you serviced it yet and if so, what was the costing to it/what was included also?

2. How different is the exhaust note to standard and do you have any comparison videos?

3. Have you noticed any performance changes after the modifications?

4. What are your town/motorway/average mpg figures (I know you don't buy a HEMI expecting economy but it's good to know for day to day knowledge)

5. Addition to the above - How many miles are you getting out of your average tank and what's it costing to fill up every time?

6. Is there anything you've struggled with day to day owning this car?

7. Is there anything you've found considerably easier since owning this car?

8. Is there anything to be aware of or take note of cost/difficulty wise before purchasing?

9. Out of all the mods you've done so far, what would you say it the overall best / what feels the most improved?

10. Is there anything that has surprised you or let you down during ownership?

Many thanks in advance and I look forward to your answers!

Josh
 
#11 · (Edited)
Ha ha thanks, I didn't know how to describe it as they are known as Chelsea tractors over here but doubt the phrase has made it your side of the pond

Wow, that's more of an interview than I was expecting. I will answer them all in the morning as currently drunk so struggling to give a satisfactory response; watch this space
...
 
#13 ·
That's great - I wasn't expecting the answers that fast.

I should have made clear I'm a fellow UK road user! I'm assuming you converted all figures to USA worthy numbers? So if I divide the pricing by around 1.5(ish) I'll get our £ figures?

Also the mpg figures were they imperial or USA? I understand they differ slightly?

Thanks again
Josh
 
#14 · (Edited)
Ah right, where abouts in the UK are you?

Yep, that calculation should give you an accurate figure. Forgot to mention the cost of labour (proper spelling this time
) included undersealing

Mpg was uk gallons but I do have a heavy right foot

If you need a hand with anything, give me a shout & will try to point you in the right direction. I had a tough time trying to get knowledgeable on these as no one here wants to touch the hemi. Some American stuff won't bolt straight on as ours are slightly different as built in Austria. Found that out the hard way with an ever growing stock of non-compatible parts lol
 
#17 ·
Ah right, where abouts in the UK are you?

Yep, that calculation should give you an accurate figure. Forgot to mention the cost of labour (proper spelling this time :)) included undersealing

Mpg was uk gallons but I do have a heavy right foot

If you need a hand with anything, give me a shout & will try to point you in the right direction. I had a tough time trying to get knowledgeable on these as no one here wants to touch the hemi. Some American stuff won't bolt straight on as ours are slightly different as built in Austria. Found that out the hard way with an ever growing stock of non-compatible parts lol
I'm in Peterborough, yourself?

You could always sell them on again? Not sure how large the american non compatible part market is though..... Lol.

I'm trying to decide whether to get the Hemi or just dpf delete a 3.0crd as I do maximum 2 miles a day..... But also have a baby on the way so need to have some sensibility about me! However the diesel makes my insurance £200 a year more expensive and the Hemi saves me about £400.... (SRT8 would save £300 on current price)..... I understand I could even get a 5.7 on the £295 tax band aswell. Is that what you've done?

I'm trying to learn as much as I can to make the best decision you see.. Test drove the diesel and in Overland Spec and loved it but obviously the only choice to make is which engine is smartest for the future now baby is coming...whilst living less than 1 mile from work when I normally walk or cycle now anyway.

Thoughts?
 
#18 · (Edited)
Ok, not a million miles away. I'm mostly in the Norfolk area

Yep, the car does so few miles that I refused to pay the extra tax for 06 onwards otherwise I would have just bought an SRT & called it job done. Thing is, this is meant to be the sensible car as I tend to collect them

Diesels are fine but I personally wouldn't own one. If you buy a startech tuning kit they are quite pokey though but I just done like the idea of diseasels. 262 bhp & 427 lb-ft torque with the chip ain't bad though

Yeah I do the same as have a wolf hybrid, Inuit, husky thing that needs a lot of walking so only ever buy cars that get single figure mpg lol

It's annoying as many parts should just be plug & play then reprogrammed the computer but there's 52 different wiring harness combinations for the export (found that out after buying everything) so it's a pain to retrofit some stuff

Congrats on the baby btw
 
#19 ·
Lol the dog bit made me chuckle - thanks, too.

