"Rocko" Build-It may be slow, it may be cheap, but it's Perfect!

ArmyofMike

New member
I feel like it's time we took it to the next level. I'm ready to commit to you Wayalife. I'm ready to share.

In June of 2014, gas prices were HIGH at around $4.50/gal in California. My wife and I had a Dodge Durango Hemi 2WD and were done getting gas every week at $90/tank. I have always liked Jeeps since H.S. many years ago and began looking at them. I would search Carmax, AutoTrader, Cars.com and Craigslist for postings. I didn't want to spend more than $25k and I wanted to get a 2012 or newer with the 3.6L after doing LOTS of research. I kept waiting and looking for well over two months. One day, on my way to work, I noticed a silver JKU at an Audi/Porsche Dealer. It looked like exactly what I wanted! On my break, I looked up the Jeep on my phone app and found it was at $32k...Toooooo High for my blood and budget. So, I chalked it up and continued my search. However, every day I would drive to/from work, there it woudl be out front. Just mocking me. So I would watch the price every week: $30K one week, $29k two weeks later, $28k a few weeks later, then bam! They were asking $26,900 for it!! That was right in striking distance. So on a Friday, after a work function at John's Incredible Pizza, I talked my wife into "test driving" it only! We took the kids and went to the dealer. Long story short, a bit of bargaining and.....Rocko came home!

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Since we got it in June 2014, we have done quite a bit with it. It has been a very fun Family Vehicle!

First Trip: Monterey, CA with Freedom Tops Off
Second Trip: Dusy Ershim Trail to Voyager Rock (All Stock!! :eek: )
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What a Frightening/Fun Trip on the Dusy!
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So After Dusy, I knew I needed to build it up a bit. So I got to researching and adding parts. Now remember, I am the most frugal guy I know. So this may not be extreme to some, but it has been perfect for me. I love everything I have done and loved every minute of doing it!

I added:
Rough Country 2.5" Leveling Lift with Spacers and shock extenders
Rubicon Red Shocks
Extended Brake Line Brackets
Plasti-dipped MOAB Rims black

I plan to add 35's very soon, but am getting everything finalized before I do. I just added 1.5" 5x5 Wheel Spacers to accomodate for 35x12.5x17 tires I will mount soon. They were used off a Wayalife Member but have a good amount of life left on them. And thanks Lee for muling them to me!
Here is my review of the Spacers: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?26129-Ebay-Vendor-5x5-1-5-quot-Wheel-Spacer-Review
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Also Added:
CB Radio
TF Tire Carrier Antenna mount
Firestik Firefly 3" Antenna
18" Coaxial Cable to front
MikeyBilt Table/Molle Rack (Thread here: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?23708-Made-my-own-Mikeybilt-Tailgate-Table-Molle-Rack! )
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Aliensunshade Full Canopy Cover: Black
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Homemade Quick Disconnects (Clevis bolts and lynch pins)
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Tyger Trailer Hitch and wiring harness
Search and Rescue hitch cover
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High Temp Painted muffler: black
Harbor Freight Spotlights on Smittybilt Windshield mounts
Made my own Mikespod
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Took the Family Camping last summer....a LOT
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More to come....
 
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You are off to a great start! Excited for my future trips with the little guy.

Congrats and like the silver! :)
 
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Also added:
Homemade Grab Handles-Front and Back
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Went on the Shuteye Peak Trail near Bass Lake, CA
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Added a Harbor Freight 700w Power Inverter under passenger seat and wired to battery...and Entered Rocko in a Christmas Lights Parade!
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Added a Hardside Locker to rear cargo area and locked it down with U-bolts for Springtime and Top Off Weather!
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Jest this week, took the kids on their first Mudcapade! Yes, I need to get rid of these crappy GY Wrangler Stock Tires! Soon!
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Got the Wheel Spacers mounted...went back and added Blue RTV and retorqued
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Added a custom Abba-Zabba Heater
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Added Wingnut clamps to keep the sunshade from'a flapp'in and slapp'in!
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Build a Hardtop Hoist for the garage out of tie downs. Works great and is very sturdy. I can take the top off in less than 10min!
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Also installed a gutter mount roof rack for extra real estate on trips
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Realized my hardside locker had a huge crack in it...Took it back to Wally World and got a new one. Seem a very odd place for a crack near the handle.


Also...was going to take top back off, but rains-a-com'in next week! Great news for California!

Took it in the mud last week and need to put some back-to-black on the fenders. They look pretty bad!
 
Realized my hardside locker had a huge crack in it...Took it back to Wally World and got a new one. Seem a very odd place for a crack near the handle.


Also...was going to take top back off, but rains-a-com'in next week! Great news for California!

Took it in the mud last week and need to put some back-to-black on the fenders. They look pretty bad!

I love back to black. Just got my first tube of it this week, and AMAZED by the results.

Looks like a nice build. Love the spacers, could definitely use some of my own.
 
What kind of roof rack is that? With a 2 door I thought about bolting one on the hardtop so I could strap the freedom panels in the bag I have for them on top instead of taking up the back area inside
 
Nice Jeep!!! How did you secure the box in the back? U bolts through the floor? Pictures would be great.
 
I love back to black. Just got my first tube of it this week, and AMAZED by the results.

Looks like a nice build. Love the spacers, could definitely use some of my own.

Aside from the lift, the spacers have been a favorite addition. Thanks!

What kind of roof rack is that? With a 2 door I thought about bolting one on the hardtop so I could strap the freedom panels in the bag I have for them on top instead of taking up the back area inside

The roof bars are made by Proline and are the gutter model. Very inexpensive at around $60 (take that Thule!). The roof rack is a Walmart brand. I paid $100 for it. Comes in pieces. I put it together and it is light and sturdy. The powdercoating is nice and with the built in wind farring, it isn't too too loud. But you know it's there.

Nice Jeep!!! How did you secure the box in the back? U bolts through the floor? Pictures would be great.

I bolted it down to the bolts in the cargo area. I was using a cable lock for a bike, but found that two handgun trigger locks work much better and faster to install/remove box. Here is a pick to get the point. I also installed two U-bolts in the back of the box to secure the locks too.

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I like your style too. Keep up on the good times with family. That is what is truly priceless.:thumb:
 
Congrats Mike!! You have been randomly selected out of a short list to receive a ridg3runner care package consisting of this and that Jeep stuff I have stumbled upon ( literally) since the last time I tried spring cleaning my shop.
 
Congrats Mike!! You have been randomly selected out of a short list to receive a ridg3runner care package consisting of this and that Jeep stuff I have stumbled upon ( literally) since the last time I tried spring cleaning my shop.


Wooohoooo! I never win anything!! Thanks Lee!
 
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