Skippman

Project Black Sunshine


Forward and Introduction

I've been wanting to get a new Jeep for a number of years now but financial circumstances and other life matters had prevented me from getting anything other than my old trusty XJ. After putting over 227K miles on it I decided I needed something a little more modern for my daily transport as I have a Miata for the weekends.

I finally bit the bullet and bought a 08 JK Rubicon Unlimited back in November, 2008. It's been a wonderful vehicle since day one. It's comfortable, handles great, does well on long trips (STL to CO and back), and isn't any worse on fuel than my now sold XJ was.

But, like any true Jeeper I've realized that it's good, not perfect. It's not mine yet. So it's time to start planning the upgrades to make it truly my vehicle. I plan to call her Black Sunshine to reflect the overpowering nature of the driving lights I plan to mount on her. This thread will serve as a point of reference for myself as well as a design journal.


Project Goals

The primary goal of my project is to install my mods such that it looks like it came from the factory that way by installing parts that are extremely functional, praticle, and stock looking. I want people when they look at my Jeep to ask why the factory doesn't build them that way.

The secondary goal is to make my vehicle as comfortable as possible while still being practicle. I plan to achieve this by installing a decent stereo system while maintaining as stock an apperance as possible. I will also try to keep the ride and handling as close to stock as possible.


Components List

Items in red have been completed.
Items in green are on order or awaiting installation.
Items in cyan are planned.


Factory Equipment

2008 Wrangler JK Unlimited
- Rubicon Edition
- Black w/ Charcoal Interior
- Towing Package
- MyGIG w/ Infinity Speakers
- Freedom Top
- Power Convience Group


Armor
ARB Delux Bullbar
Expedition One JK Trail Series Rear / Tire Carrier
Rugged Ridge Tail Light Guards
MOPAR sill guards
TeraFlex RockGuard Rock Sliders
Treks Modular Belly Pan system TT-1045




Suspension and Tires
TeraFlex 2.5" Coil Lift w/ Shock Extenders
V-Tec Raptor 17x9 -12mm Wheels
Goodyear DuraTrac 315/70R17 Tires

Electronics and Commo
Cobra 75 WXST CB w/ 3' Firestick and Cooltech quick disconnect
Superchips Flashpaq
GenTex HomeLink autodimming rear view mirror
Daystar Lower Dash Panel w/ switches for lighting
Lightforce Striker 170's mounted to Smittybilt windshield brackets
Lightforce Blitz 240's mounted to Expedition One front bumper
Yaesu FT-7800R HAM Radio
FireStik 2 2' Antenna
Comet SBB-5 Antenna


Car Audio
AllGIG USB
MOPAR uConnect Mic
PAC CAN-Bus Interface
Arc Audio KS 125.4 Amp
Hertz Hi-Energy 6.5" Component Front Speakers
JL Audio Stealth Box Subwoofer

Recovery and Misc Parts
Drilled mirrors mod
Seat belt anti-flapping mod
Warn Tabor 9000 Winch
Bent antenna mod
Weather Tech Floor Mats Front, Rear, and Cargo Bay w/ velcro mod
Daystar Upper Dash Panel w/ anti skid mat mod
MOPAR Freedom Top carrier bag w/ carabiner mod
MOPAR Locking wheel lug nuts
Rugged Ridge front and rear grab handles
Rugged Ridge fire extinguisher rollbar mount w/ Kiddie Class A/B extinguisher
Springtail Solutions M-PAC MOLLE tailgate rack
48" Hi Lift jack on custom ARB bumper mount


Here's pictures from the day I brought it home.

scotlandjk

sweet list
i really want one of those expedition one rear bumpers
good luck on the mods

Skippman

Good lord man! Between shipping and VAT that'd be over $2K USD!

That being said, it would be AWESOME!

JPTwinz

This looks like it's going to be a fun build for you.

Just my opinion but the blue lettering on the background color is kind of hard to see. I had to highlight it with my mouse to read it. May be just my monitor settings

Skippman

Should be better now.

JPTwinz

Perfect!

AlmightyCrash

looks like it will be a fun build.

scotlandjk

yup thats my main problem i pretty much have to add 40% to everything
it sucks

Skippman

Yeah, but you can get a desiel engine so I'm not going to feel TOO bad for you.

Skippman

Design Journal Entry #1

When I first got the JK I didn't know what I wanted to do with it. Did I want to leave it stock and just put in a decent stereo? Did I want to go all out and have everything custom fabbed? How much did I really know about the new model line?

So, I started reading. The first place I found on the net for information was JK Forum . I found a great wealth of knowledge there and, more importantly a sense of community. I'd forgotten about that part of the Jeeping experience. Owning a Jeep isn't just like buying a pickup. It's more of a lifestyle decision. I've had more fun times in a Jeep than any other vehicle I've ever owned. I remember the 4 wheel drive trips my dad and I used to take out to Ouray, CO and do all the mountain passes. I remember the trip to Kentucky for the 1996 Jeep Jamboree and my surprise to see my license plate on the back of the next years trip guide.

And I got to thinking. Just because it's an Unlimited doesn't mean I can't get back to those days. Sure my dad's a bit older now but he still ski's and love to ride his chopper. Why can't we take some trips together and make some new friends and memories.

So I started researching. What lift kit would I want cause the drive to CO is a long one. What bumpers would I need? Rocks tend to destroy factory bumpers. What parts could I buy that would give me and dad a chance to spend some time together spinning wrenches, drinking beer, smoking cigars, and just screwing around. That's how Black Sunshine came to be in my mind. Not just as an excuse to spend money on expensive parts, but as a chance to recapture some of my teen years and exercise my creativity.

I have to say, everyone I've talked to about my project and desires has been great. Joe at TeraFlex, Dave at Northridge, and Begley at Lightforce have all been a blast to deal with. They listened to my desires and gave me sound advice. Everyone on the forums and my local club has been the same way. Showing up at Ted Drews (local custard place) with my new lights on several people immediately came over to check them out and comment on them. I know of no other community other than bikers that's like this. And it feels good to be part of it.

I checked my e-mail this morning and see that my lift kit should be here today. My light guards should be here Thursday. And according to Ken at Rompalicious my rear bumper should hopefully ship next Friday.

And so, the journey begins. To those who've commented on my build thanks for the encouragement. To everyone who's read about it, thanks for stopping by. I hope you continue to follow my build as I get it going and maybe someday I'll see you on the trail.

- Skip