LR3 Builds a 1:1 - 2003 Grand Cherokee

[LR3]

Yep, I got myself a 1:1. 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ. Dana30 front and 44 read(i think). Selec-trac 4x4 system. Future plans include a 4 inch lift kit and either 33s or 35s. Any suggestions would be welcomed and let me know what y'all think




I am not sure why the pictures are sideways

[RCTRUX]

nice jeep LR3!

[bluechevytuber]

Looks good LR3! Good to see your back.

[entropy]

I would look at 31" or 32" tires.

[2500hdon37s]

nice mall crawler!

i would go with a 295 Nitto trail grappler (accualy a 34in tire) so you get the best of both worlds and dont have to worry about rubbing a 35 and can still tuck it if you do see some flex with it.

also the trail graps are an awesome tire my brother got a set about 3 monthes ago and so no signs of wear.

[canadianbacon]

What engine is in it, the V6?

[Tommy R]

You need to learn how to park!

I'm a TJ guy, so take this is with a grain of salt... If the rear axle has a rubber plug on the diff cover for the diff fluid, it'a s D35. It's it's metal, then it should be a D44. That's the easiest way to tell them apart. But again, I'm not a Grand guy so as far as I know it could be an 8.25" Chrysler rear in there or some other axle I'm not familiar with. But any of them would be better than a D35.

I'm not familiar with Selec-Trac. Does that have a low range? If not, it'll definitely hamper your crawling ability, but I guess it depends on what you plan to do with the truck. So what are your plans/goals for it?

Looks nice!

[canadianbacon]

Originally Posted by Tommy R

I'm not familiar with Selec-Trac. Does that have a low range? If not, it'll definitely hamper your crawling ability, but I guess it depends on what you plan to do with the truck. So what are your plans/goals for it?

Looks nice!

The Selec-Trac uses an NV242.

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by canadianbacon12

The Selec-Trac uses an NV242.

I don't know the 242, just the 231 and 241.. Does that have low range or is it a fulltime AWD system?

[canadianbacon]

Originally Posted by Tommy R

I don't know the 242, just the 231 and 241.. Does that have low range or is it a fulltime AWD system?

High and low, and it's full time 4wd.

[crash]

Nice--I built a grand for a guy once. Built a full subframe assembly for it that the links attached to. Those things are allot of work to have hold up...

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by canadianbacon12

High and low, and it's full time 4wd.

Ah, didn't know such an animal existed. Thought it was one or the other. So I guess that's cool....

[LR3]

Originally Posted by RCTRUX

nice jeep LR3! Looks good and i cant wait to see it after the lift. I have a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Tj Sahara with 4in Skyjacker lift on 33in BFG All-Terrains, welcome to the jeep club

Thanks! I have always loved jeeps and have always wanted one of my own

Originally Posted by bluechevytuber

Looks good LR3! Good to see your back.

Thanks! IDK how long I will be back though. I am typing from my grandparents house

Originally Posted by entropy

I would look at 31" or 32" tires.

Thanks for the info. The tire size will depend on the size of the lift.

Originally Posted by 2500hdon37s

nice mall crawler!

i would go with a 295 Nitto trail grappler (accualy a 34in tire) so you get the best of both worlds and dont have to worry about rubbing a 35 and can still tuck it if you do see some flex with it.

also the trail graps are an awesome tire my brother got a set about 3 monthes ago and so no signs of wear.

Haha, I would expect that comment to come from a chevy guy Once I get a lift on mine I would like to see your IFS 2500 out crawl a solid axled jeep the trail

Originally Posted by canadianbacon12

What engine is in it, the V6?

I have the 4.0L Inline 6. It is much more durable then the V8

Originally Posted by Tommy R

You need to learn how to park!

I'm a TJ guy, so take this is with a grain of salt... If the rear axle has a rubber plug on the diff cover for the diff fluid, it'a s D35. It's it's metal, then it should be a D44. That's the easiest way to tell them apart. But again, I'm not a Grand guy so as far as I know it could be an 8.25" Chrysler rear in there or some other axle I'm not familiar with. But any of them would be better than a D35.

I'm not familiar with Selec-Trac. Does that have a low range? If not, it'll definitely hamper your crawling ability, but I guess it depends on what you plan to do with the truck. So what are your plans/goals for it?

Looks nice!

