This is my take on what I have heard and experienced. 4WHEELER SUPPLY is probably the most experienced Jeep and offroad facility in the valley. I have only bought from them -but have seen many tech articles in magazines on installs by them. Desert Rat ,Phoenix is a better choice, especially when compared to Tempe. Ive been in the Tempe store and their staff does not go out of their way to help. Another possible choice, Unique 4x4 has grown but so has their price$ and they are no longer open on weekends??!! If I was not going to do my lift myself I would choose Universal on Country club and baseline, ask for Dave G. He is a srtaight shooter. They have fair prices and have been around a long time. They were some how connected with Unique, then seperated and became 2 different companies. Universal will admit they are not a JEEP ONLY shop- but can do any lift! They did my 2000 TJ and "0" problems. I will be doing a S/L 4" on my JK, but if I was not they would be on my short list.

 

I would have to disagree with taking my jeep into any Desert Rat facility. I know way too many people that have had HORRIBLE experiances with them. If you don't want to take my word for it, go do a search on Arizona Virtual Jeep Clubs general forum site. A ton of complaints will come up on just about every Desert Rat in the Valley. (just an FYI for your own good)

 

I've done all of the mods on my Jeep myself, including the lift. Although I'm somewhat mechanically inclinded, I am by no means an expert.

Anyway, I think anyone with any sense of mechanical ability and common hand tools can do any mod on the JK, within reason.

I installed a lift on an '01 Toyota Tacoma years ago and it was a major, major PITA!!! I would never do it again & advised on only having a shop do it.

The JK is much more user friendly and is pretty easy to do stuff if you have some help, like what's been posted on here.

Start small until you get comfortable. Most people on here are eager to help.

 

4 wheelers supply on washington has lifted my jk wich is the third jeep they have done for me. 2 tjs and one yj. They know Jeeps and will not try to sell you what you dont need. The rest of the shops will match prices wonder why?

 

Hi,
I have taken my new JK to off-road unlimited on Raintree in the Scottsdale Airpark. For me it was a matter of convenience because my office is a block away. Anyways, they have done a great job for me so far. Just my 2 cents.

Cheers
Matt

 

I dont know much of others and used a new local shop for my stuff. Its ORI in Goodyear a new local shop on west side of valley. They did a great job and are eager to establish themselves.
The local club AZVJC are doing runs all the time and im going on one sunday. Come join us .

 

I actually moved down to Mazatlan, Mexico last November but am most recently from the Valley (with a 2 year stint up in Prescott) and still have family in Chandler so I'm back there fairly often. I just ordered an '08 Sahara unlimited and when it's in I'm heading back up there (probably not 'till October).

I plan on putting on a 3" Full Traction Ultimate lift as soon as I get it and I'm fairly handy with tools but was curious if anyone out there has experience with FT ultimate or similar lift that I could call with questions if I get into a bind. I'm thinking I'll be able to get things on ok but I want to make sure I get the adjustable upper and lower control arms and track bars adjusted properly and I don't even know what "pinion angle" is so that part may be more difficult. It could be September or October before the jeep is in but I figured it wouldn't hurt to make some contacts now. If the weather is still too hot when I get the jeep I've even thought of taking my tools and heading North to get out of the heat but if it's not until October I should be fine.

 

Hey carolinarubi, I too am a member of the AZVJC; however, who knows how long they are going to last with all the b/s goin on right now between the yahoo groups and the bbs. I really choose not to get involved with them lately. I really hope it can all get worked out. On a side note, we'll have to hook up and do some wheeling sometime. I currently wheel with another club out here lately due to all the arguing with the AZVJC. www.arizonatrailways.com check it out.

 

There are 2 clubs as i understand 1 are Yahoo groups 2 is a variant of the other . I belong to the 2nd and ithink the names are similar. This is a link to the 2nd http://virtualjeepclub.com/ Its a pretty good mix of people. There is a social trail ride sunday listed in 2.0 trail section. Its also formated just like this site.

 

This Saturday we are 99% sure of doing the Broken Arrow Trail in Sedona. So far 2 jeeps for sure, possibly 3. I think that the AZBackCountry Club may be doing a trail this weekend too or it may be next. Either way you are more than welcome to roll with us. Let me know bro! And that goes for anyone else that may be interested.