JKWrang's Black JKU Build Thread/ Story
- Thread starter JKWrang
- Start date
bl17z90
New member
Good things come to those who wait but yeah someone owes you a rental vehicle.
JKWrang
New member
Alright, so... 43 days later I have my Jeep back! Lift installed free of charge and I must say.
Ho
Lee
Crap.
This is amazing. My Jeep is so much better now! Ill try and post pics later this week, but the initial review is:
The Jeep sits noticeably higher. I feel like Im on top of the world and its really exactly the height I wanted. I dont have to jump, but I cant just plop in either.
The wheels ARE small, but all in all the 31s dont look TOO terrible.
Driving back the Jeep felt so much smoother. The Bilstein's are so smooth and forgiving. I was kinda worried that the TF kit with the stiffer springs would be a little rougher for a ride, but honestly this Jeep rides exceptionally well. I tested it out on several pot holes coming home and it was hardly noticeable :cheesy:
Im sure the extra weight of the JKU plays a big role there as well.
The steering IS a little flighty. Thats ok though, just a different experience than the tight steering of the rentals I had been driving. Going from a Camry to a Wrangler is one hell of a transition. Im sure new uppers and lowers would make a huge difference here and a track bar would complete the cycle... but thats for a later date. I think my wife will be pushing for some sliders shortly after she gets in and out with the kids a few times.
Ill try and post pics up when its day time. But hey, its back and its taller!!! :rock:
Sent via secret squirrel underground network.
Ho
Lee
Crap.
This is amazing. My Jeep is so much better now! Ill try and post pics later this week, but the initial review is:
The Jeep sits noticeably higher. I feel like Im on top of the world and its really exactly the height I wanted. I dont have to jump, but I cant just plop in either.
The wheels ARE small, but all in all the 31s dont look TOO terrible.
Driving back the Jeep felt so much smoother. The Bilstein's are so smooth and forgiving. I was kinda worried that the TF kit with the stiffer springs would be a little rougher for a ride, but honestly this Jeep rides exceptionally well. I tested it out on several pot holes coming home and it was hardly noticeable :cheesy:
Im sure the extra weight of the JKU plays a big role there as well.
The steering IS a little flighty. Thats ok though, just a different experience than the tight steering of the rentals I had been driving. Going from a Camry to a Wrangler is one hell of a transition. Im sure new uppers and lowers would make a huge difference here and a track bar would complete the cycle... but thats for a later date. I think my wife will be pushing for some sliders shortly after she gets in and out with the kids a few times.
Ill try and post pics up when its day time. But hey, its back and its taller!!! :rock:
Sent via secret squirrel underground network.
Tigrcky
New member
Alright, so... 43 days later I have my Jeep back! Lift installed free of charge and I must say.
Ho
Lee
Crap.
This is amazing. My Jeep is so much better now! Ill try and post pics later this week, but the initial review is:
The Jeep sits noticeably higher. I feel like Im on top of the world and its really exactly the height I wanted. I dont have to jump, but I cant just plop in either.
The wheels ARE small, but all in all the 31s dont look TOO terrible.
Driving back the Jeep felt so much smoother. The Bilstein's are so smooth and forgiving. I was kinda worried that the TF kit with the stiffer springs would be a little rougher for a ride, but honestly this Jeep rides exceptionally well. I tested it out on several pot holes coming home and it was hardly noticeable :cheesy:
Im sure the extra weight of the JKU plays a big role there as well.
The steering IS a little flighty. Thats ok though, just a different experience than the tight steering of the rentals I had been driving. Going from a Camry to a Wrangler is one hell of a transition. Im sure new uppers and lowers would make a huge difference here and a track bar would complete the cycle... but thats for a later date. I think my wife will be pushing for some sliders shortly after she gets in and out with the kids a few times.
Ill try and post pics up when its day time. But hey, its back and its taller!!! :rock:
Sent via secret squirrel underground network.
:wings::wings::wings::wings::wings::wings::wings::wings::wings::wings:
bl17z90
New member
Glad you like the new lift.
You may only have 31's but there is an advantage there. They are duratracs so atleast you arn't driving around like i did with almost 4 inches of lift and street tires :bleh: My Jeep looked silly for almost a year. What I am getting at here is the aide lugs really add to the overall look of the vehicle.
Are you still using stock wheels? I can't remember if you said so or not but a good fix to give your jeep that little bit meaner stance is to add wheel spacers to stock wheels.
The biggest thing you can add to your lift to improve ride quality is a long arm setup but it doesn't matter whos kit you buy they are all going to cost you over $1700.
Oh and one last thing, if you don't already have quick discos i would highly recommend them.
You may only have 31's but there is an advantage there. They are duratracs so atleast you arn't driving around like i did with almost 4 inches of lift and street tires :bleh: My Jeep looked silly for almost a year. What I am getting at here is the aide lugs really add to the overall look of the vehicle.
Are you still using stock wheels? I can't remember if you said so or not but a good fix to give your jeep that little bit meaner stance is to add wheel spacers to stock wheels.
The biggest thing you can add to your lift to improve ride quality is a long arm setup but it doesn't matter whos kit you buy they are all going to cost you over $1700.
Oh and one last thing, if you don't already have quick discos i would highly recommend them.
Last edited:
JKWrang
New member
I actually am still on stock wheels but the spacers are installed as shown here. Went with 1.5" Spidertrax because of their reputation and quality.
The gap is noticeable but the stance is still mean!
I was really concerned that would look pretty goofy but like you said, the Duratracs make up the difference with the aggressive tread and being a plus size for this little rim haha.
So here is a before shot:
And here are some after shots. Definitely a noticeable difference. I haven't had a chance to measure just yet.
Hope to get her out on the trail with you guys this spring!
Sent via secret squirrel underground network.
The gap is noticeable but the stance is still mean!
I was really concerned that would look pretty goofy but like you said, the Duratracs make up the difference with the aggressive tread and being a plus size for this little rim haha.
So here is a before shot:
And here are some after shots. Definitely a noticeable difference. I haven't had a chance to measure just yet.
Hope to get her out on the trail with you guys this spring!
Sent via secret squirrel underground network.
cozdude
Guy with a Red 2-Door
:cheesy::cheesy: i love your profile pic! i didnt know grumpy cat was really darth vader
VADER JK
New member
:cheesy::cheesy: i love your profile pic! i didnt know grumpy cat was really darth vader
thanks man, I saw it and couldn't resist.
KPM171
New member
Congrat's on all the goodies and I'm glad no one was hurt in the accident. However, it does all seem to be coming together. :thumb: Hope to see it in person this spring at RC!
hinrichs
Caught the Bug
jealous of the lift
noroad
New member
A lift is so nice to have i never could have done another long arm on the ground lol helps with tire rotations and 37s lol but deff helps the back stay alive.
JKWrang
New member
Psh, any spare part I can find! I really wanna test this out too!
Sent via secret squirrel underground network.
JKWrang
New member
Its not a low rider anymore! Im hoping to get down there this spring for sure!!
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JKWrang
New member
Would a short arm make a noticeable difference? Wouldn't a long arm, at this lift height, be overkill??
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cozdude
Guy with a Red 2-Door
I think Eddie has said before that the stock control arms are basically a mid arm but mid arms are a gimmick and to long for our use. The EVO lower control arm with the enforcer is considered a short arm. If I were you I would keep the stock front upper and stock rear lower arms and get new front lowers and rear uppers. Maybe a set of EVO arms for the front lower and curries for the rear upper
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