Latest Build...

[thejafe]

Alright, over the last two weeks I've been hard at work installing the following parts to compliment Rubicon Express 3.5" kit:

Currie 1" BL
Currie 1" MML
WARN 6" Flares
ARB Rocker Guards
Rubicon Express SF2 Front Adjustable Upper Control Arms
Rubicon Express SF2 Rear Adjustable Upper Control Arms

Of course, all of this was in preparation for:

33x12.50 BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM Tires
15x8 American Racing Baja Wheels / 3.75" BS

A major reason to install the BL was that it allowed me to remove the .5" spacer kit from atop my Kilby gas tank skid so I could raise 'er up that extra .5" -- something I've been wanting to do for ages. For whatever reason Jeep redesigned the fuel lines on top of the tank in '04 and to run the Kilby skid you either need a 1" BL or the $50 .5" spacer kit from Kilby. Glad it's now a thing of the past for me .

Below you'll find pics from various stages of my installs. Enjoy, and feel free to post up any questions you may have.

 

[thejafe]

In progress:

1" Body lift complete:

Stock motor mount beside new Currie 1" raised mount:

Stock engine bracket removed from vehicle:

Currie 1" body mount:

Currie 1" raised motor mounts installed:

 

[thejafe]

Picked up a set of used RE3783 Rear Adjustable Upper Control Arms and replaced the cartridge joints. Cleaned them up and gave them a fresh coat of Rubicon Express REPSILVER paint while I was at it:

The rebuilt arms next to the RE3780 front adjustable uppers:

Front adjustable uppers complete:

Rears too!

 

[thejafe]

Rear pinion angle dialed in and now she drives niiiice and smooth:

 

[thejafe]

My ARB rockers utilize 30 pop-rivets! Had to take her to a body shop where they were forced to use a pneumatic rivet gun to fasten 'em down:

Only problem was that my garage door decided to crap out on me when I tried to leave :

 

[thejafe]

Rivets done:

Internal brace:

I love this mod! Quick Fist clamps for my Maglite:

ARB Rocker detail:

 

[thejafe]

Done!! :wings: :

 

[jwhutch]

Lookinig good. Couple of questions. I was looking on your web page, what color is that? Is it black, because it the build sheet said dark slate gray. Secondly clarify tires, said 33 x 10.5 AT's. Thanks

 

[thejafe]

Lookinig good. Couple of questions. I was looking on your web page, what color is that? Is it black, because it the build sheet said dark slate gray. Secondly clarify tires, said 33 x 10.5 AT's. Thanks

Allow me to clarify... my interior is "dark slate gray", exterior is black. I was previously running 33x10.50 BFG AT's with the stock Ravine wheels and 1.25" Spidertrax wheel spacers before I went to the 33x12.50 BFG MT's and AR Baja's.

 

[cshontz]

Well done, Andrew! I knew this post was comin'. I totally appreciate the love you put into your work, such as repainting the arms, and you'll use your vehicle for its intended purpose too. You don't run into folks who strike that balance very often, but I think its admirable. Mike Rauch at OK is like that too. Glad too see you made it out of the garage!

 

[ExpoMike]

Sweet Jeep!

Interesting about the rockers, I had never seen ones that pop rivit on. Cool idea.

Now go out and get it dirty. :26_7_2:

 

[hrjaw]

trying to figure out why you were selling your other rockers. it looks really really nice

 

[IH8RDS]

I have a question about your body lift. Are you supposed to remove the old spacer?

 

[thejafe]

trying to figure out why you were selling your other rockers. it looks really really nice

Well, I decided that I really wanted a rocker with both an internal brace and a steel tube on the side. Also, my Sun rockers were starting to rust and once I had them removed I discovered that the aluminum spacers that spaced them away from the body were all but disintegrated. They looked like someone left them sitting in acid -- gotta love the road salt here in the northeast.

 

[thejafe]

I have a question about your body lift. Are you supposed to remove the old spacer?

Nope, the Currie 1" BL as well as the JKS 1.25" BL are designed to encapsulate the stock body mounts. I think this is a nice design feature as opposed to a puck that simply sits on top of the stock mounts.