Newbie + Accessory questions

[slickaz]

Hi all,

Im Obie, just bought my first Jeep.

Went in with the fiance ( a country girl, im a city boy ) to look at the Jeep Wrangler. ended up buying a 2014 Grand Cherokee Limited.

My first proper 4WD, i owned a CX7 prior to this and a Subaru Forester STi before that.

Bought the Jeep to go camping and country driving.

I have a few questions:
1. I wasnt able to get a tow bar and roof rack fitted at the time of buying
1A. Has anyone got any prices for the above two for the 2014 GC?

2. What would be the first few upgrades that should be done to a Jeep to make it (slight) offroad ready?

Thanks

[Wolfe]

Welcome aboard, you've picked a very nice machine, I'd be too scared to scratch it!!!! Heres a link to aftermarket accessories through Mopar http://www.mopar.com/jeep/grand-cherokee/2014/
Im not sure what wooders would carry in the way of pats for your Grand but you can ask him
http://www.wooders.com.au/

[dobbo56]

dose Wooder's carry "pat's" for any Jeep. That's what i'd like to know.

[shefy]

dose Wooder's carry "pat's" for any Jeep. That's what i'd like to know.

Each model requires a different dose of pats, a grand cherokee will require a larger dose.

[Wolfe]

Bunch of shining wits aren't you

[shefy]

Nah but working on it, not full size yet anyway....... only half

[SteveC]

Try murchison products in qld. They are grand specialist. I believe he can supply and install things for 11-14 grands such as tow bar, aux fuel tanks, skid plates. Lifts to 2.5". Rock rails. And i believe a snorkel soon as well as a winch bar coming later this year
Ill be going to him after i sell the jk and get a new 14 grand
Steve

[AV8]

Vhat? Back to the grand Steve? Unheard of and welcome back. :eagerness:

We're lurking for a Jk, must be lady owner and never offroad.

back to topic, I'd be changing them tyres to fully sick mudders, kenobie.

[Steven.Boyd]

Here is a great looking mop a concept for you

http://blog.caranddriver.com/jeep-and-mopar-reveal-six-new-concepts-for-this-years-moab-easter-jeep-safari/
2391

[slickaz]

hahaha thanks guys.
I called Suttons Roseberry where i bought the car from, and they've quoted me 820$ for the actual towbar itself and 600$ for the Roof racks.
The installation is going to be an added cost.
Total for towbar is: 1200$
Total for Roof racks: 1000$

Does that sound about right? It seems fairly expensive to get a towbar installed!
is there a big difference in genuine vs aftermarket parts? in terms of fitting and concealability?

I dont want one that is going to be too visible out the back of the truck.
any info is appreciated.
regards

I

[AV8]

DIY it? For more advice and research try ausjeepoffroad, jeepforum, NAGCA

[SteveC]

Hello
I installed my own quite easily
You can get tow bar that is ADR approved for about $140-150. try double black offroad (now on the central coast) get a 3M tow cable for about $25 from ebay. Then all you need is a few zip ties and about 1-2hours. EASY
Steve

[Paul-JK]

Yeh, whatever you do don't buy it or have it fitted at the dealer.

You can build your own as Steve did or buy genuine Mopar one from some of the main Jeep accessories suppliers with the cables all ready to plug it (just make sure you get an Aus one not a US one as they are different) and then fit it yourself. The fitting is easy.

Paul

[slickaz]

Yeh, whatever you do don't buy it or have it fitted at the dealer.

You can build your own as Steve did or buy genuine Mopar one from some of the main Jeep accessories suppliers with the cables all ready to plug it (just make sure you get an Aus one not a US one as they are different) and then fit it yourself. The fitting is easy.

Paul

Are you saying i dont need to do any welding?
1200$ seems like a ridiculous amount to pay for a Towbar installation.

Is there any how to documents on the above? I would love to do it myself. I also have a family member who is a certified welder.

[SteveC]

No welding at all. Its all bolt on bolt off. You will need to solder some wires and insulate cables etc but that's easy
I suggest that you call Dave at Wooders.com.au first to see what he has that can help you THEN try the following as examples:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Univeral-DIY-Trailer-Tow-bar-Wiring-Harness-Loom-/281057859197? (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Univeral-DIY-Trailer-Tow-bar-Wiring-Harness-Loom-/281057859197?)

