Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) Tuning Guide 2026 — Body Kits, Wheels & Performance

The Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 (2011–2021) is one of the most tuner-friendly American SUVs ever built. From the 286hp 3.6L Pentastar V6 entry point to the fire-breathing 707hp Trackhawk, the WK2 platform rewards modification at every level — cosmetic, mechanical, and powertrain. European tuners including Chelsea Truck Company, Startech, and Kahn Design have built complete programmes around it, while the US aftermarket (Hennessey, Corsa, Borla) has turned the Trackhawk into a genuine 800hp+ weapon. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Body Kits: Wide, Aggressive, and European

The WK2's squared-off American silhouette takes wide-body conversion extremely well. Three European houses have built the most coherent programmes — and each takes a different philosophical approach.

Chelsea Truck Company — Wide-Body Grand Cherokee

Chelsea Truck Company (CTC) is the go-to for full WK2 transformation in the UK and Europe. Their wide-body conversion adds approximately 50mm of track width per axle via bolt-on composite arches, giving the Grand Cherokee a genuine muscle-truck stance without cutting the factory metalwork. The CTC kit includes redesigned front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights, revised rear valance, running boards, and side sill extensions. Colour-matched finishes or contrast black powder coat are available. The conversion pairs perfectly with CTC's own 22" alloy programmes. Lead time from CTC's London workshop runs 6–10 weeks for full bespoke builds.

Startech — The Complete WK2 Programme

Startech (the Brabus subsidiary focused on American vehicles) built arguably the most comprehensive WK2 programme available in Europe. The Startech Monostar M bodywork package includes a carbon-trimmed front apron with enlarged air intakes, wheel arch extensions in body colour or gloss black, side skirts, and a rear apron with diffuser insert. Their 23" Monostar M forged wheels — finished in matte black with polished faces — are designed specifically for WK2 geometry. Startech also offered a complete WK2 interior package (see Interior section below) and their ECU calibration for the 5.7L HEMI pushes output to 410hp.

Kahn Design — British Bespoke

Bradford-based Kahn Design has produced several WK2 studies. Their approach is typically more surgical: projector headlamp upgrades, a bespoke grille surround in polished stainless or carbon, sill covers in contrast leather-effect trim, and their signature Kahn RS wheel designs in 22". Where Kahn excels is interior integration — the body and cabin upgrades are designed as a cohesive package rather than bolt-ons from separate catalogues.

Mansory

Mansory's WK2 treatment is the most aggressive available. Expect full carbon fibre bonnet replacement, widened composite front and rear wings, carbon roof insert, and their characteristic LED strip rear lamp modification. Mansory Grand Cherokee builds have been exhibited at Geneva Motor Show and command bespoke pricing — budget €60,000–€90,000 for a full package before donor car costs.

Wheels: 20"–22", 5×127 — Off-Road vs Street

The WK2's 5×127 (5×5") bolt pattern is a Chrysler-specific fitment that limits off-the-shelf options compared to European SUVs, but the aftermarket has more than compensated. Here is what works.

Street/Show

Startech Monostar M (23"): Forged monoblock, 9.5J wide, available in silver, matte black, and bi-colour. Designed for WK2 geometry specifically — no spacers required. Kahn RS (22"): Directional 10-spoke design, 9.5J, in satin black or military bronze. Pairs with Kahn's suspension lowering kit (−30mm). Vossen HF-7 (22"): Flow-formed, 9.5J and 10.5J available, extremely popular in the US Trackhawk scene — finish options include gloss graphite and brushed matte silver. Asanti AB-12 (22"): Classic American luxury wheel, machine face with chrome or satin black lip. Factory-spec ride quality when fitted with 285/45R22 tyres.

Off-Road / Overland

Fuel Maverick D538 (20"): 9J width, aggressive mesh design in matte black with milled windows — pairs with 275/60R20 BFGoodrich KO2 for a serious overland look. Method Race Wheels MR312 (17"–20"): Designed for Jeep applications, 5×127 native fitment, beadlock-ready options available for 17". XD Series XD820 Grenade (18"): 8.5J, exposed hardware design, excellent with 285/65R18 Toyo Open Country MT for maximum trail capability.

