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Tarantula_TJ Rubicon Build

464K views 4K replies 171 participants last post by  AngryTJ 
#1 ·
UPDATED 12/19/2013***

Story:
I purchased this Jeep back in 2011 with the intent of a mild build and enjoying some offroading on the East Coast. Through Jeepforum I met a small group of guys that invited me to go wheelin for my first time at Rausch Creek, PA. Little did I know how I would get so hooked!

As the obsession grew my game plan was always to have a weekend warrior that would be able to drive to the trails, take a beating, and drive home. With that in mind I started to dig into many projects I would have never imagined trying on my own. I also received help from some great guys out there to get the rig where is it today. Like all of you my jeep has become part of my life.

Back in June I had the opportunity to take a cross-country trip to Colorado and Moab. What made the trip so unique was being able to drive my jeep from CT over 2,200 miles out there and wheel with a bunch of other forum members for 7 straight days! It was one of the greatest experiences a jeeper could have and I'm extremely happy with how the jeep performed. I hope to make it an annual trip to wheel with so many of the great guys on this forum and explore different parts of the US and the wheelin terrain it offers.

I still have a few things to do to the rig but I'm almost at the point where I can just wheel, repair and repeat. If you have any questions about my rig feel free to ask. Thanks for looking!

Mods:
Engine:
• 4.0 I-6 w/ Brown Dog 1" MML & custom Hendrix hiline hood covering it up!
Transmission:
• 6 speed w/ Lopro mount
Transfer Case:
• NV241 w/ Novak shifter
Front axle:
• Dana 44 locked w/ Riddler cover, Superior Shafts, Synergy Ball joints, Alloy axle seals & lower CA skids
Rear axle:
• Dana 44 locked w/ Riddler cover, TnT Truss & Superior Shafts
Gear Ratio:
• 4:11
Suspension:
• Custom stretched rear 4-link 98" WB
• 1" Daystar BL
• OME 930/949 coils
• Front and Rear Antirock Swaybars
• Savvy Alum front upper and lower alum control arms
• 12" outboarded rear Bilsteins
Tires:
• 35x12.5r15 Goodyear MTR/Kevlars
Wheels:
• 15x8 Alum Raceline Monster Beadlocks
Recovery:
• Warn 9.5ti w/ Viking synthetic line. Poly Front half Rollcage w/ custom rear additions
Armor:
• UCF ultra high clearance tcase skid & engine skid, UCF Windshield armor
• Savvy Alum front bumper
• Warn Rear bumper w/ tire carrier
• Rokmen Sliders & Steering skid
• PSC 3" flare Defender Hilines w/ matching rear flares
• Genright Stretched corners & EXT tank
Accessories:
• JKS adj front track bar
• Tom Woods Driveshaft
• Currie Steering w/ Savvy tie rod
• 4pt harness'
• Balistic Fab Battery tie-down box
Awaiting install:
• Evo Front axle sleeve's
• Vanco Big Brake kit
• Front tie rod flip w/ raised sway bar brackets
• Gusset front axle C's
Final Mods list:
488 gears
Hydro assist
3 link front suspension
Yukon Zip or ARB lockers

The starting point:




Where she sits now




 
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6
#1,966 ·
Part 2 of 2

So this is where Terry decided he wanted to run Patriot (a very difficult climb)





And this is where he broke his **** and made the day very very long. :shhh:


Not knowing how badly broke Terry was Mike clearly wanted to run this awesome trail and dove right in!






pretty sure this is where Mike tells mike "yeah hes stuck and not going anywhere so mine as well jump out"


I was a bit hesitant just looking at the trail if I wanted to run it especially being the first day of a long week of wheelin but now especially with Terrys rig broke and stuck I turned around and ran Liberty back up. I actually enjoyed going up Liberty alot better.





climbing out the entrance




I didnt realize I had this shot but this is where some dude in a grand cherokee tried turning around to drag Terry out and sheared off his front pinion I believe. So now theres 2 broke *** rigs in front of Mike.

Incase people are curious Terrys green rubicon looked like he broke a rear axle shaft, potentially his rear locker, both rear shocks were crushed, one shock mount tore off the axle, and his stock steering was destroyed turning those 37s.



Mike getting through with no problems!


I believe they call this obstacle A-hole




7 hours later everyone was off the trail and we were heading to moab!

