Building of Grandma & Grandpas Toy

[Clark Collins]

I've really gotten a lot of great information from this forum and have even posted some info about some of my mods. However I've not done a build thread, so here goes.

We bought our 2010 JKUS in March of 2010 with the auto trans and 3.73 gears. I'm retired and 72 years old. We have other hobbies -- ATV riding and RV camping -- snowmobiling in the winter. I have to be frugal and have kept the costs down on my mods as you will see in this thread. After a few trail rides I started the mods with silver flame stickers, to hide the un-intentional "pin striping," and the hood mask. Then I installed a leveling lift (1 3/4" front and 3/4" rear to clear aftermarket wheels with 285x75x16 Hankook Dynapro MTs My next mod was the DIY front bumper chop. Since I had already dented the plastic over the crush cans I made removable reinforcement panels that I can take off and straighten when I dent them. I was on the predecessor to WAYOLIFE forum at this time and built "under floor storage" for my tools and recovery gear. The design includes flip over panels to make a sleeping platform in the back that I've used several times when Jeep camping. I also added an air compressor in the back for airing the tires back up.

 

[Clark Collins]

continued

The next mod was to add a roof top rack for hauling camping gear for taking our youngest grandkids jeep camping. I ordered the inexpensive rack online and used the supplied hardware that was intended for use with SUV roof rails and reversed it to fasten to the roof using Rubber stoppers from Lowes to support the weight. I then installed a winch on the chopped bumper after my brother and I went on a snow run. I could see that we would not use good sense and had better have a winch to get us out of trouble. He has a Jeep Liberty and after our first snow run with the winch he realized he better have one on his rig too.

 

[Clark Collins]

continued

When the load on the roof rack compressed the rear springs more than I liked I used the write up on this forum to install air-bags. Problem solved. Smittybuilt seat covers with multiple pouches were added to provide storage for various items that wouldn't fit in the glove compartment or center console. I was quite satisfied with build for some time, but kept having "locker envy." From time to time I would consider purchasing Rubi axles or regearing and locking the stock D30 - D44 on the sport. I never could find just the right deal. Late this last summer I started going on night runs with some of the people at our local Jeep dealer. After the first run I decided I wanted a LED light bar. I looked online and found and inexpensive 32" bar complete with the wiring harness that I installed above the windshield. At this time I also happened to see a post on this forum for a set of built Rubi axles with C gussets, RCV front shafts, G2 rear shafts, Ruff Stuff dif covers and 5.13 gears. I had been thinking of going with larger tires and thought this would be the perfect set up for me. I was able to make the deal and made the round trip to Reno to fetch them. I cut the pinch seams, chopped the rear bumper, the front and rear fenders and installed the axles myself, with help for a few hours from one of the guys from the dealership. I traded my 285x75x16 tires for 315x75x16s and had the stock TPMS sensors moved to the aftermarket wheels. I use the 4" drop hitch stinger to prevent the spare from getting ripped off. I've used rubber stoppers, similar to what I used on the roof rack, to extend the stock spare tire bumpers so they hold the tire securely against them. It is also supported at the bottom by the stock bumper indentation that is now a snug fit. I recently used a forum write up for the CB install as well.

I run a superchips tuner on the 87 performance tune with the 85 octane regular we get here. I'm quite satisfied with this set up for the kind of trails we have around here. I hope to get to Moab someday and think my rig should do fine there as well.

I've had pretty good luck selling my stock sport axles on this and the other JK forum. Part of the enjoyment of Jeep ownership for me is browsing the JK forums and seeing what other folks are doing to their rigs. I've gotten a lot of enjoyment out of doing all the work myself. When I was in high school in the late 50s lots of guys built hot rods and customs or at least worked on their own cars. That isn't the case these days largely because the cars are so complicated that there isn't much you can do to them yourself. Modifying our jeeps has given me that opportunity again and I'm having a great time. HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS!

 

[xkid]

Good work and looks good. Nice to see you still getting out there doing your hobbies.

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[Clark Collins]

A few trail shots

Here are just a few of our trailride shots.

 

[chipper]

I really like your DIY front bumper chop. Are those rivets holding the end caps back on or screws?

 

[Clark Collins]

I really like your DIY front bumper chop. Are those rivets holding the end caps back on or screws?

They are 14x3/4" hex washer head lag screws. I originally painted them black, but the paint didn't stay on wheeling in the brush. I think they look better unpainted anyway.

 

[Clark Collins]

LOD rock rails

I finally mashed my Mopar side steps all to hell and replaced them with LOD Signature rock rails that I ordered from Northridge. I damaged the driver side front quarter panel when the side steps gave way and banged it out myself. I then bed lined the rocker panels before mounting the rock rails. Attached are a few new photos.

 

[JK_Dave]

That's pretty knarly damage. Nice work getting that out yourself. I couldn't even tell from the after photo.

 

[Saharacon]

Nice job covering up your scars! Your a lot like me hahaha