My Jeep story started back in 1995. My best friend and I had both got our licenses. My first car was a beater 86 Ford Escort. He used his parent’s 80s CJ7. One day we switched cars and went out trying to get into trouble. I had a blast. We ended up getting the Jeep stuck in mud. Since we didn’t know how to shift into 4wd we ended up pushing it out. 4 runs through a car wash finally got all the mud off. That winter we used the Jeep to help plow for his Dad’s business in the big storm of 96. 36 hours out on the roads when barely any other vehicles could move. My Jeep obsession started.
Fast forward to 2000. I’m a fresh college graduate with a decent job. Tired of borrowing my parent’s car, I bought MY first car. She was a Black 2000 TJ Sport loaded with dual tops, stick, Dana 44s. I LOVED that Jeep. My co-worker took me to Paragon in NE PA for my first off-roading experience. First run was a midnight ride. Since it had rained all day the final stretch was a nice deep puddle. I was going along fine until I hit a rut. I just remember everything going black as my headlights went under. I pulled to the right and kept going. Next day we went for a trail ride. I was the only stock Jeep but I did great. I was hooked. I was immediately trying to figure out how to lift her. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. Outside sales job and gas prices going up meant I was losing money with my mileage stipend. Had to trade it in and get a suitable daily driver.
Here I am today, in my early 40s with a couple of kids, wife, and dogs. I’d wanted a Jeep again for a while but have zero interest in paying $50k for a Jeep. My wife and I talked about an older Jeep but I decided that it was better that I wait until the kids are older. A few weeks into Quarantine my wife sees a mid-40s Dad getting gas and his boys jumping out of the back of a Jeep. She instructs my youngest to ask what color Jeep I would want. His approach was painfully obvious. She then tells me the story and tells me to go ahead and look for one to buy.
I started my search in the 5k range. I quickly realized what I would get for that price. After a few weeks I had a verbal deal for a 2010 with some upgrades. On Mother’s Day I get an alert for a 2005 Rubicon just posted. I messaged for frame pictures and within minutes agreed to meet the owner the next morning. I realized I had a gem after looking it over and driving it. The owner knocked off money and threw in additional tops and parts if I bought it. I was prepared to buy it for full price. She came home that day.
My initial plan was just updating some parts. Started with LED fogs and stereo. After wheeling it with Jeeplife podcast in AOAA (PA) I realized I wanted more. Next up was Savvy 1.25BL, Curry 1” MML, Savvy Transfer Case Shifter. She looked good, but I still wanted more.
My plan came together from exhaustive research on this forum and other resources. 4” short arm suspension lift, 33 tires, rockers, tummy tuck. I’m not one of those guys that dips my toe in. I jump right the hell in. I started training with my wife for a 5k years ago then ended up running marathons. I got a beer brewing kit and nearly opened a brewery. I went to repaint parts of my old house and rebuilt the whole thing.
Here’s my build. It was ambitious. I thought I was prepared. Plenty of wrench turns proved I was not. I learned a lot, spent a lot of time frustrated.
Easier stuff:
Planned Spring Upgrades:
What lessons did I learn that may be helpful to others?
* Two floors jacks are super helpful.
* While the Harbor Freight electric impact wrench is great, it is also heavy and bulky.
* GET DOUBLE ADJUSTABLE UPPER CONTROL ARMS.
* Take your anticipated budget, double it then add $1500.
* Take your anticipated timeline, multiply it by 5.
* You will need replacement nuts and bolts. Find a good source.
* Get a bin, box of freezer bags, and a sharpie. Put nuts/bolts/etc into the bags and label them.
Fast forward to 2000. I’m a fresh college graduate with a decent job. Tired of borrowing my parent’s car, I bought MY first car. She was a Black 2000 TJ Sport loaded with dual tops, stick, Dana 44s. I LOVED that Jeep. My co-worker took me to Paragon in NE PA for my first off-roading experience. First run was a midnight ride. Since it had rained all day the final stretch was a nice deep puddle. I was going along fine until I hit a rut. I just remember everything going black as my headlights went under. I pulled to the right and kept going. Next day we went for a trail ride. I was the only stock Jeep but I did great. I was hooked. I was immediately trying to figure out how to lift her. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. Outside sales job and gas prices going up meant I was losing money with my mileage stipend. Had to trade it in and get a suitable daily driver.
Here I am today, in my early 40s with a couple of kids, wife, and dogs. I’d wanted a Jeep again for a while but have zero interest in paying $50k for a Jeep. My wife and I talked about an older Jeep but I decided that it was better that I wait until the kids are older. A few weeks into Quarantine my wife sees a mid-40s Dad getting gas and his boys jumping out of the back of a Jeep. She instructs my youngest to ask what color Jeep I would want. His approach was painfully obvious. She then tells me the story and tells me to go ahead and look for one to buy.
I started my search in the 5k range. I quickly realized what I would get for that price. After a few weeks I had a verbal deal for a 2010 with some upgrades. On Mother’s Day I get an alert for a 2005 Rubicon just posted. I messaged for frame pictures and within minutes agreed to meet the owner the next morning. I realized I had a gem after looking it over and driving it. The owner knocked off money and threw in additional tops and parts if I bought it. I was prepared to buy it for full price. She came home that day.
My initial plan was just updating some parts. Started with LED fogs and stereo. After wheeling it with Jeeplife podcast in AOAA (PA) I realized I wanted more. Next up was Savvy 1.25BL, Curry 1” MML, Savvy Transfer Case Shifter. She looked good, but I still wanted more.
My plan came together from exhaustive research on this forum and other resources. 4” short arm suspension lift, 33 tires, rockers, tummy tuck. I’m not one of those guys that dips my toe in. I jump right the hell in. I started training with my wife for a 5k years ago then ended up running marathons. I got a beer brewing kit and nearly opened a brewery. I went to repaint parts of my old house and rebuilt the whole thing.
Here’s my build. It was ambitious. I thought I was prepared. Plenty of wrench turns proved I was not. I learned a lot, spent a lot of time frustrated.
Easier stuff:
- Stereo update with Polk speakers, Sound Ordnance Powered Sub.
- Homemade Tailgate Table
- MORryde Tailgate Kit
- Rigid 360 Spot Lights
- Rigid 360 Fog Lights
- Rockjock 4” suspension lift
- Rancho shocks
- Savvy Underarmor Tummy Tuck
- Currie Correctlync Steering
- Rear Spring Perch Relocation
- 33” BFG KO2s
- Mammoth Wheels
- Black Magic Brakes & Rotors
- Savvy Transfer case shifter
- Adams rear drive shaft
- Relocated OEM lockers to engine compartment
- 1.25" Body Lift
- 1" MML
Planned Spring Upgrades:
- Savvy rockers with steps
- Savvy Engine Skid
- Warn WR8 Winch
- Replace rear main seal
- Change all Jeep fluids
What lessons did I learn that may be helpful to others?
* Two floors jacks are super helpful.
* While the Harbor Freight electric impact wrench is great, it is also heavy and bulky.
* GET DOUBLE ADJUSTABLE UPPER CONTROL ARMS.
* Take your anticipated budget, double it then add $1500.
* Take your anticipated timeline, multiply it by 5.
* You will need replacement nuts and bolts. Find a good source.
* Get a bin, box of freezer bags, and a sharpie. Put nuts/bolts/etc into the bags and label them.
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