[thejafe]

Alright, over the last two weeks I've been hard at work installing the following parts to compliment Rubicon Express 3.5" kit:

Currie 1" BL
Currie 1" MML
WARN 6" Flares
ARB Rocker Guards
Rubicon Express SF2 Front Adjustable Upper Control Arms
Rubicon Express SF2 Rear Adjustable Upper Control Arms

Of course, all of this was in preparation for:

33x12.50 BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM Tires
15x8 American Racing Baja Wheels / 3.75" BS

A major reason to install the BL was that it allowed me to remove the .5" spacer kit from atop my Kilby gas tank skid so I could raise 'er up that extra .5" -- something I've been wanting to do for ages. For whatever reason Jeep redesigned the fuel lines on top of the tank in '04 and to run the Kilby skid you either need a 1" BL or the $50 .5" spacer kit from Kilby. Glad it's now a thing of the past for me .

Below you'll find pics from various stages of my installs. Enjoy, and feel free to post up any questions you may have.

[thejafe]

In progress:

[thejafe]

1" Body lift complete:



Stock motor mount beside new Currie 1" raised mount:



Stock engine bracket removed from vehicle:

[thejafe]

Picked up a set of used RE3783 Rear Adjustable Upper Control Arms and replaced the cartridge joints. Cleaned them up and gave them a fresh coat of Rubicon Express REPSILVER paint while I was at it:



The rebuilt arms next to the RE3780 front adjustable uppers:

[thejafe]

Removed my Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers and cleaned up the hubs in preparation for the new wheels. Also added some fresh AlloyUSA badging:





I had to get creative in order to keep the front hubs from spinning:

[thejafe]

Front adjustable uppers complete:



Rears too!

[thejafe]

Rear pinion angle dialed in and now she drives niiiice and smooth:

[thejafe]

Teaser pics with the new wheels and tires:

[thejafe]

ARB Rockers and WARN flares complete! I promise better pics of everything once the weather clears up!:



Now I just have to find a way to fasten down the 22 pop-rivets that are required for the ARB rockers -- my rivet gun doesn't seem to be up to the task:

[thejafe]

Wanted to take her out to the body shop to see what they can do about my rivets, but wouldn't ya know the garage door crapped out on me!:

[carpekd]

Nice build. Do you plan on keeping the stock gearing?

[camper49]

thanks for sharing the pictures....you have a snow shovel....I have a lawn mower....

I do something similar with a crowbar in my wheel studs when I need to crank on the stub axle nut....

so you replaced the "sun" brand rocker armor?....any reason you felt you needed something else?....I thought that "sun" brand was supposed to be pretty good stuff....I still haven't made up my mind what I want to do for rocker protection. All the good choices will require I save some cash for awhile. I can't see the new arb armor very well in the picture.

I know you looked at some of my pictures...thanks for the kind words....

steve

[thejafe]

Originally Posted by camper49

thanks for sharing the pictures....you have a snow shovel....I have a lawn mower....

I do something similar with a crowbar in my wheel studs when I need to crank on the stub axle nut....

so you replaced the "sun" brand rocker armor?....any reason you felt you needed something else?....I thought that "sun" brand was supposed to be pretty good stuff....I still haven't made up my mind what I want to do for rocker protection. All the good choices will require I save some cash for awhile. I can't see the new arb armor very well in the picture.

I know you looked at some of my pictures...thanks for the kind words....

steve

Hey Steve,

Yeah sorry about the crappy pics but I was just snapping 'em quick while I was working. Once these rivets are done (hopefully today) and the weather clears up here I'll take her outside for some quality shots.

I went from Sun to ARB for a few reasons. My Suns were rusting badly around the mounting holes and the aluminum spacers that keep the rockers tight against the body were all but disintegrated from the wonderful road salt here in the northeast.

Also, my rig was getting taller and I wanted something with a steel tube on the side for both protection and a step. I also wanted something with an internal brace which the ARB's have got.

So, the ARB's fit all of my requirements and the shop where I was getting my wheels/tires had 'em in stock. Perfect .

Andrew

[thejafe]

Originally Posted by carpekd

Nice build. Do you plan on keeping the stock gearing?

No. I have 3.73's from the factory but really need to go to 4.56. Once I save up some cash that will be next.

[98tjsahara]

Your Jeep looks awesome. It's simple and done right. What's next?

Ohh, and dibs on the wheel spacers if they are for sale!