Hey guys and gals! I've recently started the process of overhauling my '05 TJ and just wanted to start a thread to show where I'm at so far and then add to it as new parts come in and I get them installed. Feel free to add to this thread if you have any comments or questions about anything I've already done or plan on doing.
Currently, my Jeep is set up with a 3" suspension and 1 1/4" lift from Zone, aftermarket bumpers that I don't remember where they're from, and Banks ram-air intake and cat-back exhaust. My suspension was redone probably 5ish years ago with Rubicon Express control arms and trac bars while I was in college, and I've recently added a Currie front swaybar and Currectlync steering. Lastly, I also have Mickey Thompson tires (33") and wheels (15") along with Black Magic front rotors, calipers, and pads.
Last week, I placed an order for the Currie high pinion front Dana 44 axle with 5.38 gear ratio and Eaton E-locker. While I have the stock axle assembly removed, I plan to switch to a complete Currie suspension system which whill include 4" springs, adjustable control arms, trac bars, and possibly the rear antirock swaybar. I know the rear swaybar isn't really necessary, but we'll see how I feel when I make my way to the rear of the Jeep, which I will also upgrade with a rear Currie axle assembly (still deciding between the Dana 44 or HP60). Genright has a transmission crossmember kit that will allow me to drop the skid plate without also having to drop the transmission / transfer case and allow for their Belly-up skid plate which can give a few extra inches of ground clearance. That kit will likely be added after I replace both axle assemblies but before I install front and rear driveshafts from Adam's Driveshafts. After all of this, I'll bump up to 35" tires and because of that, will likely upgrade to the big brake kit from Black Magic Brakes to make sure I can come to a stop on those steep inclines & declines with the added weight of everything.
This is the biggest chunk of what I'm planning for, but I'll also be adding new bumpers, tube fenders, tire carrier and a variety of other upgrades, but I won't post about those until later when I'm closer to actually tackling those. The general plan is work front to rear taking care of the suspension and drivetrain and then rear to front with the more cosmetic upgrades and possibly finish with a supercharger if I want the extra kick, but I'm not sure about
that one quite yet.
Will all of this be overkill for me? Yes. But will it be a blast to take offroad? Also, yes.
Looking forward to a year of bad but really fun financial decisions!
Here's a few pictures of my trip a few months ago to Hot Springs Offroad Park to show how she currently looks:
Currently, my Jeep is set up with a 3" suspension and 1 1/4" lift from Zone, aftermarket bumpers that I don't remember where they're from, and Banks ram-air intake and cat-back exhaust. My suspension was redone probably 5ish years ago with Rubicon Express control arms and trac bars while I was in college, and I've recently added a Currie front swaybar and Currectlync steering. Lastly, I also have Mickey Thompson tires (33") and wheels (15") along with Black Magic front rotors, calipers, and pads.
Last week, I placed an order for the Currie high pinion front Dana 44 axle with 5.38 gear ratio and Eaton E-locker. While I have the stock axle assembly removed, I plan to switch to a complete Currie suspension system which whill include 4" springs, adjustable control arms, trac bars, and possibly the rear antirock swaybar. I know the rear swaybar isn't really necessary, but we'll see how I feel when I make my way to the rear of the Jeep, which I will also upgrade with a rear Currie axle assembly (still deciding between the Dana 44 or HP60). Genright has a transmission crossmember kit that will allow me to drop the skid plate without also having to drop the transmission / transfer case and allow for their Belly-up skid plate which can give a few extra inches of ground clearance. That kit will likely be added after I replace both axle assemblies but before I install front and rear driveshafts from Adam's Driveshafts. After all of this, I'll bump up to 35" tires and because of that, will likely upgrade to the big brake kit from Black Magic Brakes to make sure I can come to a stop on those steep inclines & declines with the added weight of everything.
This is the biggest chunk of what I'm planning for, but I'll also be adding new bumpers, tube fenders, tire carrier and a variety of other upgrades, but I won't post about those until later when I'm closer to actually tackling those. The general plan is work front to rear taking care of the suspension and drivetrain and then rear to front with the more cosmetic upgrades and possibly finish with a supercharger if I want the extra kick, but I'm not sure about
that one quite yet.
Will all of this be overkill for me? Yes. But will it be a blast to take offroad? Also, yes.
Looking forward to a year of bad but really fun financial decisions!
Here's a few pictures of my trip a few months ago to Hot Springs Offroad Park to show how she currently looks:
