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My 2011 JKU, Just starting but this will be fun

10K views 83 replies 18 participants last post by  mpaone1040 
#1 ·
So, I just turned 45, Ive had 7 YJs and 2 CJs all of moderate builds including 1 very crazy YJ with coil suspension and 5.0L ford powerhouse. My wife was never a jeep fan but she knew I was a diehard so 2 plus years ago I bought a 2dr JK to come home and find out my wife was pregnant with my now 2yr old boy, I turned around drove back to the dealership and bought a grand cherokee overland hemi and I thought my jeep(CJ,YJ,TJ,JK) days were over. well a few weeks ago out of the blue my wife comments on a black JKU sahara that we saw at a party, rancho lift, rockstars and I think 295/70/18 BFGs. the sahara was waxed and shining and it was enough her to say, "wow, thats something i would drive". I took that as a, " RUN, dont walk to the dealership and get a JKU before she changes her mind" so I found this little beauty sitting at an acura dealership here in CT, base model 2011, automatic with 73k miles. I walked in, told the guy I wouldnt pay over this amount and the battle began, needless to say I walked out with the jeep for very cheap. Now since this is my first JKU and really my first JK since I had the other one for such a short period I have been combing these forums for ideas and I have made out a build plan but of course it may take a while so this is not a 3 week build and done. The plan includes:

1. 2.5 Rock Krawler Flex suspension lift(ordered) w/bump stops and coil clips(shout out to Jason at Krawloff-road.com for helping choose the lift)
2. Bilstein 5100 long travels(ordered)
3. Poison Spyder front and rear bumper/tire carrier(not ordered)
4. 5.13s(not ordered)
5. 17x9 Rims and Tires(ordered than cancelled now not ordered due to the following)

Since it is going to take a few weeks to get the lift, shocks and MAYBE bumpers, I NEEDED to do something about those steelies. They were driving me crazy!!!!. so I combed craigslist for some rims and tires found a few listings for 17" rims and tires a couple rubi sets but everyone wanted way too much. then I found a very clean set of sahara rims on craigslist for next to nothing and I jumped on it, come to find out that the owner of the sahara rims was none other than the owner of the black sahara that we had seen at the party. Next I needed shoes, since my long term is still up in the air I needed something quick so believe it or not, I headed down to PEP Boys of all places and found this set of 5 faulken 275/65/R18s for under $800 and I got a ton of rebates too.

Anyways stay tuned..
 

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#5 ·
So, I just turned 45, Ive had 7 YJs and 2 CJs all of moderate builds including 1 very crazy YJ with coil suspension and 5.0L ford powerhouse. My wife was never a jeep fan but she knew I was a diehard so 2 plus years ago I bought a 2dr JK to come home and find out my wife was pregnant with my now 2yr old boy, I turned around drove back to the dealership and bought a grand cherokee overland hemi and I thought my jeep(CJ,YJ,TJ,JK) days were over. well a few weeks ago out of the blue my wife comments on a black JKU sahara that we saw at a party, rancho lift, rockstars and I think 295/70/18 BFGs. the sahara was waxed and shining and it was enough her to say, "wow, thats something i would drive". I took that as a, " RUN, dont walk to the dealership and get a JKU before she changes her mind" so I found this little beauty sitting at an acura dealership here in CT, base model 2011, automatic with 73k miles. I walked in, told the guy I wouldnt pay over this amount and the battle began, needless to say I walked out with the jeep for very cheap. Now since this is my first JKU and really my first JK since I had the other one for such a short period I have been combing these forums for ideas and I have made out a build plan but of course it may take a while so this is not a 3 week build and done. The plan includes: 1. 2.5 Rock Krawler Flex suspension lift(ordered) w/bump stops and coil clips(shout out to Jason at Krawloff-road.com for helping choose the lift) 2. Bilstein 5100 long travels(ordered) 3. Poison Spyder front and rear bumper/tire carrier(not ordered) 4. 5.13s(not ordered) 5. 17x9 Rims and Tires(ordered than cancelled now not ordered due to the following) Since it is going to take a few weeks to get the lift, shocks and MAYBE bumpers, I NEEDED to do something about those steelies. They were driving me crazy!!!!. so I combed craigslist for some rims and tires found a few listings for 17" rims and tires a couple rubi sets but everyone wanted way too much. then I found a very clean set of sahara rims on craigslist for next to nothing and I jumped on it, come to find out that the owner of the sahara rims was none other than the owner of the black sahara that we had seen at the party. Next I needed shoes, since my long term is still up in the air I needed something quick so believe it or not, I headed down to PEP Boys of all places and found this set of 5 faulken 275/65/R18s for under $800 and I got a ton of rebates too. Anyways stay tuned..
Put the side steps on today, got broadsided this week by a diagnosis on my 5 yr old lab of some type of aggressive cancer. But today's his birthday and we will celebrate everyday we have with him. In any case my jeep is my outlet so slowly but surely he will get built. Put the steps on today and took my boy for a ride. Maybe a small etching of Sully(my dog) on the jeep somewhere but either way can't wait for the rock Krawler lift to get here. I still haven't decided on wheels and tires but have to admit I love those novakane death metal rims on Brutus.
 

