My 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) Laredo - 4.0L V6

PAGE 1 - MAIN PAGE - ALL MODS AND MORE
PAGE 2 - EVENING PICTURES - EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR
PAGE 3 - EXTERIOR BODY PAGE - PICS OF BEFORE AND AFTER BUMPER COVER REPLACEMENT
PAGE 4 - WHEELS PAGE - MORE PICS OF UPGRADE TO 31s
PAGE 5 - EXHAUST OVERHAUL PAGE - BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER
PAGE 6 - FRONT DRIVE SHAFT PAGE - BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER
PAGE 7 - THERMOSTAT - HYPERTECH - TRUSPEED PAGE - INSTALL AND MORE
PAGE 8 - NEW PAINTED CALIPERS AND STILLEN BRAKE UPGRADE PAGE
PAGE 9 - A COUPLE OF PICS OF ME, MY WIFE AND OUR DOGS

UPDATES:
05-16-06 - FINALLY ADDED PICS TO PAGE 5 - CHECK IT OUT
05-22-06 - ADDED NEW PICS TO PAGE 1 & 5 - Exhaust/Safari Bar w/PIAAs/TINTING/MIRRORS
06-25-06 - ADDED NEW DRIVSHAFT PAGE - ADDED A FEW PICS OF DOWNPIPE WRAPPED TO EXHAUST PAGE
06-26-06 - ADDED EVENING PICTURES PAGE AND SUPERLIFT TRUSPEED SPEED SENSOR RECALIBRATOR; A JET 180 THERMOSTAT; AND HYPERTECH PROGRAMMER PAGE.
09-04-06 - NEW CALIPER AND BRAKE UPGRADE PAGE ADDED
06-18-07 - INSTALLED OPTIMA RED TOP BATTERY AND TSUNAMI LITEWAVE SERIES DIGITAL BATTERY TERMINALS *** NEW PIC BELOW (7-29-07) ***
10-26-09 - REPLACED WORN ROTORS - FRONT AND REAR - BAER DECELAROTORS - CROSS DRILLED AND SLOTTED
10-28-09 - ORDERED COMPLETE SET OF FRONT AND REAR JKS CONTROL ARMS AND ALSO JKS TRACKBAR TO BE INSTALLED SOON.

I bought it in December of 2003
It had 52,000 miles on it, as of March 2006 I'm at 109,000 miles.

It is a Laredo but has the following Limited Options:
Heated Leather Seats
Infinity Premium Audio Package

Here are the Mods I've done to it (Chronologically):

December 2003:

Had my dealer do the following:

Install the Jeep OEM Tow Hitch
Install Jeep OEM front Chrome Tow Hooks
Install Jeep OEM Chrome Tailpipe Tip
Install Jeep OEM Window Wind Deflectors (They didn't charge me for this)
Install Jeep OEM Mud Guards

I did the following:

Installed the Front and Rear JEEP OEM Wind Deflectors
Installed the Stainless Steel Running Boards
Purchased and outfitted it with:
Heavy duty Rubber Jeep OEM Floor Mats
Rear Cargo Screen
Cargo Package Netting
Cargo Area Full Mat and it also covers the Backs of the Seats when you fold them down to haul REAL cargo

I purchased all the above items from my Mopar parts dealer at the Dealership. My part person extraordinaire, Kathy Meyers, was very helpful (Unfortunately the dealership got sold and the new owners fired almost everyone that worked there, thankfully Kathy got new work, but she works at a Ford Dealer in town now, so no more buying parts from her, but I still visit her from time to time to show her what I've done. Then in December of 2004, A local shop, Columbus Car & Audio, did the following for me: Installed Viper Responder Security System with Remote Start and Remote Window Controls Installed Sirius Satellite Radio Clarion Plug n Play unit Installed Treo Hands Free System (Cell-Phone) Hard-wired my power connection for my Escort Passport 8500 Radar Detector Then I did the following (Feb 2005): Bought a 2004 RBU Head Unit and 10 disk Changer on eBay Bought a P.I.E. X3 System from Logjam Electronics which allows me to go from 1/8th inch to Stereo RCA directly inline with the cd-changer into the audio system (I don't have to use the FM Modulator)

 

Here's the X3 Remote Mounted in an easy to reach place. Went to Kathy at my local Jeep Dealer and bought the rest of the parts needed as per WJJeeps.com directions Then I installed the whole thing in the middle of February...the only mistake...as I got a cold in the process.

