Build Thread JJ's

[BigJoeJack]

So far...

Currently installed:
- Milltek Exhaust. Sounds so much better without being too loud or obnoxious
- Hertz & Audison stereo system. A must as the factory system is awful
- King steering stabilizer. I can now drive effortlessly and also with one hand on the highway
- King remote reservoir shocks. A must with lift and larger tires. Stock shocks could not handle lift or 35" tires
- Eibach 2.5" springs. Zero issues with front driveshaft
- 35" x 12.5" BFG mud terrains
- Black Sheep spare tire relocation bracket
- Full paint correction & ceramic

Upcoming:
- Voyager Roof Rack - Estimated for December. Factory Rhino Rack rattles, loud, heavy and doesn't work with safari windows
- Front bumper - Waiting for someone like ARB or TJM to offer something

Want:
- Headlight guards shown on Arcane Works model
- Anyone offer a beer bottle opener for the utility belt?

A few quick pics:

 

[drof14850]

had to turn the brightness down on my Mac to look at those pics, that one hell of a shine.
I must have the matt inky Black!

 

[Dual Grenny Guy]

So far...

Currently installed:
- Milltek Exhaust. Sounds so much better without being too loud or obnoxious
- Hertz & Audison stereo system. A must as the factory system is awful
- King steering stabilizer. I can now drive effortlessly and also with one hand on the highway
- King remote reservoir shocks. A must with lift and larger tires. Stock shocks could not handle lift or 35" tires
- Eibach 2.5" springs. Zero issues with front driveshaft
- 35" x 12.5" BFG mud terrains
- Black Sheep spare tire relocation bracket
- Full paint correction & ceramic

Upcoming:
- Voyager Roof Rack - Estimated for December. Factory Rhino Rack rattles, loud, heavy and doesn't work with safari windows
- Front bumper - Waiting for someone like ARB or TJM to offer something

Want:
- Headlight guards shown on Arcane Works model
- Anyone offer a beer bottle opener for the utility belt?

A few quick pics:

Love the build so far!! Two questions:

1–agree with drof14850 post above, super bright shine you got there!! Is that a ceramic coating or did you use a special wax, etc…like to get mine that shinny.

2–on the King remote reservoir shocks, I assume this is the 2.5” ones? I have the same lift and tire size as you and was going to buy a set of those kings, but was told by two different vendors those shocks are only good up to a 2.0”lift even though it sales as a 2.5” shock. I still have the stock shocks, which are not shabby as they are Bilstein after all, and with the Eibach 2.5” springs and 35” Toyos, I have had zero issues so far and have checked the driveshaft/cv joints twice with no cracks/leaks/damage. However, I have not been on a serious off road trip yet. That won’t be until the end of the year and that’s why I am concerned. Have you been off road yet? Any info you can pass along for these shocks with our same set up would be appreciated.

 

[BigJoeJack]

Love the build so far!! Two questions:

1–agree with drof14850 post above, super bright shine you got there!! Is that a ceramic coating or did you use a special wax, etc…like to get mine that shinny.

2–on the King remote reservoir shocks, I assume this is the 2.5” ones? I have the same lift and tire size as you and was going to buy a set of those kings, but was told by two different vendors those shocks are only good up to a 2.0”lift even though it sales as a 2.5” shock. I still have the stock shocks, which are not shabby as they are Bilstein after all, and with the Eibach 2.5” springs and 35” Toyos, I have had zero issues so far and have checked the driveshaft/cv joints twice with no cracks/leaks/damage. However, I have not been on a serious off road trip yet. That won’t be until the end of the year and that’s why I am concerned. Have you been off road yet? Any info you can pass along for these shocks with our same set up would be appreciated.

1. Multi step paint correction and ceramic coating. I have no idea how they do this, but it looks MUCH better than the day I picked it up

2. It's listed on the King website as 2.5 (FWD: Fits stock suspension, leveling kits and up to 2.5” lifts). The trouble I was having with the stock shocks was with body roll, especially at highway speeds. The Kings have made a huge improvement, but I still feel like any sudden movement, extreme braking, turning, etc and it's not going to end well. Luckily I don't have to use this on the highway very often.

 

[jamesl175]

That all looks great!

How do you find the Milltek Exhaust on the highway/motorway? I really want to go for it but am concerned the additional exhaust noise may be irritating when cruising on a long trip…

Thank you.

 

[Dual Grenny Guy]

That all looks great!

How do you find the Milltek Exhaust on the highway/motorway? I really want to go for it but am concerned the additional exhaust noise may be irritating when cruising on a long trip…

Thank you.

They also have Kooks complete cat back exhaust system sold by Design Build Go (DBG). I listened to both on YouTube videos and other links on here and to me the Kooks just sound much better. I just placed an order with DBG and once I have it installed, I will post something about it on here. Good luck in whatever choice you make. FYI, the owner of DBG is David and he can literally find you almost anything you are wanting for the Grenadier even if it’s not on his website. He is now my go to guy for any accessories for both my Grenny’s!!! If you read this David, you are DA MAN!!!

 

[jamesl175]

Thank you Shawn, I appreciate that. For anyone interested you can check out our website www.design-build-go.com as well as our YouTube with videos of the Kooks Built Exhaust system we have the exclusive.

View: https://youtu.be/DyX3CQN9X4M?si=6fquNWUIYqbxv-IF

Thanks both - I assume fits and works okay on a UK RHD vehicle?

 

[David Czarnecki]

They also have Kooks complete cat back exhaust system sold by Design Build Go (DBG). I listened to both on YouTube videos and other links on here and to me the Kooks just sound much better. I just placed an order with DBG and once I have it installed, I will post something about it on here. Good luck in whatever choice you make. FYI, the owner of DBG is David and he can literally find you almost anything you are wanting for the Grenadier even if it’s not on his website. He is now my go to guy for any accessories for both my Grenny’s!!! If you read this David, you are DA MAN!!!

Thank you sir, I appreciate that. For anyone interested you can check out our website www.design-build-go.com as well as our YouTube with videos of the Kooks Built Exhaust system we have the exclusive.

View: https://youtu.be/DyX3CQN9X4M?si=VWfLu-IHhOdYtLUg

 

[BigJoeJack]

That all looks great!

How do you find the Milltek Exhaust on the highway/motorway? I really want to go for it but am concerned the additional exhaust noise may be irritating when cruising on a long trip…

Thank you.

The sound is great and not overbearing or loud. Just enough. I spoke with a rep at Milltek in Tennessee before I ordered and he was happy to answer all of my questions. Milltek is a well known, established brand. I've never heard of Kooks.

 

[parb]

Kooks is well known for making headers. I've seen them on gm's LS engines.
I think they are legit.

 

[Dual Grenny Guy]

The sound is great and not overbearing or loud. Just enough. I spoke with a rep at Milltek in Tennessee before I ordered and he was happy to answer all of my questions. Milltek is a well known, established brand. I've never heard of Kooks.

First I will say I have nothing against Milltek or any other exhaust company. However, Kooks has been around since 1962 (Milltek started in 1983) and initially they started off with high performance headers by “Popa Kooks” (well known in the race biz). If you have been around high performance vehicles or the race scene (I have for both) then you definitely know their name and their VERY good reputation. The main thing for me is warranty, and Kooks comes with a LIFETIME warranty for their products (they will say it to you verbally and it’s written on their website!). When I tried to get this info from Milltek, they would not give me a straight answer (wonder if you asked the rep you talked to this same question and if so what did they say) and was referred to their website which says “Original purchasers are covered with some form of guarantee and/or warranty. Cat back exhaust systems are covered by an anti-corrosion and manufacturing defect warranty, whilst hi-flow sports catalysts and downpipes are covered by a 2 year or 80,000km warranty.”. If you can’t even tell me what kind of warranty you have on your product, I’m not buying from you. That’s just me and you or anyone else are more than welcome to buy any products from any vendor. I have always said that it’s your money/vehicle, so do with it what you want. I have owned many pairs of Kooks headers over the years and several exhausts and never had any issues with any of their products. That’s just my $0.02.

 

[BigJoeJack]

First I will say I have nothing against Milltek or any other exhaust company. However, Kooks has been around since 1962 (Milltek started in 1983) and initially they started off with high performance headers by “Popa Kooks” (well known in the race biz). If you have been around high performance vehicles or the race scene (I have for both) then you definitely know their name and their VERY good reputation. The main thing for me is warranty, and Kooks comes with a LIFETIME warranty for their products (they will say it to you verbally and it’s written on their website!). When I tried to get this info from Milltek, they would not give me a straight answer (wonder if you asked the rep you talked to this same question and if so what did they say) and was referred to their website which says “Original purchasers are covered with some form of guarantee and/or warranty. Cat back exhaust systems are covered by an anti-corrosion and manufacturing defect warranty, whilst hi-flow sports catalysts and downpipes are covered by a 2 year or 80,000km warranty.”. If you can’t even tell me what kind of warranty you have on your product, I’m not buying from you. That’s just me and you or anyone else are more than welcome to buy any products from any vendor. I have always said that it’s your money/vehicle, so do with it what you want. I have owned many pairs of Kooks headers over the years and several exhausts and never had any issues with any of their products. That’s just my $0.02.

Yeah, I wasn't knocking them, I was simply stating that I'd never heard of them. I'm glad there's other brands/options and I hope many other manufactures jump on board.

 

[Dual Grenny Guy]

Yeah, I wasn't knocking them, I was simply stating that I'd never heard of them. I'm glad there's other brands/options and I hope many other manufactures jump on board.

I figured as much. I also am in agreement on the more the merrier on parts/manufacturers. I think we all like choices….