Yosh_Lopez
Observer
I have owned my 2008 Jeep Wrangler since brand new, picking it up June 2008 from Bill O'Brien Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge in Indianapolis, IN. With about 10 miles on the odometer, it was delivered with the 24S X package and tow group. All loaded up and ready for the move to Maryland:
Overall, I was pleased with what the package had to offer. The only thing I was not a fan of was the street biased Goodyear GSA tires it came stock with. The first mod was a set of Rubicon take off BFG KM1s and a leveling kit.
Following are some pictures running some trails in GWNF:
I ran with this set up for several months, and decided in December 2008 to install self recovery gear in the form of the Rugged Ridge XHD bumper and a Superwinch LP8500 winch:
In the Spring/Summer of 2009, I decided to upgrade the suspension with the Old Man Emu HD kit and also swapped out the stock Moabs with a set of AEV Argent Pintlers. Following are some snapshots with this setup, exploring some trails around the Destin, FL area:
Next upgrades came in the Winter of 2010. I swapped out the Rugged Ridge/Superwinch setup for an ARB Deluxe Bull Bar and Warn M8000 winch. Also installed an AEV snorkel and a Poly Performance rear bumper/tire carrier in preparation for a tire upgrade:
The Jeep went unmodded for the next couple of years, as I was happy with its performance and devoted my funds to paying it off early. In the Spring of 2011, I saw the pictures from EJS of the JK8 conversion kit Mopar was introducing to the market. I have always liked the thought of a Jeep pick up truck, and appreciated the versatility of the UTEs I had used while deployed overseas. Realizing that I never used the rear seats of the Jeep for human cargo, I decided to take the plunge on the kit in the Spring of 2012.
To increase cargo carrying capacity/versatility, I installed a Gobi Stealth rack with the help of the kind folks over at Main Line Overland. Great bunch of cats, and I highly recommend them.
The Jeep earning its keep on my friend's farm.
After five years and almost 100,000 miles (thanks to multiple trips up and down the East Coast), it was time to refresh the suspension setup. After researching multiple options, I decided to go with AEV 3.5" springs paired with a set of OME shocks. The reason I went in this direction was that I already had adjustable trackbars and control arms from JKS installed, and the JKS front/rear trackbar reinforcement brackets would conflict with the trackbar brackets from the AEV kit. I am super stoked in this setup and have put on almost 5000 miles on it since its installation Summer 2014. This included a 3000 mile road/craft beer trip this past September.
Highlights from the trip.
Smuttynose Brewery in New Hampshire:
Maine Beer Company:
Allagash Brewing Company:
In and around Acadia National Forest, Maine:
On our way to Long Trail Brewery in Vermont:
Putting the winch to work pulling pier pilings out of the pond on the GF's family's property:
Here is how the Jeep sits now:
Suspension:
* AEV 3.5" springs
* OME Nitrocharger Sport Shocks
* JKS Adjustable Trackbars Front and Rear
* JKS Adustable Front Lower Control Arms
* JKS Trackbar Reinforcement Brackets Front and Rear (Axel side)
* JKS Quick Disconnect Sway Bar Links
* Poly Performance frame side front Trackbar Reinforcement Bracket
* Poly Performance HD Ball Joints
Wheels/Tires:
* AEV Argent Pintlers
* Firestone Destination M/T 315/70-17
Bumpers/Armor:
* ARB Deluxe Bull Bar
* ARB Differential Covers
* Poly Performance rear bumper/tire carrier
* Poly Performance C gussets
* Take off Rubicon Sliders
Lighting:
* Truck Lite LED head lamps
* Putco LED bulbs in stock fog lamp housings
* PIAA 570 LED Long Range Driving Lamps
Misc.:
* Gobi Stealth Roof Rack
* AEV Snorkel
* Tuffy Security Box
* Rhino lined interior and cargo area
* Trek Armor seat covers
Overall, I was pleased with what the package had to offer. The only thing I was not a fan of was the street biased Goodyear GSA tires it came stock with. The first mod was a set of Rubicon take off BFG KM1s and a leveling kit.
Following are some pictures running some trails in GWNF:
I ran with this set up for several months, and decided in December 2008 to install self recovery gear in the form of the Rugged Ridge XHD bumper and a Superwinch LP8500 winch:
In the Spring/Summer of 2009, I decided to upgrade the suspension with the Old Man Emu HD kit and also swapped out the stock Moabs with a set of AEV Argent Pintlers. Following are some snapshots with this setup, exploring some trails around the Destin, FL area:
Next upgrades came in the Winter of 2010. I swapped out the Rugged Ridge/Superwinch setup for an ARB Deluxe Bull Bar and Warn M8000 winch. Also installed an AEV snorkel and a Poly Performance rear bumper/tire carrier in preparation for a tire upgrade:
The Jeep went unmodded for the next couple of years, as I was happy with its performance and devoted my funds to paying it off early. In the Spring of 2011, I saw the pictures from EJS of the JK8 conversion kit Mopar was introducing to the market. I have always liked the thought of a Jeep pick up truck, and appreciated the versatility of the UTEs I had used while deployed overseas. Realizing that I never used the rear seats of the Jeep for human cargo, I decided to take the plunge on the kit in the Spring of 2012.
To increase cargo carrying capacity/versatility, I installed a Gobi Stealth rack with the help of the kind folks over at Main Line Overland. Great bunch of cats, and I highly recommend them.
The Jeep earning its keep on my friend's farm.
After five years and almost 100,000 miles (thanks to multiple trips up and down the East Coast), it was time to refresh the suspension setup. After researching multiple options, I decided to go with AEV 3.5" springs paired with a set of OME shocks. The reason I went in this direction was that I already had adjustable trackbars and control arms from JKS installed, and the JKS front/rear trackbar reinforcement brackets would conflict with the trackbar brackets from the AEV kit. I am super stoked in this setup and have put on almost 5000 miles on it since its installation Summer 2014. This included a 3000 mile road/craft beer trip this past September.
Highlights from the trip.
Smuttynose Brewery in New Hampshire:
Maine Beer Company:
Allagash Brewing Company:
In and around Acadia National Forest, Maine:
On our way to Long Trail Brewery in Vermont:
Putting the winch to work pulling pier pilings out of the pond on the GF's family's property:
Here is how the Jeep sits now:
Suspension:
* AEV 3.5" springs
* OME Nitrocharger Sport Shocks
* JKS Adjustable Trackbars Front and Rear
* JKS Adustable Front Lower Control Arms
* JKS Trackbar Reinforcement Brackets Front and Rear (Axel side)
* JKS Quick Disconnect Sway Bar Links
* Poly Performance frame side front Trackbar Reinforcement Bracket
* Poly Performance HD Ball Joints
Wheels/Tires:
* AEV Argent Pintlers
* Firestone Destination M/T 315/70-17
Bumpers/Armor:
* ARB Deluxe Bull Bar
* ARB Differential Covers
* Poly Performance rear bumper/tire carrier
* Poly Performance C gussets
* Take off Rubicon Sliders
Lighting:
* Truck Lite LED head lamps
* Putco LED bulbs in stock fog lamp housings
* PIAA 570 LED Long Range Driving Lamps
Misc.:
* Gobi Stealth Roof Rack
* AEV Snorkel
* Tuffy Security Box
* Rhino lined interior and cargo area
* Trek Armor seat covers
Last edited:
Yours looks awesome as I stated already.
