Rebuilt of a Billet Silver mall crawler

VeruGE*144

VeruGE*144

Caught the Bug
I recently decided that I don't like the factory look of my JK anymore. I used to really like the factory flares that's why I decided to go with AEV bumpers to keep that original look. Well I don't really dig that anymore and since my Jeep isn't really a daily driver anymore I would like to convert is for something more suitable for rock-crawling instead of Sunday night mall/grocery crawling.... I don't have any threads of original built simply because I wasn't a part of any forum or had time to do so, I know SHAME on me. I worked crazy hours for last couple years....
Anyways....., since I committed to be an active member here on WAYALIFE I decided to start this thread and share the rebuild of my mall-crawler with everybody.

So here is how she sits right now

1.jpg2.jpg3.jpg4.jpg5.jpg6.jpg7.jpg8.jpg9.jpg


So here's what I am planning for the start of this rebuild:

-AEV front and rear bumpers are going up on craigslist/Ebay and AEV forum tomorrow. I doubt anybody here wants them, but if anybody does shoot me PM.
-I would like to change out those stiff AEV coils for something different for now
-I am still debating but leaning towards putting my hard top for sale also.
ooohhhh I actually started my rebuild last Friday when I had to ditch AEV front swaybar links relocation brackets to make room for EVO c gussets
(and here are those puppies all welded up)
IMG_3952.jpgIMG_3953.jpg




In the long run I would like to end up with:

-long arm lift kit with coil overs
-beadlock wheels with next set of tires
-stubby bumpers
-flat flares
-roll cage, etc...

Questions and Advice:

-I am not really sure where to start with rebuilding my suspension, so really appreciate any advice and comments from veterans here at WAL.
-I am sitting on a AEV 4.5" lift kit, I would like to ditch those coils and try to hang on to these shocks for a bit. Or should I just ditch it all together and go straight to coilovers and long arm
-Is it doable to install long arms with these springs and shocks then add coilovers later?
-what you guys recommend for stubby bumpers?

Any comments and advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance....... It feels great to be part of Wayalife and you guys :rock:
 
Good looking jeep! Theres a thread on here that shows your aev tire carrier along with a rear facia. Might want to look at that to save some $.
 
http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?37237-EVO-Fascia-with-AEV-Tire-Carrier Here is that setup for the carrier and fascia, I think it looks awesome and something I would run if I didnt have the evo carrier.

What type of wheeling do you see yourself doing? I ask becuase you dont need the long arms unless you are staying with a higher lift like the 4.5".

This would be a good setup, you just need to pick shocks and you could upgrade later down the road to coilovers if you feel the need. Many will tell you, that if you get the plush ride springs that when paired with the king 2.5" adjustable shocks, they will ride much better than the bolt on coilovers.

https://www.offroadevolution.com/product/evo-mfg-3-double-d-bolt-on-long-arm-kit-jk-jku/

Or, you could just do this since you would only need front lowers which this comes with and it would be very capable in that form.

https://www.offroadevolution.com/product/evo-mfg-enforcer-pro-stage-1-jk-jku/
 
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Well I would like to do rock crawling, not that there is much of that around here, but I plan for trips out west or even end up moving here some day. I read in some places that you actually want the jeep to sit a bit lower for rock crawling.

But on the other hand I would like to end up with 60 axles and massive tires and a swap to a v8. I wonder if I start building it up in that direction.

I will most likely keep this jeep until it falls apart.

Thanks for the links!!!


MY BUILT/REBUILD: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?44123-Rebuilt-of-a-Billet-Silver-mall-crawler&p=859931#post859931
 
hinrichs said:
http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?37237-EVO-Fascia-with-AEV-Tire-Carrier Here is that setup for the carrier and fascia, I think it looks awesome and something I would run if I didnt have the evo carrier.

What type of wheeling do you see yourself doing? I ask becuase you dont need the long arms unless you are staying with a higher lift like the 4.5".

This would be a good setup, you just need to pick shocks and you could upgrade later down the road to coilovers if you feel the need. Many will tell you, that if you get the plush ride springs that when paired with the king 2.5" adjustable shocks, they will ride much better than the bolt on coilovers.

https://www.offroadevolution.com/product/evo-mfg-3-double-d-bolt-on-long-arm-kit-jk-jku/

Or, you could just do this since you would only need front lowers which this comes with and it would be very capable in that form.

https://www.offroadevolution.com/product/evo-mfg-enforcer-pro-stage-1-jk-jku/
Click to expand...

I replied to you but forgot to include your quote, please have a look at my thread... sorry


MY BUILT/REBUILD: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?44123-Rebuilt-of-a-Billet-Silver-mall-crawler&p=859931#post859931
 
Nice looking Jeep! Great pic besides all that disgusting white stuff around it :grayno:

I think it's hard for other people to tell you what direction you should go with so many options. Do you want a super LCG build? A simple bolt-on coilover build? Custom mounted 14-16" coilover stuff going through the body? Or a really long travel spring/coil lift e.g. Metalcloak 6pak stuff?
Are you still trying to decide on that kind of stuff? Or looking for positives/negatives of each approach?

