OK, so here we start...

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Rob, I'm 48, I have a wonderful wife and two kids (Boy 8, and girl 5), and we live in Northern CA.

30 years ago I did a lot of off road travel in the Israeli military and LOVED it. Now that my kids are old enough, I figured it's about time we all get into off-roading again.

I always loved Jeeps, so the choice of vehicle was easy. After reading the forum for a while I decided on a Dark Green 2008 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited. I went for manual transmission, no power options (I did get the myGig), and a hard top. I couldn't find one anywhere near, so I ordered one from the factory.

The dealer just informed me that it's in production and should be here in 2-3 weeks, so project LIG4X4 (stands for "Life Is Good") was born. Since I am an avid reader of this forum and found many opinions and advice here on more subjects than I could even imagine, I figured I'd let everyone participate in discussing, deciding, and then documenting our progress.

Life has been good to us, so my budget for modifications is about $25K (yes... $25,000 - see reference to wonderful wife again), which should allow us to really have fun building it. My primary objective on this project is to create a go-anywhere 4X4 that can still drive our freeways and take the 4 of us with our camping equipment for up to a week far away from civilization. In the coming months, we would modify the suspension, wheels, tires, bumpers, lights, and any other mod you guys suggest and we all agree on (or at least try to agree on). I'm not looking to build the "ultimate gadget mobile", so every add-on or mod need to have a practical trail-worthy value. Some mods I'll do myself, other I will look for a local shop to help with. Also, since money is not the utmost issue, we could go for fabricating some parts we can't find off the rack (my son really wants an exo-cage like the one on the Land Rover Defender). I promise to keep detailed logs on all mods and document the project in pictures at every step.

So... Let the FUN begin...

Hope to see you all on this thread, and later on the trails.

 

That seems to be a nice project
Since your budget is quite comfortable, why don't you go with a camping trailer for all the family ?

 

Agreed. With that kind of budget the trailer is a no brainer. Wish I had that kind f cash to make sweet love to the JK with.

For getting out there plus being good on the freeway, I'd say look at the 4.5" RE Long Arm lift on 35"s. That's what I'm aspiring to once I have the $$, and I also have an 08 Unlimited Rubi. Regear to 5.13, as well.

I'm a big fan of the Shrockworks midlength front bumper and their side armor. No rear yet. But I'm sold on the front/sides, and throwing a warn powerplant in that front.

Looking forward to pics and updates!

 

Man I wish I had the same problem, List is not small.

Front and rear bumpers
3 or 4" lift
35" tires
Upgraded Rims (tell the dealer to not give you the MOAB rims and just know you are upgrading)
sliders with steps
skid plates, Engine at minimum and diff covers.
5:13 gearing
new drivelines
Powerplant winch
Onboard air
Upgraded Battery to Optima Yellow deep cycle 34/78
Upgrade lockers (possiblly)
DVD system for kiddie's
Upgrade interior Carpet mats
CB
Hi-Lift jack
Jerry can mount
Tow behind trailer (Coleman has some really nice ones for off road)
Possibly the Safari Cage to put some gear on.

Now here is the question to ask. Would you consider the engine swap to a 4.7 or hemi or even diesel?

Also I'd think some windshield Light brackets with maybe the PIAA lights. Maybe a set for the front bumper.

Edit: I forgot snorkel kit

 

Welcome to the forum!

That is an awesome budget to work with, I can't even begin to comprehend...

My thoughts:

As noted above... consider a hemi swap? That would be the number one thing I would do if I had that kind of budget, being that all the other mods will be adding so much weight, and you'll be hauling a lot of weight (family and gear). That along with the long arm suspension and 35 inch tires would be awesome.

Of course front and rear bumpers, winch, lights.... Pick your favorite and don't look back, there are a number of good offerings out there.

For the exo-cage.... are you talking a functional exterior roll cage? Or are you thinking something like the Kargomaster cage for a rack? I don't think I've ever seen anyone doing exo-cages for the JK... very interesting idea. I don't know a lot about the ones for the defender, I wonder what they are anchoring to in front of the windscreen. Would you try to tie back into the roll bar through the top like the defender, or would you go back to the rear exterior?

Edit: X2 on forgetting the snorkel kit! With that budget I'd actually consider the AEV hood and snorkel combo. I'm considering cutting my hood for the AEV, just waiting to see what else is offered in the coming year.

 

Welcome to the FORUM. I'm excited to see this project progress...

 

read my signature, thats what i did and i love the set up. Also its great on the freeways, especially California freeways! Ohhh yeah buy a trailer, I know it was mentioned earlier but go with the adventure trailer!

 

Here is my short list for what I am planning when my JK arrives:

1. Lift - AiRock $5,500
2. AiRock Install $1,100
3. Wheels - AEV Pintler Bead Lock 269x5 =1345
4. Tires - BFG KMS 37x12.5x17 $280x5=1400
5. Valve Stems (stupid TPMS) $250
6. Speedo Calibration -Accu Pro $200
7. Axle Shafts - Superior Evolution $1,139
8. Gears - Superior 5.13 $700
9. Gear & Axle Shaft Install $800
10. Differential Covers - ARB $318
11. Front Bumper - AEV $1,249
12. Front Skid - AEV $299
13. Rear Bumper - AEV $1,500 (estimated)
14. Winch - Warn 9.5 ti $1,065
15. Wiring - $435
16. Windsheild Light Brackets - Mopar $120
17. Lights - IPF 900 XS (2 sets, 1 spot, 1 driving) $500
18. CB - Cobra 75 WS ST $130
19. Antenna - Cooltech Plate Mount $79
20. Hood - AEV Heat Reduction $749
21. Corners - AEV Corner Guards $299
22. Snorkel - AEV $299
23. Rocker Guards - Poision Sypder Rocker Knockers & Body Armor $845
24. Skids - Treks Modular Belly Pan System $999

for a total of $21,320

This build will probably take me between 3 and four years to complete with the extra money I have each month.

 

Go big or go home!

I like your theme! That's the only way to do it!

 

welcome to the forum and remember to post pics.