This is mainly for my own use but if you're reading this... It's always been my
opinion that build threads are only 'cool' if you're doing something major like
scratch building a custom suspension with 1 ton axles. Bolting on a 2" lift and
installing grab handles ain't cool... Well, it ain't cool enough to warrent a
build thread.
That said, I'd like a way to document everything I've done to my jeep, and this
is gonna be the way. The "Build" blog. This might not be an original concept,
I don't know. I haven't looked to see if anyone else has done anything like
it.
So here it is...
Mods I've done to date: roughly in the order they were performed.
1.
Took off bumper jugs They were lame and girly
2.
Took off stock side steps. equally lame and girly
3.
Took off flare extensions. Lame as well.
4.
Painted headlight bezels Black, or course
5.
Rock sliders. needed something to protect the tub since the steps
were gone. Started wheeling it a month after I bought it, and knew it was only
a matter of time til I bashed in the tub.
6.
2" budget boost. The small lift helped a little with clearence, but as
a trade off I got brave in the things I'd attempt.
7.
CB to stay in contact on trails
8.
Adjustable rear upper control arms Had slight vibes after the 2" BB.
Fixed with adjustable control arms, instead of an expensive SYE.
9. Got rid of the crappy 28" GSAs and got my
first set of 31" BFG ATs.
At this time I learned a move to Washington was in my future, so I knew I needed
one thing. My jeep (X model) didn't have cruise control, and I'd need something
to keep my foot from falling off on the 4000 mile drive...
10.
Hand throttle. Bought the RE kit. Should have just went to a bike
shop.
Wheeling in the snow was something I'd missed living in Florida, since I grew up
in Pa, so I was anxious to get to do it again. But one thing was clear after
the first run, I'd need a shovel and somewhere to mount it. So...
11.
Hood Rack/Light bar. After looking the Tough Stuff version, and I
knew I could make the same thing cheaper. However, I never liked the original
clamping system, modeled after the Tought stuff pictures. I decided to ponder
it for a while.
12.
Tuffy underseat drawer. I wanted something in the back to store gear
in, but still needed to use my seat at the time. I didn't want to make one out
of wood, so that left was only one option for me. An expensive option.
I knew from my first time wheeling that I wanted OBA, and I decided it was
time...
13.
On board Air. I hated borrowing air, cause it always felt like an
annoyance. I did my research on JF, and went to a junk yard to find a york, and
started collecting parts. The hardest pill to swallow was the (then) $160 for
the Kilby bracket to mount the York. But, all in all, this was the best mod
I've done to date, and worth the price of admission.
14.
Six switch conversion. With the lights on my hood rack and my OBA, I
was running out of switch locations. Strike that, I was out. So I got a switch
bezel off ebay, and cut out my ash tray and put the bezel in its place.
15.
Aussie Locker. Yes, I know the concensus on JF is to not lock the
D35, but many of the parrots have never tried it. I understand it's risky, but
this quickly became #2 of the best mods I'd done to date. I wheeled it for
three years without issue. Granted it was on 31" tires, but I did alot more
than forest roads. Can't do this on forest roads...
kind of hard to see here, but stock skids are usually straight across the bottom
arn't they?
16.
Changed clamping system on hood rack Using a one knob ber side
system instead of the two per side like Tough Stuff.
17.
core trax on drawer top typically used in truck beds. it's an
adjustable tie down rack system, so I can tie camping equipment and coolers and
such down in the back.
18.
Hilift Mounts to hold Hilift to rear roll bars
19.
Painted the flares
20.
Latch mod to lock/unlock tailgate without the key.
21.
Rock lights Two 55w cheapo driving lights, one under radiator
support pointing at front axle, second above rear of TC skid pointing at rear
axle. Plenty of light to see rocks, and for working under there at night.
22.
55w backup lights Best mod #3. With scratched up windows, the stock
lights wern't bright enough. I could not see to back up at night. Don't have
that problem anymore.
23.
AC mod This is so I can use the panel and foot vents without air
conditioning, and use defrost without the compressor cycling on and off. (can
see six switch conversion in bottom of pic.)
24.
Custom handmade switch panel Never was really happy with the six
switch thing. Wanted to be able to remove the face plate instead of the whole
dash bezel to get to the wiring.
25.
Switch for Reverse lights to turn them on when loading/unloading
camping gear at night, annoying tailgaters, etc...
26.
NC switch under emergency brake Keeps OBA from running when the
emergency brake is not pulled.
27.
clips for tool box Stops it from sliding around, yet still easily
removable.
28.
clamping knob on hand throttle, to lock it down better.
That's all I can think of right now.
I have some other ideas that I'm working on... But I'll keep those on the down
low for now.
So I fuelled up. The check engine light came on, I took it
offroading to see how it was going to do in highway snow!! Good times were had.
I think I didnt tighten the gas cap enough again. So we will see if that check
engine light goes off over the next couple of days again (it did the exact same
thing a few weeks ago) The great news is its running super smooth and actually
quieter with the new oil. Oil pressure and engine temp is still running at the
same as it was pre change... so not it. I love jeep gremlins!