It comes with documentation

AND
http://www.doubleblackoffroad.com/jeep-wrangler-parts/JK-Tow-Hitch.aspx

It comes with documentation too

It should not cost you more than $200 & 2 hours. Though you need to budget for the Hitch (need to get right size depending on your height) and tow ball

Where do you live?

[slickaz]

Thanks Steve. Its amazing to think it really only costs 200$ + 2 hours and they charge 1200-1300$ for this.

I live in Chatswood Sydney, and i would love to get some help if anyone lives around here.

did you have any issues with hooking up the wiring loom? Im looking forward to doing this myself.

would you know if the new Grand Cherokee (2014) requires any cutting of the rear bumper?

[SteveC]

Can not really help you there, though what I mentioned is for a JK and I would think that the grand would be a little higher in price but shows if you shop around, you can save considerable amount

[Paul-JK]

Sorry, yes, my comments were also about a JK so may be different with a Grand.

You could also try bars n racks in Brookvale. When I asked them about my JK they were cheaper than the dealers, though not by that much. They will at least be able to tell you what's involved in fitting it (cutting the bumper, welding, etc). Alternatively, you can try places like Opposite Lock or other 4WD outlets. Opp Lock fitted a tow bar for me on a previous vehicle. They might at least be able to give you some price comparisons.

[SteveC]

Thanks Steve. Its amazing to think it really only costs 200$ + 2 hours and they charge 1200-1300$ for this.

I live in Chatswood Sydney, and i would love to get some help if anyone lives around here.

did you have any issues with hooking up the wiring loom? Im looking forward to doing this myself.

would you know if the new Grand Cherokee (2014) requires any cutting of the rear bumper?

Id be happy to help you with the JK tow bar and wiring - I live in Willoughby area, so just up the road

[AV8]

You can get stuff from Wooders too with members discount and invaluable look and advice.

[1stJeep]

ATV in Five Dock or Mitchell Brothers on the North Shore.. They will hook you up (see what I did there? hook??)

DBOR will soon be stocking lots of goodies for WK2's...

[dobbo56]

Hey Slik, I'd be looking at getting the GC Vinyl wrapped , cheep paint insurance. Clear wrap, stops the bush pin striping, then just peel it off before you sell it. cheers Doggy Dave..

[richhenning]

Hey Dave
Have you had your JK vinyl wrapped? If so where did you have it done and if you don't mind me asking what would this possibly cost?
cheers,
rich

[Paul-JK]

Hi Rich,

There are 2 different types of vinyl wrapping, but neither are cheap..........

There's the thinner decorative vinyl that you get for changing the colour of a car (matt black wraps, turning the car into a giant red bull can, etc). While it'll stave off a few light scratches I imagine it's fairly easy to damage in terms of off road abuse. Cost anywhere between $2k and $4-5k depending on what you want done I think. Plain matt colours being the cheapest. Fancy printed glossy graphics being the most expensive.

Then there's a thicker vinyl that you can get. I've got it on my JK. I got it under the pretence off stopping the logos I have getting scratched off but as an added bonus it stops the bush pin striping as well. It's a product called Ozi Cozi and it's originally developed to cover nose cone area of expensive sports cars I think to stop them getting stone chips. It does a damn good job of stopping scratches as well though. I was put onto it by Vic Widman who runs Great Divide Tours. He had his 'Cruiser wrapped in it, over all of his logos, and it stood up to 7 or 8 years of his sort of off road abuse (he'll spend a lot more time off road than most). He's actually just taken it off, along with all of the other graphics, as he's selling that 'Cruiser to get another and once it was removed the paint work was as good as it was when he put it on. I've got it down both sides (front fender, both doors including around the windows, b pillar, door sills & rear fender), around the windscreen & across the bonnet. Cost me about $1500 from Surfacetech in Artarmon. Not cheap but I consider it an investment, and it's already paid for itself in preventing damage to the A pillar, both front and rear passenger side window surrounds and the B pillar when I hit what looked like a light branch at about 50km an hour that was hiding a thicker branch behind it. I was certain it would have dented the A pillar with the force I hit it and at the very least it should have scratched the paint off every panel it hit. As it is it left some heavy scratches in the ozi cozi but you'll never know they were there if I ever take it off. The plastic does get pin striping scratches but you can only see them if you're looking for them.

Have a look if you like next time I see you, or pop around if you're interested as I'm only up at Mount Colah.

[richhenning]

Thanks for the great info Paul, much appreciated.