I can't even call my Jeep a beast after coming to this thread looking at CALIJK build, so I'm calling it Beast Jr. - or lightweight.

Basics..


2012 Jeep JKU Sport, manual


Currently:


Metalcloak 3.5" Gamechanger ARB Edition
Metalcloak Overline Fenders
Metalcloak Aluminum Fender Liners
Teraflex Tera30 Front Diff
4.56 G2 Gears
Rubicon Rock Rails
Procomp Series 97 Steelies
35" Toyo Open Country MT
Offroad Heroes Cargo Top
Custom built tire carrier
Flashpaq Traildash 2


Goals:
Metalcloak Framebuilt 1202 Stubby + Mid Stinger Bumper (On Order)
Metalcloak Crawler Rear Bumper (On order)
Warn ZEON-10 Winch
37" Tires
Custom built roof rack
Metalcloak Overline Rock Rails
Metalcloak HD Steering
RIPP Supercharger


Humble beginnings.. at a Honda dealership.














First time home..





And topless.





I remember thinking my Jeep was so sweet stock.

 

Not too much happened for a while..





Then I decided to go hack. Cut off the bumpers and the fenders. Do I regret it? No. But I do realize a year later it looked ridiculous with stock wheels and tires.














Aaand painted the wheels black..





But I did get rid of the pesky pinch seam.





So I could put these on..





35's with no lift.

 

Then - finally came the fun! I researched lifts for days - months even. I think my wife was so sick of me looking them all up that she bought this for me..


Full Metalcloak Gamechanger ARB edition. I ordered in the Adams Driveshaft for the front.





On the hoist

















Out with the old!

 

I was pretty stoked to say in the least. The ride is phenomenal, the lift is perfect - and off road handling is great too. Hands down, I'd buy it again. No regrets.








Compared to a stock JK.





Now I scored a sweet deal on Metalcloak Overline fenders. The only problem? They were covered in a brutal bedliner. So I took to work.. "Aircraft Remover" is an amazing product.

 

Almost done. These took me close to 30 hours to clean up to the point where they are finished and ready for powder coating.








No big deal, just clean as can be








First time I've been stuck.. thought it would be fun to park on the snow pile at school. Melted on a warm day and I ended up high centered.








One addition I love.. Offroad Heroes Cargo Top.

 

Just enjoying the park





Next big addition - a custom tire carrier.














And what an impractical vehicle - I love it, but so impractical.





Big day though - finally got everything back from the powder coaters. Time to install fenders!

 

And the beauty shot.

 

Really enjoying starting to make this Jeep unique to me.





Now I picked up a Traildash and have no need for a rear view mirror. However, I did order a license plate/reverse camera. So I thought I'd make use of it all.

















And I also disliked having anything but black in the interior - soft top included. Plus it was getting dirty, so I used fabric paint for exterior and interior.








Before and after

 

A little taste of winter..














Aaaaand then... this happened. Playing board games at 9pm at night, we hear a squealing of tires, and smash... followed shortly after by a guy peeling out. Good old hit and run.








You might think my Jeep got it bad - I was the first hit. But he hit me so hard that I hit the curb, went up and over, and then into my wifes vehicle parked behind me.








But with the help of social media and some friendly people who watched out for us, we found this parked not too far away.








It lined up like a glove. Gave the evidence to the police, they tracked down the owner - charged him and he admitted full guilt.

 

At the shop.. didn't have the Jeep from the first week of January until about 2 weeks ago now. Front diff was taken out since it was bent.. suspension hanging out loose.





And the new axle waiting to go in.





While it was apart I went from 3.73 gearing to 4.56 - may as well since it was literally bare, no better time to do it. That's gotten me way more torque at any RPM really - my Jeep was sluggish before, now there's no hesitancy at even highway speed to pick it up. The trade off? Higher RPM's. I cruise at 60 in 5th gear comfortably, 80 in 6th. I rarely go over 100km/h anymore. Once I go to 37's that will help bring down the RPM's some, but then I'll have a heavier tire anyways 100% worth it though, 4.10 would have been okay but for my use I am incredibly happy with 4.56