Tyre size notes: The WK2 runs 265/60R18 stock. Upgrading to 285/45R22 for street builds requires no rubbing on stock or lowered suspension. Running 35" tyres for off-road use typically requires a 2"–3" lift and minor fender trimming.

Performance Tuning: From SRT to Trackhawk 800+

5.7L HEMI — 360hp to 430hp

The 5.7L HEMI is the sweet spot for cost-effective performance gains. A Stage 1 ECU remap from Diablosport or Superchips (available as plug-in tuner devices for US/ROW spec cars) delivers 20–30hp from improved ignition timing, intake cam phasing optimisation, and raised rev limiter. Adding a cold-air intake (K&N, AFE Power) and cat-back exhaust (Borla S-Type) brings the package to around 400hp at the crank. Startech's factory ECU option for European-spec 5.7L cars delivers 410hp with their recalibrated intake manifold.

6.4L SRT — 475hp to 550hp+

The SRT's Apache 6.4L engine responds well to supercharger installation. The Edelbrock E-Force Stage 1 supercharger kit (positive displacement Roots-type, 1.9L rotor pack) lifts output to 550hp+ on stock internals, with matching fuel injectors and ECU calibration included. Alternative: Whipple 2.9L twin-screw supercharger kit takes the 6.4L to 600hp but requires forged internals above 550hp to be safe long-term. Combined with a Borla ATAK cat-back, the SRT makes an authentic muscle-SUV soundtrack.

6.2L Trackhawk — 707hp to 800hp+

The Trackhawk's Hellcat-derived 6.2L supercharged V8 is the star of the WK2 performance world. Hennessey Performance Engineering offers the most recognised package: the HPE800 upgrade ($19,995 USD / ~€18,500) takes the Trackhawk to 808hp via a ported supercharger lid, high-flow throttle body, upgraded injectors, intercooler heat exchanger, and full custom ECU tune. Deliverable on dyno within 2–3 days at their Sealy, TX facility. European owners must arrange shipping or use a Hennessey European partner. Pulsar Tuning (UK) offers a remote ECU tune for 730hp+ using the stock blower with supporting mods (pulley, injectors, intercooler pump) for approximately £4,500–£6,000 all-in. Full 800hp+ Trackhawk builds typically also include upgraded half-shafts (SRT/Trackhawk driveline is the weak point at these power levels) — budget an additional £2,000–£3,000 for driveline reinforcement.

Exhaust Systems

Borla S-Type Cat-Back (5.7L/6.4L, £1,100–£1,400): Stainless steel, 2.5" tubing, signature Borla "aggressive but not obnoxious" tone. Borla ATAK Cat-Back (6.4L SRT, £1,300–£1,600): Louder, more theatrical — motorsport-inspired tone. Corsa Extreme (Trackhawk, £1,500–£1,800): 3" tubing, resonator-delete option, genuine track-car sound character. SLP Loudmouth (5.7L, ~£900): Budget-friendly but effective — noticeably louder than stock with decent build quality.

Interior: Kahn Leather, Alcantara, and Beyond

The WK2 interior is competent but dates itself quickly against modern rivals. The good news: it is extremely amenable to retrim work given its straightforward panel construction.

Kahn Design Full Interior (£6,000–£12,000): Kahn's WK2 interior packages typically include Nappa leather seat retrim in dual-tone with quilted or perforated insert panels, matching leather dashboard top and door cards, custom sill plates, and steering wheel retrim in leather or Alcantara. Colour palette is wide — Kahn offers everything from classic Jet Black to Saddle Tan and Military Green. Startech Interior Package (£4,000–£8,000): Startech's WK2 offering centres on Alcantara headlining, carbon fibre door inserts, and sport pedal covers in stainless. Available through Startech dealers across Europe. Bespoke UK Retrim (£2,500–£5,000): Independent UK retrimmer (e.g., Design-X Interiors, Motorcraft UK) can produce Alcantara/leather combos on WK2 seats to OEM+ quality. Typically 2–4 week lead time. Mansory offers full carbon dashboard replacement — exotic, divisive, and priced to match.

