OP
Alex01 Silver Sport Build Thread
- Thread starter Alex01
- Start date
OP
Then I’m all set!
jeepmanjerry
Member
OP
Thank you. I'm looking forward to getting it road worthy again next weekend.
For now I rolled it out of the garage and got some sunny photos of the painted fenders.
OP
I really like how it came out. @tomtaylz is working on me to do the slider
I think the slider would look tits with the body plate painted body color and the tube/step left black. Just enough break it up a bit.
OP
The Con will help move that along. plenty of scrapage to ensue!
OP
I've never hit the slider so looking forward to it.
Really. I need to justify the money spent.
I've never hit the slider so looking forward to it.
Really. I need to justify the money spent.
I’ll side swipe you with something next time I stop by, accidentally of course
OP
At least you'll be around to help paint the slider.
BrunoPizz97
TJ Enthusiast
WOW this rig is super clean, I really like the additions and the ability to document everything that has happened with the jeep. very clean build I must sayFrom the insistence of a certain member with a crazy low mileage Black LJR I have finally decided to create my own build thread.
Some back story on the jeep and my jeep ownership. I bought my first jeep when I was in college. It was a red 1987 Yj with a 4 banger and 3.07 gearing I picked up for $1,800. As the price would suggest it wasn't perfect but it that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. By fixing all the things that went wrong with the YJ I really learned how to work on cars and developed a passion for the wrangler. I never did anything crazy with the YJ, a few fire roads and poser shots but nothing much else. View attachment 68323
Now let's fast forward to 2014. I had recently sold the YJ for 4k and wanted to get TJ. I had always liked the looks of the round headlights and wanted a change. This was still well before I joined this or any other forum and I really didn't know what to look for in a jeep. All I knew was I didn't want another 4 banger and I wanted a manual.
So, after looking at a few jeeps I finally stumbled upon the one I own today. It was a 6 cylinder, manual, and less then 100k miles. The downside was that I had a dana 35 rear and 3.07 gearing and 32 x 11.5 cracked tires. When I took it on the test drive, I expected it to be a dog from everything I read about online about the 3.07 gearing. To my surprise this thing flew. Mind you my base of comparison was a YJ with 3.07 gearing a 4 cylinder and 33 x 12.5 inch tires. I was shocked I could go 80 on the freeway with a wrangler and knew at that moment that this would be the one I took home. After talking with the owner, we settled on just shy of 10k. The owner was moving to France in a few weeks so we made a deal that he would get it smogged and the oil changed before we met back up in 2 weeks to exchange title and money.
I finally picked up my jeep on September 13, 2014 which also happens to be my birthday.
View attachment 68324
Here is the first ever picture of my jeep and finding this photo actually inspired me to actually start a build thread.
View attachment 68325
Here is the jeep once I got it back to my parents house.
Next came time for mods.
Still not knowing tons about TJ's and not using a forum for guidance I bought a 3.5 inch Rubicon Express super flex lift with adjustable uppers and lowers. This lift would be complimented with 33x10.5 bfg tires and procomp wheels. I completed the lift at the shop my friend worked at on a Saturday sometime in December of 2014. At some point around this time I also added Warn front and rear bumpers.
View attachment 68327
I believe this photo is right after I installed the lights and the SYE.
I knew at this point that my goal was to tackle the Rubicon trail and I was going to build this jeep to be able to tackle it. So, I started having the debate every person with a Dana 35 and 3.07 has. Do I upgrade the 35 or swap a 44? I started pricing out upgrades / gearing while also keeping my eye on craigslist. To my surprise someone was selling a set of Rubicon axles F/R for $2200 including pumps. I rented a u haul trailer and picked them up.
Out with the old.
View attachment 68335View attachment 68336
In with the new. (to me)
View attachment 68337View attachment 68338
Wow. 4.11 vs 3.07. What a difference I could spin the tires in first if I wanted to
The next mod I added was the sliders. I went with rockhard 4x4. View attachment 68340
At this point my jeep stayed in this configuration for a few years. I started upgrading things like the sub, dual switch panel, bed-liner, upgraded headlight/trail lights, 3rd brake light.
View attachment 68341
Build phase 2 started at this point. The wife and I recently bought a house so I was no longer scared of spending money in the event we needed to come up with more for a down or unforeseen problems.
I was ready to move to 35's since I had all the supporting mods to do so.
View attachment 68342Antirock is also installed at this point.
Next came the flat fenders, winch, and 4.88 regear.View attachment 68343
View attachment 68344
We are finally up to the present. I am currently installing MC fenders Front and rear. I went with the overline 6 inch system. View attachment 68345
I also recently installed rear trail lights. View attachment 68346
OP
I got the mounts close enough to where I am happy not touching them until you can take a look. I may need to make a hint more clearance for the control arm bolt on the passenger side. I'm getting anxious to have them welded on and being able to drive it again.
It surely has been a labor of love.
BrunoPizz97
TJ Enthusiast
I wish i were able to say the same mine is just a pain in the ass and just keeps making more and more weird noises. I don't understand I feel like the more love I give to it the more it wants to make funny noises.