2005 Hemi Jeep Grand Cherokee - Smiles Per Hour

Sand and silt wreak havoc on any engine, yet to make sufficient power the engine needs to breathe freely. An AFE intake system filled the tall order, flowing freely and filtering effectively. Downstream from the intake lives a Comp Cams camshaft with matching Comp Cams lifters. The Hemi exhales through a stainless steel Borla exhaust system.

Baja Designs' SolteK lighting system is a clean, hassle-free way to light up the night. The lights come premounted in a prewired, TIG-welded frame of high-strength 4130 chrome-moly steel. Each of the four HIDs has its own built-in ballast, eliminating the need to find a home in the vehicle for a remote-mounted ballast. High intensity discharge lighting systems are more than a buzz word or an accessory that adds cool factor to your off-road truck. HID lights are piercingly bright but draw relatively low amperage from the battery. Two additional SolteK lights reside on the front bumper.

Despite the competition modifications, this Grand has retained nearly all of its factory-installed creature comforts. A Lowrance GPS is the standard used in high-speed off-road competition. Below the GPS, a quartet of Mopar gauges let the codriver keep tabs on vital information about the electrical system, water temperature, oil pressure, and fuel pressure.

The Grand Cherokee uses a unibody structure, so the front section of the chassis has good strength even without a full 'cage. To tie the upper shock mounts together, Fabtech's R&D department fabricated this cleanly designed crossbar that also gives the shock reservoirs a home and clears all the underhood components.

Brandon showed off his skills by building this aluminum Chrysler star. The panels will retain their good looks for a long time thanks to a veneer of clear powdercoat.