Where abouts in Norfolk? I've only just moved away from Wisbech not far from Kings Lynn?

I'm on my first ever powerful petrol car actually, so kind of the other way round!

I've gone from a 57 plate Mercedes Benz CLS 320CDI to a 2.7 Jag XF (ECU Update made that infectious in every way... Went to around 250bhp and happily did 48mpg+) and then to another CLS320CDI but an 09 facelift.

Moved away from that to my current Lexus GS300 which is 245bhp naturally aspirated and doesn't way toooooo much so is actually pretty fun for a Lexus that try and stop every possible bit of fun with the crazy traction control (comes on even if you turn it off lol) but there's not that 4wd capability I've always wanted every time I go to buy a new car but never do!

If I got the diesel I'd DPF delete and remap/chip it indefinitely. Would then make the small journeys possible without clogging the dreaded DPF (which is why the XF went wrong) and also if I go anywhere else like Poland (where I am now... With the Lexus in the garage having the alternator replaced) the MPG won't destroy me.

I'm struggling to justify the extra £40pm on my insurance for a diesel one though as much as I adore them... Hence the remote consideration for the V8 as it would save so much on insurance but then on the flip side would I save that money in fuel with the diesel?

Swings and roundabouts!
 
#20 · (Edited)

He gets annoyed if I don't take him miles


He also gets annoyed with water fights

Diesel will definitely be cheaper to run but the mpg isn't amazing plus they are more to buy. I got mine cheap as it was at the height of the petrol crisis with fuel at nearly £1.50 per litre

Good selection of cars there so running costs won't come as too much of a shock

The trouble you will have if you're a petrol head is there's only so much you can do with a derv & let's face it, no one on forums leave cars standard. I bought this to leave it alone after being sensible & buying a house but having sold a corvette & highly modified twin turbo Mitsubishi to release money, I couldn't come to terms with being boring.

I have a list as long as my arms & im 6ft 5 but I could afford to whilst at parents, inc basically every mitsubishi known to man kind, tuscan, exige, track cars, rally cars, ones that catch fire, ones that blow up etc etc. I get bored very easily tbf but this ones a keeper as ticks every box other than being able to take it round snetterton lol
 
#21 ·
i wish i could have made a stop in the uk while i was in the military. ive been thru a few places over there in Europe and the middle east. even out to the Asian countries of South Korea and Japan! Ive been thru Ireland and Germany. Been in kuwait and Iraq...lol i think if i stayed in i would have had the opportunity come up. Maybe one day lol
 
#22 ·
You've certainly seen more of the world than I have. Job makes it difficult to travel but would love to see some of the places you've been. Many people that come here as tourists like the uk but being stuck on a very wet, very flat island soon become tedious
 
#31 ·
Thanks, glad you like. To be fair, yours is much nicer though but well out of my budget so will be sticking with the wk1 for now

lol i am the same way lol. my jeep was stock like 2 weeks....that was 6 years ago lol
Ha ha yeah, i don't find forums help though. I was very known on one forum as I had basically done every modification humanly possible. Trouble is, someone else does something & it inspires me to do it even though the thought had never crossed my mind. The last car was going to stay 'standard' & ended up with full custom turbo setup lol

Hi nice jeep ! I have a 07 Grand crd.
I am interested in some of your mods for my own.
Auto mirror open and close.
Drl activation.
Halo side repeaters/trail rated.

