Phase II Complete!
Have been wanting to update build progress for a few weeks but have been crazy busy :icon_crazy:
Last I checked in here, I had just dropped off my JK at Offroad Evolution for the next (and most serious) upgrades, to include 1 ton axles and 40's. Picked her up a week and a half later in early February and so have had ample time to enjoy the improvements over Phase I. Here are a few pics of the Evolution:
Prepping to remove stock D44s
New PR XD60 and PSC ram assist and EVO skid installed:
Prior owner relocated the vacuum pump to where the SPOD would go, so had to re-relocate:
SPOD and ARB compressor installed. Horn was moved to make room for the ARB compressor:
Doors and Trektop removed for EVO Sport Cage installation:
8-channel SPOD switch controller mounted to driver side A-pillar:
Fitting the EVO tire carrier after the corner armor installation:
All done and parked in front of ORE :wings:
Some more pics from the walk-around:
Had a chance to check out Mel's new JL -- on 37s and 2.5" lift:
Standing by their work -- Drew and the ORE team deliver excellent customer service :thumb:
Trailer hooked up and ready to head back home. jkjourneys purchased my old rear bumper/tire carrier and the 37" wheels/tires -- he could only fit the bumper and 2 wheels in his vehicle, so meeting him on the way home to deliver the last 3.
Fellow Wayalifer Shawn (aka jkjourneys) happy for the smoking' deal :rock:
One of my biggest concerns was the increase in vehicle height as my Phase I JK on 37s barely fit under the garage header. ORE adjusted the coilover pre-load to offset the tire size gain -- she fits! :whew:
Some poser shots after I got home:
......and the parting ass shot!
Overall, I've been extremely pleased with the results. The drive home was an unexpected delight -- the road manners were even better than when she was on 37s! She tracked straight and true with one-finger steering effort thanks to the PSC ram assist. I could even take my hands off the wheel for several seconds without any tendency to veer outside my lane -- definitely not a typical modified Jeep experience!
All that's left (yeah sure) is the Hemi upgrade and potentially an Atlas II, but I'm impressed with the performance of the Pentastar and 5.38 gearing for now, I'm not in any hurry -- so I'll re-visit after this summer's trail runs and schedule the swap probably sometime near the end of the year.
