The Other Graham's 2005 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited

[grahamfitter]

Following much inaction documented in this thread I finally got a new Jeep. Apparently its a special edition named after the "Sahara" movie and is officially called a "Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Sahara". Or is that "Jeep Unlimited Wrangler Sahara Rubicon"? Its all a bit confusing so for the first time ever I might actually have to invent a name for a car. Since its currently dolled up in Hollywood chrome, "Lady Penelope" may be appropriate? I'll work on it.

Here it is with its predecessor (a '97 TJ) which will be staying in the family under the careful watch of my 17 year old girl who has recently been threatening to paint it pink and turn it into Barbie Jeep. I think I may have found a home for those chrome bumpers...

I'm not going to be making any significant modifications any time soon. The primary goals are to move the roof rack and RTT over, silence the annoying beep when I set the handbrake at a junction and engage in a bit of dechromification.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[grobinson]

I have seen you around on 27! I think I saw you driving in Sudbury about 3 weeks ago, or at least it was someone's TJ exactly the same as yours.

To keep it simple, you can do a simple spacer lift, and I believe you should be able to fit 34's under there without a problem. I think the spacers are $140 total for all 4 corners.

 

[Stouttrout]

You'lll like that extra room and the 4:1 tcase on it. Nice Jeep. Mine once looked like that

 

[Haggis]

Congratulations! :wings:

Having gone from a '98 TJ to an '04 LJ myself, I know what a world of difference that extra foot and change of length makes. She's sure is pretty! Maybe we can get our LJs together and start a litter of Jeep pups to help pay for mods.

 

[kcowyo]

A Sahara edition... nice!

I would dub it The McConaughey or The Wooderson - Awright, awright, awright


:victory:
.

 

[jeepmedic46]

Looks very nice:smiley_drive:

 

[TCM]

Nice choice Graham. I have a 2006 Unlimited Rubicon in white now on 33" tires.

 

[grahamfitter]

Thanks, all. I'm looking forward to getting out and about.

I have seen you around on 27! I think I saw you driving in Sudbury about 3 weeks ago, or at least it was someone's TJ exactly the same as yours.

That was almost certainly me. I drive Rt 27 between Chelmsford and Sudbury most days -- I work in Marlboro.

Maybe we can get our LJs together and start a litter of Jeep pups to help pay for mods.

That would be a wenching session! Sorry, mods, this was a family show...

I would dub it The McConaughey or The Wooderson - Awright, awright, awright

I retract that apology!

Cheers,
Graham

 

[jagular7]

The chrome piece on the grille is just a simple overlay. The paint is underneath. You may be able to get decent money for the other chrome pieces.

For spacer lift, check out teraflex as they usually have a blemish sales for cheap. I picked up a set of 4 for $27 shipped.

Also look at the 1" body lift or the new flat flare design to give better room for articulating the axles with larger tires. You really shouldn't see a major affect up to 32's or even 33's with the 4.0l and the 4:1 case.

 

[CA-RJ]

Sweet!!! :wings: Congrats on the new Jeep! Is yours an auto or 6 speed?

 

[#686 Sahara]

Congratulations! you will love the extra room and nice ride. #686

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[nwoods]

Good for you Graham!

 

[grahamfitter]

Luggage Tiedowns

I've always found the factory Jeep luggage tiedowns to be poorly placed and hard to use so I added six Land Rover tiedown rings that Expedition Exchange was more than happy to sell me.

The front rings share the seat bracket and seatbelt bolts and fit nicely in the channels and are accessible with the rear seat in place. The only detours here were to enlarge the holes slightly for the bolts to fit and to prune the carpet.

The rear rings were mounted through freshly drilled holes with fender washers behind. The magic number here is 1.75 inches from the seam. The rings stick through narrow slots cut in the carpet and lie flat.

Demonstration using a mandatory ExPo accessory!

Cheers,
Graham

 

[ox4mag]

Graham, I really like what you've done with those tiedown rings. One of the frustrating things I've found with the Jeeps I own is the total lack of this. I'll have to call Exp Exchange as well and place an order.

 

[grahamfitter]

The second job of the day: The fridge plugs into an electrical outlet on the rear fender. Its just a 4x4x2 Carlon junction box from Home Depot with a couple of West Marine 12V outlets. Two 10 gauge wires (positive and negative) run from there following the existing wiring, through a new hole in the bulkhead in the vicinity of the others and across to the battery. I'm not sure what the plan is for dual batteries, extra appliances, etc. so at the moment the positive wire just goes through a 30A inline fuse at the battery.

Graham, I really like what you've done with those tiedown rings. One of the frustrating things I've found with the Jeeps I own is the total lack of this. I'll have to call Exp Exchange as well and place an order.

Thanks! The only thing that worries me about the Land Rover tiedowns is my sudden urge to move the spare tire to the bonnet. Err, hood.

Cheers,
Graham