[EugeneTheTJ]

Originally Posted by CarolinaExPat

Thank you for driving through my backyard

[Martinsc]

Originally Posted by CarolinaExPat

No bells and whistles but it works to get you to five guys when you need.

Five Guys is amazing just went there yesterday.

[BrandNew]

Originally Posted by Martinsc

Five Guys is amazing just went there yesterday.

the burger joint? good stuff nice and fresh

[Martinsc]

Originally Posted by BrandNew

the burger joint? good stuff nice and fresh

Yeah the burger joint. The fries are great and you get the free peanuts.

[CarolinaExPat]

Best burgers ever. Only problem is where I'm at now it's a 30 minute drive to the nearest one.

[CarolinaExPat]

So I finally got my rear shock in. (Passenger Side) I snapped the bolts during the initial removal, even doused with PB Blaster. So, nothing worked. I melted two EZ out bolt removals and broke two drill bits. I got a dremel and went through about five bits: High Speed Cutters, Drills, Grinder, and Routers. The outboard threads were salvaged but the inboard hole expanded some. I put the bolts in and just for good measure capped them with good nuts. I think it'll work and hold well. If not then I'll find out but hey, pics are coming tomorrow.

[MisterO]

Lookin forward to this.
Reminds me I gotta put my damn lift in already..

[CarolinaExPat]

So as of now, here is my build list for the 1st stage:

Hanson 60" Rock Crawler Front Bumper with Winch Guard
Smittybilt XRC Rear Bumper and Swing Away Tire Carrier
Warn XD9000i Winch/ARB Snatch Strap/D-Ring Shackles (Bumpers)
Rubicon Express 2" Spacer Lift with Monotube Shocks
KC 55W Replacement Fog Lights (With guards)
KC 130W Long Range Slimlites mounted to Windshield Light Brackets
Safari style Headlight and Taillight Guards
Warn Rock Sliders
Dynomax Ultra-Flo Muffler (Cat Back System), painted black.
Billet Style (Black) Gas Hatch
Smittybilt G.E.A.R. Overhead Console and Tailgate Cover
Cobra 75 WX ST CB Radio and Firestik II Antenna/Teraflex Antenna Mount
15" Stubbie Black Radio Antenna
Entry Guards/Tailgate Entry Guard/Arm Rests/Rollbar Handles/GPS
SERPA Holster mounted to Center Console

So far I've put on the:

Rubicon Express 2" Spacer Lift
All the interior stuff
Dynomax Cat-Back
CB Radio
Light Brackets and Antenna
Smittybilt XRC Rear Bumper...Tire Carrier is on backorder.
Smittybilt G.E.A.R. Tailgate Cover...Overhead Console is on backorder.

I'm hoping to get the rest by Christmas and then the Stage 1 will be complete and I'll work up to the Stage 2.

Stage 2 Overview:

3.5" Lift
33's and new Wheels
SYE and CV Driveshaft
Full Skids and Tummy Tucker.
ARB Lockers, Onboard Air
New Gears and Upgraded Axle Shafts

[jbjorgen]

I believe you'll need a 1" BL and MML for most tummy tucks. You can add that to the list.

[CarolinaExPat]

You need the 1" BL and MML if you don't go with a SYE and CV Driveshaft. The driveline angle is taken care of that way and the Tummy Tucker from AEV gets rid of the stock TC Mount.

[CarolinaExPat]

So first things first, and I'll work from there. We'll start with the CB. I got the Cobra 75WX ST CB because everything is in the hand mike. I like the clean look and no excess stuff. I got it all mounted but had to wait for the antenna. The junction box is hidden under the center console, so here are the pics.
The junction box is hidden under the center console.



All the wiring is hidden under the dash and routed with the other wiring. The stud comes through the plug behind the rollbar and out the taillight wiring hole. It's all attached to the Tera-Flex Antenna Mount. Stud is a Firestik "Fire-Ring" and the antenna is a Firestik II..
Now I just have to get it tuned.

[CarolinaExPat]

Next I added a few decals, a stubbie 15" Black Antenna from AllSalesMfg, and threw a couple more pouches on the tailgate cover. You can also see the KC Windshield Light Brackets. The lights are coming in Dec. (KC Long Range Slimlights).

[CarolinaExPat]

A couple other things I took care of before the meat and potatoes are the faded flares and hood latches, and the spare tire carrier. I originally used Mother's Back to Black. It lasted all of a week, so I took them off again and painted them black. I started with Krylon Fusion in flat black, but it still was a bit too shiny, so I went over a few coats with Krylon Camouflage in flat black. Turned out nicely. When I go to 33's I'll be getting extended Rubicon Flares so I'm not too worried about them at the moment. The Hood Latches I switched out for Kentrol Sainless Latches in Black. They are a lot more rugged and hold the hood down better while looking good.

I also took the tire carrier off for my new bumper, so my spare is in my back seat.

[CarolinaExPat]

Next I installed a Dynomax Cat Back with a Dynomax Ultra-Flo Muffler. This was a total PITA because they sent me a pipe that was about 2" too short. You can see the extended piece that's not painted in the first pic. I threw a couple coats of engine enamel primer on and a few coats of high temp paint to the entire thing. It still got some scratches. I'm getting the whole thing welded as soon as possible so bear with the clamps, it'll be clean soon.

You can also see a new slip yoke. When I jacked up the tail the rear shaft came out and slammed on el groundo. So, I had to replace the slip yoke. Another pain.

As soon as I get it welded I'll come back with more pics. It sounds good though, especially during accellerations. The paint and longer pipe do quiet it down considerably from just the muffler.

[CarolinaExPat]

Next I threw on a rear bumper. I went with the Smittybilt XRC Rear Tire Carrier bumper because it's BA and it could kill something. It's built like a brick s-house and the hitch is useable. You can see in the above exhaust pipe pic the frame tie-in. The bumper uses (on each side): an underside bolt, four bolts going in aft (have to drill), two bolts going inboard where the stock tie-in is, two more on the outboard side facing aft for the second frame support, and another further down the frame. Six holes drilled in total.


D-Ring Shackles are on the way. The Swing Away Tire Carrier is on backorder but it will be here someday.