After the first few 'tweaks' on my new X Umlimited, I just had to post before and after photos. Does anyone know if the P25575R17 Goodyears are actually 32" tires? They definitely feel a little 'bigger' than the stock cookie cutters. I also had them flash the ECU for the new tiresize, and apply TSB's 18-036-06 (Vehicle Performance) and 08-053-06 (Electrical) and an oil change after 1,024 miles. So far she drives mint! I think this is the largest tire size you can get away without rubbing on the stock alloys. Similar to the 30.5 x 9.5 on the TJ's, once you went to 31"s they start to hit the frame at full lock. Have not done the mileage yet......

Before: As it was from the dealership:



After: Wheels, Tires, Hella 500's, tow hooks, MOPAR Tubes, minus the X badge...No the Hella's are not wired yet...



Once last shot...



Pinewood Derby Version- Don't laugh it actually took the Sunday Driver Trophy!

 

Jeepertj,...nice Recue Green X,....I'm a little partial to that color. Looks great with tire upgrade, I installed (2) 3/4' spacer's in front to level mine out. Snow looks good to, maybe here tomorrow with the snow storm coming..

 

Looks good!

I too love that color

 

Very nice.

 

When you installed your driving lights did you mount them to the steel under the plastic bumper cover? I am going to be installing my driving lights this weekend and would like some pointers. I have seen some people just hook them to the plastic on the bumper and have not seen any in person that go through to the steel. Seems like they would viberate if not mounted right. Thoughts and pics.

 

I mounted the Hella 500’s through the plastic bumper cover and then the steel bumper underneath with a locking nut on the back. I did this last night in the barn with very poor lighting. I was careful to measure the holes symmetrically first (twice) and drill once. Use a Sharpie pen to mark the spot on the plastic bumper cover that you want to drill with a tape measure if needed. I choose to mount the lights slightly away from the tow hooks for tow strap clearance purposes, directly in front of the 2nd grill slot hole on each side.

I considered mounting them outside of the tow hooks, but I like the look where they are together in the middle. If you feel underneath the plastic bumper cover, you will find the bent corner of the edge of the metal bumper under the plastic. I drilled a pilot hole through the plastic cover 1" back from the plastic bumper edge on the grill side and through the metal bumper beneath it. This translates to about 1/2" in front of the corner edge of the metal bumper underneath.

At first I tried self tapping metal screws provided with the Hella kit, but they went into the plastic but were not long enough to reach the metal bumper with the pilot hole underneath. Since all the hardware stores were closed, I scavanged the tool box and found 2 11mm bolts about 1.5" long with special locking nuts. Psyched! I drilled the holes in the bumper cover and metal bumper underneath just large enough to slide the 11mm bolts through, then just reached underneath the air dam and was easily able to put the locknuts on inside the bottom of the metal bumper. Plent of room for your hands!

Plenty of room for a 11 mm wrench. Then I snugged them down, but not too tight, because it pinches (moves) the plastic bumper cover at each bolt point. The Hella 500's come with 17mm or 19mm bolts, but they are too short and overly large in my opinion. I would use 13mm bolts about 1.5" length or 1/2" with full threads if I was at the hardware store. Anyway the install came out clean. It would be hard to get a picture inside the bumper, but I do have this one:



Goodluck! Now for the wiring, grrrrhhh...

By the way the Hella’s were from my old TJ and I used the self tapping metal screws to mount them on the TJ bumper. There was actually more room to put on the nuts and use a wrench on the JK! I never wired them on the TJ, so the Hella Relay and wiring kit is brand new!



Ciao! Ted

 

Thanks for the info. That will make my install go a lot smother. Nice rig by the way!

 

And now with Thule Evolution 21 cubic foot ski box Mounted...

From Thule's website feet recommended for the 2007 Unlimited:

OPTION 1 | ROOF MOUNT SYSTEM BASE PRODUCT
300 Gutter Foot Pack | LB58 Load Bar

$190 for the bars and feet.....

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/fg_c...ption_number=1

 

I have that same Thule box. What drip rail bars did you use to mount that? And does it seem solid enough to load the box?

 

I used the standard guttermount Thule feet from my 1982 saab trubo. If you look up that car on the Thule site, you will find the feet kit part number. I'm still testing out the mount, I didn't load it up with bricks yet, but I would say it's good to go for ski equipment. You can always tell when you shake the rack and the whole jeep moves back and forth. I have no intention to be the first JK owner to loose a 21 cubic foot (largest) Thule box all over the highway and ruin my freedom top at the same time. If you are buying new feet, I'd suggest going to the Thule site and putting in the 2007 JK and see what feet Thule recommends. I just used parts I had from previous vehicles and got lucky...

More close up mounting pix on this thread...

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...ed=1#post27126

Bottomline- if you are not careful mounting and properply maintaining tension on the Thule system parts, you are at risk for a yard sale!

Ciao! Ted