Just completed my 1st round of mods

[Paul R]

I started to say "I completed my mods", but then realized that you are never done. I just completed my "1st Round".

My wife was very happy when I got this all installed. Pieces and parts have been sitting around the house for about 2 months as I acquired all of the parts before I installed them. I installed everything myself, and have the cuts and bruises to prove it. The only really difficult part was the rear springs...it is tight getting those installed.

Let me know what you think.

Mods:

Fab Fours front winch bumper
Smittybilt XRC8 winch
RockHard rear tire carrier bumper
RockHard 3rd brake light
OME 2" lift /w HD springs (turned out to be 3 1/8" lift)
Skyjacker rear brake line extension brackets
Procomp 8179 rims 17x9
Toyo Open Country Mud Terrains 35/12.5/17

http://my.project-jk.com/data/926/medium/mods-fq.JPG

http://my.project-jk.com/data/926/medium/mods-fr.JPG

http://my.project-jk.com/data/926/medium/mods-re.JPG

http://my.project-jk.com/data/926/medium/mods-sd.JPG

[brian_crystal]

I love that FF front bumper...if only it weren't so gosh darn expensive:eek2: . That is a great looking ride you have. The only thing that looks a little out of place are those stock steps. But the rest of it looks so good.... I like the mix of Rock Hard rear and the FF front. They go together better than I thought they would

[LidLess07X]

Wow, sweet ride. Pretty close to the same mods I am getting ready to pull the trigger on for my two door X. Would it be too much trouble to ask you for a pic from the side of the spare mount? I am curious as to how far out it puts the spare from the tailgate. Looks like a quality bumper with nice fit and finish. Is it rattle free or close to it? Again, very nice JK !!

[Stampsjk]

Looks Awesome!

Aggressive, but not too much. Great Job.

How is the visiblity in the rear with the larger spare and tire carrier?

[Paul R]

Here ya go...

http://my.project-jk.com/data/926/medium/mods-rs.JPG

The rear bumper is rattle free unless I hit a very big bump. I am still working on tuning the bumper with the spacer washers to get it just right. That huge tire put up that high in the rear does block my view...I just use my side mirrors or look through the holes in the rim to see immediately behind me.

My kids asked me to retain the stock side steps for them. The Jeep is high enough that they would have real trouble getting in or out without them. I had rock rails on my previous Jeep ('04 Rubicon), but my son asked me to please leave the stock steps...he was always slipping on the rock rails using them as a step. I will leave them until they get ripped off on a rock or something.

Thanks for the compliments.

[LidLess07X]

Thanks Paul.

[Labrador]

That looks f-ing great!!! How much? :thinking:

One more mod idea for you: http://youtube.com/watch?v=eSOSJ68xOBA

[TanktheTwat]

Hey Paul,

I just received a 4-door Jk Unlimited X for my "16th" birthday, but it's not exactly mine yet. It's much like yours and i was wondering if putting a 3" Full Traction Suspension Lift while sitting on a 35" tire. I was wondering if over the time it took you to decide which tire and wheel combination to have, did you happen to come across any others that caught your eye? Or did you know right off the bat that that was the combination that you wanted? I know for sure that I want a black wheel, but can't decide whether or not putting the ring locks/bolts (i'm not sure the exact name of it) would look that much better.

You can just pm me whenever you find time.

Thanks,
Scott

P.S. - Beautiful job.

[Paul R]

How much...let me just say... too much! You can look up prices from our friendly sponsoring vendors. At least I saved some money by doing all of the installs myself.

I could have gone with cheaper alternatives on nearly every component, but I learned with my last jeep. It is worth waiting and saving to get quality parts the first time around. Also, get parts that will be a good base for further mods if you decide to go further. Otherwise, you just find yourself replacing them down the road.

And as to that last mod...NO THANKS!

Next mod on my list.. chromoly front axle shafts. I want to strengthen up that Dana 30 in the front to support those 35's. But it will be a while...

