When a wheel company sets out to build a 4x4 for events and trade shows you might expect it to receive a set of the company's wheels and some bolt-on frills so it will look good in the booth. What you might not expect is that it would receive multiple performance-enhancing goods so that it would actually work when pointed at a trail. Being that most of the events and shows that Raceline Wheels attends take place in the dirt (not just parking lots and convention centers, mind you), it was only logical that the company build a vehicle that its old and new 4x4-loving customers could relate to.
Desiring a vehicle that could be used for recovery and extraction maneuvers as well as having fun, the Raceline Wheels' team decided to build on the uni-body Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, selecting a 1999 model as its guinea pig. An SUV would allow for extra passengers and gear, making it a great rig for trail rides or for chasing or spectating at off-road races.
To start things off the newly-dubbed "Raceline99" Grand Cherokee made a trip to Teraflex where it received a 5.5-inch long arm lift system and a set of Fox 2.0 Piggy Back reservoir shocks. With suspension in place a set of 305/70R17 Goodyear MTR with Kevlar tires were wrapped around a set of 17x9.5 Raceline Monster RT beadlock wheels and mounted up to the vehicle. While the Raceline99 build could have stopped there it wasn't even close. Teraflex also outfit the rig with a set of Tera 44 axles stuffed with 4.56 gears, Currie axle shafts, and Eaton E-Lockers. The front and rear of the vehicle also received new driveshafts from Tom Wood's Custom Driveshafts.
The Grand Cherokee then traveled to Iceland Off-Road where Proto Fab RockSolid front and rear bumpers were installed along with a set of Iceland Off-Road fender flares and rock sliders. A roof rack from Kevin's Off-Road was also added to the build and was equipped with a HiLift Jack and a shovel and pick axe. Furthering its recovery and extraction theme a Premier Power Welder was installed under hood next to the PowerTech 4.7L V-8.
Though the Raceline99 Grand Cherokee is ready for action and has already hit a good selection of trails, its build stage isn't yet complete. Future mods are inevitable and the wish list already includes installing a high output 4.7L, a set of PRP seats and racing harnesses, an interior roll cage, and a GPS and race radio set up. For now, however, the rig sticks to what it does best: attending trade shows and tackling trails. Just not always in that order.
The Teraflex long arm suspension...
The Teraflex long arm suspension makes twisty, tire stuffing moves like this an easy activity for the Raceline99 Grand Cherokee.
The Iceland Off-Road fender...
The Iceland Off-Road fender flares really open up the fender wells to easily contain the hefty 35-inch Goodyear MTRs as needed. A Proto Fab RockSolid rear bumper and tire carrier holds a fullsize spare tire up high and out of the way from trail obstacles.
The Proto Fab RockSolid front...
The Proto Fab RockSolid front bumper was installed by Iceland Off-Road. It holds a Warn 9.5ti winch wrapped with Master Pull synthetic winch line. The bumper features a lower radiator skid plate to offer extra protection to this otherwise vulnerable component.