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goose's Build Thread: Operation "Rolling Blackout"

12K views 48 replies 26 participants last post by  Segfault 
#1 ·
So here it is, my first ever build. I've been wanting a brand new Jeep for a very long time (since I was 4), and I finally got to opportunity! Purchased an extremely basic Unlimited Sport back in January with aspirations to do as much as possible on my own and turning it into my own badass rig. :punk:

I dropped a lot on the car itself, so the upgrades will start slow, but they will hopefully become more and more involved as time goes by (can't wait to get rid of the stock wheels and tires...). Definitely gonna take my time to make sure the job gets done right, but still super stoked to put together my own, individual, panty dropper. :dance:

So here it is, bone stock. Gonna go from there.

 
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#2 ·
1) 9" Stubby Antenna - Small mod, but I did not like the towering silver stick waving around my hood. I don't know much about antennas, so I was kind of worried about loss in signal strength, but so far, its done a better job than the stock one. Great mod, considering price, time, and "look" difference.

 
#47 ·
1) 9" Stubby Antenna - Small mod, but I did not like the towering silver stick waving around my hood. I don't know much about antennas, so I was kind of worried about loss in signal strength, but so far, its done a better job than the stock one. Great mod, considering price, time, and "look" difference.

where did you get the stubby anntenna? stilll good reception?
 
#3 ·
2) Window Tint - I thought the price from factory for tinted windows was outrageous, so I found a local place to do it for $190. I was thinking about doing it myself, but decided to spend the money to have it done right and have a lifetime warranty on it. There were a butt ton of options, but in the end I went with a "standard," middle-ground tint, 22%. I did not wanna go too light in fear it would look awkward with the clear soft top windows, but I was also afraid of going too dark and setting off the blackness of the body. The shop did an awesome job and I'm really pumped with the way it turned out.

Before:


After:


 
#6 ·
I went kinda crazy on the Jeep today... Lots of free time combined with a couple birthday gifts from friends and family made for a sweet afternoon. Put in some roll bar grips for function and looks. I like them a lot so far. Great to have an extra place to rest the arm, especially once doors off season comes around. Put in some light guards for most of m lenses as well. I also plasti-dipper the grille and did the mesh guard mod, but by the time I finished it was too dark for a good photo. Plasti-dip came out incredible, in my opinion. The mesh guard came out really well too but lets wait and see how long it holds up for... Photos of that coming tomorrow!

3) Rollbar Grips




4) Light Guards
Fog

Turn Signal

Side Marker

Tail


Shitty picture taking, I know, Ill get a good one tomorrow.
 
#7 ·
Here's a photo of the grille mod I did yesterday. Plasti-dipped the grille and put in some wire lath for radiator guard. I took the grille off completely and washed it with palmolive, so the plasti-dip came out great on it. However, it bubbled up a bit in the Jeep lettering. Also I blue-taped the rubber hood bumper and made the mistake of leaving it on for a couple coats, so it did pull at the dip a bit. No big deal though, gonna leave it on til it weakens too much and then do it all over again without those 2 mistakes. Next time I will also just remove the Jeep lettering...



Can't see the mesh well, I'll take a better photo later.
 
#13 ·
"rolling blackout" may be the coolest jeep name ive ever heard.

trouble now, is you have to live up to it. Gonna have to black EVERYTHING.

might even have to tint the windshield. (ILLEGAL)

Here's black betty, climbing around devils hot tub. My own blackout project.
 
#14 ·
"rolling blackout" may be the coolest jeep name ive ever heard.

trouble now, is you have to live up to it. Gonna have to black EVERYTHING.
I agree, that name is stellar. He's right, where's the follow through? At the very least, you had better make those stock wheels look a little less stock. A little plastidip will go along way with that name! :D
 
#18 ·
Nice to see a mod thread within my budget! With two kids in private school and a third entering college, I don't have $5k a month to drop on tires, lifts, shocks, bumpers, rails, etc, etc, etc.

Thanks for bringing some sanity to the board! Subscribed!
you just one-upped me x1000 hahaha. thanks for the support!
 
#19 ·
8) Debadged "SPORT" Stickers - did not like these, mostly since my wrangler is no longer a Sport edition, but a goose edition. after removing both sides, i decided to "spot wash and wax" the areas where the stickers were since there was never any wax there. i had been reading up on how to properly was a car and so i ended up washing the whole car. with the top down. came out great though.

before. i know it looks super clean, but a poor prior wash job left a whole bunch of dirt spots and i did not like them just baking there in the sun...


put a hair dryer to the stickers for about 30 seconds (it was about 70 degrees out)


held the dryer and sticker with the same hand so it peeled evenly as it heated


end result of the spot after quick wash and wax. it was so shiny and reflective i had to try and step out of the frame...


After. I think it looks much better; more personal.
 
