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Current and future mods

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by hudsonhawk, Nov 15, 2011.

  1. Nov 15, 2011
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2005
    Messages:
    1,937
    Let's start out.

    In Dec 2009 I bought a bone stock 2006 TJ unlimited (LJ) with only 34K miles on it.
    Specs: 4.0L, 3.73 Gears, 42RLE automagic, 30 front and 44 rear with LS and 30x9.5 GY tires.

    To date here is what has changed:
    • geared to 4.10
    • Lockright in the front
    • heavy duty diff covers (these were actually on my CJ and so I am proud to say a piece of it lives on in my current Jeep)
    • Rokmen build it yourself rear bumper kit.
    • Genright 31 Gallon Fuel Tank and Skid plate. I can carry more fuel on board then most people who have multiple jerry cans.
    • Aux tranny cooler to keep the automagic cool.
    • 31x10.5 Michellin LTX AT2. Absolutely phenominal tire on everything from dry pavement to ice/snow and light mud. Unfortunatly the sidewalls are not up to rock crawling so they will be replaced with MT/R Kevlars in the future.
    • 1" BL to clear the genright tank and the planned tummy tuck.
    • Currie Anti-rock front sway bar. Makes a world of difference off-road and there is nothing to disconnect or re-connect when the day is done.
    Future plans:
    • Tummy tuck. Picked up a used AEV Skid and automatic kit for $200. Just need to get 4-5/16 flat head machine screws to complete it.
    • winch Bumper. want to find one with a recessed winch mount. I already have a Warn 8000i that I had on my CJ. It just needs some TLC before it goes on the LJ.
    • transmision skid plate.
    • oil pan skid plate.
    • AEV highline kit. Will allow 33" tires without having to modify the suspension.
    • Advanced adapters Rubicrawler for the 42RLE. It replaces the tailhousing between the transmission and t-case. Gives an additional 2.72 gear reduction over the transfer case when it is engaged. With the exception of an extra handle in the console, it looks completely stock.
    I do not want to put a lift on this to keep the center of gravity low. Also the type of wheeling I plan for it will not require it.
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2011
  2. Nov 15, 2011
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2005
    Messages:
    1,937
    Oh and I forgot detachable sleeping pod..

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Nov 15, 2011
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    I like your trailer. I remember you were working on it... a year ago? Seems like quick work.

    Methinks you should be hanging at Expedition Forum ... thought they are mainly Toyota fans there.
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2011
  4. Nov 15, 2011
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2005
    Messages:
    1,937
    Central Overland forum actually. Its a local version of the expedition forum. The first overland trip is an easy run this weekend from Marble Falls tx to Sonora, TX through the hill country.
     
  5. Nov 15, 2011
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    I bought my 2005 Wrangler Unlimited in May of 2007. It had 10,500 miles on it, bone stock.

    Specs: 4.0L, 3.73 Gears, NSG 370 6-speed manual trans, 30 front and 44 rear with LS and 30x9.5 GY tires.

    I added:

    Cassidy's Customs front bumper, sliders, and rear bumper/swingout with custom hidden latch and LED CHMSL centered in the spare

    Skid Row fuel tank skid
    Skid Row steering box skid
    OME steering damper
    Full traction 3" lift
    JKS adjustable front track bar
    JKS adgustable rear track bar
    JKS Quicker disconnects
    Ground Pounder Fab rear bumper/frame tie-ins
    (5) 33x10.50 BFG MTs
    15x7 AR Outlaw II wheels with 3.75" backspace
    Rubicon fender flares (1" wider than non-Rubi)
    Auxillary hood bumper
    CB
    Sirius Radio
    Custom 1.5" seat risers
    Blue flame shift knob :D
    Warn fog lights
    Hella E-code headlights with 55/60W H4 bulbs

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This is my DD. Next mod will be solid tie rod from a V8 ZJ.
     
  6. Nov 15, 2011
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2005
    Messages:
    1,937
    Lynn, how do you like the e-codes. I have been looking at them myself. I m currently running the Silverstars.
     
  7. Nov 15, 2011
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    I like them alot. But be careful of the cheap plastic adjusters in the LJ/TJ bucket, the ring breaks easily. I fixed mine with a heavy-duty, plastic-coated twist-tie ;)

    The e-codes are cut to throw extra light to the right, great for illuminating road signs, while still providing great range forward.


    I stayed with the 55/60W because I didn't want the effort of upgrading my harness.
    Even at that, they certainly exceed the range of the dim factory lights. High beam seems to be about double the range of factory.

    I had looked at Silverstar sealed beams.. the main complaint I've read is relatively short life.
    I know Sylvania makes a Silverstar H4 bulb, but I think the reviews still cite longevity as a problem.

    I'm a year into the Hellas, no problems.

    Best price I could find at the time was a seller on Amazon, Susquehanna Motorsports.
     
  8. Nov 15, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    Re: seat risers. I've noticed I wouldn't mind if the driver seat was a bit higher. I assume I'm not the only one as I've seen risers offered at quite a few places..Did you raise the passenger seat, too? If not, does it look weird having one higher than the other?
     
  9. Nov 15, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    Wow. That's ironic...:D I've noticed the door straps seemed too long, and the visor decals are indeed ugly..Thanks Don!
    I ordered some seat risers. Normally I would have made them, but for now I'm enjoying actually being able to buy stuff for this thing that fits...
     
  10. Nov 15, 2011
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2005
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    Yup, did this day one. Otherwise it was in my line of site.
     
  11. Nov 15, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    Ah, a cabin filter.. Do you remove the whole cowl?
     
  12. Nov 15, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    Although, with no top or doors I guess it wouldn't matter..
     
  13. Nov 16, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    Heh, obviously I'm not familiar enough yet with the jeep. I'll take a look tomorrow..
     
  14. Nov 16, 2011
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    The TJ seats were lowered in 2003, by about 1.5". Typically it's the '03/up TJ owners who use seat risers... although if you want to raise the seats of earlier units, should be the same process.

    Initially I had a 1" riser on the drivers seat only, was not noticeable. Eventually I went to 1.5" risers on both sides. I used solid aluminum block, see this thread:

    http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f37/seat-spacers-503513/

    These work great for me.

    Got my bolts from Fastenal (Fastenal P/Ns shown below):

    Qty 6, p/n 40682, M8-1.25 x70mm DIN 931 Class 10.9 plain cap screw. $0.87777 each
    Qty 2, p/n 18164, 7/16-20 x 2 3/4 plain finish SAE J429 grade 8 hex cap screw $0.8355 each
    You can get appropriate grade 8 washers anywhere.

    I ordered plain finish, not zinc or cad plated.
    I used a bit of antisieze on the bolts for the install.
     
  15. Nov 16, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    I ordered 1.5" risers, but I'm short. If it's too high, I'll cut them in half.
     
  16. Nov 20, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    Update on seat risers- 1.25" was too high. Took them out, and saving them for my Dad as he is sorta looking for an '03-up TJ.
     
  17. Nov 26, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    I took care of that. I made up a shorter turn down with 2 1/2" pipe when I put the muffler on.. Sounds really nice with this.

    http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-17651/

    Nice little growl off idle, but overall pretty mellow. Just enough to hear.
     
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