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Slow build Progress (photos!)

4K views 53 replies 15 participants last post by  Jeep Matt 
#1 ·
Well guys, finally started slapping some parts on her. Quick review and some shop info for those local and interested! And of course photos! :thumb:

Before I even start, how amazing the community has already been. I have had 3 waves from fellow jeeps in a week's time! Just outstanding!


My initial thoughts are on the 2d sport JK, I can't see having one of these amazing vehicles without a manual transmission. You guys can argue all day about this, and I am sure the automatics are more capable errr (easier) to offroad. For me its all about the experience, and I have completely and utterly have fallen in love with this car, all 6 gears and all! :hide:

This was was purchased with the sole knowledge that most everything was going to be ripped off and replaced. So, here goes! :)

First line of business was the rear seat delete. Very nice to have the extra cargo space. As it only being a 2dr, its been nice to have that little bit of cargo space.

Next, picked up a nice bed liner by 4wheel parts. Doesn't fit as good as oem, but for the price its not a bad bargain liner. I am sure the other liners are of better quality, so if you want cheap, this is decent for what it is.

Next line of business was the mirror relocation kit. I didn't want to hastle with consistently moving the mirrors around when I take the doors on and off. Very content with the build of the kit, although you do lose some visibility on the passenger side. Mounting brackets are fantastic and with a small vice to remove the factory OEM mirror bracket its a piece of cake. :thumb:


Ask for Chris at 4wheel parts in Azusa. He is a nice guy, and usually works something out on labor if you need it. (But who here really has someone else do their work for them?) haha :facepalm:

Next line of business was to be able to conceal a bit of what is inside the rear. With no seats, this was really needed. I went ahead and ordered a bestop tinted window kit. Its sub $300 and definitely gives the car a completely different looks. Fits decently well, although this does have a bit of sag in the rear window.


Now it was time to match the front windows for some additional security by trying to conceal anything left inside (although this is unlikely). For those looking for THE BEST window tinting in socal (they just got an award for the best window tinter) look at sun tammers.

28142 Camino Capistrano Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 582-8200




Ask for Frank and tell him Matt with the Jeep, sent you. He is a class act guy, has tinted all of my vehicles, and extremely professional. Not to mention, they usually have some pretty amazing vehicles to look at. Lifted TJ, JK's, Viper, 997 turbo etc. etc. :dance:

So, this leads to getting more serious... No tires, no lift? Not exactly... Had to wait for them to be delivered, so figured I would kill some time getting it tinted etc. ;) Spoke to AJ at Discount Tire Direct. What a professional company and AJ is top notch. Sadly, I did have to cancel my order, as a local tire shop, matched the price! If you guys are local, give Chris at American Tires (discount's sister) a call. Super professional and had them within 48hrs! If you are not local, skip the search and call AJ at Discount Tires Direct!

2050 E 28th St
Signal Hill
(562) 981-5389

I decided on keeping things simple and went with the, "Combo" with tracker 8's instead of the MB72's. The offset I think looks amazing! :thumb: I knew the 33's would be a tad' small, and do think 35's are a better overall fit, but as running 35, and 37's in the past, I felt the 33's were a nice, "reasonable" tire. Very happy.










Wait for it... wait for it... :flowers:

The combo. :wavey:











Keep posted, Smitty rock rails, Rancho rs9k, and lift next week, then its play time! :D
 
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#3 ·
It's amazing what wheels and tires do to the look of a Jeep. The lift will make it look badass. And nice choice on the manual :thumb: Agreed; probably easier to drive and wheel, but IMHO, takes some of the challenge and fun out of wheeling :whistling:

How much fun are you having modding out your Jeep! I'm excited for you!!

Hope to see you on one of my many ongoing runs!

:wavey:

Lorie
 
#15 ·
Good looking rig your putting together. You'll have fun on Lories run. Lots for fun people and silliness mixed in which some good rocks and I hope you like "Precious Box" cause it's all she plays and she plays it loud.:thumb:
Oh yeah. It takes someone very secure in his masculinity to drive an auto in this group.:hide::rofl:
 
#16 ·
:rofl: It's NOT all I play Bob!! Have som Floyd, Linkin Park, Metallica playing too...you just didn't hear any of it. :whistling: and then when the mood strikes, a little Luke Bryan, Josh Turner, Billy Currington...even some Ronnie Milsap! You've only been on one run with me. Can't judge by that :rofl:
 
#24 ·
No, it's cool. I get it. I wouldn't want to ride shotgun either if I wasn't a newb. I don't like riding passenger myself either.

Is why JP won't be making it out. His rig is down and doesn't much care to be a passenger.

Once you go wheeler, it's like you can never go back to anything but driver.
 
#25 ·
No, it's cool. I get it. I wouldn't want to ride shotgun either if I wasn't a newb. I don't like riding passenger myself either.

Is why JP won't be making it out. His rig is down and doesn't much care to be a passenger.

Once you go wheeler, it's like you can never go back to anything but driver.
Quack!!! Your ass hurts. I've seen you riding shotgun up the Gatekeeper. And laughing all the way up. Lol

Sometimes the view alone is worth the ride.
 
#29 ·
Continued build, update! :wavey:


Well, this week it saw a few more minor updates. She received the smitty rock rails, daystar rear bumpers, and the rancho 2" sport lift with the 9000xl's. Full review and pictures below!



First up, the daystar bumpers. If you run an aftermarket rim that has a great then 4.5 offset, these fill in nicely for the factory one's, as they increase the length. Build quality is what you would expect for $15. Pretty standard here.




Next up were the Smitty rock rails. These definitely appear sturdy in build quality. Sadly, these do not bolt directly on without a little removal of the frame. With a little sanding, they bolted right on. They definitely give the jeep a more rugged look, although I am not 100% sold the design completely matches the body. Overall, for the price of sub $300, you can't go that wrong with them.










Now, the big upgrade. Went ahead and spoke to matt with Rancho, and ordered up the Sport lift 2" from Rancho, with the 9000XL's. First, these shocks are fantastic. Sadly, I did get a substantial opposite rake in the front. We toyed around with it a bit, adjusted the shock settings on the 9k's and let it set for the day, but it is still about 1/2" high in the front (from the pinch seem). We double checked everything, and it does appear the rear coil spacers are the 3/4" and not the 1 3/4" for the 2dr model. This seems to make sense as to why the front is a bit high. You guys can see for yourself and judge it for what it is.

Overall driving impressions. Under braking you have very little front dive. Cornering is drastically improved as well as comfort on the highway. These absorb the road in a much more linear and consistent manor in comparison to the factory sport springs/shocks. Really no comparison. :thumb:

After playing around with the different settings, I found, "5" FR and "3" R to be the best balance of comfort and still gaining nice road handling characteristics. Overall, very happy, excluding the front rake.

Wait for it....







:punk:


Fuel door and stereo coming up next! :D
 
#30 ·
Slow progress the past 2 weeks.

Got the correct rear spacers 1.75" from Rancho for the 2" sport lift. The Rancho 9k's are amazing shocks. Better on road characteristics, as well as even more comfortable on rough terrain. Sits nice and level now.






Land vehicle Vehicle Car Tire Jeep


Was bored waiting on the lift, so ended up trying my hand at the VHT brand night shades for the turn signals. For a few dollars, it definitely is worth getting rid of the orange, or cost of purchasing new covers (clear) if you don't enjoy the orange colored signal. A few coats, 3-4 and they look completely black. Night time visibility is not affected either. Overall, very happy for a few bucks. Definitely a tad, "ricer" but prefer the aesthetics of this more.


Land vehicle Automotive tire Grille Tire Headlamp




Picked up the rr fuel locking cap. Very nice build quality. Took about 10min with the required power drill and screws. Nice added security for someone wanted to mess with the jeep. For under $100, I think it's well worth it.


Land vehicle Vehicle Car Automotive tire Tire









Up next, stealthbox and stereo! :)
 
#46 ·
Night Shade

Hey Matt,

Love the work you have done!

I was wondering what did you use to sand the turning signals? Also, how many clear coats did you put on?

Thanks!

Conrad

Slow progress the past 2 weeks.

Got the correct rear spacers 1.75" from Rancho for the 2" sport lift. The Rancho 9k's are amazing shocks. Better on road characteristics, as well as even more comfortable on rough terrain. Sits nice and level now.






View attachment 237512

Was bored waiting on the lift, so ended up trying my hand at the VHT brand night shades for the turn signals. For a few dollars, it definitely is worth getting rid of the orange, or cost of purchasing new covers (clear) if you don't enjoy the orange colored signal. A few coats, 3-4 and they look completely black. Night time visibility is not affected either. Overall, very happy for a few bucks. Definitely a tad, "ricer" but prefer the aesthetics of this more.


View attachment 237513



Picked up the rr fuel locking cap. Very nice build quality. Took about 10min with the required power drill and screws. Nice added security for someone wanted to mess with the jeep. For under $100, I think it's well worth it.


View attachment 237514








Up next, stealthbox and stereo! :)
 
#32 ·
Bored and had an hr to kill, so decided my hand at plastidip. Overall a really easy process. Grill took less then 5min to remove. Should protect the front for a bit. Haven't decided if I am going to keep it or not. What do you guys think?



Auto part Vehicle Car Jeep Automotive exterior




Land vehicle Vehicle Car Jeep Tire




Stereo,CB, and locking boxes next week! :)
 
#42 ·
Sadly the happy ball didn't survive the Memorial Day run. :( its somewhere lost in big bear mountain.... Poor lil' guy. I'm eying the hang loose one next, see if it lasts through this weekends run!

Floor mats and stereo in! Full details and photos soon!
 
#44 ·
I've wheeled with the 9k's years ago on a different rig and loved them then. They were equally as impressive on this past run. Got into some high speed driving with a fellow jeeper, lifted 4dr rubi on the way up. Handled the pavement amazingly well. Then once we hit the trail, dialed them down and tire air pressure to 12. Couldn't have asked for more! :)

A couple nice marks and some lower body stingers. Looking into some diff body armor. Other then that, 37's would be nice, but after I drove 4hrs on the highway and around town, glad I have my current setup. My steering fluid did start to boil over after 6hrs or so on the trail, but keep in mind this was a pretty serious trail with mostly crawl speeds.

Yes, disconnect was mandatory on this trail.
 
#45 ·
Missed a local run this weekend, so explored some of the fire trails. Really wanted to try out the smittty half doors.

Build quality is really nice, although they do clank a bit, despite adjustments. Was nice having an arm rest and do give a little but of protection if you roll. I think they complement the look of the 2dr jeep nicely.

They come with mirror mounting brackets and require 4 screws to assemble.

Overall pretty happy! Now time to clean!
 

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