Expedition JK

Topo.Ranger

Adventurer
Hey everyone. Im new on here and I have barely posted anything because I wanted to search through everything first before I ask questions. But I am building an expedition JK Rubicon Unlimited. I was wanting to get some ideas on how everyone else did theirs. Even The older models too! I have a 2013 Jeep JKU Rubicon, 1999 Jeep TJ, and a 1958 Jeep FC-150. I want to outfit them all with interchangeable mounts but I will mostly use the JK for the longer expeditions.

I will post all I have at the moment in a few.
 

X-plorenow

Adventurer
Welcome. There are plenty of great projects and ideas on here. Let us know if you have any specific questions. Look forward to hearing more about your build!
 
Hey everyone. Im new on here and I have barely posted anything because I wanted to search through everything first before I ask questions. But I am building an expedition JK Rubicon Unlimited. I was wanting to get some ideas on how everyone else did theirs. Even The older models too! I have a 2013 Jeep JKU Rubicon, 1999 Jeep TJ, and a 1958 Jeep FC-150. I want to outfit them all with interchangeable mounts but I will mostly use the JK for the longer expeditions.

I will post all I have at the moment in a few.
The first and easiest interchangeable part I could think of would be rotopax gas/water cans. Just purchase a couple of extra mounts instead of extra cans, I even exchange the lock for whichever rig the cans on for the trip.

Also prepare a tool bag and recovery bag that can be thrown into the trip vehicle.

Air can be important, but portable compressors are either pricey for good or lousy for cheap, so I would get a good 10# co2 tank and again put mounts in each rig (fire extinguisher mounts are cheap multimount options).

Winch, multimount could be useful for you, but I prefer permanent mounts instead.

If you will be interchanging a lot, you might see about fabricating a trail rack (rear about spare wheel height) that could be receiver mounted, as roof racks would be impossible or atleast difficult to interchange. I have an 07 and 00, but each have their own roof rack.

If you wanted to go gung ho, you could get spacers for one of the late models, so you could have one set of beefy offroad wheels and tires.
 

Topo.Ranger

Adventurer
I do have Rotopax on the list to buy. I have been doing more researching than buying here lately. I plan to convert my 99 TJ into a custom Brute. So the ones that will interchange are between the FC and the TJ. Tires on the other hand will not be interchanged by the TJ and FC. The tires for the JK and TJ might be. I am rebuilding 1 ton axles for the TJ so I will need spacers for the JK if I want to change tires. But my plan is to have 40" tires on the TJ and 37" on the JK. The JK is going to be the most road friendly Jeep I have.

I have found many itemized list of gear from camping, backpacking, offroading, and survival websites. I am hoping to have the best of all worlds.
 
I am rebuilding 1 ton axles for the TJ so I will need spacers for the JK if I want to change tires. But my plan is to have 40" tires on the TJ and 37" on the JK. The JK is going to be the most road friendly Jeep I have.

I just helped a buddy move his third set of Dana 60/14 Bolt axles, we all told him, if he sells another set, it better be to one of us because we are tired of dragging those heavy things around:ylsmoke:

It did make me think more seriously about the axles under my TJ, I don't think the 4 banger would push those down the highway, so I think 35s might be my biggest tire for a long while.
 

m(a)ce

Adventurer
Your other rigs look cool. Love to see more of the FC!

As for tires, honestly for the JK 35s will be more than adequate for an overland rig.

37s-40s if you play in serious rocks but the 35s will give you clearance & range (and decrease the infra$tructure need on the JK-shafts, regearing, steering, etc).
 
Last edited:

Hill Bill E.

Oath Keeper
......
If you wanted to go gung ho, you could get spacers for one of the late models, so you could have one set of beefy offroad wheels and tires.

All 3 run different patterns. FC is 5 on 5.5", TJ is 5 on 4.5" and the JK is 5 on 5.

Nice looking rigs! The FC is in great shape too!

Not a whole lot that is interchangable, other than gear.

As mentioned earlier, having mounts in each rig will make swapping things like air tanks, roto packs, etc.
 

Topo.Ranger

Adventurer
For the 4 banger... that will end up being rebuilt and installed into the FC. I plan on putting a 5.7L Vortec/ 4L65E Transmission/ Atlas 2. The TJ will be at the lowest possible stance and that is about 4" coil lift with 40" Tires. I have seen a lot of people put the Vortec in and have been totally happy with it. Plus there are tons of parts out there for it. This TJ is going to be for more extreme terrains, the FC not so extreme, and the JK will tackle the best of both.
 

Topo.Ranger

Adventurer
Your other rigs look cool. Love to see more of the FC!

As for tires, honestly for the JK 35s will be more than adequate for an overland rig.

37s-40s if you play in serious rocks but the 35s will give you clearance & range (and decrease the infra$tructure need on the JK-shafts, regearing, steering, etc).

The FC is going to be a fun and long restoration/expedition build. I have to replace all lower corners, floor boards, and what looks to be the entire bed. I have found a company in Texas that produces remanufactured beds for the FC that runs about $1600. As for now my main focus is on the cab and getting it running.


All 3 run different patterns. FC is 5 on 5.5", TJ is 5 on 4.5" and the JK is 5 on 5.

Nice looking rigs! The FC is in great shape too!

Not a whole lot that is interchangable, other than gear.

As mentioned earlier, having mounts in each rig will make swapping things like air tanks, roto packs, etc.

My thoughts were the same, only interchangable stuff will be the gear.



once I start on the FC again I will have a build thread on here for it. I started building on it, but my neighbor must have not liked looking at it so I politely got a notice from the town where I live to either move it or tag it.... So needless to say the FC is on hold while I get the new JK.

I do need some help deciding what to start on after I get the JK. TJ or FC?!!
 
I started building on it, but my neighbor must have not liked looking at it so I politely got a notice from the town where I live to either move it or tag it.... So needless to say the FC is on hold while I get the new JK.

I do need some help deciding what to start on after I get the JK. TJ or FC?!!

Did they warn you with it in the garage?? Or is that it's current hiding place?
 

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