GHOST PEPPER - The next step build for Adrock's 2012 JKU Sport

AdrockTT

AdrockTT

New member
Finally getting around to documenting my build.
The background: Bought my 2012 JKU sport brand new in 2011 for my wife’s DD. Quickly did a basic 2.5” Teraflex coil lift, adjustable front track bar/lower control arms, 35x12.5x17 TrXus on Rugged Ridge wheels and smaller add ons.
The next go around included several small bolt ons, light bars/LED F/R lights, Poison Spyder brawler lite w hoop, synthetic winch, LOD rear bumper/carrier, JK Discos, Smitybilt steps/sliders, and trimmed fenders.
Now I have a newborn and she’s swapped over to a baby hauler – this means the Jeep is a ready to be a full time toy for us to enjoy. I’ve been dreaming and saving for this event for quite some time :) :thumb:

I’m going at a full build and nearing the last few weeks of the process. I’ll update with pics along the journey but here’s the major items below.
Allow me to introduce: GHOST PEPPER!

-Dynatrac PR60 axles, FF rear, 5.13s/ARBs, CroMo 35 splines, Big brakes, Adams 1350 DS
-Evo bolt on coilovers, Evo high clearance long arms, King airbumps/Evo mounts
-RSE sliders/armor, Rock Hard/PS skids, Smitybilt Flux Flares, PS hood louver
-Rubi 4:1 Transfer case w RSE brace
-PSC Hydroassist (1.75 ram, pump, cooler, bigger 8-AN lines), Dyna HD full billet steering
-ORO Swaylock front sway bar, Currie Antirock rear sway
-37x13.5x20 Toyo RTs on 20x10 wheels, On board air w ARB componets
-Rockhard sport cage w C pillars, Tuffy box
-Full lighting and electrical overhaul, 11 custom rocker switches, custom made TX light bar, rock lighting, interior lighting, etc.
-Full stereo upgrade w Android Auto/Miralink headunit, Viper alarm/GPS, 900/5 JL amp, JL 10w7 custom in waterproof/removable box in tuffy unit, Hertz components, off-road camera system
-Edelbrock Supercharger, K&N cold air, custom tune
-Twill Trek top NX + Mopar soft top, Custom JT USA sun shade

There will be lots of little custom touches, smaller upgrades, and detail work along the way. Goal is a fun toy to run around in when the weather is nice + max wheeling capability! Hoping to take some fun excursions ASAP including hidden falls, trees, wolf caves + bigger trips out to CO, Utah, etc.

Future plans on my to do list include CB install, Mopar half doors, few other interior upgrades, and considering a set of bigger tires on beadlocks for trail duty.

I’ll do my best to keep this thread updated and organized (though I’m quite busy w a new baby and life of course...) I think the build should wrap up by mid March at the latest…(hopefully, I know how these projects go…)
 
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Here's one of the earlier pics I have of the Jeep after a weekend off-road. I'm pretty glad I've moved on past "muddin". I still do miss that SL65 AMG Benz though!
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Here's a few Jeepin' buddies out at a local off-road spot.
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A pic of the Jeep Tops USA shade top I had made. REALLY love this top! Goes all the way to the edges of the roll bars w/ no gaps. Magnets to the B pillar cross hoop for zero flapping. Feels well made w/ high quality materials + doesn't use the bungee balls to attach (has nice plastic clips/straps).
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I'll do more pics of the steps of the build, some "how-to's", and additional details as I have time and things progress...
 
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Nice! Your jeep will be sick when all done. Looking forward to tracking the progress. Like you, I'm about to start a major overhaul as well - 60's front and FF rear, evo dd long arms, rear driveshaft and beadlocks - just waiting on my commission check :) Should be easy to spot our jeeps inside the loop after all of this :yup:
 
Mike_JK_Houston_711 said:
Nice! Your jeep will be sick when all done. Looking forward to tracking the progress. Like you, I'm about to start a major overhaul as well - 60's front and FF rear, evo dd long arms, rear driveshaft and beadlocks - just waiting on my commission check :) Should be easy to spot our jeeps inside the loop after all of this :yup:
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Sounds SWEET! I'm glad another "inside the loop" guy like myself is going down a similar path! We need to all get together, I'd really love to see your rig.

