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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+:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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!
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!
