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3rd Time is the Charm...Mojave Sand Willy's Build

100K views 583 replies 79 participants last post by  Lightguy 
#1 ·
Well, as many of you suspected I would be back after my purchase of a '15 GC High Altitude with Hemi. That vehicle was just too nice and not really my style. I chose a 2 door based on cost and just the excitement of building something different. I already have some plans for it, but nothing too crazy. For those that don't know what I traded in and lost about $15K on here is a pic.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Automotive tire Tire


And a pic of the new Jeep.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Jeep Off-road vehicle
 
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#2 ·
I really missed having a real Jeep and I missed this forum. I'm not going to list all the things I want to do because as many of you know I change my mind often. So far I ordered headliners which will be here Thursday and removed the stupid looking 4 Wheel Drive sticker.


Land vehicle Vehicle Tire Car Automotive tire



On Wednesday or Thursday, I have made a deal for Hard Rock front/rear bumpers off a '16. I'm going for a stock plus look. Small lift and maybe small 35's so these bumpers will give me a cheap way to achieve that while getting rid of the plastic bumpers.
 
#12 ·
I'm leaning toward a TF Performance Leveling Kit and maybe 285/70 or 75's. Still manageable money wise and the TF kit doesn't destroy the ride quality. When I did them on my Rubicon it actually made the Jeep have less roll and brake dive and I still used the Rubicon shocks. I would be able to keep stock wheels and not make it too tall. The Ridge Grappler comes in a C load tire so that would be a help in ride quality as well.
 
#15 ·
I'm really bummed the HR bumpers were scratched and scuffed. I know I will scratch them myself, but I was expecting brand new takeoffs. Now on to plan B, which I will order an AEV rear bumper w/o tire carrier at the moment. Not sure if I will go AEV in the front.
 
#23 ·
We know better. :) As far as tires, I think 33's look great on JK's. You keeping those wheels?
I'm leaning towards a 34x10.5x17 KO2 with Willy's wheels and a TF Performance leveling kit. At the most I will do an 2.5" AEV with 35's. I don't want to drop a ton of money at the moment because I'm still recovering from the giant loss on my GC. I've done the 12.5 tire so many times and I think a thinner tire would handle better and be less stress. I don't want to spend all my money on little things and going all out might cause me to not be able to do everything when I want to. I've never set a budget before, but this time I think its necessary.

I guess my puppy, Nick approves of the rear seat in the living room. I took him for his first ride and jumped right in and he never did that with my GC. He wouldn't jump in or out. I guess he will love the Jeep as much as my last dog, McCoy did.



Dog Canidae Room Dog breed Companion dog
 
#224 ·
Very late to your thread but noticed you've added the 10A bumpers. I have a Willys JKU on order and decided to do the same.

Looks like you got a great price compared to Mopar list. Were they take-offs? Do you have a contact for me to check if they have another set?

Do you have a feel for the weight? Any noticeable load (lowering) on the suspension after install?

btw, Would have also gone with Mojave but no longer available so was considering Gobi but lots of pics I saw made it look gold so wen't with Rhino instead.
 
#27 ·
As you know, cause you had 37s last time around, those K02's are really small. As I remember you liked the AEV on your Sport better than the MC you had on the Rubicon. Opps, wait a minute, hold it I'm getting confused, you've had so many setups and I'm too lazy to go back to re-read the threads!!! Maybe you had the AEV on the Rubicon and then got the MC. In any case the K02's are really small, in the interest of saving money go for the 35s. If you stick with 33s especially in a K02 you'll be kicking yourself for not buying the 35s. Glad to see you back!
 
#29 ·
I had the AEV on my Sport and MC on my Rubicon. I felt the AEV was a little stiff and the MC was a little better. I overdid both Jeeps and don't want to do that this time. I don't get to wheel it much so I just want it to be a great looking and riding DD. 2.5" and 35's would be the max, but I have to go in stages since I need lots of stuff and got crushed on my trade-in. It will take me a year or so to recover.
 
#28 ·
Great choice of dogs!

I think 33x12.5x15 would look and perform sweet on a jk w the 3.6 especially. I keep preaching it, I like it, saving about 6lbs a wheel. I still think 16" wheels on a jku maybe perfect, but here I am w 15's for cost and weight.

I still think about those 34" ko2s but the E rating and heavier tire drove me away. If I crawled rocks it'd be a different story.
 
#31 ·
I just don't think I can spend money for Plan B when I can do Option A and it will probably ride better in most conditions. Plus I can do every other small thing I want to it for way less than just new wheels, lift, tire carrier and tires plus install. Thoughts/opinions??

Plan A:
TF Performance Leveling Kit (use Rubicon shocks)
34x10.5 KO2's
JKS QD's
Maximus Hoop for HR bumper
Safari Straps
Remote Start
Spidertrax Spacers
$3500

Plan B:
5 Salta's
5 KO2's 35"
2.5 AEV Lift
Correction Brackets
TF or AEV Tire Carrier
Install
$6500
 
#44 ·
The spacers look great! I just traded in my 2015 Audi S3 for a Granite Crystal 2016 JKUR yesterday and am looking for stock + look.

If I may ask, what size Spidertrax spacers did you go with?
 
#46 ·
Looks good. Was thinking 34 KO2s as well, saw that was your option A and a solid pick. You've done bigger already and I think 34 is the right smaller size...

Doesn't mopar make a high clearance fender that Keeps the stock look? Wouldn't that blend right in with rear bumper. Although I took off the those rear plastic end caps when I went to flat fenders on mine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#47 ·
Looks good. Was thinking 34 KO2s as well, saw that was your option A and a solid pick. You've done bigger already and I think 34 is the right smaller size... Doesn't mopar make a high clearance fender that Keeps the stock look? Wouldn't that blend right in with rear bumper. Although I took off the those rear plastic end caps when I went to flat fenders on mine. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm leaning towards waiting for the Ridge Grappler in a 285/75/17 because they are C load range, but that will depend on when they are released. The 34" KO2's seem really small so they will be second in line now.

I doubt I will get high clearance MOPAR fenders. I'm cool with the stock ones for now and unfortunately I'm on a self imposed budget this build. I'm sure I will change my mind a few more times.
 
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