WK2: BMackin Build & Adventure

[Galvo]

Yes - pretty keen on this as well.

[simmo32]

I'm keen as hell for this, I haven't fitted my light bar behind the grille as I'm waiting to see what happens with this. Would also like the idea of having tow hooks

[Chief Products]

Originally Posted by Benn0

Hey Bill, any news on your airdam replacement? I've just about finished my mods, and have started thinking about this some more.

Originally Posted by Galvo

Yes - pretty keen on this as well.

Originally Posted by simmo32

I'm keen as hell for this, I haven't fitted my light bar behind the grille as I'm waiting to see what happens with this. Would also like the idea of having tow hooks

We've completed initial design and engineering for the WK2 Lower Front Guard and I'm expecting a prototype in the next 7 days or so. If everything looks good, I'll start a new thread with some further information (and photos) so everyone can follow the progress up until release.

The WK2 Lower Front Guard is not a replacement for the front air dam. It will bolt on behind the front air dam and provide full protection for all of the critical components behind the front air dam - lower radiator, windshield washer bottle, suspension controller & ACC Camera. It was designed to provide protection for these components off-road while maintaing the stock appearance of the WK2 on-road. This means removal of the OEM front air dam for off-road use will still be recommended.

We are also working on something we call the WK2 Pre-Runner. This is designed as a replacement for the OEM front air dam, but is taking a bit longer to complete considering it must accommodate numerous other design challenges, (i.e. ADR compliance, parkings sensors, ACC Camera, aerodynamics, visual styling, etc.). I'm committed to developing a prototype of this product, but I still have some concerns about commercial viability. I believe many WK2 owners interested in off-roading will choose the traditional Bull Bar, or if they prefer to maintain the OEM look, will choose the WK2 Lower Front Guard. I'm not sure how many will fall somewhere in between. Having said that... somewhere in between might be the sweet spot many WK2 owners are waiting for. I'm still conducting market research to make my final determination.

I'll be creating threads with further information for the WK2 Lower Front Guard & WK2 Pre-Runner soon. For now, if you want to register your interest, you can go to the product pages we've setup on Chief Products website and enter your email address.

WK2 Lower Front Guard
WK2 Pre-Runner

[Benn0]

Thanks Bill,

I've been doing some more thinking about this and now considering a low profile nudgebar that would follow the same contour as the airdam, hopefully the parking sensors wouldn't detect this...... It may not be feasible but if the mount could be adjusted for depth it could act as a nudge bar with the airdam on, and be recessed 50mm or so to protect the internals with the airdam off. I'd be looking at fitting mesh and/or skid plate for protection.

I might put up some more pics of what i was thinking, but then again, a simple solution like the front guard you've described above may be preferable.....

If I did go ahead with the nudge bar solution I'd probably get a custom fabricator to make it up.

[Benn0]

Just a quick mock up, I'd prefer it in black.... my thoughts are if you can recess this in with the airdam off you can still maximise the approach angle, and using mesh you can still maintain airflow to the radiator.

Mounting it would be a challenge, particularly if we want to keep the hooks. It might need 2 upright bars just outside the hooks with a bracket fitting under the hooks, not sure how well that will hold together though.

[Chief Products]

It's been awhile since I've posted about any new additions to the WK2. It's not because I haven't been working on it. In addition to the stuff I've been working on at Chief Products, I've also got a long list of modifications planned.

Cosmetic
Satin Black Grill
Satin Black Jeep Hood Emblem
Satin Black Exterior Mirrors
Satin Black Grand Cherokee door emblems
Satin Black window surrounds
Satin Black Roof Rails
Satin Black Rear Step Surround
Satin Black Jeep Tailgate
Trail Rated Badge
Custom Made Chief Products Badge
Removal of 4x4 Badge

Performance
RIPP Supercharger
Corsa Exhaust
Kooks Headers and high flow cats (still waiting for confirmation from Kooks)
Diablo InTune (with custom tune)

Off-Road
Chief Products Transmission Protection Plate
Chief Products Lower Front Guard or Pre-Runner
Chief Products Nudge Bar
Off-Road lights (still undecided)
18" x 8" Polished Aluminium Mopar Off-Road wheels
33" MTs (still undecided between Mickey Thompson MTZs, Cooper STTs or Nitto Trail Grapplers)

Interior
Chief Products Seat Covers

Other
Long Range Fuel Tank
Dual Battery Setup (still undecided where to put it)
20" x 10" Gloss Black or Polished Aluminium SRT Wheels (for on-road)
On-Road Performance tires (undecided)
LED Fog Lights

Plus several other secret projects were working on at Chief.

What do you think? Any other suggestions or ideas?

Cheers,
Bill

[MattG]

Sounds awesome! Particularly the supercharged hemi . Be interested to see how you fit 33's though, thought it wasn't possible particularly with quadralift (barring major surgery).