Greetings from NJ!
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Brick, NJ
Greetings from NJ!
Hello JK-Forum, I been reading alot of posts to help answer some of my questions about basic modifications to my 4-door Black 2009 JK Unlimited X. I'm new to off-roading, but plan on hitting some easy trails soon.
I bought my American built Jeep on the 4th of July (not intentionally) & only now, after 4 months (and 9k miles from driving back and forth to get and drop off my daughter), I started to buy some stuff for it (after recieving a surprise check for 3000 smackeroos! (please don't ask...it's a long story having to do with my grandmother's death)).
The amount of highway driving I do requires this to be a "fun street vehicle", (thats parked in a bad area), but I do plan to hit some easy trails in the near future too (which it can handle as it was when I drove it off the lot). Therefore, I am starting to make it comfortable and uniquely attractive first. I'm going to stay away from lifts, wheels, & armor etc. for now and focus on customizing it to my needs as a freequent highway driver/"wanderer" that loves camping, fishing, hiking and against his will, spends most of his life behind the wheel on pavement. If I want to change something about it I will go "overboard" so in the future if I want to "rock-climb" of go nuts in deep mud or puddles, sand etc. I don't have to replace anything I already modded.
I guess I should start by adding that at the same time I bought my Jeep in July, I first changed the seats from the stock "all-weather Neoprene" seats, to grey leather. The guy that did it does alot of work for the dealer and I was able to work it into my financing (only 20 bucks more a month!) and best of all they are covered by the warrenty (30k miles/3 years, if anything happens with the stiching etc.) The dealer had a couple Jeeps on the lot that he had done, and to be honest they looked and felt better then if they came out of the factory.
This is the first car I've had in awhile that didn't come with GPS in the dash, so I bought a small black Garmin Nuvi. I actually prefer the look of a disattached GPS in the Wrangler, it gives it a more "rugged look".
After alot of disappointment with my soft-top (huge scratches and smudges, noise factor on the highway(especially with the windows open), a small leak on the driver side, combined with concern for the preservation of the leather seats, and concern of someone breaking in and stealing my GPS or ipod) & serious consideration to the downsides of the removal/storage of the hardtop, I went with the Mopar "Freedom" Hardtop! I payed the dealer a whopping $2750, after recieving 10% off the top from buying the Jeep from them (price includes wiring kit & switches for the defrost/rear wiper, tax & labor) However, Mopar is behind on production & I may not recieve it till after New Years!!! Side Note: I'm not sure, but I'm guessing I will get slightly better gas mileage when driving with the windows open too, anyone know if this is true?
My hunger for change wasn't satified & I still had 250 bucks leftover, so I decided to get some misc. cosmetic/functional stuff from Amazon (not that one... the one online! )
~ Powder-coated Black Steel Mesh Grill Insert Kit for in-between radiator and front panel, looks good and helps with keeping out rocks/bugs etc. $42 (saw same one on other sites for $350 & $175).
~ Stant 10508 Locking Fuel Cap (with 2 keys). $15
~ "Mopar" contoured deep rubber slush mats for front & back (3 piece set ...one piece covers entire back floor, hump too!). $65
~ Pilot "Panoramic Rearview Mirror" 13.5" x 2.75". (clips on the existing mirror) $12
~ Set of 4 Mopar "Doorway Entry" Scratch Gaurds w/ raised Jeep logo. $60
~ Black Steel TailLight Cages. $40
~ McGard 24538 Chrome Cone Seat Wheel Locks (1/2" - 20 Thread Size) - Set of 5 (brand came highly recomended). $18
~ Black (high grade removable) Deer Warning Whistles (mad deer around here son!). $10
Completed Grill:
Some more stuff I intend on adding:
~ Teraflex 2.5" BB (or Coil lift)
~ Cragar soft 8's (16"x 8")
~ 35" x 12.5" BFG All Terrain Tires
~ Front black Euro HeadLight and Blinker Gaurds(set of 6)
~ Black Rock Sliders (to serve as a step & I need something there, its naked at the moment)
~ Hood Lock (still researching different options...but nothing seems to work with my mesh grill insert, HELP!)
~ "Gobi" Roof Rack w/ 6 Light Lightbar attached & ladder
~ Golden Eagle Decals (or similar style)
~ Hard cover for spare tire w/ Jeep Logo
I bought my American built Jeep on the 4th of July (not intentionally) & only now, after 4 months (and 9k miles from driving back and forth to get and drop off my daughter), I started to buy some stuff for it (after recieving a surprise check for 3000 smackeroos! (please don't ask...it's a long story having to do with my grandmother's death)).
The amount of highway driving I do requires this to be a "fun street vehicle", (thats parked in a bad area), but I do plan to hit some easy trails in the near future too (which it can handle as it was when I drove it off the lot). Therefore, I am starting to make it comfortable and uniquely attractive first. I'm going to stay away from lifts, wheels, & armor etc. for now and focus on customizing it to my needs as a freequent highway driver/"wanderer" that loves camping, fishing, hiking and against his will, spends most of his life behind the wheel on pavement. If I want to change something about it I will go "overboard" so in the future if I want to "rock-climb" of go nuts in deep mud or puddles, sand etc. I don't have to replace anything I already modded.
