[REDLYNER]

One of my favorite types of threads to read is the project posts. I enjoy learning the history of the vehicle and watching how it changes through out the thread. So I decided to put together my own project thread to tell the story of my jeep. It will be named (appropriately): Evolution Of Bling!


I was fortunate to start with a respectable base:

2000 TJ Sport 4.0 Auto, 4" Teraflex Short Arm lift, TeraFlex Quick Disco's, Warn Rear Bumber and Tire Carrier, and 33x12.5 Geolanders on 15x10 Pacers. D30/D35 combo with 3.07 gears are really the only drawback. Note the slick Armor All on the hood cover.




The TJ's progress is currently set up in 3 stages. Each stage takes about a year to complete.


Stage One (2006):

This stage comprised of getting the essentials. These were:

Warn Rock Sliders
Warn Front Bumber
Warn Winch Mount
Tow Hooks
ARB Shackles
Warn M8000 Winch
Auburn Front Selectable Locker and install kit
Uniden CB
Kilby Gas Tank Skid



The first phase of modding started with the sliders and tow hooks. Straight forward mod and took about 2 hours or so in the driveway:





The next phase of Stage One was a big one- bumper, winch mount, shackles, and winch. These were purchased through 4 Wheel Parts in Aurora. This was an all afternoon, into the night project. None of it was very difficult, but it was pretty time consuming.







Here is a shot at Moab of the bumper/winch/slider/cb package:





After the bumper package was complete, it was time to lock a very limiting open front axle. After a lot of research, I decided to go with the Auburn Ected electronic selectable locker. This was not a project that I could undertake, so I went with a smoking deal at Jeeperman in Denver. They installed the locker at 1/2 off the normal cost because of the opening of a new location.

The locker has been absolutely amazing and is night and day from being open/open!!!



Next came the Kilby Gas Tank Skid. This was a simple bolt on and like the sliders, took about two hours in my driveway (bad cell phone pics):







This completed Stage One of REDLYNER's Project: Evolution Of Bling.



Stage Two (2007):

This will be continued in the next post....

[REDLYNER]

Stage Two (2007):

This stage will capitalize on the education learned from wheeling my Stage One Wrangler. A total of 18 trails were run in 2006 with the Evolution Of Bling TJ, including 4 trails at Moab. From these runs I learned that there are many more mods needed to be able to keep up with the big boys.

This stage is comprised of:

Poison Spyder Trail Corners
Flush Mount Tail Lights
Custom Reverse Lights
Sirius Satellite Radio
33x12.5 Pro Comp Xtreme M/T's
Pro Comp 15x8 Black Rock Crusher Wheels
Warn Rear Receiver Shackle
Superior 35 Super35 Kit
Auburn Ected Rear Selectable Electronic Locker
Steering- Either the JCR 1-Ton Upgrade or the Currie Full Replacement Kit
On Board Air -Either the Powertank set up or the FormatFab CO2 kit



After rolling the Wrangler back on its side at Moab (lucky damage was minimal), the first issue to address was corner protection. After much consideration, I opted for the PSC Trail Corners over the Crusher Corners. They were half the price and I have a long ways to go to complete Stage Two.

This phase will also include the Flush mount Tail lights and the Custom Reverse Lights. This project took me about 12 solid hours to complete. You have to drill around 28 1/4" holes into the rocker panel, including two 4 1/2" holes! Alignment is key here and patience is your best tool.





The reverse lights were a major pain. I drilled a few holes in my Warn Tire Carrier to feed the wires through and a few more to mount the lights. I picked up the reverse lights at Pep Boys for $20 and they are as bright as my headlights. The wires are now completely hidden inside the tire carrier tube.





I went ahead and picked up a receiver shackle and hooked up the Sirius radio during this install. Sirius could very well be the best upgrade on the Wrangler right now!

The finished phase of this part of Stage Two:





The next phase was moving up to M/T's and black wheels. I debated for about a month on which wheels and tires to go with. After talking with several dealers, I went with a brand new tire just released this year- the Pro Comp Xtreme M/T. They had raving reviews from everyone selling them, so I took the bait. I had these mounted on Pro Comp Rock Crusher black steel wheels. They have completely changed the look of the Jeep!







Next up in Stage Two will be the Super 35 kit and Rear Locker. I'm going with the D35 Auburn Ected for the rear as well. I enjoy the front one so much, I figured that I might as well stay with the same theme. My plan is to have this installed before our June Moab run.

Steering will probably come from the annual 4 Wheel Parts Show in July. I hope by then Ryan Pullmesideways and Don will have their kits completed so I can get some good feedback as to which one to go with.

CO2 will be a late fall purchase to complete Stage Two of Project: Evolution of Bling.



Stage Three (2008):

To be continued in the next post...