 

Bought a K&N FIPK 4.0L Air Intake System (Installed by me) A Stull Industries Diamond Wire Grille (Ordered it from Summit Racing)

  

Bought a new antenna from Antenna X, it makes the WJ look so much more aggressive.

 

Bought Jeep Logo Seatbelt Pads from SeatBeltPads.com for the Front Seats 

Bought and Installed the Kolak Headlight Wiring Harness Bought from 4CarOption.com, aftermarket Clear Lens Headlights with Clear GTS Protectors on them to keep them from getting scratched (Purchased them locally from Pickups Plus after breaking my old AVS Ones, as I remove them when I wash my car, and placed them in a bad place, which made it easy for me to Step on one, safe to say will not make that mistake again)(Note: the GTS ones seem clearer than the AVSs I had), and Altezza Tail Lights (JDM Black)

  

I also bought from Kolak Performance 2 set of PIAA 3800K 9005s(Low Beams and Fog Lights) and 1 set of 9006s(High Beams) as described on JeepsUnlimited.com And from Vision Bulbs I bought there Xenon Interior Kit (The light inside the WJ is now white on the bluish side vs the amber stock lamps) and there Silver Xtreme for my Taillights (If you have silver reflectors, it helps to get rid of the orange reflections which really ups the visual quality, because there bulbs are silver coated on the outside, but when they flash they flash amber) As I'm a Lighting Designer, upgrading the lighting in terms of Looks and Output was very important to me. The Headlights are whiter because the PIAA Lights are on higher on the Kelvin Scale and they really are worth the money for their output. The Kolak Wiring Harness also helped output. My High and Low Beam are about 85% Brighter. My Fog Lights went from factory recommended 9055 to the PIAA 9005s (once again see JeepsUnlimited) and they are a remarkable 400% brighter (based on foot-candles readings). I measured everything using a foot-candle meter and compared my before and after results to get those figures. One note, if you do the upgrade you will see a difference at first, but you should know that to get the true impact you need to let the lamps burn in a few days, so that they get to their true output. I bought all the PIAAs and the Harness from Nick at Kolak Performance(He also sells a lot of other upgrades for WJs and is a good resource if you're looking to upgrade your WJ) - You can email him at Kolak@aol.com. I left the white front turn signal lamps(bulbs) because with the PIAA. even though they are white, because of the difference in colour temperature, they actually in reality appear to be champagne coloured and I likes the look. Then didn't do much other than maintenance until recently.

 

March 2006: I had to replace my tires as there tread was worn down and one of them had a leak that wasn't worth fixing. So I did the following: Purchased the following: From Summit Racing: 4 Edelbrock Performer IAS Shocks 1 Rancho RS5000 Steering Stabilizer 1 Set of Skyjacker 2" Polyurethane Coil Spacers for an affordable 2" Lift Pics of Shocks, Steering Stabilizer and Coil Spacers:

    

The Edelbrock shocks are great, they're nice and stiff, but when needed they can absorb a pot hole no problem, and the steering stabilizer is a gift from above, there is no steering shimmy, it holds the road and keeps a straight path. I don't know why i didn't do this sooner.

From Tire Rack (Blake was great he's at ext 621): 4 Moda R8 18"x8" Wheels 4 P265/60R18 Yokohama Geolandar H/T+S G052 I went with the Geolandars because I’m not an Off-Road guy, and I wanted the best all-season On-Road driving tire that I could find and from the reviews and ratings on Tire Racks site by customers this was the tire. I would have liked to go with 285s but clearance was going to be an issue (see Page 3) as at 285 this tire is a 32 and I don’t think it would have made it. Thankfully I am happy with the 265s and the decision I made. I will order a new set of Moda R8s and Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 P265/60R18s in the summer, so that I will have dedicated winter tires as well.

Before and After - Wheels

   

New Wheel Pics:

  

FOR MORE WHEEL PICS PLEASE SEE PAGE 3 - THERE ARE SOME GREAT SHOTS THERE And I also bought the following for a Full Size Spare: 1 AT Italia 5 Razze Silver 17"x8.5" Wheel 1 P245/70SR17 Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S G051 (Note I custom made a new floor based on my vinyl cargo floor mat to cover the Spare as the carpeted Spare cover doesn't fit with the full size spare.) 

 

While I would have liked to do the install, due to time and space, I had my Jeep Tech, Frank(great guy) at the new Dealership I go to, install it. (I was able to help, until the service Manager kicked me out due to OSHA regulations...it sucked, but I was close by the whole time.) The 3-4" of overall Lift is great combined with the 265s has made a huge difference in appearance and feel. The WJ really belongs on bigger & wider tires.

I then on my own I purchased and installed the following:

1 Set of 3" Westin Platinum Series Chrome Side Steps from TruckSpecialties.com (Note: to make it work when I installed them (in the pouring rain) I had to buy 8 1-1/2" Bolts to use instead of the 1-1/4" Bolts supplied)

 

1 Bored out 60mm Jeepers and Creepers Throttle Body and 1 Hesco 62mm Throttle Body Spacer also from J&C The Bored out TB and Spacer really do make a difference, and was easy to do and the guys at J&C were super nice and really helpful.

Here are some images of my TB upgrade:

Side by Side (New on Left, Old on Right) 

 OLD TB - NEW TB  

 

You can really see the difference up close. The TB they sent me was in better condition then my own.  

 

You can see the wire loom that I encased the Headlight Wiring Harness in to get it to the Driver's Side, if you look at the front of my Car near the Hood Release right over the Fan. A $4.00 part from Lowe's made it look like its supposed to be there (professional).

Lastly, I do a lot of driving and I had wide-angle blind spot mirrors on my old car and they made driving easier, but I didn't want to put stick on ones on my Heated Mirrors, figured it would be a disaster over time, with the adhesive melting all over the place. A few times on the road I saw people with them sitting onto of their side mirrors, but no one in town had ever seen one, and finally after a second round of internet searching I finally found them. They are made by a company called Hercules, and I bought them from AutoSportCatalog.com. I bought two so that the WJ would feel and look balanced. I've had them for a few days, and driving wise they're great, and they don't look half bad either.

  

 

This is a pic of my cargo area:

That is where I stand for now.

UPDATES - NEW MODS:

Installed a RamIT! Ram Air System for my K&N FIPK by Brnasi Engineering. This is supposed to increase HP...

BEFORE - AFTER

 

Installed Addco Front and Rear Sway Bars with Energy Greasable Bushings for the Rear and made my Front Bushing Brackets and Addco bushings greasable as well. I even took the time to create the groove channel design similar to Energy's using my Dremel tool and a cutting tip. Also had to cut the Addco Bushing on the side to get it over the Sway Bar like all the Factory Bushings and Energy Bushings are. This mod was worth every penny. My WJ corners now like never before. I can get at least an extra 5 mph on off ramps(though I still don't want to tip it, so I'll probably stay conservative in the turns). I was able to stay with a Porsche that was ahead of me through one off-ramp. I wouldn't have tried it before.

Front Sway Bar: Connecting to Link Arm – Bushing Bracket with Greasable Zerk Fitting Added

View of 2” Coil Spacer – Edelbrock Shock and NEW Addco Front Sway Bar

Rear Sway Bar: 

Installed Go Rhino Chrome Hitch Step purchased from TruckSpecialties.com. I think it makes it look sweet. 

 

I replaced my Front and Rear Bumper Covers. They were all faded and were an eyesore. I purchased aftermarket ones from USAUTOBODYPART.COM via their eBay Store, which the guy at the company told me to do to save money. The front one was nearly flawless. The rear one had one minor scratch that I decided I can live with and won't bother me. I've been waiting to do this since I bought the car in 2003. I also went to Lowe's and bought a clover leaf aluminium grate sheet and customized the bottom openings in the Front Cover between the Tow Hooks. I cut the sheet with Straight Tin Snips to 25"x7.5". I also painted it with Grey Metallic Spray Paint. I then drilled the necessary holes to connect the Clover Grill to the Bumper using 16 gauge Galvanized Wire. and connected it at 12 points, two on the side and 5 on top and on bottom, one connection for each opening. It looks awesome!!! I am so happy now!!! It looks great!!!!. – PICS ON THIS PAGE UPDATED WITH NEW BUMPER COVERS - SEE PAGE 2 FOR BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES OF BUMPER COVER

  

REPLACEMENT. NEW CUSTOM LOWER GRILL:

Also purchased and installed from Tire Rack new 21" PIAA Super Sporza Silicone w/Spoiler Wiper Blades (Black). They look sweet. Wiper blades with a spoiler, who knew…Hope that they will perform as well as they say they will. I had to prep the windshield before installing them. Not too bad just cleaned it (actually cleaned the whole car at the do-it-yourself car wash) then dried the windshield with my California Drying Blade, then used the special glass treatment sheet that came with the blades and coated the whole windshield Ten minutes later, I wiped it off with a damp rag, and then a dry one for good measure. While I waited the Ten minutes I installed the wipers.

 

New Mods (04-19-06): Had James at Eurotech, here in Columbus, OH, spend the day touching up my paintjob. I will have to repaint the car someday, but for now if I spend money I’d rather it be on mods. He did a Great job. It looks so much better. They quoted me one price, which I thought was reasonable, when they thought it would only take 4 hours, and it ended up taking 7.5 hours, and they still only charged me the quoted price. They Rock!!!

Had Pickups Plus Tint my Front Windows with LLumar AT Llumastar 20% Tint to match Factory tint. It looks Great. ***NEW PICS TO COME SOON***

Installed a Westin Safari Bar up front. Bought it on eBay from Exotictruck-auto. They were selling it for really cheap. It came faster than expected for a eBay purchase and was exactly as described. The Safari Bar install was a little complicated, as the factory mounts that the bolts go into were rusted (the front sway bar shroud was attached there with those silly plastic pushpins and moisture got in and messed up the threads) so I had to tap each one, which was a little tricky for the ones at the front that are forward of where the bumper ends. The rest of the install was a piece of cake until I noticed that the bar was 1/2" off center. So I had a local Tool and Machine Shop extend the holes that attach to the Safari Bar on the brackets, so I could get the bar over the 1/2" to the right. I also had him make me 2.25" stainless steel 2" diameter spacers. He notched the spacers so that they sink into the Bar, so that there is a good seal and fit. He made the hole small at one end and a wider diameter through the rest of the spacer, such that it would help to straighten the new 4" socket-headed (Allen Key) Bolt(to replace the 2" hex bolts that came with the bar, and are too small to work with the spacer, as well as allowing me to slide the bolt as far over as possible to center the bar. The socket headed bolt has a smaller head diameter, and I also saved room by not having to fit a socket over it), as he noticed that the threaded part of the bar was welded at a slight angle. They are really nice. The spacers allowed me to install the PIAA 525 Lights that I wanted to install. I purchased them from Litewarehouse.com Got to put my new Craftsman 40” Creeper to use. I don’t know why I didn’t invest in one sooner.

Machined Out Safari Bar Brakets:

Stainless Steel Spacers and 4" Socket Head Bolts: 

 

 New Pics with the Safari Bar and PIAA 525 Lights: 

 

NOTE: I BOUGHT THE CHROME MESH GUARDS FOR THE PIAA 525 LIGHTS AND ORDERED NEW H4 PIAA LAMPS SO THAT I DON'T HAVE THE YELLOW PLASMAS THAT THEY COME WITH.

