WJ Budget Build
05-27-2013, 03:01 AM
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WJ Budget Build
Hello I've been meaning to start a build thread for a while. I have my first jeep a 2002 Grand Cherokee Laredo. Its 4.0 straight 6. I have had nothing but problems since I bought it I had a really bad overheating problem. I went through 3 radiators, a water pump, thermostat and 2 fan relay sensors. I have a wiring problem so I had to wire my fan so its always on. I had a blown head gasket and had a problem where my brakes locked up and first time out after fixing the brakes I snapped a bake line and had to run a new line. After 3000 dollars I finally have a daily driver and a bone stock wj that needs some sprucing up. I don't do too much trail riding so I am going to try and keep it a reasonable daily driver but I want a mean aggressive look. After spending so much to get it drivable I am on a budget. Here are some pics of what I'm starting out with.
05-28-2013, 12:50 AM
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Also if anyone has anything they don't use anymore or spare parts they wanna sell that will fit on a wj let me know. I might be interested in buying them. Just bought a budget boost 2 inch lift of one of the classifieds waiting for that to arrive to put on. Can't wait. Still want to go bigger. Probably about 4 inches. But I'll take what I can get and upgrade later.
06-01-2013, 01:13 AM
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Well I got my budget boost lift in the mail today. Anyone know how long itll take to put on? I think I'll have to wait until Tuesday when I am off work to do it. I don't want to run into any problems this being the first time I've taken on a challenge like this and not have a car to get to work tomorrow night.
06-01-2013, 01:32 AM
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Ya. My buddys dad has some compressors he lent me, he has a shop but is too busy to help. Its all good though, I like the feeling once its done looking at it and going, I just did that myself. Lol
06-04-2013, 12:43 AM
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Decided to use the nice day to my advantage, I painted the grey trim on the wj black. For never painting anything before I am really happy with how well it came out. I need a little touching up I washed it with dawn soap, taped it off, and went to town. I ran out of daylight so I didn't get the front bumper done. Tomorrow I will take that off knock the dent out of it and paint that before putting it back on. And I will be putting the budget boost on tomorrow too.
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06-04-2013, 06:51 AM
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Looks good, All that gray plastic ends up fading out. I think WJ's look really good with a mild lift. 2" - 4" would look perfect. What size / type tire you thinking about running?
Keep the pictures & tread updated.
Great start.
Keep the pictures & tread updated.
Great start.
06-07-2013, 05:45 AM
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Well I discovered that the lugs in one tire are larger then the 3 others and stripped one so no lift yet. I stripped a lug and have to go buy new ones. Hopefully this rain let's up and I can get this lift on. I am super excited to get it done.
06-09-2013, 08:23 PM
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
looking good ready to see it when u get ur lift on...ready to get my 2" lift on it should be here tomorrow with new black lug nuts! where r u located?
06-09-2013, 10:04 PM
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I'm located in Cleveland Ohio. Not much to trail ride up here, but my buddy has about 80 acres in a holler outside Ripley WV that we decided needs explored. Are you doing a WJ too? I have had my lift sitting in my back seat for about 2 weeks now. Something just keeps coming up to prevent me from putting it on.
My goal was after I'm off work in the morning, go home and put that lift on. I got the dent out of the bumper today. Was going to try the fender but didn't. Painted the front bumper so that's done now and all my trim is now black. It looks nice and I'm proud of my job. It just started raining so I hope that doesn't effect the paint I finish and it dried for about 3 hrs before the rain.
My goal was after I'm off work in the morning, go home and put that lift on. I got the dent out of the bumper today. Was going to try the fender but didn't. Painted the front bumper so that's done now and all my trim is now black. It looks nice and I'm proud of my job. It just started raining so I hope that doesn't effect the paint I finish and it dried for about 3 hrs before the rain.
06-09-2013, 10:12 PM
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Oh almost forgot I think I just hit the jackpot. Since this is a budget build meaning I am broke and have about 100 dollars a month allotted to the jeep fund. I found a polar bear brush guard, polar bear rear bumper guard, nerf bars for the side and the black metal grates for the tail lights and the 2 lights on the brush guard for 200 bucks... its not definite but man o man I sure hope.
With a little cleaning up they will look great.
With a little cleaning up they will look great.