 
#1,987 ·
Sorry I didnt go into much detail yesterday I passed out relatively early. Long day at work.

Mike described it spot on. You make your cuts in the dash and place the first part of the A pillar down to your plate on the floor.


There then is a seperate bend that fits into the tube pictured above and ties into the B pillar.






below you can see the two pieces welded together and sanded smooth


A pillar down to the floor


Hope that helps, I have more pics if you need to see something specific let me know
 
#1,988 ·
AngryTJ said:
Sorry I didnt go into much detail yesterday I passed out relatively early. Long day at work.

Mike described it spot on. You make your cuts in the dash and place the first part of the A pillar down to your plate on the floor.
http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1104_zpsb6dde122.jpg.html

There then is a seperate bend that fits into the tube pictured above and ties into the B pillar.
http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1105_zps4b0aa95c.jpg.html

http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1106_zpsb3526329.jpg.html

http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1107_zps73b3abb7.jpg.html

below you can see the two pieces welded together and sanded smooth
http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1113_zps4448b67c.jpg.html

A pillar down to the floor
http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1124_zpsb281a808.jpg.html

Hope that helps, I have more pics if you need to see something specific let me know
That looks spot on. Looks like Mikey Tigged it for ya?
 
#1,991 ·
A horror story from a sanchion style a pillar like btf, genright and PS. This story is a local one to me when someone flipped or rolled a jeep and the a pillar steel plate collapsed and the guy almost had to get his leg amputated. Though I'm by sure how hard the roll was, I'm not taking any chances having a piece of flat 3/16 plate being crinkled into my leg in a roll street or offroad.

I'm happy with my cage because I don't intend to roll it, but I may one day just happen to and I want to eliminate any risk.
 
#1,992 ·
AngryTJ said:
Sorry I didnt go into much detail yesterday I passed out relatively early. Long day at work.

Mike described it spot on. You make your cuts in the dash and place the first part of the A pillar down to your plate on the floor.
http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1104_zpsb6dde122.jpg.html

There then is a seperate bend that fits into the tube pictured above and ties into the B pillar.
http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1105_zps4b0aa95c.jpg.html

http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1106_zpsb3526329.jpg.html

http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1107_zps73b3abb7.jpg.html

below you can see the two pieces welded together and sanded smooth
http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1113_zps4448b67c.jpg.html

A pillar down to the floor
http://s187.photobucket.com/user/lverdura28/media/Jeep/IMG_1124_zpsb281a808.jpg.html

Hope that helps, I have more pics if you need to see something specific let me know
That is literally exactly what I was looking for. Looks good and clean!

thanks bud
 
#1,993 ·
no problem!

So back to sharing details about our trip out west.

It was about 7pm when we finally got off the trail and headed to the gas station to fuel up, grab a bite to eat and head out. With the original plan to be on the road by 3pmish blown out of the water the plan now was to drive as far as we could before wanting to fall asleep. Well with a 6 hour drive to moab and not getting on the road till 9 we made it about 1 hour before the sleep deprevation kicked in and we had to find a hotel for the night.

The next morning we were up bright and early and on our way to Moab!


views through Colorado




Starting to get out of the mountains








the surroundings were soon changing and the red rock was starting to appear




Finally made it to Moab!




So after a 5 hour drive we arrived in moab for about 1pm. Pulled up in the city market, fueled up and gave the rest of the guys a call to see where they were at. After several tries we got a hold of Greg (Gbeasley) who told us they were climbing top of the world and werent going to be back in town for a couple hours. No problem at all! But Mike and I werent just going to sit there and wait... We were in Moab lets go run some trails!











Fins and things was fun, nothing very difficult but I nice introduction to the Moab slick rock with a lot of steep climbs and decents that quickly makes you notice the amount of traction that can be had.













Having fun climbing some walls








this ledge was a pretty steep drop and threw my camera and tools toward the front of the jeep


 
#1,994 ·
Cant get enough of the views








So we finished up Fins and Things at around 4ish I believe and then metup with Art and Nate to run Hells Revenge!

The initial climb


Nate


trying to keep up with Arts blistering pace




















Hells gate ( I have more video then pics of this obstacle)




I'd just like to give a shout out to my amazing spotters when I went up who were pointing in opposite directions! Thanks Art and Mike :D
 
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