#22 ·
hahahaha, i agree with you guys 100%. however, i feel like i dont deserve to take off the "trail rated" badge until i really mod to the point where the jeep is beyond what i paid for. in a strange way, its a challenge. i have to admit that i like the "wrangler unlimited" badge because its a symbol of what i worked hard for. its my personal goal to reach a point where i feel like the remaining badges dont do it justice. gotta have the effect match the name, haha!!
 
#23 ·
I like your style.

I suggest getting a black "Wrangler Unlimited" decal and also turning the "Trail Rated" badge black and slapping it back on there (assuming you like it).
 
#27 ·
I know you've got the covers on 'em, but you can also grab a can of VHT Nightshades and spray a few coats on the turn signal & fender lights. I sprayed 3-4 coats on mine, which takes away the bright orange but still lets most of the light through. For the tail lights, I would advise 1-2 coats at most, since it's important that they're still bright.

Also, you can play with Plasti-Dip and black our your wheels, key holes, and trail-rated badge.

 
#29 ·
I know you've got the covers on 'em, but you can also grab a can of VHT Nightshades and spray a few coats on the turn signal & fender lights. I sprayed 3-4 coats on mine, which takes away the bright orange but still lets most of the light through. For the tail lights, I would advise 1-2 coats at most, since it's important that they're still bright.

Also, you can play with Plasti-Dip and black our your wheels, key holes, and trail-rated badge.
i was wondering how plasti-dip held up on the key holes? i dont have power locks, i feel like pushing the key in would scrape it off
 
#30 ·
Great Start!
 
#32 ·
9) Its been a crazy busy summer, but finally got to sit down (not literally) and throw these bad boys on. Drake Off Road hood catches. I do a lot of driving on small state highways and byways and the force of the wind catching the hood from oncoming semis has freaked me out more than a few times. The price tag sucks butt, but the parts feel heavy and durable. Install took 30 minutes because the nut holding the "fender" section of the latches was annoying to reach; grill must be removed. I love the look of them and will update you guys Wednesday after the 7 hour drive test!

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#34 · (Edited)
I was wondering where this guy has been.

Opened up with so much promise........Now for the follow thru.

Be prepared to Just Empty Every Pocket

Those god awful stock wheels better be gone by now.

Whats the plan goose?
 
#36 ·
Those god awful stock wheels better be gone by now.

Whats the plan goose?
Hahahaha, I agree 110%. Well, Maverick, good news: 5 packages from discount tire are "in transit." Im at work on a boat right now, getting home october 8th (as long as the weather is good, fingers crossed) and my appointment to install the lift and wheels/tires is on wednesday the 9th! Trust me man, Ive been waiting a lllllooooooooooonnnnggg time also... Im beyond stoked. Plenty of pics to follow...

outrageous: once i get some better internet connection ill check out others' results. you may be onto something....

Tyler: holy balls that thing is hot. i got 33s also, rockin the 3.21s. I dont think its gonna bother me much though, my old jeep was a 4 cylinder...
 
#37 ·
After waiting and saving up since April, I FINALLY switched out the stock wheels and tires... Thank goodness. It felt wrong before. Now it feels so right. The lift kit is going on Saturday, but I couldnt wait to put the new kicks on.

Due to my 3.21 gearing and the fact that I mostly do highway mileage, I went with 33s. Because of all the awesome reviews, I also selected Wrangler Duratracs. We have rain, sleet, snow, dryness, and ice at any given time on Vermont highways, so I needed the most versatile tire possible while still taking me to and from the mountains without having to worry about snow storms. Lastly, I got Level 8 trackers for two reasons: 1) theyre cheap and 2) before I even knew they existed, I had a mental image of a wheel in that style for my jeep. They look cool.

So far I've noticed zero drop in power/acceleration. The ride feels much smoother, so it may have shaved a tiny bit off, but not enough for negative impact. I had a 4 cylinder YJ before this beast so anything with over 120 hp feels like a Ferrari to me. Sixth gear worked as normal on the highway. I have a 400 mile ride this weekend, so ill post an update on MPGs after.

Pics (and this is all BEFORE the lift kit!!)
33x12.5x15 tires
15x8 wheels

Before:


AFFTTTERRRR!!!


RAAAA!

I was nervous as to how it would look because of the way people talk about 35s, but I am absolutely in love with how the car sits. Itll be even sicker once the 2" kit goes on. Im glad I had time to think everything through because this is exactly what I wanted.
 
#49 ·
Before:


AFFTTTERRRR!!!


RAAAA!

I was nervous as to how it would look because of the way people talk about 35s, but I am absolutely in love with how the car sits. Itll be even sicker once the 2" kit goes on. Im glad I had time to think everything through because this is exactly what I wanted.

You called your JEEP a car!? :censored::hide:


However I love the build! :punk:
 
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