My new expo ride..

[Jeff H]

I had an opportunity to get some work done to the Jeep on Wednesday since it was rather nice out. I managed to get the oil changed, install a Moog Super TrailBoss steering stabilizer, undercoat the underneath of the body/subframe, and put on a set of 245/75R17 Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 tires.

I got the tires on clearance as they've been discontinued for $360 for the set. Not too bad really. I look forward to seeing how they handle the snowy NW PA winters. I decided to keep the stock wheels for winter use and use the Mopar steelies with spacers for summer.

The current plan (which is always changing lol) is to purchase the Iceland Offroad Winch Bumper/Flare Combo, a Warn M8000 winch, the Mopar Winter wheels, and some 33" KM2s over winter and install everything in spring. I may do gears further down the road. Id also like to finish the roof rack I started.. sucks not having a garage to work in!

 

[Mr. D]

Going back over your post I really like what you did with the inverter. It looks like it came that way from the factory.

 

[Jeff H]

Going back over your post I really like what you did with the inverter. It looks like it came that way from the factory.

Thanks! It was my goal to make it look that way.

 

[BEVAN]

Going back over your post I really like what you did with the inverter. It looks like it came that way from the factory.

x2- I like the route you've gone with the entire build...

 

[JCMatthews]

I had an opportunity to get some work done to the Jeep on Wednesday since it was rather nice out. I managed to get the oil changed, install a Moog Super TrailBoss steering stabilizer, undercoat the underneath of the body/subframe, and put on a set of 245/75R17 Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 tires.

I got the tires on clearance as they've been discontinued for $360 for the set. Not too bad really. I look forward to seeing how they handle the snowy NW PA winters. I decided to keep the stock wheels for winter use and use the Mopar steelies with spacers for summer.

The current plan (which is always changing lol) is to purchase the Iceland Offroad Winch Bumper/Flare Combo, a Warn M8000 winch, the Mopar Winter wheels, and some 33" KM2s over winter and install everything in spring. I may do gears further down the road. Id also like to finish the roof rack I started.. sucks not having a garage to work in!

I have seen the Iceland Offroad stuff in person, and I'd never pay to have that stuff put on my WJ. What I say was chipped, and just did not look like it would hold up. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[Jeff H]

I have seen the Iceland Offroad stuff in person, and I'd never pay to have that stuff put on my WJ. What I say was chipped, and just did not look like it would hold up. Just my $.02 worth.

That's good to know. From what I've read the wait times on their products are incredibly long as well. I may just purchase a bumper and winch instead.. Ive got a few months before I plan to buy.. time to research!

 

[OttawaXJ]

That's good to know. From what I've read the wait times on their products are incredibly long as well. I may just purchase a bumper and winch instead.. Ive got a few months before I plan to buy.. time to research!

Call Eric at Staangs fab. Fair pricing and he'll hook you up. His stuff is beyond beefy, its to the point of insanity lol.

www.staangsfab.com

Just tell him Jonathan sent you and what site your from.

 

[ReconZJ]

I have seen the Iceland Offroad stuff in person, and I'd never pay to have that stuff put on my WJ. What I say was chipped, and just did not look like it would hold up. Just my $.02 worth.

Well, I've got Iceland flares on my ZJ, and slid sideways into a rock on Moab's Pritchett Canyon this past June. Dug a nasty scrape into the right rear flare, scraping my pretty paint job, but the flare held up admirably and didn't break. They're thick fiberglass, and even if they did crack (that would have to be an awefully hard hit), they're an easy fix.

 

[Jeff H]

Here is a photoshop of how it could potentially turn out to look like with the white Mopar wheels and the Iceland flares/bumper combo. It would sit a few inches lower and the tires would be 33s instead of 35s..

I blacked the bumpers out to help break up all the white.

 

[Jeff H]

Its been quite a while since I've been able to work on the Jeep but I managed to get some free time to get a few things done I wanted to.

I knew I wanted to go to a larger tire size and after considering my options I went with 255/80r17 BFG KM2s. The KM2s seem to be pretty popular and I liked the benefits of going with a skinny tire. I picked up a set of 4 from Discount Tire for $944 shipped to my door.

In order to fit these tires on my Jeep with my current lift (3" IRO) I knew I needed to do some trimming of the sheet metal. I only managed to get the front fenders cut for now until I can get some body panel adhesive to reattach and seal the rear quarters once I trim them.


Measure twice, or three times, cut once

After the cuts

I used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade and some tin snips to even out the edges. I am trying to track down some white door edge guard to put over the edge of the fender to keep it protected. I also still need to cut and hammer the inner seam in the wheel well for more clearance.

With the new tires on

The rears need to be done before I can even consider taking it off pavement as there's only an inch of space between the front of the wheel well and the tire. The next thing is to get it properly bump stopped and go test her out!

 

[Jeff H]

I also started building a winch bumper for the Jeep. I put together templates using cardboard and was able to get the bumper mounts and center winch mount section mocked up. The weather wasn't cooperating enough for me to build the rest but I will finish it after I get the rear wheel wells trimmed.

I plan on using 3/16" steel for the mounts and winch plate and 1/8" for the rest of the bumper. Should be pretty stout.

 

[Jeff H]

*Update*

So I finally decided to tackle the rear quarter trimming. My Jeep was practically useless offroad with the 255's on it so it was time to make the clearance I needed.

Starting the rear trimming

Bumper and interior trim removed

Last shot of the nice clean quarters

Nevermind the nicely chunked tire (now my spare)

Body panel adhesive

Drivers side (turned out better of course since I was now well practiced)

Temporary paint job

I still need to spray undercoating underneath everything and skim coat the wheel wells to make it pretty and then I will have a friend of mine spray it and blend into the factory paint. Not too bad considering this is the first time I've done major body work like this.

I'm also waiting for my hitch mounted tire carrier from CBI Offroad so I can mount my spare tire on the back. I'm wishing I would've built a swingout carrier from the start and just cut the rear bumper but we'll see how this works for now.

 

[JChatary]

So far so good!!! Keep the posts & pics coming!

 

[Diesel YJ]

That really looks good. I like what you have done. I was always annoyed at that back wheel well area as it likes to collect dirt and debris in the pocket by the door. Please post details and any issues you encountered just in case myself or someone else may follow your lead.

 

[Jeff H]

Thanks for the compliments! I'll do a more significant writeup on it when I get to a computer (on my iphone now). I did some wheeling with it this weekend and it surprised me how well it did with the 3" lift and 33s. I really need to build some armor for it to keep me from trashing it. Ill add some pics from the weekend.

I also installed the tire carrier from CBI Offroad. It seems well built but I am regretting the purchase now as Id rather have built a swingout tire carrier. I may put it up for sale in the for sale section.