Go for a Rip - Build!

JudgeJimmie

New member
Hey everyone,

Figured I'd start a build thread for my 2017 JKU Sport S. I bought a Jeep mostly because I see them as a great adventure vehicle that fits the lifestyle I want to have (but can't always have). I also didn't grow up working on cars, so I wanted something that was meant to be tinkered on so I could begin building up my garage and getting experience doing some auto work myself! I went with the Sport instead of a Rubicon because I figured I could then tailor it to exactly my needs as I go... Maybe not the best decision but I am having fun so far! I'm starting this thread a little late, but I'll quickly walk through everything I've added so far!

Here she is, stock Sport S the day I took it from the dealer. Bought in Reno, NV and drove back via Shasta National Forest! LED Headlights were installed by the dealer, came with 3.73 gears ratio with the tow package and the upgraded Alpine speaker system (Gotta have those beats!)
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I took a couple of trips with my jeep completely stock, including Death Valley where a Shark Tooth Rock took out my tire.
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This is also when I learned that the dealer neglected to provide the Lug Key for the McGuard lugs on all 5 of my stock tires... What an ordeal but I escaped with the help of the Death Valley Jeep Rental place, Farabee's! This inspired me to get some new tires.

I decided to go with 33" tires on my stock suspension. Given I have a sport, to go to 35s+ I would need to regear, and when I regear I really want to be ready with ARB Air lockers so I don't have to do it all again. This was a pretty big cost for me currently, so I decided to go with 33s for now and see where my wheeling takes me. These are Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ Tires with Pro-Comp 9" wide rims (4.75 backspacing). I got the rims with the hopes of them being the right fit for a 35" tire as well.
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Around this same time I also installed the Teraflex Nebo Roof Rack! I've always been enamored with RTTs so I wanted something that would work with a RTT, but I wasn't a huge fan of the Gobi style full body roof racks. I really like the sleak look of the Teraflex, and this allowed me to have a nice snowboard rack for trips to Tahoe over the weekends as well. Unfortunately I don't have pictures from when I was installing the Roof Rack, but here are some after shots, as well as the one above.
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The innvo snowboard holders are T-Mounts and easily unscrew for the summer months when I don't need them so the Jeep doesn't have a constant hat.

While installing the Nebo Roof Rack, I realized just what a pain taking the hard top on and off really is. So I decided I needed a hoist system in my garage to fully enjoy the California summer! Topless jeeping is great!
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Since I enjoy riding topless (and if you run into me this summer it'll likely be without the hard top) I needed some secure storage as well. My GF often carries a purse and I have a work laptop I need to keep secure, so I installed the Tuffy Security deck (#299 because I didn't think the raisable top was worth it... Hope I don't regret it).
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I also like the flat deck of the Tuffy in case I want to install some sliders or drawers on top. I've installed a few other odds and ends (Grill inserts, Gas cap cover, IGGEE Seat Covers, SpiderWebShade), but otherwise that's where I am at today! So what does the future hold?

My first focus is armor and camping gear:
The first piece of armor I am trying to install are the Deegan 38 Rock Sliders. I really liked the idea of the rock slider also being a step, as well as the integrated LED lighting (For setting up camps / the looks). The fact that it attaches via the three body bolts was also a plus for me (even though I know welding to the frame is the most ideal for a rock slider), but I like being weld free and sticking to things I can install... Well or so I thought... While installing this I broke the body bolt and am currently figuring out how to drill out that bolt before continuing this install. See the "Broken Body Bolt" thread in the main JK forum for updates on that..
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[] White Knuckle Offroad Frame Bolted Sliders.

After I figure that out I'd like to install more armor:
[] Oil Pan Armor / Transfer Case Armor
[] Transmission Armor
[] Evap Pan Armor (Not sure how badly I need this is)
[] Gas Tank Armor (Not sure how badly I need this is)
[] Front Bumper (Worried how the added weight will effect me with 33s on stock. May just stick with stock bumper..)
[] Rear Bumper (Worried how the added weight will effect me with 33s on stock. May just stick with stock bumper..)

