1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a lift and Westin side steps

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a lift and Westin side steps.
I am not really a big fan of nerf bars or side steps on a Jeep. But it was a concession that I had to make with Robin so that I could put a small 2 inch lift kit on her 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The side steps would be a requirement because she takes her mom back and forth to the doctors for her medical condition. So I was looking at the Westin 25-1020 chrome side steps with the built in steps.
After talking to Joey at Jim’s Off Road center he told me that the Westin nerfs are easy to install. He added that he had installed a bunch on trucks but was not sure on the Grand Cherokees. With all that said I decide that we would go with the Westin 25-1020 brand side steps bars.
So early Saturday morning I fired up the air compressor and centered the 1998 Red Grand Cherokee in the garage and proceeded to install the 2 inch Rough Country suspensions budget boost with shocks on the Jeep. Total install took a little over two hours with the help of a coil spring compressor. The 98 Grand looked really good with the small lift and rides even better than it did with the worn out factory shocks. Next on the list is installing the Westin nerf bar side steps. Good bye stock grocery getter – Hello modified street pounder.
The Westin 25-1020 side steps are direct bolt on and there is no drilling required. I did have to jack up the Jeep even with the lift to have room to move around to install the steps. The brackets have to be loosely bolted on so that you can install the side bars on the Jeep. The brackets attach at the front and rear lower control arms at the uni-body. The only real pain was getting the bar in place and sliding the nut-sert behind the existing bracket on the rear control arm.
After getting both sides installed and then tighten up with little problems it took just a tad over 1.5 install time. Westin did a great job of fitment with the Westin 25-1020 side steps on the Grand Cherokee. The steps center really nice under the doors and even if I am not really a fan of side steps on a Jeep. They look good and the biggest thing is that Robin likes them. This is the best part so that she will allow me to continue building on the Jeep. Next up for the bars will be the dreaded “Mother-in-Law” stress test for them. Robin did a good job on picking out her Jeep Grand Cherokee – Now what can we do to it next?
I say it looks like that 5.2L might need a little more performance. Does that mean more power or better mileage – I guess we will see!
Stay tuned,
Greg G
Powerandplay.com