I guess I should start by adding that at the same time I bought my Jeep in July, I first changed the seats from the stock "all-weather Neoprene" seats, to grey leather. The guy that did it does alot of work for the dealer and I was able to work it into my financing (only 20 bucks more a month!) and best of all they are covered by the warrenty (30k miles/3 years, if anything happens with the stiching etc.) The dealer had a couple Jeeps on the lot that he had done, and to be honest they looked and felt better then if they came out of the factory.
This is the first car I've had in awhile that didn't come with GPS in the dash, so I bought a small black Garmin Nuvi. I actually prefer the look of a disattached GPS in the Wrangler, it gives it a more "rugged look".
After alot of disappointment with my soft-top (huge scratches and smudges, noise factor on the highway(especially with the windows open), a small leak on the driver side, combined with concern for the preservation of the leather seats, and concern of someone breaking in and stealing my GPS or ipod) & serious consideration to the downsides of the removal/storage of the hardtop, I went with the Mopar "Freedom" Hardtop! I payed the dealer a whopping $2750, after recieving 10% off the top from buying the Jeep from them (price includes wiring kit & switches for the defrost/rear wiper, tax & labor) However, Mopar is behind on production & I may not recieve it till after New Years!!! Side Note: I'm not sure, but I'm guessing I will get slightly better gas mileage when driving with the windows open too, anyone know if this is true?
My hunger for change wasn't satified & I still had 250 bucks leftover, so I decided to get some misc. cosmetic/functional stuff from Amazon (not that one... the one online! )
~ Powder-coated Black Steel Mesh Grill Insert Kit for in-between radiator and front panel, looks good and helps with keeping out rocks/bugs etc. $42 (saw same one on other sites for $350 & $175).
~ Stant 10508 Locking Fuel Cap (with 2 keys). $15
~ "Mopar" contoured deep rubber slush mats for front & back (3 piece set ...one piece covers entire back floor, hump too!). $65
~ Pilot "Panoramic Rearview Mirror" 13.5" x 2.75". (clips on the existing mirror) $12
~ Set of 4 Mopar "Doorway Entry" Scratch Gaurds w/ raised Jeep logo. $60
~ Black Steel TailLight Cages. $40
~ McGard 24538 Chrome Cone Seat Wheel Locks (1/2" - 20 Thread Size) - Set of 5 (brand came highly recomended). $18
~ Black (high grade removable) Deer Warning Whistles (mad deer around here son!). $10
Completed Grill:
Some more stuff I intend on adding:
~ Teraflex 2.5" BB (or Coil lift)
~ Cragar soft 8's (16"x 8")
~ 35" x 12.5" BFG All Terrain Tires
~ Front black Euro HeadLight and Blinker Gaurds(set of 6)
~ Black Rock Sliders (to serve as a step & I need something there, its naked at the moment)
~ Hood Lock (still researching different options...but nothing seems to work with my mesh grill insert, HELP!)
~ "Gobi" Roof Rack w/ 6 Light Lightbar attached & ladder
~ Golden Eagle Decals (or similar style)
~ Hard cover for spare tire w/ Jeep Logo
Last edited by dR. Blueberry; Dec 3, 2009 at 08:16 AM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 0
From: Hollywood, MD
Welcome to the JK-Forum and nice looking rig 
For your decals check out here http://www.project-jk.com/store/
For your decals check out here http://www.project-jk.com/store/
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, NJ
welcome to the forum fellow Jersey Guy
go to Project JK web site and click the Icon on the right and it should dump you in to the store to get you stickers
go to Project JK web site and click the Icon on the right and it should dump you in to the store to get you stickers
Last edited by iggy; Dec 3, 2009 at 10:54 AM. Reason: update
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Brick, NJ
Cheers 
!! I just ordered the JK emblems to replace the"x" ones and side "project-JK.com" decals for under the rear window (over the rear fender)!!! 
I also just installed the door entry guards for the front and back, the new 12" rearview mirror, and the locking gas cap, and the lug nut locks for the wheels and spare! :woot: everthing looks very very sharp!
Edit: I would like to try out the pines in NJ for my first venture out into the easy trails, not trying to pine pin stripe just yet lol
!! I just ordered the JK emblems to replace the"x" ones and side "project-JK.com" decals for under the rear window (over the rear fender)!!! I also just installed the door entry guards for the front and back, the new 12" rearview mirror, and the locking gas cap, and the lug nut locks for the wheels and spare! :woot: everthing looks very very sharp!
Edit: I would like to try out the pines in NJ for my first venture out into the easy trails, not trying to pine pin stripe just yet lol
Last edited by dR. Blueberry; Dec 3, 2009 at 01:26 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Brick, NJ