[CarolinaExPat]

So I'm finally starting my build thread. I've had my Jeep since 2006 and now that I'm out of the military I've decided to make it a little less of a DD and more capable off the beaten path.

The stock setup had:

-4.0 I6 and 6spd.
-D30 Front and D44 Rear
-NP231J Transfer case

I quickly changed out the tires, whatever they were, to BF Goodrich 31x10.50 All Terrains.

Here is the stock setup as of early October 2009:


Notice the faded flares and how plain everything is. I'm changing all that so feel free to offer any advice or comments.

[MisterO]

nice LJ. and about the faded flares maybe krylon fusion satin black..
Whats plans for it??

[CarolinaExPat]

More pictures are to come but I don't have time to upload now. So far (Mid Nov. 2009) I've got the following done:

-Smittybilt XRC Rear Bumper (Tire carrier is on backorder but the bumper is on)
-Rubicon Express 2" Spacer Lift with Monotube Shocks (Which is a PITA right now, I'll explain)
-Teraflex CB mount, Firestik II antenna, and Cobra 75WX ST CB Radio
-Smittybilt G.E.A.R. MOLLE Tailgate Cover in Coyote Brown
-Entry guards (I know, cheap but it makes it look nicer)
-I reversed the brackets for my rear seat so it faces aft.
-KC Windshield Light Brackets (130W Longrange Slimlites for Christmas)
-Stubby radio antenna.
-I've got a Blackhawk SERPA Holster for a Glock 21 Mounted to the Center Console
-Dynomax Cat-Back Exhaust System with Ultra-Flo Muffler.

The tire carrier and Smittybilt G.E.A.R. MOLLE Overhead Console are on backorder but that's what I've got so far. Pics will follow.

[CarolinaExPat]

So I'm back from the gym and therefore I can add some pictures. Bench is up to 380 again!

First things first in order of what I've done, so...

My brother (EugenetheTJ) and I took the brackets for the rear seat out and switched the sides out, reversing the seat. This allows for the trunk monkey. If you don't know what a trunk monkey is, google it.


I also mounted the SERPA Holster to the center console. It's sized for a Glock 21 (Full Frame .45ACP) but I carry it less than my Glock 23 (Cpt. .40S&W). The Glock 23 has a "clipdraw" type belt clip like you'd see on a pocket knife running along the slide, which makes it a nice fit in the G21 Holster. So, it works. Here is without the gun, more will come.

[CarolinaExPat]

Next I added some minor interior stuff. I started out with just Roll Bar Handles by Rugged Ridge. I've had the Quadratec brand one's in my old Jeep (2000 TJ SE) and my brother has I think the Skyjacker brand. These have a third strap in the middle vice just two straps. I think it holds better and well, they look nice and are convienent when pulling e-brake 180's and other offensive driving. It's nice to be that jerk.


I also took the door straps off and put arm-rests in, also Rugged Ridge. I know, I know, it's a Jeep. Look, I like my arm-rests. They don't look super fancy but they work. The doors will be off anyways whenever this thing serves it's purpose as a Jeep so I don't want any lip.

[CarolinaExPat]

Now comes the rest of the interior stuff. I got Olympic Entry Guards. I've heard a lot of stuff about Olympic being crap but they feel rugged and haven't given me any problems yet. I've also got the cheap Bestop plastic tailgate entry guard, but it serves it's purpose of scratch hider.

I also kinda liked my girlfriend's GPS. She somehow broke it, which isn't hard to imagine her breaking something, but she got a basic Garmin NUVI as a replacement. No bells and whistles but it works to get you to five guys when you need. So, being the good man that I am, I commandeered it and threw it in my Jeep.
I also like storage and being a former Infantry Sgt. of Marines, and a Gear *****, I decided to throw MOLLE into the Jeep. I ordered the Smittybilt G.E.A.R. Overhead Console and Tailgate Cover but the console is on backorder.
The MOLLE is not ideally spaced for mounting a ton of stuff, but the MOLLE loops are perfectly measured, unlike a lot of stuff I had in Iraq, and it's ruggedly mounted via screws to the tailgate. Thing's going nowhere and holds stuff. Like rum.

[CarolinaExPat]

So I've got the exhaust on but it was meant for a different muffler and the pipes were troublesome to fit. I'm gonna get it all welded because burning metal is fun. I also painted the fender flares and will explain that process. Pics of the rear bumper and CB will come as well. I took the tire carrier off as well and added some stickers because I like sticky things. My Smittybilt XRC Tire carrier is backordered so whenever it comes in I'll get pics. The overhead console seems to keep delaying the B/O Date, as well as my match grade 5.56 ammo. I don't get it. This is America, things shouldn't be backordered. There's like a couple billion people in China, why are things delayed.

I've also got the lift on (Rubicon Express 2" Spacer w/ Monotube Shocks) but my rear passenger shock isn't on yet. My bolts snapped during removal and God couldn't get them off without some special trick. What else...ohh yea, problems still to be addressed are some skids and I've got love stains on my front seat so I need some covers or something.

I'll post my plans for the future next and add the CB pics.