What Does It Cost? Realistic £/€ Breakdown

Tuning a Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 in Europe involves UK/EU VAT, import duties, and installation logistics that make pricing meaningfully different from US-published numbers. Here is an honest breakdown based on current (2026) market rates for a mid-level build on a 5.7L HEMI example:

• Body kit (Chelsea Truck Co wide-body conversion): £8,000–£14,000 — includes composite arch kit, revised front and rear bumpers, side sills. Colour-matched paint preparation is additional: budget £1,500–£2,500 at a quality bodyshop.
• Wheels (22", e.g. Kahn RS or Vossen HF-7) + tyres: £4,000–£7,000 for a set of four mounted and balanced. Tyre choice (Pirelli Scorpion Zero vs Continental CrossContact) accounts for £600–£1,000 of that range.
• Shipping and customs (if ordering kit from US): £400–£900 sea freight per parcel; UK import duty on vehicle parts is 6.5%; VAT at 20% on top. A $5,000 USD body kit lands at approximately £5,200–£5,800 total delivered.
• Installation (body kit fitting at specialist bodyshop): £1,200–£2,500 labour depending on complexity and facility. Wide-body arch work requires a full respray — bodyshop rates of £3,500–£6,000 for a full exterior repaint are realistic.
• Lift kit (2" levelling/lift, e.g. Rough Country or Rancho): £600–£1,200 parts; £400–£700 installation. Total: £1,000–£1,900.
• Exhaust (Borla S-Type cat-back, 5.7L): £1,100–£1,400 including fitting. Performance tune (Diablosport inTune): £350–£550.
• Entry-level cosmetic build total: £15,000–£25,000 above the cost of the donor car. Full Mansory or Startech programme: £35,000–£80,000+. Trackhawk Hennessey HPE800 package in Europe: €20,000–€25,000 all-in including logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fit 22" wheels on a standard-height WK2 without rubbing?

Yes — 22×9.5" wheels with a 285/45R22 tyre will clear standard WK2 suspension geometry without rubbing on factory-height models from 2014 onwards. Pre-2014 models may need a 10mm hub-centric spacer due to slightly different strut geometry. Always confirm offset (ET) — 22×9.5" with ET28–ET38 works for most WK2 applications. Lowered cars (−25mm or more) may experience light rubbing at full lock on wider tyres.

Is the Trackhawk reliable enough to tune to 800hp?

The Hellcat 6.2L supercharged V8 has proven extremely strong in both Challenger/Charger and Trackhawk applications. At 800hp+ on supporting mods (intercooler, injectors, tune), the engine itself typically remains durable. The known weak points are the transfer case and rear half-shafts — both should be upgraded as part of any 750hp+ build. Budget £2,000–£3,000 for driveline reinforcement. The 8HP90 gearbox handles 800hp well with a valve body upgrade and appropriate tune.

Which body kit tuner gives the best warranty and after-sales support in the UK?

Chelsea Truck Company operates from London with full UK VAT invoicing and offers a 2-year warranty on their composite body components. They can arrange full installation at their facility or ship to your local bodyshop with fitting instructions. Kahn Design (Bradford) also offers full after-sales support with a UK-based team. Startech parts come with a Brabus-backed 2-year warranty and are distributed through Brabus' UK dealer network.

What is the difference between the pre-facelift (2011–2013) and post-facelift (2014–2021) WK2 for tuning?

The 2014 facelift revised the front fascia (sleeker headlamp clusters, revised grille) and updated the interior. Body kit compatibility matters here — most aftermarket kits specify either pre- or post-facelift fitment, not both. The powertrain differences are minor: the 5.7L HEMI gained cylinder deactivation (MDS) tuning improvements from 2014. The Trackhawk is 2018-only (US market 2018–2021 globally). For maximum tuning support and parts availability, 2014+ models are preferable. The SRT variant (6.4L) ran from 2012–2021.