Jeepl!fe LJ Build

**jeepl!fe** · 11-03-2011, 02:03 PM

hey guys, well its time to start the build thread that i have been wanting to start ever since i joined the forum looking for a Jeep.

First off im a 17 year old high school guy just trying to learn about cars and jeeps so forgive me if i mess some terms up and stuff, anyways...

I just recently picked up a 2006 LJ 6-speed with 74k miles with some mods already on her. mod list is:

rough country 6" lift

35" bfg all terrain

15" black steelies

smittybilt rear bumper with tire carrier

Smittybilt SRC front bumper

banks CAI

so it has a decent amount of mods but i will be changing out and selling all of those parts accept for the rear bumper and tire carrier probably.

well here is my plan...I originally fell in love with LJ's when i saw Lo2ay's LJ so i wanted to build similar to his. i dont have quite the budget but it will have the same over all idea.

Highline fenders (not aev, DIY mod)

dark grey paint (still undecided exact paint)

17" mickey thompson classic lock powder coated black and ring will be color of jeep

35 or 37" goodyear mtr (still trying to decide on the tricky setup to run 37s so might stick with 35s unforunetly for now...

)

Banks cat back exhaust

3" aev springs

bilstien 5100s (Still not for sure)

and then axles are still up in the air...i want to do jk d44 axles but im not quite sure if i can afford, its tight to fit that in my budget and i have a feeling i would go over budget with those axles. so i might just do a tj d44 front for now.

so thats the plan. i wont start on the big stuff for a couple weeks til my Dad gets home. the highline will probably be the first major mod and then everything should come quickly after that.

ENJOY!

**jeepl!fe** · 11-03-2011, 02:05 PM

Day i bought the jeep

sister riding in the back with the doors off for the first time!

and brown santa came today!!!!!

**jeepl!fe** · 11-03-2011, 02:19 PM

well did my first "official mod" today, just painted my antenna black...

later today i will be installing new turn signals and grab handles, much needed with the freakin huge lift on it right now....

**jeepl!fe** · 11-03-2011, 04:49 PM

well i installed my grab handles, it was a long hard 2 minute install

then i went to install my turn signals and side markers. side markers went smoothly but the turn signals didnt. i got sent the wrong bulb so ill have to wait to reveive the correct one. just going to use the white factory bulb for now

here in the pic you see the orange one has no clip on it to plug in

here is what the new white turn signals look like

exhaust came in as well. hopefully should be able to install it this weekend or early next week at the latest

jkl · 11-03-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepl!fe

and then axles are still up in the air...i want to do jk d44 axles but im not quite sure if i can afford, its tight to fit that in my budget and i have a feeling i would go over budget with those axles. so i might just do a tj d44 front for now.

If you are considering swapping axles, I would not waste money on a TJ 44

**jeepl!fe** · 11-03-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkl

If you are considering swapping axles, I would not waste money on a TJ 44

really? even if i just run 35's? what would you suggest to run for 37s? this is my DD so i dont want crazy heavy axles.

**jeepl!fe** · 11-06-2011, 10:08 PM

ok so no real updates on the jeep this weekend. but tomorrow i should be putting in a stock pitman arm, exhaust, and painting my chrome headlight bezels black. its gunna be a fun day

**jeepl!fe** · 11-07-2011, 05:54 PM

just starting on the exhaust, will post some installing and installed pics later!

**Hendrix** · 11-07-2011, 06:07 PM

I would just keep what you have. Build the rear to be good on 35s, and swap a HP30 in the front or a TJ D44. Axle swaps are not worth the money if you do not wheel every weekend. Just my 2c.... Coming from a guy who has been Building for a Solid year and a half for 37s on a DD. Just follow my bro Imped. He has a solid TJ on 35s.

You have a great platform to start with.

**jeepl!fe** · 11-07-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hendrix

I would just keep what you have. Build the rear to be good on 35s, and swap a HP30 in the front or a TJ D44. Axle swaps are not worth the money if you do not wheel every weekend. Just my 2c.... Coming from a guy who has been Building for a Solid year and a half for 37s on a DD. Just follow my bro Imped. He has a solid TJ on 35s.

You have a great platform to start with.

thanks man. ya im thinking of going the tj d44 route right now and stick to 35s for now. no real need for 37s, they look better but i dont want to spend the money repairing the axles over and over again. the platform was very nice, although most of it will be sold but that brings in more money for me to do other stuff so i cant complain.

**jeepl!fe** · 11-07-2011, 08:51 PM

so i started to install my exhaust tonight. it went pretty smooth until i had a stripped bolt where the catalyc converter bolts up to the muffler. had to cut it off but it wasnt to bad. after that the whole exhaust came out easily. i fitted up my new one and found that the exhaust rubbed against the rear track bar so i fixed that by putting a dent into the pipe, much better now. I decided that im going to paint the pipes before bolting it in, so i got it prepped tonight and will paint it tomorrow.

here are some pics.

new muffler is way smaller that stock!

little indention i put in the pipe to make it stop rubbing.

**sjones26573** · 11-07-2011, 08:58 PM

That exhaust pipe will probably still rub, especially taking turns and laying on the throttle. My exhaust was installed with room to spare between my right rear shock but the rubber piece on the rear mount gives the exhaust enough play to rattle into the side of the shock. Chips the paint off. I may have to get it rerouted even farther away, which puts it even closer to the fuel tank. not good.

Also, that front bumper would be a Smittybilt SRC bumper, as its the one I have.

**jeepl!fe** · 11-07-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjones26573

That exhaust pipe will probably still rub, especially taking turns and laying on the throttle. My exhaust was installed with room to spare between my right rear shock but the rubber piece on the rear mount gives the exhaust enough play to rattle into the side of the shock. Chips the paint off. I may have to get it rerouted even farther away, which puts it even closer to the fuel tank. not good.

Also, that front bumper would be a Smittybilt SRC bumper, as its the one I have.

i have a decent amount of space from the shock, farther than it was stock and stock it didnt rub to bad so i will see how it goes, not really a big deal to me.

and thanks for the heads up on the front bumper, kinda thought it was smittybilt, just have been to lazy to actually look it up.

i see your in NC as well.

edit: and a highschooler as well, even better, same here haha

**sjones26573** · 11-07-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepl!fe

i have a decent amount of space from the shock, farther than it was stock and stock it didnt rub to bad so i will see how it goes, not really a big deal to me.

and thanks for the heads up on the front bumper, kinda thought it was smittybilt, just have been to lazy to actually look it up.

i see your in NC as well.

edit: and a highschooler as well, even better, same here haha

Yep. And I head up to Harmony NC, next door to Statesville, every two weeks. Probably going to the demolition derby and figure 8 race in Harmony this weekend.

**jeepl!fe** · 11-08-2011, 06:01 AM

ahhh nice bro, ill keep an eye out for you