[CarolinaExPat]

Ohh yeah, here's a couple of pics from my suppressor testing. I don't like to scare the neighbors so when I got my suppressors and wanted to test fire (with and without) I went into the bush. My bro and I have a nice area (Several dozen acres) of Jeeping land and when I got my .45 Can's I took some before pics of the Jeep's flex. Yes, there will be more after pics but not until I get my real lift. Iv'e got the spacer on now but I'm looking at the Rubicon Express 3.5 Superflex. So, when she comes I'll get pics. Here's the flex pics stock...and my 5.56 can.


Ohh yeah, "the last sound they'll never hear..."

[2006_Sport]

Originally Posted by CarolinaExPat

Ohh yeah, "the last sound they'll never hear..."

OH MY GOD THAT IS A SICK *** GUN! lol sorry for that, i couldnt help myself. Nice LJ

[CarolinaExPat]

So here's the rest of the stuff I've got on my wish list...

Stage 1 Build:
-Smittybilt G.E.A.R. MOLLE Overhead Console in coyote tan.
-Smittybilt XRX Rear Swing Away Tire Carrier
-Hanson Offroad 60" Front Bumper with Winch Guard
-Warn XD9000i Winch
-KC 55W Replacement Fog Lights (Drill Mounted to Hanson Bumper)
-KC 130W Long Range Slimlite's for Windshield Brackets
-Warn Rock Sliders (Unlimited-Extra Length, because she likes it)
-Headlight and Tail-Light Guards (Whatever)
-Gas Tank Latch (I'm looking at Highrock 4x4 billet in black, bolts painted black)


Inbetween the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Build I'll pick up necessary crap...
-Slip Yoke Eliminator...I've already run into problems and will explain.
-Double-Cardan (CV) Driveshaft
-4.56 Gears (May change if I really don't need them,...4.11's?)
-Obviously a speedo gear for the change from 31's to 33's and 4.56's
-30 Spline Chromoly Shafts
-Hi-Lift Jack, Off. Just Kidding. Jack and Hood mount. Because it makes me feel at home in a HMMWV
-Fire Extinguisher, because I'm a pyropheliac
-ARB Onboard Air...I'm getting their air locker's in the Stage 2...


If you have any advice, even offensive, let me know...thank you too much and Semper Fidelis. Ohh yeah, Happy 234th Marines!!! Ohhrah!!!

[CarolinaExPat]

Thank's man. I just got done building it actually. It's a Vltor MUR Reciever on a Rock River Arms Match Grade Lower and Match Grade 20" Chromoly Barrel. Surefire Muzzle Brake and Surefire FA556 Suppressor. Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 3.5-10x40 M3 Mil-Dot Scope. A.R.M.S. Rings and S.I.R. System. Match Trigger, Hogue Rubber Grip, Titanium Firing Pin, JP Enterprises Adjustable Gas Block, Pneumatic Buffer, Magpul PRS-15 Stock and Monopod, and a Quik-Cuff Mod. 2 Sling. Sorry for the technical crap...I'm a former Marine DM who worked with STA. Technical is a bad habit but if you're interested I could give you build advice.

[2006_Sport]

Originally Posted by CarolinaExPat

Thank's man. I just got done building it actually. It's a Vltor MUR Reciever on a Rock River Arms Match Grade Lower and Match Grade 20" Chromoly Barrel. Surefire Muzzle Brake and Surefire FA556 Suppressor. Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 3.5-10x40 M3 Mil-Dot Scope. A.R.M.S. Rings and S.I.R. System. Match Trigger, Hogue Rubber Grip, Titanium Firing Pin, JP Enterprises Adjustable Gas Block, Pneumatic Buffer, Magpul PRS-15 Stock and Monopod, and a Quik-Cuff Mod. 2 Sling. Sorry for the technical crap...I'm a former Marine DM who worked with STA. Technical is a bad habit but if you're interested I could give you build advice.

holy crap that's detailed lol. If i'm ever interested in building a gun, which i will be later on when my jeep stops takin money i'll def shoot you a PM.

[CarolinaExPat]

Sorry dude...I do this for a living. I'm right now a weapons instructor and before, well I sent you a PM...Marine 03'' vet, Ramadi, Fallujah, Iraq and Kabul, Afghanistan with Blackwater as a Sniper Instuctor. I'm also a huge G.D. Nerd over Guns and Jeeps. Sorry for the technicals. Thanks for the compliments ?sp?. Yeah, definetely let me know if you need any firearms advice. I've been doing this stuff since about '03 whether Marine or Independent Contractor (Blackwater/Paravant/Freelance) so let me know. Thanks again for the comment. Any advice on the LJ???

[2006_Sport]

Advice on the LJ? Get it up on 33s asap. It will look worlds better haha.

[CarolinaExPat]

Yeah, my stage 2 build has a Rubicon Express 3.5 Short Arm Superflex Lift, 33x12.50 A/T's on Black Rock M900 Viper 15x8 Wheels, full skids and a tummy tuck, snorkel intake, glasspack exhaust with no exhaust pipe (only a curved exhaust outlet), ARB Lockers, and a bunch of other stuff...and yes, more ammo. You can't have enough ammunition..."Showing up for a fair fight simply means that you are highly unprepared"...Unknown USMC 8541 Instructor.