My GF has been enjoying the open driving feeling, but isn't comfortable with no doors, so I was thinking of looking into Element Half Doors as well.
[] Element Half Doors

And too get more out of the trails I plan on adding a DIY Sway Bar Disconnect very soon
[] Sway Bar Disconnect

With the disconnect and my 33s, I expect a littler rubbing? So I'd likely need
[] Flat Fenders (Either Cut OEM or purchase? Play with 33s and S
[] Body Lift (Convince me I don't want this??)
These two items would also help me get to 37" tires without needing to go above the 3.5" lift (where driveshaft changes and other changes get more expensive it sounds like??)

I'd like a few more camping odds and ends, such as a tailgate table and storage drawers. I am also considering a HUD radio upgrade, as I have the premium alpine speakers but the non-touchscreen HUD as I planned on upgrading this when I bought it. Seriously considering the Alpine with wireless CarPlay when it is in the budget...
[] Tailgate Table
[] Storage Drawers for Rear
[] HUD Upgrade
[] CB Radio (The Cobra unit looks like the one I'd want)
[] Fridge / Yeti Cooler Mount points with Tuffy Security Deck
[] ARB On Board Air Compressor (For tire air-up and Locker)

As a stretch goal I'd like to get a RTT since thats the reason I installed the Nebo rack to begin with... But the more I think about this the less and less I think RTTs are actually worth the money (Would be nice to set up camp and leave it set up)
[] RTT(?)

As far as suspension goes, I'd like to go at least this summer without tinkering too much and see where 33s can get me. My jeep is my semi-daily driver (Only car, but I have a motorcycle). If I start to feel limited, next year I'd like to make the big jump to either 35s or 37s (Still deciding). When I put the 33s on this year, I really mentally decided I need to get out wheeling enough to justify the cost in getting these bigger tires for tougher trails. If I do it, I want to do it right the first time by doing the following:
Step 1 (Budget $5000-6000ish)?
[] Arb Air Lockers
[] 4.88 Gearing(? May depend on my tire downselection.. I'd like something that is usable for my 33" tires, so I can go for lockers and gears at once without changing tires, but will be perfect for either the 35 or 37 I decide on)
I was thinking that instead of installing these pieces piecemeal, I'd really go for it and put in a
[] Dana44 with the lockers and Gears. A package like this
[] If I don't go the Dana 44 route, I imagine I'll have to spend some time and money upgrading parts on my Dana30 (not sure what that is or would entail yet)
I am hoping I am able to run this with my 33s for a bit longer, which is why I'd like a gearing that will work for 33s with the plans on going bigger in step 2...


Step 2($3000ish)
[] 3 inch Teraflex Lift (This is a good lift that I have found from my research, but I could be convinced otherwise...)
[] 35 or 37 inch tires and wheels (37s should fit with the 3 inch lift and flat fenders?)
[] Fox Shocks or some good shock.
[] Bigger brakes seem needed at this step as well.

All of the above being complete would bring me to the end of my build, but as the sang go... A Jeep is never finished! Looking forward to updating this thread regularly as I check off these boxes and adding more through the years / your advice!!
 
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Nice jeep. Looks like you’re taking a thoughtful approach to your upgrades. Have with with those and, more importantly, have fun with your Jeep.
 
Well that was a hell of a read - LOL!!

Looks like your Jeep is coming along nicely :yup:
 
Thanks everyone... One piece at a time! I've spent a lot of time lurking on various forums so I like to think I have a good theoretical idea of what to do.. Now to go about doing it!

Well that was a hell of a read - LOL!!

Haha, yep. To be honest half the reason for making this thread was for myself to force myself to get a little more organized. And writing everything all down makes me realize how much I actually want to do :eek:
 
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