Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ/WG 1999 V8
Jumbo is a Jeep Grand Cherokee from 1999 with the 4.7L v8 and is manufactured in Austria. The fact that the Jeep Grand Cherokee made in Austria makes it a WG and not a WJ, the difference between them are minimal.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999-2004 is very underestimated as a overlanding vehicle, it has a powerful engine with a ok reliability. Solid axles front and rear (D30, D44a), good transfer-case. It has the off road capability of a Wrangler with the power of a V8 and the comfort of a couch. The only downside is the insane fuel consumption.
Modifications
Suspension
Jumbo has 2″ lift springs and shocks from BDS, the springs are really hard compared to the stock but i can really recommend them to anyone that wants to get a slight lift and still want to have acceptable road handling. The BDS shocks is not really living up to the performance of the springs, they are normal hydro shocks and not really a step up from the stock shocks. There is a problem that’s common for the BDS Jeep WJ 2″ lift, and that is that if you have the 4.7L v8 you will not get the full 2″ lift in the front. To compensate for that I installed Rough Country 0.75″ trim spacer in the front and a 10mm Old Man Emu spacer in the rear.
The bump stops in the front are extended 2.5″ with Iron Rock Offroad aluminium spacers and the rear are extended 2″ with a custom bumpstop. In the front Jumbo runs upper and lower adjustable Iron Rock Offroad heavy duty short arms.
Steering
Both drag link and tie rod are JKS heavy duty versions.
Wheels and tires
The wheels are stock 16″ Jeep Silverblades with a 5×5 bolt pattern, inside of them there are SpiderTrax 1.25″ hub centric wheel spacers to avoid any rubbing in metal parts. Tires are Cooper Discoverer AT3 265/75 R16 (32″ tall), a fantastic all around tire. They are quiet on the high way and perform exceptionally in off the road.
Bumpers
Front bumper/bar
In the front i have a 4x4Fabworks light-bar/bull-bar and some trimming on the front bumper.
Rear bumper
On the rear of the Jeep i have a Metalpasja rear bumper with a swing out tire carrier, winch mount (no winch yet), 2×2″ receiver, led pods and recovery points. The entire bumper is coated with Line-x paint.
Lighting
Driving lights
In the front the WJ is equipped with two Rigid Industried D2 High/Low Driving beam pods as corner lights, two Vision X GC2 Multi LED 6.7″ as extra forward light and a STEDI ST-X 40.5″ light bar for some distance. This combination makes for a great driving experience in the night.
Camp/work lights
A set (two per side) of STEDI Micro V2 7.8 (Amber) is used as camp light to the left and right of the vehicle together with a no name rear light for reverse and work. Both connected to the AUX battery as to not drain the starter battery. Both light are also controlled though a sPOD SE and a remote control with 100m range.
Electronics
DBS, Dual battery system
A IBS Tech DBS 8.1 is installed with a Optima BlueTop in the OEM spare wheel well.
Controllers
For all electronics on the main (starting) battery a Switch pros SP9100 panel is used with automatic high-beam control to turn on and off the forward facing lights.
A sPOD SE 8 is used for accessories running of the AUX battery as to not drain the main starter battery.
