I have been lurking around these boards for a while now, and I am finally ready to start a build. I have approx 40-45k to spend on the project as a whole. This will be my daily driver so I want it to be capable offroad but smooth enough so my wife can drive it around as well. Trying to be non-specific with pricing since I'm not sure about the board policy on this.

A little background, I currently run a 2001 4cyl TJ with a 2" lift. ( I havent wanted to put much money into it since I know I am going to be replacing it). This is my daily driver and I am tired of shifting down to 3rd gear to get up a hill on the highway, so I want the new jk to have a little bit of power behind it.

I am in WA so most of the wheeling around me is more narrow wooded areas etc, but I would like to do a trip to moab / elsewhere once or twice a year as well so I would like it to be capable.

Currently this is what I am thinking:

17-20k : Used 4dr x with approx 60k miles
RIPP supercharger - ( was told you should run a snorkel with this to avoid sucking up water into the engine?)
RIPP long tube headers & offroad exhaust
Dynatrac trail series 44 front axle housing
Winch + Front /Rear bumpers/ tire carrier
New wheels + ~37" tires
Aftermarket rear axle shafts ( maybe need to sleeve it for 37s", or is the stock 44 strong enough?)
Regear rear axle 5.13
ARB lockers front and rear
EVO side rock sliders
Suspension - torn between evo coilovers or a ~5.5" lift, concerned about on road drivability. Are there any good threads /resources about
Replacement flexible fenders ( not sure who makes these have seen them around, need this to get through some of the narrow trails in WA without tearing off a fender


The things that are concerning me now is the lift kit / drivability, the rear axle strength, and the overall performance. We test drove a 2011 X and it was no speed demon getting on the highway, i can only imagine what it will be like with 37"s and ~5-6" lift.

Also, I know a lot of people rave about the D60s, but I am trying to get away with 44s for budget reasons, is this advisable? New D60s will eat up almost half my mod budget.


Thx for the advice in advance

(Also note to wayalife, recently my 3 year old had his tonsils out, we must have watched your moab vids at least 3 times while he recovering. He loves em and can't wait for daddy to have a 4dr jeep)

 

I have a 4 door back in AZ and its great for the rocks and ledges and everything. I dont know where you wheel out here (WA) but I was up at Rim Rock last weekend and its tight squeezing getting through with a cherokee. The 4 door isnt much wider but it is longer making for more 3 point turns no big deal but can get body damage real easily through the trees. also the 44 is not as wide as a 60. If you ran a full lenth 60 i think they are like 88 inches there would be no way of getting through those trees. I would stick the the small 44 and sleeve and gusset it. If I move back with my experience wheeling out here I would to 4 inch lift 35. I have not come across a place that needs 37's maybe moon rock/funny rock but thats a small area. If i did do 37s out here they wouldnt be that wide just because the trees are so close together on the trails. And with all the camber out here I would want to stay as low as possible. Wish I woulda brought mine so i could have some pics to share with you as to how tight the trails were this year. We did short and dirty up to divide ridge then took 613? back down. 613 was a beast of a trail. Im making a video right now ill try to remember to share it with you. Good luck on the build

 

Can't really help with your lift decision, but make sure you account for some new driveshafts in your budget

 

Hey Joe, just curious as to why you're selling? I hope you have another one...................

 

Yeah the guys I go jeepin with have brought up the same concern. I'm sure there are a few trails where I may be too wide but I have seen a few jks out that did ok. Naches comes to mind as something thats ok. I am sure I'll be putting on some NW pinstriping no matter what. To be fair I am newish to the area so I haven't explored everything.

Since it is my daily driver I need the 4dr because of sticking two car seats / kids in the back (which is currently a royal pain), also because the 4drs are freakin sweet.

 

As another WA guy, I second the narrow suggestion. In fact, one of the more popular areas, Evans Creek ORV, has an 80" max width (outside tires) regulation. Most of WA trails aren't friendly to rigs as big as a built 4DR JK.

 

Well that just makes me very jealous

That new color looks pretty bad ass, and on TF 60s? Yikes! Gonna be freaking killer. Most of my family is in Salt Lake so next time I'm out there you'll have to give me a tour.

 

This sounds fun. However I would like to do most the work ( minus serious welding) myself as a bit of a learning experience. Thinking pretty much everything but the axle reinforcements and potentially the lift depending on welding is managable. Give me something to wrench on over the winter.

 

If you have any questions regarding the listed EVO Product. Feel free to give me a call or PM.

EVO...

 

What a great price!! If didn't already have JK and Tj I would jump all over that deal. And given the budget posted, you can still add the RIPP which I just did about 2 weeks ago and LOVE IT!!

Let us know what you ended up with.