Vader's JKU build

Well I have wanted to make a build thread for a while now, as I enjoy reading everyone else's. This will by no means be fast paced, but I just want to have fun with it and have a place to throw out ideas and whatever I want. I want to thank everyone that has helped and given me the inspiration to go bigger. To start things off I'll have to do some back tracking.

I got my 2012 JKU in February 2012. Before I even got her on the road I immediately had them put on a 2.5" BB lift and 35's.


About a week later I had gone up to NY, where I am currently stationed. Then went off roading for my first time with a local club and was instantly hooked!


After about a year of non stop training and traveling I started to get more time to work on my JK. As you fellow northern guys know there is no shortage of snow up here.


This is about the time when I was introduced to Wayalife and project-jk. First thing I did was chopped my fenders, and it was all down hill from there. Well maybe just for my bank account, oh well.


Next on the list for me was a front bumper. I hated the full width factory bumper and wanted a shorter stubby with a stinger, so after looking around I found one to fit my budget. I ended up with the Rough Country JK stubby bumper with stinger and D ring attachments. I still love this bumper and it has held up amazing.


Got new plates, windshield sticker, and the D ring mounts in the mail shortly afterward.

Next two things I got on the same day. I got the Dynomax Evolution exhaust after reading so many good things and seeing the videos. I couldn't be happier with it, I think it sounds great and the install wasn't too bad.


And with that my good friend got me an aFe CAI as a gift. Can't argue with free!


After a good amount of wheeling, especially all over muddy NY. I decided it was time for a winch. A buddy of mine had a brand new Badland 12k lb. winch from harbor freight that he never even opened, so I took it off his hands for a real good price. I figured if it dies on me it'll just be a good excuse to upgrade. Surprisingly it has help up and performed really well so far.





Next for me was the Bestop Trektop NX. Man was that thing a pain in the ass to get on the fist time.



One boring weekend I decided to do the DIY grill guard mod, and had some fun with the red paint I had sitting around. Still not sure if I'm going to change it to black though.



I was lucky enough to make it out to Rausch Creek for a weekend of wheeling and fun with a bunch of the guys! By far the best time I've had wheeling with really cool and helpful people.





I learned a lot that trip. On of them being it was time for some quick discos. And thanks to Alan30 and KP I was able to get a pair of these by Rock Krawler.

Testing


DIY paracord grab handles FTW.


It's true love.

My two loves


Ahh Christmas time, that means free jeep stuff! I ended up with some coverking neoprene seat covers.



I also got a great deal on some LED pods, so I threw two on the windshield mounts, and two on the corners of the front bumper. Wired them up to the daystar A pilar switch panel.



Some recent shots.





Well that's most of what's on for now. A lot to come very soon. I'll just say northridge4x4 has it's own corner in my house back home. My time in the Army is up and am moving back home to VA in less than 2 weeks! So much to look forward too and many hours of installations coming up.

VADER JK said:

My two loves
View attachment 69408

Ahh Christmas time, that means free jeep stuff! I ended up with some coverking neoprene seat covers.
View attachment 69409
View attachment 69410

I also got a great deal on some LED pods, so I threw two on the windshield mounts, and two on the corners of the front bumper. Wired them up to the daystar A pilar switch panel.
View attachment 69411
View attachment 69412

Some recent shots.
View attachment 69413
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View attachment 69416

Well that's most of what's on for now. A lot to come very soon. I'll just say northridge4x4 has it's own corner in my house back home. My time in the Army is up and am moving back home to VA in less than 2 weeks! So much to look forward too and many hours of installations coming up.

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Vader,

Nice truck - keep up the good work, she looks great! Thank you for your service and best of luck to you going forward. Some of your pictures are in FT Drum, right? Plenty of snow without a doubt. Stay safe, hopefully we will run into each other on the trail.

Nice build Vader, thank you for your service!

Looking good vader! Hopefully we can wheel together at Rausch soon


Sent from my iPhone

Looks nice Vader.

