Mr. T's boring but functional build
12-07-2014, 01:52 PM
#11
JK Junkie
Thread Starter
Last edited by Mr.T; 12-07-2014 at 02:02 PM.
05-05-2015, 06:01 PM
#13
JK Junkie
Thread Starter
Rear XHD bumper mod...
The change is tough to visualize because of the compound angles, but it's essentially two saw cuts on each side -- Shown in red if you expand the pic above. A bit more clearance, a bit less weight, and it looks OK.
A note on cutting the bumper with minimal damage to the original powder coating: I used duct tape on the cut-line to protect the bumper from the guide-pad on the saw. Mostly just touch-up on the edges with a Rustoleum bed-liner paint for pick-up trucks.
Last edited by Mr.T; 05-05-2015 at 09:03 PM.
05-06-2015, 05:50 AM
#14
JK Enthusiast
Nice job with this!
I went with an AEV 2" spacer lift and kept the Rubi shocks. I then went with 255/80/17 (33") BFG KM2's on the stock wheels. Overall, the ride improved slightly, while clearance off road was significantly improved, especially the break-over angle.
My goal wasn't a Moab rock monster, but to retain road manners while improving trail performance. I also did not want to increase wear and tear on suspension components by adding a bunch of weight. With that in mind, I went stuck with the stock bumpers and added a winch plate and winch with synthetic rope, again for light weight. I want this Jeep to go 300k miles without major issues.
I added an oil pan skid plate and evap canister skid. I may yet add the Mopar diff covers, at some point.
Off-road, I've had the axles crossed to the max at full turn, sway bar disconnected, and the only issue was an annoying slight rub on the plastic air dam, which could be fixed with a little trimming. The suspension performed as it should, with no weird noises or anything. I'm not sure what is thought of spacer lifts, but the AEV does just fine, as AEV told me it would over the phone when I called them and asked about it.
For me, moderation is the philosophy of life, whether with Jeeps, alcohol, or whatever.
Nice write up and awesome Jeep!
I went with an AEV 2" spacer lift and kept the Rubi shocks. I then went with 255/80/17 (33") BFG KM2's on the stock wheels. Overall, the ride improved slightly, while clearance off road was significantly improved, especially the break-over angle.
My goal wasn't a Moab rock monster, but to retain road manners while improving trail performance. I also did not want to increase wear and tear on suspension components by adding a bunch of weight. With that in mind, I went stuck with the stock bumpers and added a winch plate and winch with synthetic rope, again for light weight. I want this Jeep to go 300k miles without major issues.
I added an oil pan skid plate and evap canister skid. I may yet add the Mopar diff covers, at some point.
Off-road, I've had the axles crossed to the max at full turn, sway bar disconnected, and the only issue was an annoying slight rub on the plastic air dam, which could be fixed with a little trimming. The suspension performed as it should, with no weird noises or anything. I'm not sure what is thought of spacer lifts, but the AEV does just fine, as AEV told me it would over the phone when I called them and asked about it.
For me, moderation is the philosophy of life, whether with Jeeps, alcohol, or whatever.
Nice write up and awesome Jeep!
05-06-2015, 06:02 AM
#15
JK Enthusiast
When I attached pics my write up disappeared. What Was supposed to be there was:
Nice Jeeps. I love this thread - it's right up my alley. I enjoy looking at the extreme builds with 35" + tires and huge lifts but at the end of the day I built my Jeep to be a dependable daily driver and just wanted to add a little extra trail performance and rugged look to my Jeep. Here's my mild "boring" build:
-2015 JK Rubicon 2 door
-AEV 2" spacer lift w/stock shocks
-285/70R17 Goodyear Duratracs on stock rims
-K&N Air Filter
-Engine mounted Viair Compressor
-Rockhard Winch Plate
-Superwinch 9000 lb winch w/synthetic line
-Mopar Sill Protectors
-Bestop Supertop NX Soft top
-Bestop 2 piece soft doors
-Tuffy Glove Box
Nice Jeeps. I love this thread - it's right up my alley. I enjoy looking at the extreme builds with 35" + tires and huge lifts but at the end of the day I built my Jeep to be a dependable daily driver and just wanted to add a little extra trail performance and rugged look to my Jeep. Here's my mild "boring" build:
-2015 JK Rubicon 2 door
-AEV 2" spacer lift w/stock shocks
-285/70R17 Goodyear Duratracs on stock rims
-K&N Air Filter
-Engine mounted Viair Compressor
-Rockhard Winch Plate
-Superwinch 9000 lb winch w/synthetic line
-Mopar Sill Protectors
-Bestop Supertop NX Soft top
-Bestop 2 piece soft doors
-Tuffy Glove Box
05-06-2015, 11:16 AM
#16
JK Junkie
Thread Starter
When I attached pics my write up disappeared. What Was supposed to be there was:
