jeep_n_co

A couple of people have asked for more pics of my jeep, and on a couple of other forums I frequent they have a place where one can start a build/show-off thread... instead of cluttering up another thread with Off-Topic pics of my jeep, I figured I would start my own build and show-off thread, so here goes:

Basics - '07 Black Sahara Dual Top 2Dr 6 Speed with light-gray YES interior purchased in May '10 with roughly 24k miles.

Goals - My TJ had non-selectable lockers, and while I loved them off-road, they were downright scary in the winter. Plus, my wife didn't like driving it due to it's quirky on-road handling with the lockers. So, I figured I would need a DD that could still do all the Jeep stuff, but this time I would go selectable lockers to get the best of both worlds for on-and-off-road handling.

When I first got her, sitting next to the TJ I traded in:



Unmolested, but not for long:



Found Red's Fender Trim thread, so I picked up a set of stock fenders to cut...

Taping up the cut lines:



After putting them on, with stock tires and step:







Found some great deals on Craigslist for a grand total of 7 305/70/17 MTRs, so had those mounted. Also via Craig's, got some rubi rails and sold off my stock steps. Rubbed the sway bar at full lock on the street, so picked up some Spidertrax 1.5" spacers.

Before and after on Spacer install:





So here are some show-off pics of my current setup:

Lift: None
Tires: 305/70/17 Goodyear MTRs - Pre-Kevlar version
Wheels: Stock 17" 5 spoke w/ Spidertrax 1.5" Spacers
Fenders: Red's Fender Trim
Rails: Rubi Take-offs









Not Pictured Mods:

• LED sidemarker/rock lights (will get pics soon)
• Daystar Dash Topper
• VDP Trashcan/Cupholder

Not-Yet-Installed Mods:

• Rancho Oil Pan Skid
• Hidden Hitch
• Spare stock Rubi Front Bumper that I will trim to Shorty dimensions
• TeraFlex 2" Budget Boost - will wait for 37's
• 4dr Rubi Take Off Springs (~1" Gain) - will wait for 37's
• Bought a Rubi takeoff D44 Front, sitting in my garage while I contemplate best way to beef it up... thinking outer tubes so I can go 35-spline shafts

Near Future Plans:

• ARB Lockers F/R
• 4.88 (possibly 5.13) gears
• 37's when the 305's are toast

Longer Term Future Plans

• 5.7 VVT Hemi with 6Spd
• Atlas (maybe??) 4:1 T-Case

I will update this thread as build progresses

mikesab

Gorgeous, thanks for posting. No lift on those 315's, just spacers?

mikegp

the fender's look awesome, great job on trimming them!

jeep_n_co

Thanks guys... correct, no lift at all.

jeep_n_co

When you do the fender trim, you lose your side marker light. Here is my $5 Wal-Mart solution...



Some work with the Dremel and a little black RTV to hold it in place, and I am using my stock wiring harness at stock length.

I placed it so it can be seen from the side, but not from the front. Yet it will throw the majority of it's light downward.

Side view:



3/4 Front View:



Light on the ground... when I trim my bumper, there will be a lot more:

jeep_n_co

Aggressive Fender Trim = Lots of mud!





Big delivery today... more pics soon!

Donatello

of all the fender trims i've seen and hate. You did a nice job. looks good. still could never bring myself to do it.

jeep_n_co

Thanks, appreciate it. Good news is you can regularly find stock fenders on craigslist for $100, sometimes even less. If you want, buy some and cut them, then sell yours uncut when you are done. It's what I did (or course, mine were painted).

jeep_n_co

Care to guess what it is?



It was too big to come off the truck using the pallet jack in the truck, so the driver and I had to break it down.



Finally it got to a manageable size, but it still took a lot of pulling and pushing and lifting and sliding to get it up a somewhat steep driveway and into the garage.



This is one part of the top of it...



Here is the other part.



and this shot should really give it away!

mikegp

It's a roof rack with wheels