Jo6pak's WK2

[Jo6pak]

Picked up the replacement for my beloved Liberty on Friday.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.
3.6L V-6, automatic, Quadra-Trac 2 with select terrain. 51k miles.

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Still feel like it's a rental or loaner, doesn't quite register yet that it's mine. It seems HUGE compared to the Liberty and looks even bigger once it's in my small garage.
I just installed the WeatherTech floor liners, and set-up the U-connect today to sync my phone. I also transferred the gear from the KJ (the ammo crate, jumper cables, tools, flashlight, etc.)


I'll drive it for a while to find out if I like it enough to start making mods, but here is the wish list. (as funds permit)

Cosmetic stuff
It's been debadged, so I will replace some of them with black instead of chrome
Black out the chrome grill and add grey or silver grill inserts
Black out the rear gate panel/light bar
Remove or black out the side mouldings.
Add a black hood decal (similar to Trailhawk models)

Practical stuff
Mount fire extinguisher and Maglite
Get roof rack crossbars
Add Mopar tow package with proper bumper bezel.

Fun Stuff
Powder coat the tow hooks red
OME Medium duty lift, possibly with JBA UCAs
Finish out the under armor protection
JK Rubicon wheels and man tires

Hopefully, I'll grow to like this one as much as I've liked my old '96 XJ (which I drove for 8 years) and the '04 KJ (nine years)
Or maybe I'll trade it in a few years for a 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk

Time will tell....

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Looks sharp. Same spot I took pics of the KL when I got it LOL

https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/wto/d/jeep-rims-17/6504412429.html
Or
https://madison.craigslist.org/wto/d/jeep-wrangler-wheels-tires/6530817545.html

Or

https://madison.craigslist.org/pts/d/2014-jeep-rubicon-wheels/6526131867.html

I won't charge you a finder's fee this time.

 

[Jo6pak]

Finder's fee will be half-dozen nutzerks:gr_grin:

I called on these the other day.
https://eauclaire.craigslist.org/wto/d/17-jeep-wrangler-wheels/6527501506.html

But I do like the darker color (and the price) on the set near Madtown. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

And at least the Madtown ones have tires, good enough for now I'm guessing. Still gotta get them nutzerts!

 

[Dave]

Congrats Joe. Nice looking Jeep.

Dave

 

[renegade 04]

I surprised you went with the 3.6 vs the hemi. I love the hemi and you can't beat the power, and it also helps to build more heat in the tires for a nice long smokey burn out. I know in my ram 1500 I can burn rubber as long as I want, but typically stop in third gear.

 

[Jo6pak]

Actually didn't really need the Hemi. Don't tow anything heavier than a small trailer, and very rarely. And the V-6 is plenty for what I'm doing....my GF says I drive like an old man anyway. (She says I ride motorcycle like a madman though:gr_grin

Besides finding a Laredo with the QT2 was hard enough, much less trying to track down a V-8 too.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I'd be good with the V6 too. It's still more engine than the 3.7/4.7/4.0 were, all of which were in Grand Cherokees.

I know the oil filter changed for 2013+ so this might not be relevant, but the Mopar cartridge filter for my KL is $7 at Pischke compared to $10 at Walmart. I need to get one this week.

 

[Jo6pak]

Yeah, the 3.6 is sneaky. It doesn't feel like it's more powerful, it just gets up and goes pretty good.

It'll be interesting once I start doing maintenance on the WK2. I could probably do an oil change on the KJ with my eyes closed. Time to learn everything all over again.

 

[ltd02]

Is the filter housing up top? It is on my Avenger with the 3.6L. Easiest oil change ever. I buy 6-8 of the Wix cartridges at a time online. It is sneaky power even with the crappy ****** tune in the Avenger. Although the autostick is fun if you expect the massive torque steer.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Yep it is. Very easy oil change. On my housing I made a line across the two halves with white out so now all I do is align them, no need to worry about over or under torquing.