Nice Jeeps. I love this thread - it's right up my alley. I enjoy looking at the extreme builds with 35" + tires and huge lifts but at the end of the day I built my Jeep to be a dependable daily driver and just wanted to add a little extra trail performance and rugged look to my Jeep. Here's my mild "boring" build:
-2015 JK Rubicon 2 door
-AEV 2" spacer lift w/stock shocks
-285/70R17 Goodyear Duratracs on stock rims
-K&N Air Filter
-Engine mounted Viair Compressor
-Rockhard Winch Plate
-Superwinch 9000 lb winch w/synthetic line
-Mopar Sill Protectors
-Bestop Supertop NX Soft top
-Bestop 2 piece soft doors
-Tuffy Glove Box
Nice Jeeps. I love this thread - it's right up my alley. I enjoy looking at the extreme builds with 35" + tires and huge lifts but at the end of the day I built my Jeep to be a dependable daily driver and just wanted to add a little extra trail performance and rugged look to my Jeep. Here's my mild "boring" build:
-2015 JK Rubicon 2 door
-AEV 2" spacer lift w/stock shocks
-285/70R17 Goodyear Duratracs on stock rims
-K&N Air Filter
-Engine mounted Viair Compressor
-Rockhard Winch Plate
-Superwinch 9000 lb winch w/synthetic line
-Mopar Sill Protectors
-Bestop Supertop NX Soft top
-Bestop 2 piece soft doors
-Tuffy Glove Box
12-01-2015, 10:41 AM
#17
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Great Falls, MT
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Thank you for this
Super happy I found this thread. I have just started my "boring" build and I'm totally digging the philosophy here. So far I have installed 1.5" Spidertrax wheel adapters and have a TF 1.5" leveling kit on order. I appreciate it guys!
Cheers!
DJ
12-01-2015, 03:08 PM
#18
JK Junkie
Thread Starter
BTW, that's a sharp looking jeep 
05-12-2016, 03:48 PM
#19
JK Junkie
Thread Starter
Replaced Skids and Trackbar
Because of rubbing during bump stop compression, I replaced the Pure Jeep engine and transfer case skid with a Rancho oil pan skid and a Rubicon Express T-case skid, and also replaced the JKS front track bar with a Teraflex forged bar.
The first few pages of this thread are the current build, so details and more pics are in post #4 and post #1
On a side note, it was handy to add temporary bump stops by lowering the suspension fully while on jack stands, inserting bump stops (for example, hockey pucks) through the front coils, then using silicone adhesive/sealant to hold them on.
The Rubicon Express T-case skid extends forward of the cross member a few inches for some additional protection. The old engine/transmission skid covered that area, and had some rock-rash, but the exhaust and cross member have stayed in perfect shape.
The Teraflex adjustable trackbar has the same clearance for suspension up-travel as stock, but it's much stiffer.
The angle metal (right side in pic) is a modification I made to the Teraflex track bar clamps. When put inside the clamp against the bolt, it provides a firm stop. It keeps the clamp from deforming if the bolt gets some extra torque, and keeps the faces against the bolt/nut parallel. The length was about 9/16".
The first few pages of this thread are the current build, so details and more pics are in post #4 and post #1
On a side note, it was handy to add temporary bump stops by lowering the suspension fully while on jack stands, inserting bump stops (for example, hockey pucks) through the front coils, then using silicone adhesive/sealant to hold them on.
The Rubicon Express T-case skid extends forward of the cross member a few inches for some additional protection. The old engine/transmission skid covered that area, and had some rock-rash, but the exhaust and cross member have stayed in perfect shape.
The Teraflex adjustable trackbar has the same clearance for suspension up-travel as stock, but it's much stiffer.
The angle metal (right side in pic) is a modification I made to the Teraflex track bar clamps. When put inside the clamp against the bolt, it provides a firm stop. It keeps the clamp from deforming if the bolt gets some extra torque, and keeps the faces against the bolt/nut parallel. The length was about 9/16".
Last edited by Mr.T; 03-31-2017 at 06:14 PM. Reason: Spelling and formating
09-27-2016, 05:01 PM
#20
JK Junkie
Thread Starter
Welding LCA Skids...
I welded on a pair of Synergy LCA (lower control arm) skids just in time to leave on a trip in a couple days.
Decided to remove each LCA, make a spacer out of 1/2" pipe the same thickness as the steel sleeve in the Clevite bushing, then tightened the bolt before welding to mitigate any weld distortion (and also prevent possible overheating of the Clevite bushing).
Decided to remove each LCA, make a spacer out of 1/2" pipe the same thickness as the steel sleeve in the Clevite bushing, then tightened the bolt before welding to mitigate any weld distortion (and also prevent possible overheating of the Clevite bushing).
Last edited by Mr.T; 09-27-2016 at 05:09 PM.