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#7 · (Edited)
RockKrawler 2.5 flex lift finally came in today, wont have time to install it for a couple weeks but things will start to happen. now on to rim, tire setup. I am actually thinking about foregoing the new rims and just adding spacers and 35s on the sahara gladiator rims. I really do like those rims. also will be ordering the tereflex HD hinge and carrier setup. Also got my Superchips flashpaq today. programmed in the current 32" tires and the 91 program, also disabled TPMS and activated daytime foglights. As far a performance it definitely makes a difference, I feel like it is performing as well as it did when I had the steelies on it.

My dog Sully is still hanging in, had surgery to remove the tumor now he is in chemo. hes a fighter for sure. left chemo and ate like a champ.
 
#8 ·
RockKrawler 2.5 flex lift finally came in today, wont have time to install it for a couple weeks but things will start to happen. now on to rim, tire setup. I am actually thinking about foregoing the new rims and just adding spacers and 35s on the sahara gladiator rims. I really do like those rims. also will be ordering the tereflex HD hinge and carrier setup. Also got my Superchips flashpaq today. programmed in the current 32" tires and the 91 program, also disabled TPMS and activated daytime foglights. As far a performance it definitely makes a difference, I feel like it is performing as well as it did when I had the steelies on it. My dog Sully is still hanging in, had surgery to remove the tumor now he is in chemo. hes a fighter for sure. left chemo and ate like a champ.
Keep up the good work, I like the color.

So sorry to hear about your pup. I lost a Golden to cancer and know how hard it is, but you never know, he might come out of this just fine.
 
#9 ·
Installed the spidertrax 1.5 spacers last night, makes a big difference in stance and no more rubbing. Lift going on next week, I wish this whole "work for a living" thing didnt get in the way of my fun.

So up in the air on rim/tire combo. I was pretty set on keeping the sahara rims and putting 35's on them but then I saw Fuel Trophys and I really like them, especially in 18x10. my only concern is correct offset on the 10 inch rim, I think it needs to be -24 according to my cheatsheet to get to 4.5 backspace. in anycase, I also ordered gas cap door, new gas cap, softtop cover.

next up will be front bumper and teraflex hinged carrier.
 

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#10 ·
Just finished installing my rugged ridge modular bumper. Too dark now but Will post pics tomorrow. Looks good, old bumper bolts were a pain to get off but they came loose after alittle persuasion. Ordered teraflex hinged carrier and ACE narrow fender flares today. Things are beginning to happen.
 
#12 ·
Today was a big day. Lift, rims and tires done. I think it looks awesome. I think I'm going to trim the pinch seam I also had to use a temp spare tire extender until my teraflex hinged carrier shows up. but I am super happy. I am already looking to sell all my extra parts and guitars to start working on the front axle. I was actually surprised on the 3.21s and the 35s. Its not terrible although its not great I would put it at "Fair at Best"! but thats ok for a month or so until I can get some $$ for re-gearing and strengthening the D30. There are a couple picks of the lift install, then pre-tires and rims and after tires and rims. plus the stubby bumper that I put on a few days ago. One thing though I cant seem to figure our where to attach the brake line in front, I dont want it to get pinched in the coil.
 

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#14 ·
So after driving the jeep around and really being impressed with the drive, acceleration etc.., I started thinking, why do all these people complain about the 3.21s they are t bad at all. So when got home I decided to check the window sticker just to be sure and sure enough there it was under standard equipment 3.21 so I started to close the file when I looked over to the right under options and there it was option 24c with 3.73s. Why didn't I see it before? Because I bought it used and never looked at the window sticker. So I probably will regear anyways but it's not such a rush anymore. The strength of the D30 though is a concern.
 

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#15 ·
Nice how's the ride now I was looking at the same lift , looks great btw
 
#16 ·
It rides better with the nittos, bilsteins and the RK Flex then it did before. It is a little stiff but surprisingly smooth ride. I live in CT where the roads and highways are about as bad if not worse than some fire roads I've been on out west.

I said it earlier today I am very happy with everything.
 
#17 ·
Ordered winch, winch plate, hilift jack, teraflex adjustable tire mount, fire extinguisher holder, bully bar for front bumper and jack mount for teraflex hinged carrier, Can't wait for everything to get here. Call me crazy but thinking about Hemi already
 
#20 ·
Installed JW Speaker headlights last night

Installed JW Speaker headlights last night, I love them!! Definitely much brighter than stock. I also bought the fog lights but Im going to wait to install those until my bully bar comes in b/c I have to remove the bumper to install the bully bar, winch plate and winch so I might as well install the fog lights at the same time.
 

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#21 ·
Got alot done tonight

So I had an opportunity to really do alot to the jeep tonight after we closed our shop. Its great when no one is there, I can get things done. this is what I got accomplished.

1. Teraflex Hinge and adjustable tire mount Installed
2. Teraflex accessory mount installed
3. Hi Lift Jack mounted
4. 3rd Brake light adapter in spare tire
5. Bull Bar on front bumper
6. Winch Plate installed
7. Winch mounted but not hooked up yet, ran out of time
8. JW Speaker Fog Lights installed
9. Black Lab decal under my rear tail light
9. minor stuff
-new front carpets
-new grab handles in front
 

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#23 ·
Pictures of jeep after all was finished

These are the pictures of the jeep after all was installed, everything looks great! I wish I had time to finish the winch but I had to get home.
 

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#27 ·
regearing 4.88 vs 5.13

Just ordered 4.88s and KOR LEDs from Krawl-Offroad. I gave alot of thought to going all out to the 5.13s but given the amount of highway driving I do, I think ill be happy with the 4.88s also thinking about swapping out 35 nitto trails for slightly smaller AT tire. anyone have any thoughts?
 
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