 

[Jo6pak]

August 2018 update

The mods have started... added the JK Rubicon wheels and BFG A/T KO2 -265/70-17 tires

I paid $500 for five 2013 Rubicon wheels with center caps and TPMS.

Last weekend, I drove across the state to pick up the wheels. Had an "interesting" drive home through all the storms.

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Took the wheels and tires in on Monday to have them mounted and balanced (I got 5 so I can do a 5-tire rotation)

Installed them after work on Tuesday.

First, get the necessities ready for the job.

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Old= boring:blah:

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New= Cool

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Then out in the rain for glamour shots

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And on Wednesday, I got out of captivity for some field testing fun.

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The tires just clear, I had no rubbing issues during the light off-roading I did, but it's definitely close. (going with 245/75s may have been safer, but I really like the look and grip of the wider 265/70s) I'm still hoping to lift before winter, so that will give me more clearance inside the wheel well just for piece of mind.
The spare tire just barely fits into the cubby, I had to remove the plastic storage bins and the lid is snug

It's looking less like a minvan and more like a proper Jeep!

 

[profdlp]

Looks nice! :favorites13:

 

[Jo6pak]

Interesting day...

Scouting some alternative routes for the "Overland" route of the Trans WI trail. As well as trying out the InRoute app on my phone.

Into the Black River State Forest.

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Nice trials, picked up some trash along the way and cleared a small tree

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Even saw a wolf!!
Got to the end of my route and decided to return the way I had some.
Great Day of exploring....

Until I got stupid and forgot all the rules of off-roading solo.

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Long story short.
I had been checking puddles all day, none of them were very deep and I crossed them with no worries, Until I DIDN'T check one.
2 hours later, a tow truck and $150 of dumb money and I was heading back home....

….With the lower bumper fascia in the back seat

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Spent almost 2 hours washing, cleaning and inspecting.
Rear Bumper lower fascia is a bit tweeked
Front bumper fascia will probably go right back on once I get some rivets.
A cracked factory plastic skid plate and a bent heat shield that I just bent back into position.


It was a great day....until my brain fell outp:

 

[turblediesel]

It's your turn.

I stuck my VW bus by a nice lake once. If I'd turned drive wheels uphill instead of toward the lake everything would have been OK.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Where did you find the trail? I've been looking for years for it!

 

[Jo6pak]

Where did you find the trail? I've been looking for years for it!

Black River State forest.
Go to Millston, and take Cty O north, then left on Old Settlement Rd. About a half mile there will be a left turn onto Stanton Creek Rd. Another half mile and a diagonal left onto a sandy track- Cut Off Rd. (a bit past the OHV trail crossing.)
A couple hundred yards and you'll find that hole.:gr_grin:


There are a handful of run tracks still open in that area between BRF, Warrens, and Hatfiled.

I'm trying to "create" some free time in October to run the southern part of my revised Overland version Trans. WI Adv. Trail. Galena, IL to Hatfield, WI.

 

[Dave]

^^^that mud shot.....I did that.....LOL

Dave

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Black River State forest.
Go to Millston, and take Cty O north, then left on Old Settlement Rd. About a half mile there will be a right turn onto Stanton Creek Rd. Another half mile and a diagonal left onto a sandy track- Cut Off Rd. (a bit past the OHV trail crossing.)
A couple hundred yards and you'll find that hole.:gr_grin:


There are a handful of run tracks still open in that area between BRF, Warrens, and Hatfiled.

I'm trying to "create" some free time in October to run the southern part of my revised Overland version Trans. WI Adv. Trail. Galena, IL to Hatfield, WI.

Got it, so can I basically just follow that trail for awhile? Thanks!

 

[Jo6pak]

Yes, there a more several other trails in the same area. The OHV trails are usually gated or marked clearly, so stay off those to keep the DNR happy.

Nothing too difficult or technical, but fun to just explore and get a little dirty