Clem319
New member
I have decided to start a build thread since I plan on doing quite a few things. My wife is finally on board and is supportive of the mods after a few trail runs. I sold my BroDozer and I bought a 2013 JKUS, Freedom Edition, used, with a Teraflex budget boost, Fuel rims and 35” Toyo's.
I thought this was a good starting point for me. I wanted the Rubicon but could not justify the extra money when this jeep came with everything I wanted, minus the 4:1 transfer case. I planned on replacing the front axle on whatever jeep I decided on, so it was not an issue to have the Dana 30.
This is the day I bought the Jeep. It was already “de-stickered” with all the Freedom Edition stickers removed. The interior is leather and it has a pretty cool design.
Took it out on a few quick runs to get some poser shots and show the wife. I did a wave awhile back and told everyone I used to have an 88 YJ. I was single when I had that Jeep and my wife never got to see it or ride in it so she really had no idea about the Jeep life. Did a night run on the Miller Trail and determined I needed better and more lights. We do a lot of night runs in Central Cali because it is so hot in the summer.
I started slow, ordering one or two things at a time to ease into it. My first mod was cutting the Rubi rails so they no longer rubbed. I ordered a pair of Truck-Lites a few days later. Truck-Lites installed, smoked the front turn signals and threw a Wayalife banner on.
I next took advantage of the Poison Spyder sale that Northridge was having and bought a new front bumper. Install took a lot longer than planned due to the front tow hitch on the jeep. The installer of this hitch tried to make work by attaching these metal rods to the nut, but they broke and there was no way to remove the bolt without the nut spinning. I tried numerous methods to get the bolt out but had to resort to grinding the head off of the bolt. There was minimal damage to the hitch so I will probably give this thing away to someone who needs it.
After the minor set back, I sanded and cleaned the bumper. I applied a clearcoat to the bumper in an attempt to stop it from rusting. I am not sure if it will work but I am really digging the bare metal look. Hope it lasts!
So after a couple beers I gained some liquid courage to cut my color matched fenders. My ultimate plan was to buy a black set and practice, just in case. Well I felt confident enough after reading countless threads on the fender cutting to give it a try (plus the beer, it helped). I taped, measured and measured again.
Bosch metal blade and jigsaw in hand.......... I dive in. They cut extremely easy and it was no big deal. I cut with the liners on. Hit a few hard spots, but nothing too bad. I cleaned the fender liners up with a sawzall and razor blade. I sanded the fender with and hand sander and 220 grit. Overall I am happy with the cut and was the look I wanted. I ran out of daylight and could not get the rear done. They will have to wait for another weekend.
This is where I sit at today.
I have a lot more parts that need to be installed and a collection is growing in the garage. The only thing stopping me is time. I have to decide between wheeling, family, work and installing. The struggle is real. The wife has stated I need a shop so I get all of my Jeep parts out of the garage. I am for this idea and will probably continue to stack parts so I get a shop one day. Hopefully with A/C.
I thought this was a good starting point for me. I wanted the Rubicon but could not justify the extra money when this jeep came with everything I wanted, minus the 4:1 transfer case. I planned on replacing the front axle on whatever jeep I decided on, so it was not an issue to have the Dana 30.
This is the day I bought the Jeep. It was already “de-stickered” with all the Freedom Edition stickers removed. The interior is leather and it has a pretty cool design.
Took it out on a few quick runs to get some poser shots and show the wife. I did a wave awhile back and told everyone I used to have an 88 YJ. I was single when I had that Jeep and my wife never got to see it or ride in it so she really had no idea about the Jeep life. Did a night run on the Miller Trail and determined I needed better and more lights. We do a lot of night runs in Central Cali because it is so hot in the summer.
I started slow, ordering one or two things at a time to ease into it. My first mod was cutting the Rubi rails so they no longer rubbed. I ordered a pair of Truck-Lites a few days later. Truck-Lites installed, smoked the front turn signals and threw a Wayalife banner on.
I next took advantage of the Poison Spyder sale that Northridge was having and bought a new front bumper. Install took a lot longer than planned due to the front tow hitch on the jeep. The installer of this hitch tried to make work by attaching these metal rods to the nut, but they broke and there was no way to remove the bolt without the nut spinning. I tried numerous methods to get the bolt out but had to resort to grinding the head off of the bolt. There was minimal damage to the hitch so I will probably give this thing away to someone who needs it.
After the minor set back, I sanded and cleaned the bumper. I applied a clearcoat to the bumper in an attempt to stop it from rusting. I am not sure if it will work but I am really digging the bare metal look. Hope it lasts!
So after a couple beers I gained some liquid courage to cut my color matched fenders. My ultimate plan was to buy a black set and practice, just in case. Well I felt confident enough after reading countless threads on the fender cutting to give it a try (plus the beer, it helped). I taped, measured and measured again.
Bosch metal blade and jigsaw in hand.......... I dive in. They cut extremely easy and it was no big deal. I cut with the liners on. Hit a few hard spots, but nothing too bad. I cleaned the fender liners up with a sawzall and razor blade. I sanded the fender with and hand sander and 220 grit. Overall I am happy with the cut and was the look I wanted. I ran out of daylight and could not get the rear done. They will have to wait for another weekend.
This is where I sit at today.
I have a lot more parts that need to be installed and a collection is growing in the garage. The only thing stopping me is time. I have to decide between wheeling, family, work and installing. The struggle is real. The wife has stated I need a shop so I get all of my Jeep parts out of the garage. I am for this idea and will probably continue to stack parts so I get a shop one day. Hopefully with A/C.