You sticking w 37s? I was so tempted to run 40+/beadlocks and already have a bit of buyers remorse...BUT A) I let the wife pick the wheels (so I ended up w "pretty" 20s LOL, should still be plenty capable and gives me a good set for trips). B) Garage clearance issues are a real issue for me.

Are you going w the standard or high clearance LAs? What gear ratio and lockers for your axles?
 
That's a very impressive build list. I hope you get to use it to its potential. I love the U.S. Flag top you have, did you have that custom made?
 
Yea when all this rain dies down we'll have to get some velvet. Weather is supposed to really shape up next week so let's try and meet up.

I'm sticking with 37s until I wear them out. Then I'll go to 40s. Thing is, my 37s are not even half worn yet so I still have a while. But like you said I wouldnt be able to get into my garage with bigger tires. 37s and 4" on the coilovers and I have zero room to spare lol. For long arms I'm thinking about going standard in the front and high clearance brackets in he rear. I saw some convo on WAL yesterday about this and it seems like a good idea. 5.38 gears and ARB lockers. I have ARB lockers set up now so should just be plug and play with he new axles.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app
 
JeepJeep75 said:
That's a very impressive build list. I hope you get to use it to its potential. I love the U.S. Flag top you have, did you have that custom made?
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Thanks my man. I will certainly hope to put it all to good use as well :yup:

Here's who made the subdued American flag shade top. I have no affiliation with them, just like the top and they were great to deal with.
https://www.jtopsusa.com/jeep-mesh-shade-top-comparisons - I think they can make most any design within reason. Def worth the extra coin to me.
 
Mike_JK_Houston_711 said:
Yea when all this rain dies down we'll have to get some velvet. Weather is supposed to really shape up next week so let's try and meet up.

I'm sticking with 37s until I wear them out. Then I'll go to 40s. Thing is, my 37s are not even half worn yet so I still have a while. But like you said I wouldnt be able to get into my garage with bigger tires. 37s and 4" on the coilovers and I have zero room to spare lol. For long arms I'm thinking about going standard in the front and high clearance brackets in he rear. I saw some convo on WAL yesterday about this and it seems like a good idea. 5.38 gears and ARB lockers. I have ARB lockers set up now so should just be plug and play with he new axles.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app
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Very nice, our builds really will be similar on the axle/suspension/wheel/tire plan :beer: I'm down to head across the street for velvet next week for sure - though Jeep is still up at the shop disabled since I just got the steering box back ported from PSC...

What year is yours? Auto or manual? I debated 5.38s, but went 5.13s for the best compromise now vs future. Hope that was the right choice, but supercharger should make up for a little less gearing :brows:
 
AdrockTT said:
Very nice, our builds really will be similar on the axle/suspension/wheel/tire plan :beer: I'm down to head across the street for velvet next week for sure - though Jeep is still up at the shop disabled since I just got the steering box back ported from PSC...

What year is yours? Auto or manual? I debated 5.38s, but went 5.13s for the best compromise now vs future. Hope that was the right choice, but supercharger should make up for a little less gearing :brows:
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2014 jku sport, auto. after this next stage is done i'll be saving pennies for a future LS swap...but shooting for 2027 for that :cheesy:
 
Mike_JK_Houston_711 said:
2014 jku sport, auto. after this next stage is done i'll be saving pennies for a future LS swap...but shooting for 2027 for that :cheesy:
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I hear you! I'm so low miles (wife barely drove it much - 30k even on the clock) - I decided forced induction vs ripping out a perfectly good engine...

I need a ride in 2027 though for sure! :yup::clap2:

How do you like the 5.38s on 37s w the 3.6L? Have you driven a similar combo w 5.13s?
 
Blue from the Evo/king coilovers just wasn't going to work with the Ghost Pepper color scheme. I'm too far along to swap the lines/anodized hardware, but I went ahead and had the springs/retaining caps powder coated in a mini-texture dark gunmetal which has a slight iridescence to it. Looks awesome in the sun and will quiet down the blue out of the wheel wells. Also swapped the stickers and sliders to black. Here's before and after pics!

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No going back now...

Latest phase - axles are out and major work begins this week. First up will be hanging the new PR60s and mocking up the suspension. Plenty of work ahead but I'm certainly getting excited for progress! (The shop has been very backed up and I've been a bit on the back burner...)

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Axle Porn!

It felt like a scene from SE7EN with this crate yesterday...
"What's in the box?!" :shock::clap2::rock:

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