I didn't actually start a build thread when I bought it, but I do have lots of pics so I'm going to roll down memory lane until I catch up to where I'm at.
I bought her new in February of 2013. Born in December of 2012. Had about 47 miles on it. Traded in a BMW 5-Series (you can see it in the background). I've owned a number of Jeeps in the past and it was nice to get back into one. This is my 4th Jeep. CJ7, TJ, another TJ, JKUR, then JK. The 5th came a little later (in another thread).
So apparently, even with Synergy Sleeves in the front axle tubes, you can STILL bend the stock housing. Ugh! Mine bent right in this area marked by the red oval and arrow.
The bend was barely noticeable at first. The only thing that clued me in was the noise of the axle shaft rubbing on the inside of the tube when I flexed the front end just right. When I removed the axle I could see it had worn a spot on the top of the tube and the stock shaft was all scrapped and worn in that spot.
So I replaced the front housing with a new Dynatrac ProRock44. Just swapped over the carrier, locker, and 5.13 Yukon gears. I also welded on a set of LCA skids from KD Fabworks.
Kept the Bilstein front stabilizer but put it where I hope to add Hydro-Assist sometime in the future. Added TenFactory front axle shafts, Reid Knuckles, Synergy Front Track Bar Bracket, and Dynatrac ProSteer Ball Joints.
Hopefully with the 1/2-wall tubes, better brackets, ridiculously strong housing, and better axle shafts, I've eliminated a few week points. I've also gained a bit of ground clearance. The ProRock44 has better ground clearance than a Dana30 and the Reid Knuckles move the tie-rod up an inch and a half.
Turns out I was wrong. The housing isn't bent. :facepalm:
The old axle shafts were just crap. Oh well, I got a new, stronger housing anyway... But the noise I heard was still there so I replaced my Hub Bearing assembly...
The old ones didn't really seem that bad to me but I could get a little squeaky clicking out of them so I figured it was a good idea anyway.
Fixed the squeaky clicking sound, but I still have a louder humming/rubbing noise when I turn while loading/flexing the passenger side. Now I'm thinking its the drive shaft. I'm still running the stock shaft in front and the CV boot is coming apart now. I'll order a new Tom Woods shaft here soon..
I also ordered a new Odyssey battery, but is arrived damaged, so that upgrade has been pushed out a little.
So I ordered and installed a new front driveline from Tom Woods. Install went great, runs well, BUT... I still have that damn rubbing noise. Now I've replaced everything in the front so I'm struggling to think of what else it could be. The only thing I can come up with now is something in the Rubicon Sway Bar Disconnect... It's a low, hum kind of noise but only happens when I'm turning left and loading the front wheels while turning. I'm not sure there's anything left that I haven't replaced..
And I finally swapped out my stock battery for a new Odyssey. Should make winching, running air, etc. a little easier.
Thank you! Working well so far. But in all honesty, I've only ran it for a few thousand miles now and still haven't winched anything with it. I think the Jeep starts a little faster but I haven't really put it through a real test yet.
I haven't updated this in a long time. Mostly because I haven't done much to my Jeep, other than fix stuff I break. I did add some C-Pillars made by KD Fabworks. You can't see from the pic but I like how it has a bend in it to match the profiled contour of the Jeep top. Along with the fabric matched cover it looks totally stock.
I also wired the rear for an ARB fridge that I use when I'm camping. Don't have a pic of the fridge but I'm sure you can google that if you care.
Have an ARB awning to hang as well but I haven't actually got around to installing it yet. I made some brackets for it because my roof rack is a non-standard size but I haven't actually hung the awning from the jeep since I painted the brackets.. Probably do that before my next hunting trip.
This week I also added a light to the rear glass and wired it into the dome light. This thing is awesome. It's made by Brawlee and I got it on Amazon for $65. Comes with a remote, all the wiring, everything to install. It' has a connector where the top meets the tub so I can disco it to take the top off but the best part is I CAN SEE in the back at night!
Also added a bed rug kit to replace the waterlogged carpet. Sooo much better.
Other than that, just had some small warranty items fixed here and there. I love this Jeep.
Love the light on the back glass of the hardtop, very creative!
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