I'm fairly new to posting around here. I've been wanting to get a Jeep for YEARS. I owned a 1995 Wrangler with a little 'ole 4 banger when I was in high school. It was my first vehicle and I kept it until I left for the Army. And I have kicked myself in the butt for getting rid of it since then. Everyone has their story right? Well that's mine.
Fast forward 14 years later I finally made the decision to purchase another Jeep. I searched for nearly 6 months. I was overly picky. Looked at and test drove at least 20 different Jeeps. It was a process deciding which one as well as finding one within a price range that made sense for me!
I ran across this gem one day. I wasn't perfect and didn't match what I was looking for exactly. It was an automatic, i wanted a 6 speed. It had a soft top, I wanted a hard top. BUT, it was the color I was sold on and it was in Pristine Condition. 2013 Model with right at 30k on the clock. The majority of its life was spent being hauled behind a Motorhome. Come to find out the previous owner was a Veteran as well. IT seemed almost like fate.
OR at least that was a part of my justification.
While I was going to college I started a small company that modified and customized ATV's and UTV's. I was fortunate enough to be a part of several major builds. Here's a picture of one of the few that were featured in magazines.
And a link to the write up ATV Illustrated did.
http://atvillustrated.com/content/special-project-dark-side
Needless to say I'm no stranger to simply not so simple builds. So I somewhat had an idea of what I was getting into. What I did not have a clue about was what I needed to accomplish my end goal. That's where Chris and Alex at Tank Customs in Houston, TX came into play. Without their amazing service before they even knew I wasn't just some tire kicking chump they went over and beyond what I would have ever expected. I called numerous shops asking them questions and even visited a couple. It didn't seem like anyone was truly interested about helping out. They would just answer my question then it would be like, is that all you needed? As if they were too busy. Chris and Alex both went into great detail and explanation as to why each component we chose for my build made sense. They gave me many options and offered suggestions along the way.
I would HIGHLY suggest giving these guys a shot on ANYTHING Jeep related. I've seriously dealt with hundreds if not thousands of different shops across the nation on numerous occasions and finding good genuine down to earth people that are honest and hard working are hard to find these days. The values that I recognized within Alex and Chris are untouchable.
My end goal was to build a unit that was capable. Capable of cruising the streets, hitting the trails, overtaking some obstacles if need be all while being comfortable and reliable. I didn't want the flashiest build or anything that was over the top. Simple... But not so simple.
These are the components I chose with some of the build pictures I've been sent along the way.
TeraFlex 1/2" Front Coil Spacer for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK
Old Man Emu 2" Lift Front Light Load (0-90lbs) Coil Spring Pair for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler JK 2 Door
Old Man Emu 2.25" Lift Rear Medium/No Load Coil Spring Pair for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK
JKS Adjustable Bump Stop Kit
Crown Extended Brake Lines
Rough Country Exhaust Extensions
Rough Country Jeep Front Forged Adjustable Track bar 2.5-6in 07-16
Teraflex JK 2.5in Axle End Rear Trackbar Bracket Kit
Rancho Shock RS999329
Rancho Shock RS99930
Teraflex JK 2.5" Rear Swaybar Link Kit
Synergy Jeep JK Adjustable Front Lower Control Arms
Teraflex JK 0"-2.5" Front Swaybar Quick Disconnect Kit
EVO D-Rings (rear bumper delete items)
Teraflex Tire Carrier
RSE Vacuum Pump Relocation Bracket
2/3" Rear Bump Stops
Nitro Sleeves
Smittybilt Flat Fenders
and a few other odds and ends....
When I first picked her up.
Some teaser pics I was sent during the building
And a few of it coming together and complete (for now)
And this is a shot I took when I took it out for a cruise yesterday!
Fast forward 14 years later I finally made the decision to purchase another Jeep. I searched for nearly 6 months. I was overly picky. Looked at and test drove at least 20 different Jeeps. It was a process deciding which one as well as finding one within a price range that made sense for me!
I ran across this gem one day. I wasn't perfect and didn't match what I was looking for exactly. It was an automatic, i wanted a 6 speed. It had a soft top, I wanted a hard top. BUT, it was the color I was sold on and it was in Pristine Condition. 2013 Model with right at 30k on the clock. The majority of its life was spent being hauled behind a Motorhome. Come to find out the previous owner was a Veteran as well. IT seemed almost like fate.
OR at least that was a part of my justification.
While I was going to college I started a small company that modified and customized ATV's and UTV's. I was fortunate enough to be a part of several major builds. Here's a picture of one of the few that were featured in magazines.
And a link to the write up ATV Illustrated did.
http://atvillustrated.com/content/special-project-dark-side
Needless to say I'm no stranger to simply not so simple builds. So I somewhat had an idea of what I was getting into. What I did not have a clue about was what I needed to accomplish my end goal. That's where Chris and Alex at Tank Customs in Houston, TX came into play. Without their amazing service before they even knew I wasn't just some tire kicking chump they went over and beyond what I would have ever expected. I called numerous shops asking them questions and even visited a couple. It didn't seem like anyone was truly interested about helping out. They would just answer my question then it would be like, is that all you needed? As if they were too busy. Chris and Alex both went into great detail and explanation as to why each component we chose for my build made sense. They gave me many options and offered suggestions along the way.
I would HIGHLY suggest giving these guys a shot on ANYTHING Jeep related. I've seriously dealt with hundreds if not thousands of different shops across the nation on numerous occasions and finding good genuine down to earth people that are honest and hard working are hard to find these days. The values that I recognized within Alex and Chris are untouchable.
My end goal was to build a unit that was capable. Capable of cruising the streets, hitting the trails, overtaking some obstacles if need be all while being comfortable and reliable. I didn't want the flashiest build or anything that was over the top. Simple... But not so simple.
These are the components I chose with some of the build pictures I've been sent along the way.
TeraFlex 1/2" Front Coil Spacer for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK
Old Man Emu 2" Lift Front Light Load (0-90lbs) Coil Spring Pair for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler JK 2 Door
Old Man Emu 2.25" Lift Rear Medium/No Load Coil Spring Pair for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK
JKS Adjustable Bump Stop Kit
Crown Extended Brake Lines
Rough Country Exhaust Extensions
Rough Country Jeep Front Forged Adjustable Track bar 2.5-6in 07-16
Teraflex JK 2.5in Axle End Rear Trackbar Bracket Kit
Rancho Shock RS999329
Rancho Shock RS99930
Teraflex JK 2.5" Rear Swaybar Link Kit
Synergy Jeep JK Adjustable Front Lower Control Arms
Teraflex JK 0"-2.5" Front Swaybar Quick Disconnect Kit
EVO D-Rings (rear bumper delete items)
Teraflex Tire Carrier
RSE Vacuum Pump Relocation Bracket
2/3" Rear Bump Stops
Nitro Sleeves
Smittybilt Flat Fenders
and a few other odds and ends....
When I first picked her up.
Some teaser pics I was sent during the building
And a few of it coming together and complete (for now)
And this is a shot I took when I took it out for a cruise yesterday!
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