I have quite a few mods on my Jeep.
mopar body kit.inc roof spoiler.
20" Srt wheels .
Eibach springs.
Wrapped mirror caps and grille body colour.
Stainless wire mesh grille and lower grille.
Interior trim wrapped body colour.
Jeep core lighting cup holders and footwells.
Led int lighting.
Led switchbacks.
led turnsignals.
Led reverse lamps.
Led puddle lighting jeep logo.
Bullitt performance remap.
and lots more
Thanks, glad you like. Looks like you're on track to do some decent things to yours too. As far as the mods you have highlighted, see below:

1. Auto mirror open and close.
I am yet to do this but as I have installed a PKE system, i'm hoping this will be easily triggered by that module. If it isn't, I will be sticking a relay in, connected to the ignition so each time the key passes the 'acc' position, it sends the pusle to the mirror, triggering movement. I will update here once I've had a chance to do this. Its too cold here to be working outside at the minute so might take a while though as my garage is not big enough to have the door fully open to work on the Jeep :(

2. Drl activation.
There are several ways of doing this. Either your dealer can do this through
- Starscan by changing your build code to Canada, activating it then turning it back to the correct build country. This will only give the option of hi-beams at 50%. Please be aware Starscan CANNOT deactivate though so if this is your only option, be sure you want to keep it
- Find a dealer with CDA, the position of the light can then be changed to turn signals, fog lights, dip beam plus you can also adjust the voltage going to it to make duller. This is the route I went & changed to fog position but have since disabled
- Buy a DRL module & splice the wiring. I have now wired my factory front fogs switch to aux lights hence why I needed the DRL disabled. I have also bought 1 of these (link below) to then splice in to the original factory fog bulb holder to act as DRL. This means that my original fogs are only controlled by the separate module & my aux are only controlled by the multifuction. Its great as I have pug LED bulbs in so it looks more modern but the poor light output from them doesn't matter

https://www.amazon.com/iJDMTOY-Univ...TF8&qid=1483445501&sr=8-3&keywords=drl+module

3. Halo side repeaters/trail rated.
I'm just waiting for all the bits needed to arrive but can update shortly. Basically, i've laser cut some 60mm acrylic disks that I will be mounting LEDs into that I will stick the bagde to. The amber led will be sunk into the disk so SHOULD shine outwards giving a glow on to the body work once illuminated. The LED's & badges should hopefully be here soon & the resistors to connect the LED's to factory wiring are already here
 
#26 ·
He looks awesome - almost pure wolf looking.

There's a woman that's getting rid of hers silly cheap (as long as shes genuine of course..she did message me back on ebay) 5.7 overland (for the price I'd give in to the 500 tax band) as has a new company car - but then I think again and think.... Well... I'm 22... Baby on the way... Is a 5.7 HEMI a good idea regardless of saving that much on insurance? What if something goes wrong.. How much would the part cost extra or am I looking at it wrong?
 
#27 ·
Don't think the parts will be any more expensive for one over the other but get where you're coming from. I'm probably not the best person to ask though as I had a v8 lexus, v6 galant, lifted jeep & grp n rally evo when I was 18. Best talk to someone more sensible lol

Getting back to mine, been ordering more parts out of boredom. Really should have planned ahead so I could get on with stuff whilst off over the festivities. Auto headlight level kit is 1 of the random goodies
 
#30 ·
Hi nice jeep ! I have a 07 Grand crd.
I am interested in some of your mods for my own.
Auto mirror open and close.
Drl activation.
Halo side repeaters/trail rated.

I have quite a few mods on my Jeep.
mopar body kit.inc roof spoiler.
20" Srt wheels .
Eibach springs.
Wrapped mirror caps and grille body colour.
Stainless wire mesh grille and lower grille.
Interior trim wrapped body colour.
Jeep core lighting cup holders and footwells.
Led int lighting.
Led switchbacks.
led turnsignals.
Led reverse lamps.
Led puddle lighting jeep logo.
Bullitt performance remap.
and lots more
 
#32 ·
Today was spent fabricating. New mounts for tow bar are on so it counteracts the lift & clears my lower bumper. Roof basket also arrived so cross bars are now off for some welding to make it as low as possible. I did a trial with it insanely low but then realised that the inner bars were flexing under any weight & making contact with the roof. Plan b will be finished next weekend. Also discovered my pedals are smaller than US spec as my SRT pedals don't fit. I will make them fit though :)
 
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