[Fernman]

So seeing as I can't leave well enough alone... I started with a 2000 TJ sport towards the end of high school, loved it, build it up til it was on 34's with detroits and perfect for me. Then graduation from college and time to get serious in life (didn't work). Sold it.

Got a job, got a wife, missed a jeep. Decided to buy a pre-built 95 YJ, on 35's and beautiful. Loved it. Wife hated it. Wanted something more road worthy as a DD, so I bought a 97 XJ. Built it up to 3." on 31's and fun, but wasn't the same. Wasn't any easier on gas, either.

Got divorced (best investment yet) and sold the YJ. Remarried sometime later to a woman I actually like and things are good. She says I always missed my wranglers. Sold the XJ. End up snagging a 2004 LJ with some mods, but enough to do I can enjoy building it.

Bought her as:

2004 White LJ - Auto 94k
Sunrider Soft top w/ tinted windows
Hard top
Full doors
Half doors w/ new uppers
3.5" Rubicon springs
Rubi monotube shocks
Rubi superflex front lowers.
Big Daddy Offroad rear bumper
Manik grill guard
35" BFG AT's on factory ravines w/ wheel spacers
Professionally regeared 4.56 (Yukon's) with Yukon alloy shafts in the D44
T-case drop

All for just under $10k, well below KBB, esp. with all the tops and doors.

Isn't a DD, but I love it so much it gets driven a good bit more than my gas budget would like.

More to come!

[Fernman]

My plan for this jeep is reasonable offroad ability and good driveability for the beach, camping, and general nonsense. Working on a family now so I want it to be flexible, as I don't have much time to hit the trails as much as I used to. I do, however, do a lot of winter driving/playing.

Armor:
Rokmen high clearance T-case skid
Rokmen HD engine/transmission skid
Bad Apple Fab D30/D44 rock rings
Still contemplating front bumper options - winch ready and heavy duty. Ideally a PSC BFH with brawler bar, but the $107 shipping is crazy
Stock gas skid for now
Weld on front control arm skids
Steering box skid (TBD)

Lighting:
Sylvania Silverstar replacements for stock lights
Stock fogs
IPF 968 Auxiliary Lights

Drivetrain:
Will keep the 4.56 Yukon gears/alloy shafts for now
Stock NV231, AA SYE, Tom Woods Shaft

Suspension:
RE 3.5" Coils
.75" spacers
RE Superflex front lowers
RE Front track bar
Rear RE Bracket
No rear swaybar
Front terafelx disco's

[Fernman]

So... Mods to come (and done):

First things first, get rid of the god awful bumperettes in the front and get a swingout. It originally had a 6th ravine rim with a 31" spare, as well as a 35" spare.

So far:

Bought the BDO swingout and an AEV 3rd Brake light to go in it to keep legal.
Bumperettes gone
Mirror moving brackets done to go doorless
both tops gone for summer, bestop cover for the storms
Smittybil XRC rocker armor with step tubes installed
Corrected speedo gear (actually has less miles than I thought by around 1500!)

Purchased awaiting install:

AA SYE and Tom Woods Shaft
Rokmen high clearance Tcase skid
1" JKS BL
1" MORE MML

[Fernman]

Rokmen T-case skid arrived today. I was so impressed with the stout build, perfect welds, and response from the company I promptly ordered the transmission/engine skid to go with it. Here it is with the primer drying:



Raingler nets bikini top on... waiting patiently for the engine skid and new shaft from Tom Woods. I gotta say, after a lengthy conversation with Mr. Woods as to work ethic, I am thoroughly impressed with the man and his company. He will always have my business.

[dayriesw]

Nice LJ. I bought mine 2 years ago with a very similar built sheet. What is the mileage on yours? Bigdaddy has a swing out if you are looking to keep that bumper (mine came with the same rear bumper) that is kind of nice, but pricey.

[Fernman]

I actually already got the big daddy swing out, forgot to add it. Has 96k on ticker.

[Fernman]

New class 10.9 bolts for the new T-case skid purchased. Second coat of primer applied to skid. Old RE extended front swaybar link removed (which were a ***** thanks to a fused together sleeve/bolt) and new Teraflex disco's halfway installed.

Can't wait for the big round of parts to go on.

[Fernman]

Manik has been sold and new bumper ordered and attached - I went with the Rockhard 4x4 based on the price, reviews, and overall size/shape (the integrated winch mount was also a plus). Their welds are clean and COMPLETE and the build quality is good, and the powdercoating is very heavy, not flaky and weak like others I've seen. I would have loved a Rokmen mercenary or PSC BFH with trail stinger, but this is a good cost effective bumper. I'm pleased. It will be getting a Smitty X20 8 Comp or XRC 8 comp winch soon.

I also got the first few coats of primer and paint on the Rokmen Engine/Tcase skids, with a custom Alkaline Trio design. I've gotten some negative comments about clearcoating skids, but with the type of salt treatments and the amount of time I spend driving in the snow, I think it's a good investment.

Also got a call from Tom Woods that my shaft has been completed and is on a big brown truck home! As soon as I figure out what arms to snag, I have everything ready to roll.