Maybe something different 2018 unlimited Kalahari addition

[ZONE ZERO]

This will be a long thread with some different mods some will probably not make Jeep people excited, some will bug Toyota purest, and I’m sure land rover guys will question what Im doing.
let me start by saying I’ve owned and modified 13 jeeps 2 Land Rovers a Toyota nofunRunner or rotrunner and 2 cucv s a 1010 ambulance on 40s converted to a camper and a 1008 blazer.
this is my second jk and I had a different idea what I wanted to do with it.
I’m combining some things I’ve learned traveling the US and AFRICA .
I’m not in a rush to finish this build in a year it has to be done right and set up for me and my wife and kids.

some key things I wanted
more space
ease of entry
recovery
storage
not modifying the factory electrical system
and keeping the ride good.

I ALSO WANT TO ADD DUE TO A RECENT DISABLED because of a bad work injury I can no longer use my right foot so this build is something of an access for all to show its not going to slow me down to much and eventually I hope to help get other out and enjoy the off-road community.

 

[ZONE ZERO]

first up was a practical arb full bumper I’m more worried about animal strikes in New England than stuffing boulders into my wheel wells , also up front is a badlands 10k winch and 9 inch led round lights with 3 sets of filters clear amber and blue.

 

[RickLB]

What snorkel are you running?
Why blue lenses?

i never gave any thought to a full width bumper but your explanation makes complete sense to me!

 

[ZONE ZERO]

This was an idea I had for mounting a water can to the side of the factory hard top I believe the panel is from a company called furyengraver and was designed for a JL but with a bit of grinding and fitting it works great on a JK I also added a military defender collapsible jerry can holder. The can will have a pump , heater and water hose hooked up to it for us to rinse off with warm water. I’ll run them off a 12v or 18v Milwaukee battery.

 

[ZONE ZERO]

What snorkel are you running?
Why blue lenses?

i never gave any thought to a full width bumper but your explanation makes complete sense to me!

it’s common in the U.S. TO SEE STUBBY BUMPERS, and they have there place but if you take a hit from a white tail or black bear it’s probably going to take out your radiator and front fender or even something in your steering and render you stranded. Bull bars are built for taking animal hits over bolder hits. living in New England since I was a kid my father destroy a C10 chevy truck from a dear strike and my moms station wagon from a black bear, leaving us stranded for 6 hours in upstate Maine in the late 80s
working in Africa all the vehicles we used had bull bars or some type to protect the front end as much as possible .


the snorkel is for an earlier model jk off Amazon it states it wont fit an 12-18 jk but it was a drop in. I could have gon with an arb or AEV but in my experience you don’t need much to keep cool clean air feeding your engine the pre cleaner at the top is key in my opinion I probably empty it once a month.

the amber filters are great for winter and fog/rain,snow conditions and the blue helps my aging eyes at night In the summer months.

 

[ZONE ZERO]

I ordered some steps from ROVERS NORTH they are for the Landrover series and defender trucks, I drilled and tapped the rear frame, the 2 bolts can come out in 5 minutes if I need the departure angle. The step makes getting in and out of the back easire for my 5 year old and myself with less stress on my knee, foot and leg. I’ll be modifying 4 more of them to work at each door I will removing 3 inch of height from them to get them up a bit more but again if I hit a more difficult trail they will come right off.

 

[ZONE ZERO]

this is probably a better picture to show the size the top. It is a smittybuilt updated safari top the updates are a big step up from the earlier tops the rain channel runs from the windshield frame to past the rear door. The gaskets are updated and the alpine windows are bolted in. The rear hatch is more robust and the over all fit and finish is on par with a factory 06 tj top I gained 14.5 cubic feet of storage no more leaky 3 piece top and a fully insulated and carpeted interior. The Jeep literally feels and sound completely different. I’m planing to modify the interior cage to match the lines and the shape of the new roof line and take advantage of storage over the passengers . It’s also reinforced to attach a full rack if I wanted to. ill get more interior pictures so show the fit and finish.

 

[ZONE ZERO]

I found this pic online somewhere. if it’s yours thanks for the inspiration I’ll be painting the top like this in the spring but Ill using Toyota FJ 40 Cygnus white for the top half and factory Jeep gobi color for the sides and back

 

[ZONE ZERO]

I’m also adding O-CHANNEL to the sides of the rear window with aluminum plates inside carpeted to match the interior so they blend in. I can then add a rack to both sides of the rear windows with out leaving them on all the time. this is a link for The channel section https://www.etrailer.com/Tie-Down-Anchors/Buyers-Products/337ST93.html

 

[ZONE ZERO]

I’m planing on building a simple J8 style rear bumper with recovers points and probably frame mounted brackets for mud flaps. I’ll integrate the rear step to fold up flush against the bumper and coat it in rush shield .
as much as I’d love and AEV or ARB rear bumper I can’t justify the price when all I need is some minor protection from backing into a tree or a snow bank . Plus the plastic jeep bumpers are a pain in the ass.

 

[ZONE ZERO]

If anyone was curious I suffered a crushing injury to my right foot and leg last February, I developed something called complex regional pain syndrome. Basically it’s like theirs an army of fire ants eating their wait through my bone marrow , and muscle and my skin is on fire most of the time to give some idea my 18 month old can out run me . My nervous system has locked my foot in a static position that I can’t move and the pain can spike past 42 on the McGill pain scale basically it’s higher than an amputation with out any pain blockers. But I’m not bitter I consider myself lucky, it cost me 3700.00 to have the Jeep set up with this second accelerator pedal this and take the driving course to then go take a state driving test again . It’s a long road but I need to get back out in the woods and do some wheeling And camping.

 

[mep1811]

What snorkel are you running?
Why blue lenses?

i never gave any thought to a full width bumper but your explanation makes complete sense to me!

Blue lenses are good for spotting blood.

 

[ZONE ZERO]

Some interior pictures, I hope it shows the added size and usable space.
if I leave the roll cage alone I can have a shelf over the passenger area 7 inches tall . It would be good for lightweight items like sleeping bags and pillows. If not I’m going to rebuild the cage to hug the inter shape better.
anyone have an opinion?. My biggest complaint is the rear bar it’s in the way of the windows and the ability to sit up in the back .

 

[ZONE ZERO]

some outside shots , and a photo a friend found of someone modifying a factory cage. It’s what I would like to do in the back, Almost looks like a 2 door cage added then a cross bar welded in place. Anyone have info on it by chance?

 

[ZONE ZERO]

I will be doing a barn door. I’m not sure if it will be fiberglass or if I’ll just build a frame and use sheet metal, I’ve been reading about fiberglass it seems strait forward, but I’ve never worked with it in anyway.
‘I’m definitely more comfortable with a welder.