------
Paul

[Paul R]

Scott,

I agonized over every component. At first, I planned on the Full traction ultimate 3". I just couldn't bring myself to spend that kind of money knowing my wheelin here in Florida is pretty tame. Then the OME lift came out and I knew which way to go. I am not going any taller than 35's (famous last words...), so the OME fits the bill at a reasonable price.

As to the rims and tires...the rims I knew from the start. I wanted aluminum rather than steel for the weight and strength. Again, Florida wheelin is pretty tame, so I am not worried about cracking them on a rock. 17" is a good compromise for on or offroad performance. I wanted black to match the Jeep. I think beadlocks are too much for my needs, and fake beadlocks look too gaudy for me. i like simple. The 8179's are priced much lower than most, and I liked the look. For the tires, I originally was going to go with the Toyo's because I wanted a MT and had heard great things about noise and tread life on them. I just hated paying that much. I finally decided that they cost too much, and was going to go with Mickey Thompson's. When I went to order them, they said 2 weeks. But the Toyo's were in stock...decision made.

[Rubimon]

That looks f-ing great!!! How much? :thinking:

One more mod idea for you: http://youtube.com/watch?v=eSOSJ68xOBA

I just cram this in my tailpipe!
WOOO! WOOO!

http://www.thewoodcrafter.net/proj/prpics/twpic.gif

[TanktheTwat]

Compared to the Full Traction Lift, how much less was the OME lift?

Being a beginner to this way of life, off-roading i mean of course, I rarely come across something that i've even heard about. Of course, here in Georgia, it's not difficult to come across a great rig, or even a a school off-roading association.

That of course is besides the point. I appreciate the help and i'll have to decide the how, the what, and the when, whenever the time comes. I'm not sure if you're allowed to post prices, but if you could somehow tell me those two prices so I can do a bit of comparisons.

Thanks again,

Scott

[fishit]

Hey Paul R,

Tell us about the:

ColoradoJeepman Thermal top liner

What benefits have you found?

Worth the $?

Look good?

Thanks

[Paul R]

For the prices of the OME vs. the FT lift, go to:

www.northridge4x4.com

I can highly recommend David at Northridge if you decide to purchase a lift.

As to the thermal liner...it really helped during the heat of the summer. My A/C could not keep up with the heat coming in from the top. Once I added the liner, my A/C kept up, even at lower fan speeds. It also has the side benefit of lowering the noise level. I recommend it. Just be careful dealing with the vendor...they screwed me out of a few bucks during the purchase process.

You can see my thread about the liner here:

http://jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=15036&highlight=liner

[inajeep]

I knew it was FL before I even saw your plates. Those screen porches were everywhere at my sis-in-laws. ;) Actually the houses look similar to theirs before the moved to TN.

Your jeep looks great. You made all the right decisions.

[jeff@zina.com]

I knew it was FL before I even saw your plates. Those screen porches were everywhere at my sis-in-laws. ;) Actually the houses look similar to theirs before the moved to TN.

Them ain't screen porches. They's Lanai's with pool cages... :)

Jeff

[MJS_Jeep_888]

Very nice - lookin' good! :2thumbs:

[mmcan]

Awesome looking Jeep!!

Can you describe the ride with the lift, shocks, and tires you have installed?

[Paul R]

The ride is a bit different from stock. The springs are firmer, so there is less body roll on corners. The taller sidewall on the tires makes up for the firmer springs in terms of harshness over bumps. And the shocks dampen out much quicker than the stockers. Overall, a better ride in my opinion.

[screws]

Awesome looking jeep. I am also planning on the OME lift and 35's. I have a 2door X. Any rubbing issues at all with the 35's?

[Paul R]

I haven't had it out on the trails yet, so I can't say if it will rub on the flares at full stuff, but it shouldn't rub on any of the suspension from what I can tell. If it does rub the flares, I will just put in some extended bumpstops and take care of that.

[karth]

sweet! that's the bumper I wanted for my jeep! I never expected it too look so good on a black jeep either, this is making me want it more :2thumbs:

[inajeep]

Them ain't screen porches. They's Lanai's with pool cages... :)

Jeff

:rotflmao1: It all makes sense now.