zackjk

Hey everyone, I have decided to start documenting my build in this forum and let everyone take a peek at how I am building my Jeep as a high school student. First let me take a brief moment to give you some background info... I first started my off road passion at a very young age, my grandpa bought an Polaris Rzr and had several 4 wheelers, he took me with him as we wheeled in the backwoods of Kentucky almost every summer... This got addicted to off roading and fuels the passion I still have today. When the time came and I got my temporary driving permit I started shopping around for my first "car" and I knew what I had to get... A JEEP.


2007 2dr 6 speed manual
110,000 miles
Soft top (back window ripped)
Front tube bumper
31 inch Dick Cepek Fun Countrys
Westin Offroad lights ( Not hooked up)


Starting point: Here are some pictures I was sent from the previous owner before I purchased it

zackjk

Stay tuned and subscribe to see my transformation over the last year..

zackjk

As stated before this Jeep was previously owned by a female. Some of the first things I did were little but important... I got rid of the bedazzled shifter with an OEM one Replaced the "Go Topless" tire cover with a new " Life is Good" one [ATTACH]

zackjk

Quickly after purchasing the Jeep I put its 4x4 to work. My Uncle had just purchased some wooded property and we used the Jeep to show us around. It had recently been raining and we tried to cross a small stream. The Jeep got sideways and before I knew it, we were stuck. Had to go get a tractor to pull me out...

zackjk

Back when the previous owner had it, someone had slashed the back driver soft top window and broke in ( THEY HAVE ZIPPERS YOU IDIOTS... This is why I always leave my JK unlocked when the soft top is on) The window was being held together by duct tape and I could not stand it. I looked into an OEM window but it was not even close to the price (almost $200) so I went ahead and purchased a whole new top. I went with the Quadratop with tinted windows. Pretty satisfied but FYI soft tops are hard to put on unless in the 70+ degree heat. I also finally got the doors off my Jeep. The previous owner had never had them off so they were very hard to budge. What worded for me was a 2x4 and floor jack.. popped them right off. Coated the hinges with anti seize and never had another problem

zackjk

My first time getting stuck made me realize something very important.. I had no recovery points front or rear. I didn't have the money for brand new front and rear aftermarket bumpers so I bought a used hitch off a forum member for $40, threw a hitch on it and called it a day. Soon later I came across the Evo D ring mounts, did some research and realized that there is frame cutting involved and that quickly drew me away. I then came across a company called VKS Fab who made similar mounts w/o frame modifications. I bought those, a pair of d rings and ripped off the OEM bumper. I used some steel wool to scrape off the rust and then cleaned it up with a can of bedliner. I was very satisfied with the results

zackjk

I didn't want to spend the money on a new aftermarket bumper, but the front tube bumper I had gave me no recovery points. I ended just buying a newer model oem jk front bumper with tow hooks and driving lights. I found it in a local Jeep club for sale for $50[ATTACH]

zackjk

I also plastidipped the front grill black and mounted a Hi Lift jack on the hood

zackjk

One night after getting off work I was driving through the Raising Cane's parking lot when the car in front of me stopped and then backed into my Jeep. It put a small bump on the corner of the bumper. The insurance estimate to install a new oem bumper was enough for me to purchase a Havoc Off road Stinger. With the new bumper, I also purchased an Engo 10000lb Winch with Synthetic Line to go with it!

zackjk

With the added weight I wanted to give the Jeep a little bigger lift. I purchased 4dr JKUR springs and shocks from a local club member for $100