P.S. I know it's more of a quarry than trails, but there are rocky spots at the badlands I've seen a fully built rig with coilovers and 40s not able to get through. And this was someone that made it look easy in some pretty difficult spots. I'm debating heading over there on the 26th if it's above freezing again by then.
 
chitown35 said:
Nice looking Jeep! Great pic besides all that disgusting white stuff around it :grayno:

I think it's hard for other people to tell you what direction you should go with so many options. Do you want a super LCG build? A simple bolt-on coilover build? Custom mounted 14-16" coilover stuff going through the body? Or a really long travel spring/coil lift e.g. Metalcloak 6pak stuff?
Are you still trying to decide on that kind of stuff? Or looking for positives/negatives of each approach?

P.S. I know it's more of a quarry than trails, but there are rocky spots at the badlands I've seen a fully built rig with coilovers and 40s not able to get through. And this was someone that made it look easy in some pretty difficult spots. I'm debating heading over there on the 26th if it's above freezing again by then.
Click to expand...

I am still deciding. I am gonna take it nice and slow this time around. Probably custom mounted coil overs, and I also want to end up with the dtd evolever, new axles and eventually a v8 swap.
I want to start building towards that.
I am not building it just to go to badlands, but more for trips out west, possibly moving there one day.






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MY BUILT/REBUILD: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?44123-Rebuilt-of-a-Billet-Silver-mall-crawler&p=859931#post859931
 
I got some parts over the weekend.

Some new ball joints to get me through until I can get new axles.
IMG_4070.jpg

Synergy front track bar relocation bracket to replace poorly designed AEV one that had to be cut to make room for the lower C gussets.
IMG_4159.jpg
Also a set of sway bar links
IMG_4062.jpg

I am hoping to make some time to install these this weekend.


I am also planning for to replace my AEV coils with EVO plush rides for the time being, while saving for better lift.



.....…...............................................................
MY BUILT/REBUILD: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?44123-Rebuilt-of-a-Billet-Silver-mall-crawler&p=859931#post859931
 
VeruGE*144 said:
I got some parts over the weekend.

Some new ball joints to get me through until I can get new axles.
View attachment 248169

Synergy front track bar relocation bracket to replace poorly designed AEV one that had to be cut to make room for the lower C gussets.
View attachment 248170
Also a set of sway bar links
View attachment 248171

I am hoping to make some time to install these this weekend.


I am also planning for to replace my AEV coils with EVO plush rides for the time being, while saving for better lift.



.....…...............................................................
MY BUILT/REBUILD: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?44123-Rebuilt-of-a-Billet-Silver-mall-crawler&p=859931#post859931
Click to expand...

Nice! Moving along.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app
 
NecessaryEvil said:
Nice! Moving along.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app
Click to expand...

I got these bumpers up for sale on eBay and I am getting decent interest in them, but I am not sure if I am up for loosing that much money on this. It would be close to a $800-$1000 for a loss I gotta take. I am debating if I should just keep them.



.....…...............................................................
MY BUILT/REBUILD: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?44123-Rebuilt-of-a-Billet-Silver-mall-crawler&p=859931#post859931
 
VeruGE*144 said:
I got these bumpers up for sale on eBay and I am getting decent interest in them, but I am not sure if I am up for loosing that much money on this. It would be close to a $800-$1000 for a loss I gotta take. I am debating if I should just keep them.



.....…...............................................................
MY BUILT/REBUILD: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?44123-Rebuilt-of-a-Billet-Silver-mall-crawler&p=859931#post859931
Click to expand...

Yeah, I would not want to take the big of a hit.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app
 
I got a chance to get couple things done on my jeep today. I decided it would be a good idea to head to garage and get my hands dirty after busting my butt of at work all day. Something that seemed to be a quick job turned out to be almost 5 hr job.

I replaced AEV raised track bar bracket with synergy one.
Here comparison between the two
IMG_4163.jpg
IMG_4164.jpg

Aev makes their bracket in two pieces for some odd reason (mine was there at this point since it had to be cut back to make room for the lower c gusset). I took forever to get off, I can't believe how bad of a design that is.
Synergy fit in nicely with a very minor trimming to allow clearance for the lower c gusset.

I also replaced my factory reused rear sway bar links with EVO adjustable ones while I was at it. That was a real pain. Trying to make it work with synergy bracket on passenger side and using factory mounting location on driver side. Tightening the lower nut of the link to synergy bracket took me about half hour since I was only able to turn it an 1/8 turn at a time.
Here's is what it looks like installed

IMG_4166.jpg
IMG_4167.jpgIMG_4168.jpg

I hope it is ok for these links to be mounted this way, whit one being bolted to raise bracket and other being at stock location [emoji848], good thing I got the adjustable ones....
I drove it around after I was done an everything seems to fell the way it should. Electric sway bar disconnect also works without any issues.



.....…...............................................................
MY BUILT/REBUILD: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?44123-Rebuilt-of-a-Billet-Silver-mall-crawler&p=859931#post859931
 
You'll notice that your control arm drop brackets are two piece as well. I don't care for the design of them as they seem weak. I went with the heavy 1 piece welded Rancho ones and they are great. Some (most?) don't like running the drops at all because of ground clearance issues. My logic was I'll bolt in new ones if they get too torn up, the factory ones need to be welded to be replaced, and the ride and handling is fantastic. You might want to upgrade if its going to be a few years to either the adjustable arms or the welded drops. Otherwise the problem will take care of itself going to a long arm setup. Keep up the good work on the build!
 
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