Jeep JK Unlimited

[Laxaholic]

Hey guys, I've got a 2007 Jeep JK Unlimited 4x4 and was wondering what some of you would do to it to make it more expedition ready?? i don't see a whole lot of them on this forum and was curious as to why? i know rovers and the like are alot better for this type of stuff but alot of them aren't as readily available here in the states. anyway, post pictures and opinions of what you guys would do to get a jk U expedition ready! thanks!


and i also have kind of a newbie question...when choosing fog lights, what reasons do people have for choosing the different colors? some have really yellow ones and some have really blue? i know theres got to be a reason for the colors, but im not sure what?

 

[Ray Hyland]

The JK is a sweet ride.

What does it NEED to be a serious overlander? Nothing really, it is pretty awesome out of the box.

If I was going to suggest some changes , I'd say some better-than-standard shocks in case you needed to deal with weeks/months of corrugated roads while heavily loaded, and a set of BFG AT's, maybe a snorkel if you plan to do a lot of dusty roads and the occasional river crossing).

A winch is good if you plan to be out alone in technical terrain, but at the very least you should have some decent recovery points, a good tool kit, proper recovery gear, and some kind of system to securely store your gear in the back. That can vary from built-in shelving (a bit complex, fairly expensive, but very cool when done well) to some tie-down rings and a set of nylon straps (cheap, easy, but can be a little messy looking and sometimes hard to find stuff).

If you put the new AT Fliptop on it you can sleep 4 on the roof with almost no loss in aerodynamics (Luxury). Or use a more standard tent and you could put a simple roof rack on the roof for your lightweight gear. Or just go back-packer style, (super small, lightweight and simple) and toss your kit in a couple of small bags in the back. Scott and Charlie from this forum drove a Suzuki Jimny across Mongolia last year and they only brought one small backpack each, plus a tool bag and a small 12V compressor.

If you want to increase range you can look at putting some Jerry cans on the back, there are lots of good options, search through the threads to see what is available.

Anyways, those are my thoughts, everyone will have their own approach. The main thing is you have an awesome platform to start from. Look through the threads, get lots of ideas, and do what works for you and your budget.

Cheers

Ray

 

[Ray Hyland]

Oh, and on the fog light question, traditionally yellow was used because it gives you greater contrast in a flat white environment. Similar to wearing Amber goggles when you ski in fog.

 

[Laxaholic]

Oh, and on the fog light question, traditionally yellow was used because it gives you greater contrast in a flat white environment. Similar to wearing Amber goggles when you ski in fog.

what about the blue? i see them on alot of overland rigs now

 

[huskyfargo]

I have a JK. Just use it and see what you need to make it fit your intended use. I have an 08 Unlimited Rubicon. Knowing what I know now, I would have chosen my components more slowly and carefully, probably going with aluminum bumpers. I'm happy with the lift, a 3.5" rough country with rancho RS9000 shocks. I trimmed the fenders, put on a FOX steering stabilizer, a Superchips, a Gobi roof rack (another item I'm very pleased with). It's a very capable vehicle that will go anywhere I'll ever want to go. Next on my list is a supercharger, a snorkel, and I'm working on modding some heavy-duty towing mirrors to the windshield bolts to adequately replace the factory mirrors.
It'll be a constant work in progress for you, but a vehicle that should give you years of enjoyment. Congrats!!!

 

[Ray Hyland]

I think the blue is actually a driving light, not a fog light. So for clear nights you can see a lot further (to see animals, etc) but they are probably not as good in the fog as the yellow would be, as you would get a lot of reflection back at you.

BUT, honestly I am guessing here, as I haven't used the blue in the fog so that is just an assumption.

Anyone else tried blue lights in the fog and can comment here?


BTW I found a cool JK build thread here, look at
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12427&highlight=Unlimited&page=36

Cheers

 

[Laxaholic]

any pics of jk's guys?

 

[Hannibal USA]

I'm building ours for expo travel, as it stands right now. 2007 Rubicon 5" lift running 35" KM2's

 

[thetanningman]

There are a few pics in my profile and the specs are in my signature. Prepare to go broke cause if you don't already know, Jeep stands for just empty every pocket. I always find new and exciting products I want to buy for mine as I am sure you will find the same for yours.

Cheers,
p

 

[4Rescue]

You're right RayHyland... Amber/Yellow is FAR better in the fog/flat light then blue. Amber has a better dissipation and add's more contrast (as mentioned, ski'ing at night with Yellow's on will add contrast to your vision) while Blue will simply reflect back into your vision and does little to nothing positive in foul weather. Blue/Cler is GREAT for clear night driving, but you'll find that standard low-beams alone will work better then driving lights if they're clear/blue and it's foggy/rainy...

That AT "Habitat" looks SWEET!!!!!!!!! Now, when are you guy's (ahem! Martyn AHEM!!!!) gonna make one for us guy's with Toyotas... I mean come on, the 1st Gen 4Runner needs one of those... Being one of the BEST 4wd's ever made in N.America it certainly deserves one...

Anyway, back OT, your JK should do fine, but ya may want to add some bigger tires (although the motor isn't really up to the task w/o re-gearing) and some Sliders/skids and just go for it.

Cheers

Dave

 

[MuleShoer]

2 cents

Hey guys, I've got a 2007 Jeep JK Unlimited 4x4 and was wondering what some of you would do to it to make it more expedition ready?? i don't see a whole lot of them on this forum and was curious as to why? i know rovers and the like are alot better for this type of stuff but alot of them aren't as readily available here in the states. anyway, post pictures and opinions of what you guys would do to get a jk U expedition ready! thanks!
QUOTE]

I would suggest you sign up for the eastern EXPO planned for june 9-12 up by Asheville, NC before you start dumping money into your JKU.

I would suggest a good set of traction tires, duratracs, sst's etc, and a good set of shocks, then come out to the EXPO.

If you want to see JKU's in action down load a copy of "Dangerous Rides" off of itunes. You will want to watch it several times.

The JKU is a very capable platform, welcome aboard.

 

[Bennyhana]

any pics of jk's guys?

Why not

BTW All I've added to mine is a Teraflex leveling kit, ARB high output compressor, winch and bumper combo and not in the pics, some 33" Toyo MT's. For my type af adventure the stock Rubicon suits me perfectly.

 

[Laxaholic]

well i guess i should tell you guys about my add-ons to the jku

33x10.50 (ish) Nitto Terra Grapplers
2.5inch Teraflex lift
front bumper w/ Warn m8000
hellas on the bumper and windshield mounted kc daylighters (both of which i want to replace)
K&N CAI, MBRP exhaust, Bully Dog GT Tuner
bedlined the interior

i want to replace some lighting and add a roof rack and snorkel. which would u guys recommend? ive been looking at AEV for the snorkel and Gobi for the rack.

i want to get some lightforce yellow fogs and maybe HID headlights for the clear blues

 

[coastie kyle]

Roof rack and some AT tires were my first mods. I had the MBRP rack on a hard top first, then switched to the Gobi Stealth Recon rack and a soft top. For what I do, just a leveling kit is all the lift I need, and some 33" AT's. All Im waiting on now is the Rugged Ridge snorkle to come out.

 

[Laxaholic]

how is the soft top and gobi on the road?

lots of wind noise? how did it effect mpg? can u get the top off with the rack?