Looking good man. Looking forward to the next trip.

Was that you who had their hotdog stolen from by my dog?

VADER JK said:

Well I have wanted to make a build thread for a while now, as I enjoy reading everyone else's. This will by no means be fast paced, but I just want to have fun with it and have a place to throw out ideas and whatever I want. I want to thank everyone that has helped and given me the inspiration to go bigger. To start things off I'll have to do some back tracking.

I got my 2012 JKU in February 2012. Before I even got her on the road I immediately had them put on a 2.5" BB lift and 35's.
View attachment 69379

About a week later I had gone up to NY, where I am currently stationed. Then went off roading for my first time with a local club and was instantly hooked!
View attachment 69380

After about a year of non stop training and traveling I started to get more time to work on my JK. As you fellow northern guys know there is no shortage of snow up here.
View attachment 69381

This is about the time when I was introduced to Wayalife and project-jk. First thing I did was chopped my fenders, and it was all down hill from there. Well maybe just for my bank account, oh well.
View attachment 69382

Next on the list for me was a front bumper. I hated the full width factory bumper and wanted a shorter stubby with a stinger, so after looking around I found one to fit my budget. I ended up with the Rough Country JK stubby bumper with stinger and D ring attachments. I still love this bumper and it has held up amazing.
View attachment 69383
View attachment 69384
Got new plates, windshield sticker, and the D ring mounts in the mail shortly afterward.
View attachment 69387
View attachment 69385
View attachment 69386

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What bumper is that? The stinger one

Brankz said:

What bumper is that? The stinger one

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Rough Country stubby with stinger and D ring attachments...nice build!!!!


2010 MANGO TANGO SPORT JKU

Vader- Thank you for your service!

Jeep looks great! :thumb:

Lookin good! :yup: :rock:

JKUx said:

Nice build Vader, thank you for your service!

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H8MUD said:

Looks nice Vader.

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newtdog said:

Rough Country stubby with stinger and D ring attachments...nice build!!!!


2010 MANGO TANGO SPORT JKU

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pvanweelden said:

Vader- Thank you for your service!

Jeep looks great! :thumb:

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MTG said:

Lookin good! :yup: :rock:

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Thanks a lot guys! :standing wave:

Armydog said:

Vader,

Nice truck - keep up the good work, she looks great! Thank you for your service and best of luck to you going forward. Some of your pictures are in FT Drum, right? Plenty of snow without a doubt. Stay safe, hopefully we will run into each other on the trail.

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Thanks brother! Yeah most of my shots are from Drum. 9 months of winter means mostly snow pictures thats for sure. Hope to see you on the trail too.

cozdude said:

Looking good vader! Hopefully we can wheel together at Rausch soon
Sent from my iPhone

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Thanks, Yeah for sure! I'm going to make the trip up from VA as soon as it warms up a little.

bl17z90 said:

Looking good man. Looking forward to the next trip.

Was that you who had their hotdog stolen from by my dog?

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Me too man I can't wait to get back out there with you guys. I think I actually do remember your dog doing that :cheesy: Of course my memory of those nights is a little fuzzy though I seem to remember that.

VADER JK said:

Me too man I can't wait to get back out there with you guys. I think I actually do remember your dog doing that :cheesy: Of course my memory of those nights is a little fuzzy though I seem to remember that.

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If the fire nights arn't a blur i figure I'm doing something wrong.

bl17z90 said:

If the fire nights arn't a blur i figure I'm doing something wrong.

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Yeah both nights were great. That rain just made things more interesting.

VADER JK said:

Yeah both nights were great. That rain just made things more interesting.

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The rain added a different kind of fun to the night. Would have been nice to not have it though.

Awesome looking Vader and thanks for all the pictures.:thumb:

Looks great dude! Was a pleasure wheeling with you that day and I am looking forward to doing so again soon. Thank you for your service and stay safe :beer:

The Force will be with you.... always

Great looking rig! love the name :cheesy: