bbusch's stealth Rubicon build

[TexasTJ]

Don't stomp on the pedal too hard, you may lose your dinghy.

 

[G Beasley]

Good to see you and your Jeeps back! What did you use for a tune on the LS3?

 

[bbusch]

Don't stomp on the pedal too hard, you may lose your dinghy.

That would be a shame.  lol

Good to see you and your Jeeps back! What did you use for a tune on the LS3?

Real Performance out of Reno NV did the tune.  I forget what tune they used but perhaps it?s on the receipt if I can find it.  The LS ran like crap but they dialed it in and I couldn?t be happier.  In the end the guy I bought the motor from never delivered on the transmission and he tried to keep my money for it.  I was pretty pissed but did receive assistance from a government agency out of NY that not only got me most of my money back but fined Chuck $4,000.  Long story but turns out the guy is a thief.  Also Jeep Speed Shop kept the Jeep for 34 months and I finally had enough and just loaded up the trailer and went and got it.  I finished things up myself at that point and took her in for the tune.  JSS and Corvettes of Westchester both ended up leaving a sour taste in my mouth for this build however At this point I am very happy with the rig and performance. 

Still have to mount the Premier Power Welder, AC lines need to be custom built and I need to get the OBA parts back in place for the air and ARB lockers to work.  Driving the rig around town is fun enough.  Perhaps, one day, when I am an old man the rig will be finished. 

 

[bbusch]

Okay so I snapped some photos today of the TJ.  She was running great and outside temps were around 60 degrees which was very nice.  I went out on some BLM land so to appear wheeling.  Without the front driveshaft she is not really trail ready. 




































The rig ended up somewhat muddy by the end of the venture.  Nice thing was the dirt was heavy so no dust today.  I sure do love driving this beast.. the day she gets painted and put back together is when I will feel the project is wrapping up completion. 

I must say I?m one proud Jeep Owner tho! 

 

[bbusch]

Traveled with my son up to Virginia City today to do a little prospecting.  Took some good photos of the rig and my boy.  He wanted to go off roading and climb a mountain.  lol.













Working on the tweeter pods and stereo install.  So many projects, I just can?t keep up.  I know.. not exactly an image of safety.  Need to get the back seat back in covering the Luxman amplifier and get the other subwoofer in that has a special spot behind the seat and secured.








Reel Driveline supplied my front shaft, need to get that sucker installed!




And this is one mess of Jeep parts and boat sh;^, so many boxes full of Jeep parts and projects. 




One project at a time, stay the course and maybe that storage garage will start to clear out some. 

 

[green50gt]

What brand of dash speaker mounts are you using?  😀

Is that one of those ebay "heat reduction" hoods?  If yes, how do you feel about it? 

 

[bobthetj03]

Holy amplifier Batman! Jeebus!

 

[G Beasley]

Holy amplifier Batman! Jeebus!

Welder/ amplifier / base station!

 

[bbusch]

What brand of dash speaker mounts are you using?  😀

Is that one of those ebay "heat reduction" hoods?  If yes, how do you feel about it? 

lol on the tweeter dash mounts.  Eventually when temps are San Diego like ill mod some fiberglass pods to squeeze in there.  As for the hood nothing less than the real deal.. AEV modified hood, bout 15/16 years old. 

Holy amplifier Batman! Jeebus!

Only the best brother.. Luxman from 1995.  Japanese and Luxman made the Alpine amplifiers for the F1 status line.  At least Alpine knew who made the best quality stuff.  Amplifier weighs as much as a tank. 

Welder/ amplifier / base station!

This Jeep lacks nothing when it comes to the best.  One day my friend it will all come together.

 

[bbusch]

To this build I am very proud but cash poor.  I have been building her for 18 years as of 2/4/21.  Don?t want to come off as snobby but when I know what it?s taken to get to this point on the build then dropping the LJ off in Los Angeles a wee back in November and seeing $120K plus JL?s rolling around like Civics it kinda leaves you like.. wtf?  Anyway, I have no jealousy of others in life but do like to flaunt my baby that has a long way to go.  She is like the 50 y/o wife that?s gonna be hot af at 70.  Winning the lottery wouldn?t even have me spending like debt driven zombies.  I am worried about this country but definitely can appreciate what others manage to accomplish.  How others do it and why is a whole nuther conversation. 

 

[G Beasley]

I have been building and driving my green LJ since 09 and I have no idea how the JL foks are rolling dynatracs and hemis in the first 90 days! Their Jeep cost more than my house! I feel like I am in the upper middle class and theres no way I could swing a 100k jeep . I love my LJ and the cranky AEV Brute is growing on me .

 

[bbusch]

I have been building and driving my green LJ since 09 and I have no idea how the JL foks are rolling dynatracs and hemis in the first 90 days! Their Jeep cost more than my house! I feel like I am in the upper middle class and theres no way I could swing a 100k jeep . I love my LJ and the cranky AEV Brute is growing on me .

And what a sweet LJ it is. 

 

[Florpro]

Any updates on your build?

 

[G Beasley]

Any updates on your build?

X2?!

 

[bbusch]

Any updates on your build?

Short answer.. yes!


So just back from paint I went with a GM black silver pearl.

 

[Srfnfly227]

Welcome back! Jeep looks great.

 

[Florpro]

Looks great! 
What rear bumper is that?  Looks like the spare mounts at an angle??

 

[bbusch]

Welcome back! Jeep looks great.

Thanks.  Long process but it is coming together.  There is a long detail list still to go and replacement of some parts like the heater core in order to restore the rig given it?s 20 y/o come February. 

Looks great! 
What rear bumper is that?  Looks like the spare mounts at an angle??

Thanks.  It is manufactured by ARB. The spare mounts straight, not at an angle.  Very happy with it although it is overly complex and did rub on the paint in a non visible area before I spaced it accordingly so I will have to correct the paint.  Holds my 37? tire which is probably max what it should carry.  Few photo shots of it below.  I am waiting on the other cover piece to come back from powder coat given it was left at the paint shop and I didn?t realize it.  Also there is an indent on the tire carrier that had a thick ARB logo so I am going to have one made that says Jeep so to cut down on company logos on the rig.  I?ll mount the rear tire once the Rock Hard 4x4 rear license plate mount arrives. 

 

[Florpro]

Noice!
Did you flip your flares from side to side and raise them or stealth trim to the trailing edge? 

 

[bbusch]

Noice!
Did you flip your flares from side to side and raise them or stealth trim to the trailing edge? 

No they are just trimmed to flow with the bumper.  Front flares had to be modified as well but not as noticeable.  I forgot to get back to this thread but wanted to post a photo of the rear bumper and tire carrier fully installed.  Waiting on a local graphics shop to call me with the Jeep logo to go in place of the old ARB one and also I had not installed the cover piece exposing that guide bar yet.  The paint color is ok for the rear bumper but I am not happy with the color on the rockers.