Hi, New to the WJ, just switched from YJ to a newer larger WJ. Being a college student I needed a newer JEEP with ROOM for gear. Its a 2000 WJ
grand limited with newer stock tires. The first mod was a K&N filter. Will still be the daily driver (7 hour drive to school, with dorm room in it). In my line of
school / work involves off road (ranger). What are some initail mods that wont break the bank / student loan. My first thoughts are front hooks, rad & tranny skids, maybe minor lift using stock shocks stainless braided brake lines when its time for brakejob. Any suggestions

 

For CHEEP JEEP

park the WJ and get an XJ lol.

Not too much really cheep on newer model jeeps. Tow hooks are a must.

 

Do a 3" IRO lift kit. Comes with shocks and everything you need. Much better ride and performance than a budget lift with pucks. Will allow you to run 32s without any difficulty if you want. 3'" will not make you gas mileage horrible either and the 7 hour ride will still be ok. With pucks it will be much harsher.

I would also reccomend getting an Addco rear sway bar. Any lift will exagerate the body roll of the dub and the stiffer addco will make cornering feel much better.

Mopar radiator skid is pretty worthless. I would definitely get the TC skid.

You do not need longer brakelines for a lift on a WJ, you can lift it 6" and use factory lines. I do have SS lines but I like the feel they give versus stock lines, the only drawback is no one makes teh rear line that goes from the frame to the dif so you still have a bit of rubber even if you replace all four lines at each brake caliper.

Get hooks defintely need for recovery.

Does it have a towing package? Rear receiver hitch? Needed as a rear recovery point. Can get a factory receiver at a junkard for $100 if you are patient.

You did not say if it was a 4.7 or a 4.0, makes a difference on how you approach performance mods if you are interested in them as well.

For a $1000 you could probably do all of the above if you do your own work, requires just basic hand tools, impact wrench will make it faster but not required. You should get it aligned after any lift but it is not required on a dub as teh toe does not change with ride height. If it is correct before teh lift it will be fine post lift, the drag link will be off but that only effect stearing wheel alignment and will not effect tire wear or handling. If you get the IRO kit with a longer track bar the drag link will remain correct as well. Still a good idea to get it all checked when you are done.

Oh and update your profile information makes it easier for us to help you fix / break things on your heap.

 

You sound like you already know the plan just depends on funds at this point. Would be alot cheaper, as Stryker says, to improve an XJ than a WJ IMHO.

 

I don't know what falls under "Expensive" for you...but if a couple hundred buck is the limit, you could always do tow hooks, a budget boost and some tires for now. That'd be a good start. If you have a few more bucks to spend, then a 3"-4" lift instead of the Budget Boost. I've got a 4" BDS lift in mine (2001) and it goes everywhere I need it to for now.
Here's a couple of links for parts:

Kevin's Off Road Lift Kits

Iron Rock Off Road (WJ Parts)

Rocky Road Outfitters

Quadratec's Website

That should get you started on pricing stuff out, and figuring out what'll work for you...

Later.

P.S. I'm not endorsing any of these companies, as the only one I've bought stuff from on that list is Kevin's, just using them to figure out costs/pricing...



Later.