The new Jeep is a:
2014 Granite Crystal
JK Unlimited Rubicon Auto w/ 4.10
Saddle Brown Leather
Dual Tops
730 NAV
Stock Black fenders and Black top
Modifications:
Metalcloak 3.5" Gamechanger Lite w/ extra 1" Spacer front & 3/4 rear
Synergy High Steer Drag Link
Synergy HD Chromoly Tie Rod
Synergy Ball Joints
Reid Knuckles
FOX ATS Steering Stabilizer
Artec Industries Front Axle Armor Kit
Artec Industries Rear Truss
ARB Diff Covers front and Rear (Black)
Northridge Grade 8 Bolt Upgrade Kit
Adams Front and rear 2" Drive Shafts
AEV full width Front Bumper
Shrockworks full width Rear Bumper w/ tire carrier
AEV Black Savegre wheels w/ black lugs
37" Goodyear MTR w/ Kevlar
Warn Zeon 10s
Warn 7" Wireless HID Driving lamp kit
Tuffy Under Seat Security Drawer
Mastercraft Grab Handles
Dirty Dog Sunscreen front and rear
Quadratec/Rugged Ridge/Tread Lightly Floor mats (front/Rear/Cargo)
Mopar Enhanced Rock Rails
Mopar Power Dome Hood
Mopar Gas Cap Latch
Quadratec hitch (wasn't going to pay the upcharge for tow package...)
Rubi X Red trail rated badges and decals
I have always had a four wheel drive vehicle dating back to my high school years. Had a lifted black GMC Z71 that started my wheeling experience, and later had a black Tahoe that we used when getting to the duck hunting hole etc. for 9 yrs. Its time came to an end and I ventured into the world of the FJ Cruiser. I modified it with an ICON 3" lift that was great. It by far out performed my friends 2005 X and held its own with my buddy's 2005 Rubicon. The other acquaintance with an Old Man Emu 2" JKU Rubicon as well as the fourth wheeling partner with a highly modified 2004 with 37" MT Tires obviously were able to navigate better in tough terrain. It was a great vehicle and very fun but left me wanting more....
I sold it at a great price and started the search for a JKU Rubicon. Took 4 weeks to find it, buy it from EBAY auction in Feb of 2010 and get it delivered. It was a 2008 that came off the line late in the year and only had 12,000 miles. It was a repo...bought it on an EBAY auction for what I considered a great deal ($22,000) and began the ever consuming modification research that engulfed large quantities of time. I began collecting parts through second hand purchases. Sometimes I would miss out on deals but was well worth it in the end to get the things I did and miss on the ones I missed on. My thought process and system I wanted to implement changed often through this process all the while I never modified the Rubi. I was intent on doing it once the way I wanted to do it given all of my research and my intended use and desires for performance/appearance/budget. In the end I hated the 3.8 and didn't want to do what was required to make the Jeep work like I wanted it to...
So put it up for sale, sold it in February 2013 for $22,500...yes that's right I made $500 after 3 years and 37,000 miles later (I got LUCKY) and went jeepless for almost 9 torturous months. I wanted the 3.6, and what I thought was going to be Anvil. In the end I was disappointed that Anvil was only offered on the 10th Ann. and I wasn't going to pay the premium for it...plus I didn't want red or black leather. I opted to wait as I have a couple of sources and early on had been told that they were going to offer the granite crystal most likely in 2014, so here I am...
It came in on Oct. 24th. I was in Chicago and was walking out the door with what was about to become my fiancé two hours later...she just didn't know it, Ha! Shortly after the "Question" was answered as a "yes" I informed her my jeep was in as she loved the prior Rubi...the response was not what I expected. I thought I would hear a, "awesome, that's great honey." Instead I got the following..."oh, you mean OUR jeep?" LOL. So that was a great day, a new Jeep and and more important a new partner and best friend for life. It was about time I guess at 5 1/2 years of dating.
So that is kind of how I ended up with the new Rubi that I will share with everyone here. I usually do not post on forums and mostly read but so many here have been so helpful I thought I'd document the process of sorts. I will be doing some of it, I may have a shop do some and a local friend from my past who is highly skilled and knowledgeable has volunteered to assist with lots as well. Any insight anyone wants to give along the way for bettering my build will be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks to all who take the time to read and share...so here we go.
I have included a pic of it the night I picked it up as well as the old FJ and black Rubi.
