The Little Jeep That Could!

RocknRubi · 03-08-2010, 08:35 PM

Hey every one, had my jeep since 2007, but just now figured that I have done enough to show it off. It's a 97 Jeep wrangler 4cyl Stick with 99,000 mi and counting. So far I have taken this thing all across So Cal and now plan to conquer Rubicon!

So here it is when I bought it:

As it sits now:

Current mods:

2 1/2" Coil spacer lift
33x10.5 R15 BFG KM2
15x8 Pro Comp 7069's
SmittyBilt classic rear tire carrier
-With custom axe and shovel attachments
Rugged Ridge Sport Seats
Delta Driving Lights
Custom Hood mounted HiLift
Hurculined Tub
Custom made Center Console
Quadratec Floor liners

Future Mods:
Currie AntiRock
Warn VTC Air Comp
OR Fab Tube Doors
Bikini top
Olympic Rocker Guards
Sound pod?
ReGear?
Ford 8.8?

RocknRubi · 03-08-2010, 08:52 PM

Started with stripping out the tub and Hurculining the inside.

I love It! It made the interior look finished finally!

Next I got some Rugged Ridge Sport seats from Quadratec. For the price you can't beat them! They are 3 point ready, well made, and are very comfortable. The down side is as many of you who have purchased Rugged Ridge and SmittyBilt products already know, they were a pain to put in! Of course the brackets were just off by enough to make my life miserable trying to install them. But now that they are in, and with a few modifications of my own, they are awesome!

Then I moved on to the console. Since I did not have a stock console I realy wanted one, but not for $450 plus shipping. So I made my own. Here is a link:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f37/diy-center-console-956039/

I used some inferior wood as some would call it but its a prototype. We will see how it holds up, but so far it is doing great. Here are a few pics:

Then mounted:

I need to take an updated picture with the pad mounted, and will post it soon.

**J-B** · 03-08-2010, 09:34 PM

SICK jeep!

RocknRubi · 03-08-2010, 09:34 PM

Then I fabed my own HiLift hood mount out of an angle iron and a few bolts for about $25 total. I love it there and it was fairly easy to make. Just have to take the jack off to open the hood...

Then mounted the Delta Driving lights. They were fairly self explanatory to mount and came with everything you need in the box. They perform excellently and seem very durable.

Also ordered my SmittyBilt classic rear tire carrier, and mounted it. Holy Cow! That thing was the most difficult thing to install ever! Go figure it was a smittybilt... aside from the install it is holding up great and is very sturdy. Looks good and swings smoothly. Even the hitch although not tow rated seems to be very strong. We will see after I get pulled out of something for the first time with it

.

I also mounted an axe and shovel to it with a few U bolts. Worked really well!

RocknRubi · 03-08-2010, 09:50 PM

Next came the wheels and tires! Finally!

33x10.5 R15s BFG KM2
with
15x8 7069's Pro Comp

4wheelparts had a sale so I got $50 off the rims and free mount and balance.

Mounted them up and drove it around today. Didn't feel much of a difference in the power from the 30's that I had to these 33's. Except for a hill It isn't noticeable for me at least (but on the hills it is very obvious). Maybe because I am used to giving it a lot of gas to get it moving. I might not regear yet because it's not too bad. SURPRISINGLY!

A note on my suspension:

I have an unknown brand 2 1/2 inch spacer lift that came with my jeep when I bought it. No BL, fender trimming, or any other mods to the suspension, and I can run these 33x10.5s with no rub what so ever on road. I will stuff the tire into the wheel well sooner in full flex than I would with proper fender trimming but other than that This combo seems to be an excellent choice.

RocknRubi · 03-08-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbo711

SICK jeep!

Thank you!

randyandy · 03-10-2010, 06:56 AM

Hey man, that Jeep looks fine! I love those "4 angry squirrels"! I've got one, too!

How did you unscrew those windshield frame bolts to install the lights??

I have some daylighters but I can't get those f***ing screws out of the frame!!

Keep up the good work!

vtx531 · 03-10-2010, 09:44 AM

Hey, I really like your tires and wheels. I used to run 33x10.50s and they are a nice size. What backspacing are your wheels? It looks good with all the stickers removed and how does your paint look so good for a '97?! Things I don't like: hod rack, spare tire that doesn't match, tire carrier that looks like it puts your tire up too high and out. I would just run a stock carrier with 33's - especially with the skinny 33's.

**J-B** · 03-10-2010, 12:53 PM

Are the wheels flat black?

RocknRubi · 03-10-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyandy

Hey man, that Jeep looks fine! I love those "4 angry squirrels"! I've got one, too!

How did you unscrew those windshield frame bolts to install the lights??

I have some daylighters but I can't get those f***ing screws out of the frame!!

Keep up the good work!

Its an absolute pain to take off the torx bolts but if you have the correct size torx bit it should be easy. I only managed to get 3 bolts out on each side before i stripped the others. My jeep was repainted before i bought it so the bolts were sealed to the body. Thats why the paint looks shinny still.

RocknRubi · 03-10-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbo711

Are the wheels flat black?

Yes, the 7069's are flat. They also have a chrome, and gloss black version.

Camo Deere · 03-10-2010, 03:27 PM

I really like the flat black wheels

Jeeps looks great man lookin foward to more

RocknRubi · 03-10-2010, 09:24 PM

Got a new project I am working on. It is making a recovery storage box for my tire carrier. It will fit inside the triangle and hold my tow strap, d-rings, gloves, 2" shackle receiver, and hopefully a few other things. I will post pics tomorrow.

RocknRubi · 03-13-2010, 02:29 PM

Here is the box so far, have to work this weekend so havent made much more progress.

SgtHatred · 03-13-2010, 02:46 PM

i really like the look of the 33x10.5s on your jeep man looks proper!