LJ Rubi Build - From total loss to total custom

[Mudicon]

I am new around here, but thought some might like to follow my build progression on a 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

I have had multiple Jeeps in my life from CJ-5s to Grand Cherokees. Last year I started with a Tj, sold it for an LJ, and finally found my current 06 Rubicon LJ. My son, LJRunner05, has an 05 Rubicon LJ (build link here). So...back to my current project.

I found this bone stock softtop on an online salvage auction site and it was conveniently located just an hour south. After waiting almost 2 months for them to set an auction date, it finally went through and much to my pleasure I won the bidding...only to be told the insurance company refused the sell. Back to waiting. A few weeks later it showed up again, and I won it a second time. Again they declined, but made a counter offer. We came to an agreement and she was mine.

 

[Mudicon]

Next came the tear down and rebuild. Fortunately there was no frame damage, but all the sheet metal forward of the windshield was a loss as was the factory Dana 44 Axel and 241 Transfer-case which came out in pieces.

 

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Once the mechanicals were removed we went for a full tear down to facilitate a color change from factory black to a 2013 Sahara Tan color.

 

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While she was stripped, we decided to color match the interior in rhino-liner, and then begin the reassembly process.

 

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Once the body was complete it was time to move her to the transmission shop for transfer-case and axel installation. Just as an FYI, we temporarily installed a 2wd front axel and springs to move her around the shop and into the paint booth.

As you can see, the trans shop was just down the street, so we drug her behind my trusty old Jeep Cherokee Classic.

 

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Finally after 5 weeks :Wow1: at the transmission shop...long story and many excuses later, finally had her picked up on a rollback and taken to Off-Road connection to have the transfer-case install finished, 5.5" lift installed and front axle rebuild completed.

 

[SSF556]

Cool project.....can't wait to see more

 

[Mudicon]

:Mechanic:I can't wait to actually drive it. This has been a 7 month ordeal, but I am told I should be able to drive it home this week. :wings:

 

[grogie]

Looks like awesome work! Nice save. :victory:

 

[jscusmcvet]

New paint color looks awesome. Congrats on your determination to see this through. The LJ is a great platform. Good luck with the rest of your build.'


John

 

[Mudicon]

Thanks guys! I am proud to have saved her. Nice in-molested LJs are getting harder to find. This one had 80k miles, but was really clean with no signs of abuse. I am looking forward to a lot of camping adventures with her.

 

[Mudicon]

We saved my son's (LJRunner05) 05 LJ Rubicon from salvage in 2012. Here are some before and after pics of it and he started a build thread here.

And now...

 

[ljrunner05]

That's my beast. You might have seen that picture back in the "Post Pic's of your Jeep" under a different username. I couldn't figure out how to change usernames, so I just made a new account. I'll upload some more pics of it in a few minutes.

 

[CLMorgan]

Stunning Jeep Rescue.

 

[ljrunner05]

Which one? ;-) Instead of taking over my dad's thread, I'll just go create a build thread for my Beast.