Hey all if you were to build an XJ for S.E.M.A what would you like to see on it? What would draw you to it?

 

Moved to chat

 

Okay. I'm dreaming big here and just throwing stuff at the wall. Getting noticed and standing out at SEMA can be a challenge. You have bumpers? So do 30 other guys there. You have grill guards? Yeah, we've already stopped at 15 booths that had them. You make your stuff out of 1/4 plate? So do a bunch of the other guys. So in that light...

I think the typical off-road goodies would be great, of course. Bumpers, sliders, winch, lift, tires, frame stiffeners, etc.

But, being a fan of hot rods and the show Overhaulin', I also really appreciate Chip Foose's philosophy that he likes to make mods to cars that are almost imperceptible. Changes that are significant, but subtle, and appear as though they were intended to come that way from the factory. Slight touches here and there that modernize a car and, to use his words, "take the ugly out of it" without detracting from its classic appeal.

Perhaps a subtle customization of the grill. I've always wondered what it would look like to have some kind of lights integrated into the grill. Or a roof rack that looks more integrated into the body (a-la X-terra but more functional). Perhaps some custom headlights or mods to the hood that give it an AEV-ish flavor. I like the look of some of the bumpers with integrated lighting ports. What about sliders/bumpers with integrated rock lights? Custom door panels with integrated map pockets that still look factory. Custom seating. On-board air with quick connects already plumbed to the front and rear; perhaps with some cool stealth access cover. Like maybe rig one of the rear taillights to swing out on a hinge and your hose connection is hidden behind there. Built-in inverter with outlets at the dash or console, as well as the rear cargo area. Integrate some stuff into the otherwise wasted space of the rear hatch. Throw a first-aid kit in there or something. I don't know, just things that would make people say, "I didn't know they came that way" or, "That's how Jeep should have done it".

On the not-so-subtle side...
A double DIN head unit integrated into the dash, or even a fully modernized gauge and control arrangement (kind of like what ICON is doing to the old Broncos). Maybe a way to not just have a rear backup camera show up on the double DIN display, but may multiple cameras you can switch to showing what's going on under or at the corners of the XJ. Kind of like a built-in spotter. When that's not showing, have a video of your products in action on the screen. Customize the rear cargo area with a stealthy, shallow full-extension tool drawer with typical goodies, and perhaps modular storage bins that lock into the top surface of that drawer somehow. Or make the drawer itself reconfigurable for different needs by using some kind of inserts. One way for tools. Configure it another way and you can have a few rifles and ammo stored safely and securely in there.

Somewhere in the middle...
A factory style overhead console that is extended toward the rear and integrates a drop down screen with DVD player. A custom center console, especially if it gives the rear passengers some cup holders.
Have the winch rigged up to where it will work with the auxiliary outputs of the alarm and can be controlled from the keyfob. Have lights that can be controlled by the keyfob. This could be a really slick and interactive part of your display that your salesmen/reps can take advantage of.

Anyway, that's my 10 cents. Perhaps not everything you do to the vehicle is specific to your intended product offering, but I've learned in marketing that if you are competing against a lot of companies with a lot of similar products, putting on a memorable display can be what helps you make the sales of your core offering. It would seem that many common products for our Jeeps are kind of static and not interactive, and having a vehicle stuck in the convention center floor doesn't help. It's not in motion. You can't get a sense of it in action. But, people are naturally drawn more and take more notice of things that move and flash and light up, or they will at least remember them more, or it get them to stick around longer so you can work your sales magic on them

 

build it to be functional but nice looking. I'm a fan of Low COG builds, seeing an immaculate one on full widths and like, 38s would be awesome.


just don't build it like this:

 

Ok thank you for all of your input here are some of the wild things we are planning on doing to our S.E.M.A XJ. Rock cameras with in dash display, 6" lift rolling out on 40" tires and yes trail ready. We plan on keeping it stock looking shell and still very functional and trail worthy. So lift and tire package will clear wheel wells. We also will be featuring a lot of our product that we are proto typing now. Also the XJ will be running a 5.9 magnum w/supercharger a swap we are working on making 50 state legal. We also plan on grafting JK hid head lights in the grill. Also our new fenders w/fender mounted windshield light bar, roof rack (with all options) and many more to come. But I like to hear what other XJ owners would want to see. We will keep photos posted of build here, and this is for next year show.

 

40s? Will the Dana 30 have a chrome diff cover as well?

 

And thank you macgyver35 I like your post its honest and up front. And cheapcherokee that video is crazy. Thats just shows what using cheap hardware can do for you. We can give every thing away we are doing but we will keep the thread up to date

 

No dana 30 here Currie rock jock 60s front and back.

 

Fun, you'll be raffling the Jeep off at the show, correct?

 

I'd love to see a company focusing on 4.0 engine performance mods build a retro-styled gasser emulating this Chevy.

Take a 2wd XJ and swap in a straight axel and spindle mounts then just lift the rear as normal and put it on 31" slicks. It could be a very straight forward build that that would definitely turn heads and stick in people's minds. Not to mention all the logo/name space that would totally fit the look.

 

FIFY

 

I have always wanted barn doors on the rear instead of a hatch.

 

I like the super rare option that jeep came out with. On the stock bumper all you saw was a roller flairend. They mounted a winch to the unibody and put the bumper over it. Ill try an find the pic in the morning but it was something i wanted to do at one point but i lacked time

 

you can still do it, really easy too. look under your radiator in that front crossmember and see the 4 holes? they are the factory hidden winch mount now it would need some plating to get to work great but thats simple too, jeep designed it so it can all be bolt together.

 

http://www.ramseypdfs.com/owners_sea...s/295153-D.pdf It wasn't that rare, but the winch was too small to be of any use.