My Sears Craftsman Creeper: 

OK, so I know this is geeky, but it has made working under my car so much fun, I just couldn’t resist posting a picture of it.

Purchased a Kolak Performance Exhaust including a Mike Leach-designed Header, manufactured by Doug Thorley with coating by Embee Performance; a high flow Car Sound/Magnaflow Catalytic Converter; a Flowmaster 70 series exhaust; and then a 2.5" mandrel-bent tailpipe. I read that the 2.5" is better with the 4.0L, then the 3" pipe, to replace the current 2.25" pipe and a Angelus Stainless Steel Chrome Twin Rolled Exhaust Tip to replace the Mopar Jeep Chrome Tip I had. You can get it from Kolak directly, also I've seen KevinsOffroad.com selling it. Installed and very Happy. Sounds Great!

 

 

Had a small mishap. Busted my Right Mirror, so I'm replacing both mirrors as the housings are all scratched up by the previous owner of my WJ.

Per Nick's recommendations, I redid my whole break system including, changing my Rotors to STILLEN Cross Drilled Sport Rotors on the Front and Back with Metal-Matrix Brake Pads. I did this for two reasons, firstly, performance, and secondly, my current Rotors are rusting on the ends and also where the Wheel mounts against the Rotor Hub and they are going to mess up my new wheels. The metal brake pads should also be better on Brake dust from what I've read. I'm also purchased the Akibono Caliper upgrade kit as well. I also painted my Calipers Red to go with the Red Shocks and Spring Spacers with the RED G2 BRAKE Caliper PaintSystem from Tire Rack.

I ordered the Hypertech Programmer and have programmed my PCM with it.

Superlift TruSpeed Speed Sensor: This little box is great. With all the upgrades to the Ride Height and Wheel SIze, my speedometer was no longer accurate. The Speed Sensor allows you to tune your car and get your Odometer to read your actual true speed like it left the factory. It also gives you an A and B setting for two different tire sizes. 

Optima Red Top Battery with Tsunami Litewave Series Digital Battery Terminals:

 

FUTURE MODS:

I’m also considering a new Ram Air Hood by Hambek Customs that I’ve seen. It is a limited edition custom Hood that is being made to work with each custom installation as needed. It would really set my WJ apart from almost all the rest. It isn’t a cheap mod. Here's a pic from their site. 

 

Maybe adding the Putco Chrome Door Handle Overlay (Though I may only do the handles and not the whole door handle assembly), the Rear Hatch Overlay and the Hinge Overlay. Though I wonder how they hold up to the elements, particularly the winters in the North-East. 

Future: Audio wise I'm not as sure but I know if I add a sub I probably will go with a JL Audio Stealthbox, as I can then still use my Jeep to haul gear and it wont be in the way or have to be moved around.

I probably will also at some point once I'm done with performance and my exterior upgrades will probably look to change out all the speakers and amps.

Well there's the low down to my ride, I really like the way its turned out so far, it rides great, I'll admit it I may be in my thirties, but I'm still an aggressive driver and my WJ handles well and its looking meaner than ever, I feel like the added lift and the size of the tires and other mods has widened the look of it. I know there are those out there that will raise it really high and put monstrous tires and the like, but this suits me. Hope you like it. Let me know what you think, or if you want to know more about what I've done. 

  

 MY WJ's NAMESAKE (Image from my back window):

 

PAGE 1 - MAIN PAGE - ALL MODS AND MORE - YOU ARE HERE
PAGE 2 - EVENING PICS PAGE
PAGE 3 - EXTERIOR BODY PAGE
PAGE 4 - WHEELS PAGE
PAGE 5 - EXHAUST OVERHAUL PAGE
PAGE 6 - FRONT DRIVE SHAFT PAGE
PAGE 7 - THERMOSTAT - HYPERTECH - TRUSPEED PAGE
PAGE 8 - PAINTED CALIPERS AND STILLEN BRAKE UPGRADE PAGE
PAGE 9 - PICS OF ME, MY WIFE AND OUR DOGS