Throwback Thursday: Detailed Walkaround of WJ Off-Road Build Known as Croc WJK
It’s green, it’s mean, and this WJ Grand Cherokee rides on JK axles which earned it the Croc WJK nickname.
Many folks consider the WJ Grand Cherokee to be the best generation that Jeep has ever offered. Their low cost and general capabilities make them excellent daily drivers or the perfect platform for an overland build. The WJ is just right for almost any project. And what we have here is a super clean and slick WJ build that can do it all. It is affectionately known as the Croc WJK and it is one of the better WJ builds you are likely to see.
This week’s “Throwback Thursday” is all about Croc WJK. It is owned by Pastor Dane, but the name comes from his sons. He bought the Jeep to teach them how to drive in it. They came up with Croc because it is green, and it looks mean. And the WJK came from the fact that this is a WJ, but it sits on JK axles. So, Croc WJK was born. In a video recently posted on the Najar Offroad YouTube channel Pastor Dane gives us a detailed look at his build and all the components that went into it. Even though he sourced so many of his parts from e-commerce giant Amazon, that it almost sounds like a commercial, he managed to put together a pretty cool build. Let’s take a closer look.
Exterior Walkaround
The JK axles used in this Jeep are running a set of 4.56 gears with front and rear lockers. Up front sits a StreetSweeper WJ Stubby Bumper with a 13,000-pound winch integrated. On the side of the Jeep, you will find a set of rock sliders. Dane got them from Inland Jeep which is the company that build most of Croc WJK. The suspension is a 6-inch-long arm lift kit from Clayton Off Road paired with 2.0 King Off Road Racing Shocks. Out back you will find an EAG bumper as well as the Kratos Tire Carrier that holds the spare 35-inch tire. On top is a custom roof rack that is made by the folks at Inland Jeep.
On the Inside
In the cargo area are all the tools and supplies that are needed for a day, or even a couple days out on the trail. This even includes a little refrigerator. In the passenger compartment there are seat covers that dress up the interior quiet a bit and hide the old torn up seats well. There is also a Rough Country switcher panel installed that allows Dane to control his compressor and all auxiliary lights.
One of the most important modifications is the addition of front and rear cameras. With the big spare tire mounted above the rear window it basically blocks all rearward vision.
The camera is integrated into the rearview mirror and allows Dane to clearly see what is behind him. The back seats are also covered but they have the additional benefit of portable fans mounted on the headrests of the front seats.
This allows the rear seat passengers to get plenty of air circulation.
Engine
In the engine bay you will find the tried and true 4.0-liter straight six. But there have been some modifications under here as well. Most obvious is probably the THOR Cowl Intake kit that offers three advantages.
It draws in cooler air; it raises the intake level, and it frees up space for a second battery by removing the stock airbox. Dane is running a second battery which is dedicated to the inverter and refrigerator.
There are a couple other minor upgrades under the hood but nothing too extreme.
The Video
Croc WJK is a clean and capable Jeep build. There is no mention of the total cost of the build, but it seems like everything was done within a reasonable budget.
If you are interested in building a WJ of your own, you should check out the video below for inspiration and build ideas. Even if you are not interested in any of the specific modifications, it is always cool to see another person’s build come together.
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