[KevKaos]

I was looking for a new daily driver so that I could stop putting so many miles on my 98 BMW 540. I only live 8 miles from work, but I was driving the Bimmer everywhere. Now she can sit and maybe be covered up until nice weather. I decided that I wanted something with a drop top and something that would be fun. Honestly, I was trying to hold off another year, but when this deal came along it appeared to be to good to pass up.

Driving down the road with my wife, I spot this nice little red Jeep on a used car lot about a mile from my house. We stopped in and found that it was a 2005 Rubicon and only had 23,500 miles on it. They were asking $15,500 but I got it down to $15K Not a huge drop, but everything seems to work and it was enough of a drop to allow me to cover the cost of two items that were wrong. She looked like she had been in a minor fender bender that left the drivers side fender a little less than perfect after they tried to repair it. If you look really close at the photos, you can see where the paint was cracked and the primer showing. $325 fixed that like new. Also notice that the fog lights are missing. I figure that maybe one got broken in the same fender bender and they just took them off, or they had been stolen. The 2nd owner only had the Jeep for 10 months before it was re-popped by the used car lot, and that 2nd owner lived in a really bad area for drugs and theft. The Carfax was clean though.

So her are the pics that were on the lots website and how she looked when I got her.

[KevKaos]

BTW, she did have brand new Wranglers that still had the blue on the turned in white letters.

It may not show well, and I forgot to mention that one of the first things I did was have the door windows tinted to match the soft top windows.

[KevKaos]

So I start doing all the little stuff to make sure she is right like getting the oil changed over to synth oil. Added some Body Armor Rock Rails. Some people told me that these rail tend to squeak a lot, but we followed the directions, added flat washers as directed, and they are rock solid with no squeaks. The wife is much happier now that shorty has a step to get into the Jeep.

[KevKaos]

Next I added some neoprene seat covers (red and black) and some red door handle and grab bar covers. I did this because the interior of this Jeep is so dark it is like a cave. Also added a Tuffy under seat security box.

[KevKaos]

The weather broke for us here in Maryland the other day and the temp shot up to a very unseasonable 70 degrees. I took her to the car wash and then ran home and got a quick coat of Liquid Glass on her. Now she really shines and the paint feels very glossy. I love Liquid Glass. I've used it for years. I've tried the more expensive "proper" stuff, but found it harder to work with and the overall outcome not as good. When the weather warms up again, I will try to get another coat or two on her and she'll be good through the summer. Then I'll hit her again in the fall before it gets to cold and she'll be good through the winter.

[KevKaos]

Waiting for my Warn front and rear bumpers to arrive. Haven't ordered the winch plate or grill guard yet. I ordered the back bumper that I'm able to use the tire carrier but haven't ordered the carrier yet. I did get my KC 1131's (slim replacements for the original fogs). Whoever took the original fogs off, cut off the quick connectors. I don't know if I can buy new connectors or not, but I'll try tomorrow. If I can't, I guess I will just have to cut the connectors off the lights and splice the wires. :-(

[mrfreezevt]

looks like a good start
how do like those seat covers? I plan on getting a set myself.

[KevKaos]

Originally Posted by mrfreezevt

looks like a good start
how do like those seat covers? I plan on getting a set myself.

Haven't had them on long, but they really fit well. These are by Smittybuilt and it was a good deal. Bought the fronts and got the rear free. I know some people have issues with the neoprenes, but it's way to early for me to have an opinion on that. They fit snugly, so I haven't had any problems with them moving out of place as I get in and out. That's always been my biggest complaint with seat covers in the past. Thanks for checking out my build thread.

[flopp00]

I think that is a new mt/r kevlar on the front right and the rest look to be old style mt/rs or did i miss something

[KevKaos]

Originally Posted by flopp00

I think that is a new mt/r kevlar on the front right and the rest look to be old style mt/rs or did i miss something

Nope, you didn't miss a thing. I should have mentioned that as well. I noticed that and even went to my local tire dealer that I use for all my families vehicles. Wanted to try to get them all matching, but he said that it was unlikely (after checking his suppliers). You guys don't miss a thing. My dealer said that they appear to be matched close enough that he would go ahead and drive them until they need to be replaced. So far, no problems.

[KevKaos]

Guess what showed up today.

[kashoggio]

love the red, great start to the rubi.. can def relate to putting the miles on the bimmer. I put on 18 k onm mt 335i the first year I had her.

[KevKaos]

Originally Posted by kashoggio

love the red, great start to the rubi.. can def relate to putting the miles on the bimmer. I put on 18 k onm mt 335i the first year I had her.

OUCH!!!! I usually do about 10k a year. Bought my 540 with 96k and she is at 115 now. That's her in the background of one shot. She's in nice shape and trying to keep her that way. Wanting to do the Jeep like I did her. Whenever something needs to be fixed, try to use the best parts I can afford and make her better each time.

[KevKaos]

Just ordered some Autolite APP985 spark plugs. They're $5.80 a piece on Amazon, but there's a rebate of like $1.25 each on them this year.

[KevKaos]

YEAAAAAAA!!!!! I'm legal now. The photos suck, but at least I'm legal. hehe