Bob's boring build

[bobthetj03]

Some of you may have followed my Frankentrailer build (http://www.jeep-owner.com/index.php/topic,117.msg1136.html#msg1136), so I thought I would show you the tow rig for said trailer. It's been a slow build, and a bit boring, so I'll try to give you the cliff notes version so you all don't nod off. My TJ has been my daily driver/weekend wheeler for 9 years now. During that time span I have accumulated a few goodies. I picked it up bone stock as a Sport model with a hardtop, AC, 5speed, D44 rear, rear disc brakes and such. First order of business was to get a mild lift and some new meats. I went with OME and their 2.5" lift along with some 31" BFG MT's.

Pictured you notice a couple other goodies. More on that as I proceed.
Soon after installing the lift, I had discovered that my vertically challenged wife had a hard time climbing in and out of the jeep, so next up was some steps. I choose the Warrior steps cause they were tough enough to double as rocker protection.

 

[bobthetj03]

You'll also notice a little Xmas prestent in the form of Bestop's fuel door.
After installing the steps, I decided I didn't like them, but ran them for a while anyways (happy wife, happy life). Did a little forklift flexing to check things out for any issues.

A few other goodies to come along the way included a Bestop duster/windjammer combo along with some Spidy shadeness.

Olympic rear bumper with reciever and tow hook included for your viewing pleasure!
A winch was in the works, so low and behold, a Warn M8000 was my next birthday gift.
Since I had more time than caps, I decided to try my hand at modifying my front bumper, so some after hours shenanigans were in order.

End result was a fairly clean front end package. Also included was a Rokmen steering skid.

 

[bobthetj03]

At some point DW reared it's ugly head, so a few steering/suspension mods were introduced in the form of a ZJ tie rod assy, Currie lowers, and JKS adjustable track bar. DW cured!

Hey, how'd those JKS discos get in there!  [laugh]
TJ headlights suck monkey butt, so Rampage H4 conversion to the rescue. Heck, lets paint the bezels black while we're at it!
Now what should I do with this scrap sign metal and these Mag light holders, hmmm?

 

[bobthetj03]

I like me some tunes just as much as the next jeeper, but a jeep's audio offerings leave very little to be desired, so out went my 10 year old Alpine head unit from a previous vehicle long since sold and into the jeep. Add that with a little powahhh and some upgraded speakers and tunage was improved!
5.25" dash speakers with baffles:  

6.50" pod speakers:

impulse power captain!

Yeah, it's old, but it's still ticking!

I like good, clean, loud bass, so the 19 year old in me decided to give these two 10's a whirl. When the 40 year old in me roughed me up a bit, I came to my senses and sold them to gain my storage back (it's a TJ jeepers, ie little to no storage)!

 

[LBJ]

[popcorn]

 

[mattamd_xp]

I'll be watching for updates  [popcorn]

 

[bobthetj03]

I couldn't live without ANY bass, so I got creative and fabbed up a little enclosure in the center console, added a slimline 8 and BAM! Just enough bass to keep me happy for a while without gobbling up a bunch of storage space.

Just enough space left over to put some CD's wallet etc in.

 

[bobthetj03]

PIAA Silicones FTW! 4 years and counting!

Ok, maybe I'm a little possesive about my Jeep? (It was a gift from a friend).

My fender flares were in rough shape, so out came the SEM trim black for a little sprucing up.
Before:

After:

Muy better!

 

[bobthetj03]

TC drop pucks me hates! Help me UCF, you're my only hope!

Some assembly/modification required.

Nothing a little grinding can't fix!

That's more like it!

 

[bobthetj03]

Life somethimes surprises you with little setbacks. Such is the case when my clutch rod linkage decided to take a permanent vacation from the rest of the clutch master cylinder. As a result my disposable income became less disposable! :'(

Check out my redneck, hillbilly, hardtop hoist! Don't hate, it works, and I can install/remove it by my lonesome!

Visor mod......engaged!

