[rt4422]

I'm starting this build about 5 months late, but better late than never. I'll want something to look back on...

I wanted a Jeep all my life and finally convinced my parents to let me sell my truck and get a Jeep with whatever what I sold the truck for. I ended up getting a 2002 Wrangler X from Gulf Port, MS.


Now, obviously this build isn't going to be from the ground up, but I picked off where he left off. Luckily, he took the hit from the big purchases considering I'm in high school and have to fund all these projects.

When I got the Jeep it had... swapped D44 rear axle, upgraded shafts, 33x12.5x15 Mickey Thompson MTZ, 4" suspension lift, 4.56 gears, ARB air lockers front and rear with a broken compressor, high performance steering, Warn 9000ti winch, Warn front and rear bumpers, Olympic tire carrier, CB, and interior rhino lined.

[rt4422]

First thing i did was put my blue led strips from my truck into the foot wells.


The pictures don't do them justice but they reflect off the rhino lining nicely. They also can change between 7 colors.


Then to conquer my first electrical wiring and switch I bought these from Autozone and put them on my front bumper...

Picture shows it on the back bumper as a back up light once i bought new front bumper lights.

[rt4422]

Taking a step up in the difficulty ladder, I decided to install a stereo and sound bar speakers.

Bought this 3" LCD screen stereo with DVD and camera capability for $100. It came with 5.25" speakers that i installed in the sound bar. The screws all fit with no drilling.

WOULD NOT SUGGEST THIS STEREO. The LCD screen is a drop down and the cd goes in behind it. After all the rough rides its been on, the screen doesn't come on anymore.

[rt4422]

Installed a CB with PA horn under the hood.

Put the CB on top the dash with velcro underneath, doesn't budge. The mic drops down and hooks above my left knee on the steering column dash piece.

[rt4422]

Ordered (2) 10" subwoofers already in a box, amplifier, and wiring all for $125.
Sure people won't hear you a mile down the road but they hit plenty hard enough.



Fit perfectly in the trunk

[rt4422]

Purchased some simple driving lights from Harbor Freight for $25. After buying these I'm not sure how people justify spending $125 on KC lights.

[rt4422]

Bought a red hi lift jack. I drilled two holes in the bar on my tire carrier and ran a bolt through each one. Put each bolt through a hole in the jack and closed it off with a nut. I like the look.

[rt4422]

I was noticing I my Jeep would jerk to a side after hitting a small hole in the road. Checked my steering shock and it was shot to hell. Bought a Rough Country suspension shock.

[ashland82391]

welcome to the family!

[rt4422]

I really wanted a light rack but didnt want to spend all the money to get one. Luckily, I found a write up on JF of a homemade light bar. This was my first real project and a mile stone in my mind.


2"x2" metal fence post from Lowe's. Used a Dremel to cut out sections for the 6 lights. Tedious.

lights in



Here the top is down and the wires are fed down in between the roll bar and metal door surrounds.

Put the wires behind the side panel.

BA switch from Radioshack

Finished product

[rt4422]

Can't beat it for $120

I ended up spray painting the bottoms of the lights to reduce the glare inside the car( like the write up said)

[rt4422]

Decided to make use of the carved out W's in the warn bumpers. I put LEDs inside the bumpers and then placed a piece of sheet metal on the back to reflect the light. Wired them into my blinkers to blink with them.

[ashland82391]

how did you mount the bar to the jeep?

[rt4422]

Finally upgraded to 35's for early Christmas present. I couldn't choose between BFG KM2s or Goodyear MTR w/ Kevlar. Ending up going with the MTR's (35x12.5x15) and I'm very glad I did. My friends have the KM2's and I think the Kevlars look much better.


Before



After

[rt4422]

So when I bought my jeep the guy told me the compressor for the lockers went out. I finally got around to buying a new one and after installing it into the old wires and it not working, I realized the reason the old one didnt work was because of a wiring issue....wasted $170 . Ended up ripping out the old wiring and completely rewiring every switch. Whatever, at least im locked in front and rear now!