2014 Granite Crystal
JK Unlimited Rubicon Auto w/ 4.10
Saddle Brown Leather
Dual Tops
730 NAV
Stock Black fenders and Black top
Modifications:
Metalcloak 3.5" Gamechanger Lite w/ extra 1" Spacer front & 3/4 rear
Synergy High Steer Drag Link
Synergy HD Chromoly Tie Rod
Synergy Ball Joints
Reid Knuckles
FOX ATS Steering Stabilizer
Artec Industries Front Axle Armor Kit
Artec Industries Rear Truss
ARB Diff Covers front and Rear (Black)
Northridge Grade 8 Bolt Upgrade Kit
Adams Front and rear 2" Drive Shafts
AEV full width Front Bumper
Shrockworks full width Rear Bumper w/ tire carrier
AEV Black Savegre wheels w/ black lugs
37" Goodyear MTR w/ Kevlar
Warn Zeon 10s
Warn 7" Wireless HID Driving lamp kit
Tuffy Under Seat Security Drawer
Mastercraft Grab Handles
Dirty Dog Sunscreen front and rear
Quadratec/Rugged Ridge/Tread Lightly Floor mats (front/Rear/Cargo)
Mopar Enhanced Rock Rails
Mopar Power Dome Hood
Mopar Gas Cap Latch
Quadratec hitch (wasn't going to pay the upcharge for tow package...)
Rubi X Red trail rated badges and decals
I have always had a four wheel drive vehicle dating back to my high school years. Had a lifted black GMC Z71 that started my wheeling experience, and later had a black Tahoe that we used when getting to the duck hunting hole etc. for 9 yrs. Its time came to an end and I ventured into the world of the FJ Cruiser. I modified it with an ICON 3" lift that was great. It by far out performed my friends 2005 X and held its own with my buddy's 2005 Rubicon. The other acquaintance with an Old Man Emu 2" JKU Rubicon as well as the fourth wheeling partner with a highly modified 2004 with 37" MT Tires obviously were able to navigate better in tough terrain. It was a great vehicle and very fun but left me wanting more....
I sold it at a great price and started the search for a JKU Rubicon. Took 4 weeks to find it, buy it from EBAY auction in Feb of 2010 and get it delivered. It was a 2008 that came off the line late in the year and only had 12,000 miles. It was a repo...bought it on an EBAY auction for what I considered a great deal ($22,000) and began the ever consuming modification research that engulfed large quantities of time. I began collecting parts through second hand purchases. Sometimes I would miss out on deals but was well worth it in the end to get the things I did and miss on the ones I missed on. My thought process and system I wanted to implement changed often through this process all the while I never modified the Rubi. I was intent on doing it once the way I wanted to do it given all of my research and my intended use and desires for performance/appearance/budget. In the end I hated the 3.8 and didn't want to do what was required to make the Jeep work like I wanted it to...
So put it up for sale, sold it in February 2013 for $22,500...yes that's right I made $500 after 3 years and 37,000 miles later (I got LUCKY) and went jeepless for almost 9 torturous months. I wanted the 3.6, and what I thought was going to be Anvil. In the end I was disappointed that Anvil was only offered on the 10th Ann. and I wasn't going to pay the premium for it...plus I didn't want red or black leather. I opted to wait as I have a couple of sources and early on had been told that they were going to offer the granite crystal most likely in 2014, so here I am...
It came in on Oct. 24th. I was in Chicago and was walking out the door with what was about to become my fiancé two hours later...she just didn't know it, Ha! Shortly after the "Question" was answered as a "yes" I informed her my jeep was in as she loved the prior Rubi...the response was not what I expected. I thought I would hear a, "awesome, that's great honey." Instead I got the following..."oh, you mean OUR jeep?" LOL. So that was a great day, a new Jeep and and more important a new partner and best friend for life. It was about time I guess at 5 1/2 years of dating.
So that is kind of how I ended up with the new Rubi that I will share with everyone here. I usually do not post on forums and mostly read but so many here have been so helpful I thought I'd document the process of sorts. I will be doing some of it, I may have a shop do some and a local friend from my past who is highly skilled and knowledgeable has volunteered to assist with lots as well. Any insight anyone wants to give along the way for bettering my build will be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks to all who take the time to read and share...so here we go.
I have included a pic of it the night I picked it up as well as the old FJ and black Rubi.