With the loss of center console for storage, I needed to find a new place to stow these goodies.

I had an old ammo can laying around doing nothing more than being a door stop, so I came up with this idea.

A couple of well placed nutserts:

It'll work for now.

 

[bobthetj03]

I had all I could stands, and couldn't stands no more, so off came the steps. Sold them to a fellow jeeper to continue it's life as a helper of the vertially challenged. Me happy, wife, not so happy. Somehow that equated to me not so happy! 🙁

I thought I would try to help matters, so I came up with this brilliant plan! I bought these!

Luckily, my wife has a sense of humor, so I'm still married, lol! More on this saga later.

Always been a K&N fan. No, I'm not going to start that debate! Been running it for 6 years and 80k miles with none of that foolishness.

I decided to change midstream and go with Metal Cloaks CA offerings. They were only a 2 hour drive for me, and after paying a visit to their facility, I was hooked! So, front uppers got some Duroflex love!

I'll get the front lowers next and move the Currie lowers to the rear.

Yet another pathetic attempt to get back into the wife good graces. Her response, "Nice, it only took you 6 years to put a vanity mirror in there for me! Gee thanks!" Lol!

Drag link inner tie rod had some play in it, and only after 10k miles! Napa chassis lifetime warranty to the rescue!

 

[bobthetj03]

Scored a softop from CL for $100. It was a bit rough, but it got me thru a couple seasons and made for a great trail top.

Well, the time came for my worn out 31 BFG's to get replaced. They served me well, and performed like a champ, but it was time for a change. 32's were next, so I decided to try Cooper STT's. I accompanied them with some Ultra Nomads for a new look.

Yes, and Yes!

Me likey!

With the different backspacing, I needed to do something about my skinny flares. Thankfully, two fello jeepers helped me out and donated there Rubi flares to the cause! Thanks Jeffro06 and AngryTJ! I cleaned them up and gave them the SEM treatment.
Sanded, primed, and ready for topcoat:

Trim black FTW!

While I was at it, I tried to minimize a few years worth of pinstripes.

Shiny!

Gave the hardtop a little love too.

Gotta love the Magic Eraser!

 

[ShaunSweeney]

Nice simple build. I like it.

 

[bobthetj03]

Nice simple build. I like it.

Thank you! Like I said, it's a bit boring but effective.
On to the next mod. I got another nice Xmas present from a fello jeeper I wheel with. CB goodness! The banter must continue, even on the trail!

Mounted it here:

Fabbed up my own antenna mount and bought a 3ft Firestick.

 

[bobthetj03]

Amongst all this boringness,ness,ness, I managed to get a few wheeling trips in from time to time. One wheeling trip in particular, I tried my hand at underwater combat! As a result, I managed to turn my front driveline into a swarm of angry sparrows!
Said stupidity:

Result of said stupidity:

As I was building my trailer, I needed some more storage so I could take my puppies along for some camping trips. Again, more time than $$$, so I had to once again get creative. Took some 1" box and fabbed up some cross bars.

Fabbed up a basket with some angle and expanded metal:

Took a little day trip to the coast to test out the new storage digs.

Puppies approve!

 

[bobthetj03]

Picked up a bike carrier for a little extra exercise.

I was getting pressure to put steps back on the jeep, and with a Rubicon trail trip coming soon, and me with no rocker protection, I got the go ahead to pick up an alternative solution.

 

[G Beasley]

You may call your build boring , but its one of the more often wheeled rigs I know of  😉

 

[bobthetj03]

You may call your build boring , but its one of the more often wheeled rigs I know of  😉

Thanks Greg! I try to get out as much as I can.

 

[bobthetj03]

This is the result of what happens when you haven't finished your trailer build, and you want to go camping with your two 90lb dogs!

 

[bobthetj03]

This pretty much gets me to current with my build. future plans include: remaining Metal Cloak CA's, Some sort of BL, Coil spacers, then 33's. Tummy tuck will be in the works as well.