New JKUR Overland Project Beginning!

[LL247]

Well I've been bitten by the overlanding-exploration bug...bad. Granted I've been a Jeeper for many years (3 YJs, 3 TJs, 3 JKs) but my use of them has evolved with age. The last few years I found myself taking excursions with the wife to explore new areas, trails, ect rather than finding mud to play in (which is still a good time by the way). So I picked up an 08 JKU with 103k miles to start building as an exploration rig. I got as far as the suspension/front end rebuild, comm equipment, tires, and lighting. I've come to realize there's more interest to me in building an overland/exploration vehicle than there is driving a 2500 crew cab diesel truck that I barely use. As I start thinking about going from 2 vehicles to 1, my wife says she wants a new Grand Cherokee. Here we go! I put together a deal trading in all 3 of our vehicles for a '15 JKUR loaded with 4:10's and a Grand Cherokee Altitude for the wife. Figure for the little bit of need I have for a truck bed, a small trailer will do the same job. Now I have a proper platform to really build what I want! Got all white as well, which should look fantastic with black bumpers, armor, rack, ect.

Only regret was staying in budget...the dealer we're buying from is an AEV dealer with 2 nice ready-to-go JKUs sitting out front. Just couldn't push the extra 15-20k in the budget, just have to build it over time.

Stay tuned, think I'm going to start my first ever build thread.

 

[nexus]

LL247,

Looking forward to following your build on the all white JKUR as I should receive mine in the first week of November. At this point I am keeping the immediate modifications very basic and focused on creature comforts (tow hitch, slush mats, door sill protection, back up camera, door stops, false floor/sleeping platform). After my initial trip to the Tucson area in December/January, I plan on installing a leveling kit and some lighting. Then off to Yosemite with the family in late January. Being my first Jeep, I'm going to keep it stock until I have had a chance to wheel it around for a while and determine the type of modifications that fit my needs (or I see something cool that another all white JKUR did...lol).

 

[lysol]

HA!!!! You have a very similar set of vehicles as the wife and I... :sombrero:

For us, the Grand Cherokee & Wrangler have been the perfect fit. Look forward to seeing your build progress.

 

[nickmimi]

congrats. looking forward to the build.

 

[LL247]

Thanks guys! Looks like my first order of business will be installing my CB, grab handles, and mats. From there I'll be sourcing out good all-terrain tires (long story short, wife had a JKU we traded that had expensive Fuel wheels and brand new 33'' mud tires, deal was I swapped those onto the new Rubi). Don't plan on any suspension mods till spring, just basic stuff until after the holidays.