Love TJs too haha. I will have to look at the rear diff when I get a chance to see if it is a D35 or D44. The Selec-Trac has 3 4x4 gears. It goes 2WD, 4 Part Time, 4 Full Time, Neutral, 4 Lo. My plans are simple, build a rig that I love that will act as a daily driver and weekend trail dominator

[canadianbacon]

Good deal with the I6, I always thought those had the V6 that year, I know the later ones do.


This site will definitely help you out if something arises:

http://www.wjjeeps.com/jmenu.htm

[2500hdon37s]

Originally Posted by LR3

Haha, I would expect that comment to come from a chevy guy Once I get a lift on mine I would like to see your IFS 2500 out crawl a solid axled jeep the trail

who said it was still IFS??
the IFS has kept up so far with my friends 08 jk sittin on a 2.5 lift and 33's!


ha the 2500 is still IFS, but I do have a chevy sittin here with solid axles..... waitin on new 42's and a new 14 bolt rear to come, still wanna go trail ridin???

[LR3]

Originally Posted by canadianbacon12

Good deal with the I6, I always thought those had the V6 that year, I know the later ones do.


This site will definitely help you out if something arises:

http://www.wjjeeps.com/jmenu.htm

Yea, I am surprised that they didn't use the same 3.7 V6 you got in the Liberty. Thanks for that website btw, it is very helpful

Originally Posted by 2500hdon37s

who said it was still IFS??
the IFS has kept up so far with my friends 08 jk sittin on a 2.5 lift and 33's!


ha the 2500 is still IFS, but I do have a chevy sittin here with solid axles..... waitin on new 42's and a new 14 bolt rear to come, still wanna go trail ridin???

Actually I would love to some time haha

[jaydubya2003]

If you want some good info, and want see some other builds of WJ's head over to www.nagca.com

I'm in there with the same name, I'm a late model year ZJ guy (96-98 Grand Cherokee) myself. The WJ's have a few more "car like" advantages over the ZJ, but the highlight of both rigs is that you have the coils on all for corners for some serious flex potential when set up correctly.

[LR3]

Originally Posted by jaydubya2003

If you want some good info, and want see some other builds of WJ's head over to www.nagca.com

I'm in there with the same name, I'm a late model year ZJ guy (96-98 Grand Cherokee) myself. The WJ's have a few more "car like" advantages over the ZJ, but the highlight of both rigs is that you have the coils on all for corners for some serious flex potential when set up correctly.

Thanks. I will check that site out when I have a chance. I love my Grand though. It his 100,000 miles earlier today and I bought a K&N drop in filter for it

[xgerstandtx]

Great starting platform.

WJ's are great and I always prefer the 6cyl to the 8 in the WJ because of the simplicity of it. Most of the v8's had the super pain in the ass HVAC system that never worked.

WJ's don't share axles with any other jeep than JK's bolt pattern. So the downfall is parts can get scarce.
The 242 is a great performer in all sitiuations and doesn't really need to be addressed as a daily driver/weekend runner

The rear end will be a d35 or the D44A rear end. The diff cover will resemble a stop sign if it is a D44a(the A stands for alum) so it will have a alum center section. Traditionally if you have the 242 and 6cyl you will have a d35(sorry).

As for lift options look into anything that www.ironrockoffroad.com offers. They have good prices and excellent products.

I wheel my Grand station wagon pretty hard and really enjoy it.
Here is a build thread that i run on jeepforum.com
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f197/...-wagon-939083/

[Krakker]

I personally can't stand the I6 in the grand, it's too under owered and gets crappy milage compared to the V8 in that sized rig.
I've been looking to get a 2000 + Grand laredo, for myself since my "almost finished" 1ton YJ I can't wheel anymore due to my back injury.
Stay away from the full-time case, it sucks a$$. (as everyone in the jeep world will tell you)

Personally, I'd love to find one with a wasted drive train for cheap and toss in a 5.3/4L80E trans setup from a newer chevy truck and some twin electric fans.

Local guy is running a cadillac V8 in an even newer grand and he's claiming 30+ hywy. but I'm pretty sure the motor alone is WAY out of a decent mans budget.

As with all Jeeps, venting the hood, getting a better air intake and using a high flow cat (even with a stock muff) will get you the best bang for your buck. A high temp coated stock manifold will be better than a replacement one even if it's just a standard "thick" tube style like they all seam to claim is better. Jeep did a good job with the new ones.

You might be able to get 32's on it with just some pucks and some trimming. If you're not into hard core wheeling, they are fine for simple trails and clearing tires. Atleast you can make it through some snow drifts.