LR3 Builds a 1:1 - 2003 Grand Cherokee

[Sh0rtBus]

Originally Posted by LR3

Been about a year since I updated this. Since then I have started massaging the offroad performance of this thing, and it actually does not do bad at all offroad. Mods are:

Iron Rock Offroad 3 inch lift
31 Falken Rock Mountain ATs (Getting 33x12.50s sometime soon though)
Dana 44 rear end swap
3.73 Gears
Flowmaster 40
K&N Drop In
Uniden CB
Verious forms of trail damage, just to prove that I do use it as a Jeep

And current pictures:






NEVER LEND A CAR TO A FRIEND:

Looks like you need to disconnect that front sway bar to get more articulation from the front end. Will definitely help out on the trail. Should look a little more like this when flexed:

Originally Posted by Tommy R

Consider yourself corrected. My '01 TJ (D30/D44) and my '01 Dodge 2500 (D60/D70) use conventional metal fill plugs.

^^This. My 2011 JK Unlimited Rubicon has metal drain (w/ magnets) & fill plugs, too.

[gottwins?]

Cherokees and CJS are my favorite, both were great rigs for me.

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by Tommy R

Consider yourself corrected. My '01 TJ (D30/D44) and my '01 Dodge 2500 (D60/D70) use conventional metal fill plugs.

Tommy's correct, only the D35's came with a rubber plug...

[LR3]

Originally Posted by JeremyH

Tommy's correct, only the D35's came with a rubber plug...

That is one reason that we changed the D35 for a 44. My 35 filled with water, but when we got the 44, it had the plug too, so we got a new diff cover for it. As far as the swaybar, that picture was taken literally right after I finished putting the lift on. I didn't have discos then. I didn't get them at the time to try and keep costs down

[gottwins?]

It's a worse addiction than RC's

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by LR3

That is one reason that we changed the D35 for a 44. My 35 filled with water, but when we got the 44, it had the plug too, so we got a new diff cover for it. As far as the swaybar, that picture was taken literally right after I finished putting the lift on. I didn't have discos then. I didn't get them at the time to try and keep costs down

Those Grand D44s sometimes come with aluminum center sections and parts of the housing so be careful.

The main reason to get rid of the D35 was the weak housing.....it will flex and snap the tip of the shaft off and since that is a c-clip axle, the shaft will just walk out (unless you have disc breaks).

[Sh0rtBus]

Originally Posted by LR3

That is one reason that we changed the D35 for a 44. My 35 filled with water, but when we got the 44, it had the plug too, so we got a new diff cover for it. As far as the swaybar, that picture was taken literally right after I finished putting the lift on. I didn't have discos then. I didn't get them at the time to try and keep costs down

Could still take off the one nut & bolt to disco the links from the axle. More of a pain in the ass, but well worth it. Have a buddy that has yet to get quick discos yet, but disconnected his stockers this past weekend. Good thing he did, too, because the added articulation helped him get up the final climb we did before heading home. His 2012 JKU is open front & rear, though, so he was already at somewhat of a disadvantage.

[LR3]

never thought of just unbolting it . It does pretty good even when connected though. Obviously it can't do the same stuff it can when it is connected, but it still is a fun time

[STANG KILLA SS]

awesome post, never saw this thread.
ive got a 00 WJ with the 4.7L V8 and tow package with 3.73s. its my DD and tow truck.
would love to find some trails to take it on.
its got ATs on it now.

[Scale_Crawler]

Originally Posted by Tommy R

Consider yourself corrected. My '01 TJ (D30/D44) and my '01 Dodge 2500 (D60/D70) use conventional metal fill plugs.

Not sure about the tj, we never saw too many of them believe it or not, but i do stand corrected on your ram, but i do now recall 3/4 and 1 tons not having the rubbers.

[LR3]

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

awesome post, never saw this thread.
ive got a 00 WJ with the 4.7L V8 and tow package with 3.73s. its my DD and tow truck.
would love to find some trails to take it on.
its got ATs on it now.

Look at Iron Rock Offroad. That is where I got my lift kit from. GREAT product at a not to bad price. Everything in that kit is pure beef. Nice WJ BTW! Good to see a fellow Grander haha

[STANG KILLA SS]

what ive ALWAYS wanted is a set of cut-a-fender flares from bushwaker. but they only make them for the 99 and older grand cherokees :(
have you looked into lockers at all yet?

[LR3]

It has a posi in the rear right now, but I am interested in some lockers. As far as fenders go:
WJ Cut Out Fender Flares

[STANG KILLA SS]

o hell yeah. nice find!

[johnnie walker]

Originally Posted by LR3

never thought of just unbolting it . It does pretty good even when connected though. Obviously it can't do the same stuff it can when it is connected, but it still is a fun time

Get yourself a set of disconnects soon. When you first get them, it will feel like your driving on clouds. I use the jks ones on my tj.

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

what ive ALWAYS wanted is a set of cut-a-fender flares from bushwaker. but they only make them for the 99 and older grand cherokees :(
have you looked into lockers at all yet?

Cory, if you ever want to run out to Hidden Falls sometime, let me know.

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by johnnie walker

Get yourself a set of disconnects soon. When you first get them, it will feel like your driving on clouds. I use the jks ones on my tj.

It shouldnt feel any different when connected.

I drive my TJ around on the freeways in Houston and it has an Anti-Rock installed in the front at a fairly soft setting and it feels perfectly fine...

[Tommy R]

Really, Jeremy? Mine drives quite differently with the sway bar on/off. I've driven it on the street disconnected and at low speeds it's fine, but I wouldn't want to have to do an evasive maneuver at highway speeds like that! I'm also running no rear bar so that's certainly not helping.

But offroad, there's nonetheless a big difference/improvement running no bar. I'd like to get an Anti-Rock one day, but just can't justify the cost....yet.

[STANG KILLA SS]

Originally Posted by Tommy R

Cory, if you ever want to run out to Hidden Falls sometime, let me know.

im letting you know.
all these years ive still never been "wheelin" in my life.
i was at the machine shop last night and the guy was telling me about some offroad park in marble falls.

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by Tommy R

Really, Jeremy? Mine drives quite differently with the sway bar on/off. I've driven it on the street disconnected and at low speeds it's fine, but I wouldn't want to have to do an evasive maneuver at highway speeds like that! I'm also running no rear bar so that's certainly not helping.

The anti-rock stays connected the entire time....you do nothing to it to go wheeling. Yeah, I tried no rear sway bar....I didnt like that on the street and didnt notice any difference when wheeling, so I put it back on. The rear bar is so thin it doesn't do much anyway...

I was asking if Johnnie was saying it should ride differently with discos and connected.....which it shouldnt.