[REDLYNER]

Stage Three (2008):

Hopefully there won't be too much more to add to completing this project. I am limited to 33" tires because of my gears, so if I ever plan to go bigger, I will have to get rid of much of what was completed in the earlier stages. Since I don't think I will be doing that, I am building this to be as stout of a TJ on 33"s as I can. Oh, and still maintain my bling status.

This stage will comprise of the completion of this build. The mods are as follows:

Poison Spyder Full 6 Point Roll Cage
AA SYE and Heavy Duty Drive Shaft
Nth Degree Belly Up T/C Skid


As other needs are introduced to me, I will update the list, but as of now, these three stages will complete Project: Evolution Of Bling!

[ArloGuthroJeep]

I have to admit, I miss your old blingy wheels

[MeloYelo]

Lookin good.

I too miss those bling bling wheels

[KUK9]

Well, I don't really miss the bling wheels, because the black on white looks totally B.A. But that's a good evolution. I should do something like this as well... BTW- what are you geared at? Just wondering, since you said your main limiting factor to stay with 33's was your gearing.

[REDLYNER]

I have 3.07 gears. I bought my front locker for a 3.55 and below gear set. I'll be purchasing the rear locker for the same gear set.

I'm married to my 33"s and yes, that is me flooring it all the way up Vail Pass.

[REDLYNER]

Well, I just corrected the problem from the above post....

I bought an axle off of a guy on CO4x4 (real nice guy!).

Dana 35 with a Super 35 kit, Yukon 4.10 gears, and an Ox selectable locker.

Now I need to pick up a set of 4.10's for the front, sell my Ected for the 3.55 and below gear set, and pick up a new Ected for the 4.10's. Oh yea, then find a smoking deal on install.

I am going to attempt the axle swap myself. The only difficulty I see is switching my good brakes on my current D35 to the new axle. Anyone done this swap that knows where to find the good write ups?

[MeloYelo]

Dont both the axles have the same brake setup?

You should be able to swap in the drum setup that you currently have. If I remember right, the drum itself is held on to the axle shaft by 4 bolts??

Once you get the drum cover off, you should see a small hole that is just big enough to fit a socket into. Rotate the drum until the hole lines up with the bolts and then remove.

Thats what I did when I pulled the axleshafts in mine........

[KUK9]

I did the same swap on my TJ. It should be a straight swap over. These are a couple of the difficulties I ran into with mine:

My S35 was trussed, so I ran into a couple clearance issues- I ended up needing to get an adjustable rear track bar (which I needed anyway), and move my shock mounts on the axle. This was due to the previous guy ripping one of them off, so I figured I would move them.

Mine is a Detroit in the rear, so I don't have the knowledge on routing the Ox, but I wouldn't imagine it being too difficult. I'm up for helping with the swap if you want the help though. The brakes shouldn't be too much of an issue...just a matter of swapping them over.

[REDLYNER]

Originally Posted by KUK9

I'm up for helping with the swap if you want the help though. The brakes shouldn't be too much of an issue...just a matter of swapping them over.

Careful what you say! I will definitely take you up on it.

I want to make the swap as easy as possible. If it is by switching the drums, fine by me. I'm not selling my current D35, so I can pull any part off of it as needed.

I forgot, the "new" axle also has Rubicon Express mounts on it. I believe they are the CA mounts. The set up should be ten times stronger than what I have now. Even if I end up buying a new cable for the Ox (might have to), I'm still saving $300 to $400 dollars on the deal.

It will be completed by Moab. My goal is to have it done by the end of April so I can run it on one or two trails in May to fully test it out.

[KUK9]

Hey, I'm always up to wrench. Since I've done the swap already, it might be a bit easier as well. Does the new axle have the backing plates for the brakes, or will that need to be swapped? Mine was literally a straight bolt in (with a few mods here and there). It took me and my friend about 4-5 hours to do it, but that was including a trip to 4WP off Peoria for the trackbar, and a trip to Car Quest for a pinion seal, plus the welding time for the shock mounts. If the brakes are already swapped over, it shouldn't take more than a couple hours to pull out and put back in. But there's always something that happens, so that's a rough timeline.

[dnrisden]

I am more than willing to help with the swap. Since KUK and I are both in Brighton that should make it easier.

Let me know,

Don

[REDLYNER]

Don, what is your availability? Maybe Kuk and I could meet you. If we are able to bang it out fairly quickly between the three of us, I would love to bring it out to Brighton.

I think Ryan Pullmeanyways has some mods too. Maybe a mod party? My inlaws are in town this weekend and the next, what about the 21st (it's a Saturday)?

Do you have drill that weekend? What about you Kuk9? You working?

Beer/brats/hotdogs/pizza provided by REDLYNER?

[dnrisden]

21APR07 maybe a problem as I am helping a friend paint some bumpers that day? Let me see what is going on for sure and I will let you know.

Don