Bennettj13
James Bennett
Modifications:
Engine: I6 w/ Brown Dog 1" bracket/MML
Transmission: 42RLE 4 speed Auto
Transfer Case: NP231 W/ JB Conversions Super Short SYE, Dakota Digital Box, Tom Woods Rear DS
Front Axle: TNT Trussed JK Rubicon High Pinion Dana 44 w/ Factory Locker
Rear Axle: TNT Trussed JK Rubicon Dana 44 w/ Factory Locker
Axle Gear Ratio: Motive/Precision 5.13's
Steering: ORO TRU-Turn JK Steering, TNT Customs 1 Ton Draglink
Suspension: 1.25" JKS BL, TNT's LA (Dual Triangulated 4-Link Rear, Y-Link Radius Front), 4.5" Front / 3" Rear AEV Coils, RC 2.2 Shocks (Outboarded In The Rear), Tom Woods Rear DS/Yoke Adapters
Tires: 35 x 12.50 R17 Pitbull Radial Rockers
Wheels: 17" JK Rubicon Moabs
Recovery: Warn M8000 Winch W/ Nasty Wire Rope, 30' Snatch Strap, 2 10k Tow Hooks
Armor: TNT 4.5" Front/Rear Tubes, High Clearance Modular Bellypan, and Sliders W/ Tube, ROKMEN Steering Box, Genright Windshield Guards, Riddler Diff Covers
Accessories: Cobra CB W/ External Speaker, 4' Firestik, Manual SwayLOC, LED Lights, Flowmaster Delta Series Exhaust
Future Mods Within The Next Month: MCAI, Wheel Spacers, Ford F350 Front Shock Towers, Train Horns w/ Trucker Lanyard
, Viair OBA, And Either Rancho RS9000's, or Bilstein 5150's (haven't decided yet, heh).
Story:
Hrm, well... I've always wanted a Wrangler. My buddy Rod got a Cherokee, and then my buddy Jerry got his first TJ, and I caved. My wife and I, got our Jeep stock, and were out beating on it the first night. Within 5 hours, it was covered in mud so thick you couldn't barely see the beautiful Impact Orange color. I learned the evil of mud that first evening. Unfortunately, in Indiana it's impossible to not wheel in mud at some point throughout the day. I wheeled every chance I had up until the fall of 2008; first as the "Paper Plate Avenger" because I was wheeling before I ever had actual plates, and later as "The Pumpkinator". Once the wife started calling it that, it stuck. I was given orders and sent overseas for a few months shy of a year after that. My wife of 5 months stuck it out, and stood by me the whole time as I shipped parts to the house from all over the US and filled our garage. My goal was to build a Jeep I could run the piss out of on 35's.
I wanted it to be as bulletproof as possible, so I skipped things like bumpers and lights like most people do first, and went straight for the bigger, more important stuff (to me) since I knew I'd never have money like that to throw at the Jeep again. I spent months on spotty internet connections, and making international phone calls when I could, getting everything set up. I talked with a lot of vendors, and really got to know Mike Greene, owner of Pitbull Tires, and the guys at TNT Customs. They really took care of me, and still are. I can't tell you how many times I've been on the phone with them figuring stuff out. After I got home, my buddies (Hot_Rod_Hooligan, Imped4now, recoil101, rkates, and Gribbles) all helped me in some way building the Jeep. My goal was to get it done in the first month back, but I was a bit naive to think that would actually happen. I got back about 5 months ago now, and aside from my "poser" shots. I've yet to go and actually wheel the hell out of the Jeep the way I've wanted to (though playing in the rock garden for my pics about flopped me lol). Soon though, soon. Spyder6 and I have been going back and forth for a while now about my entry, and finally he talked me into entering with my poser shots. I just hope they are good enough. lol I've still got some work to do, and some kinks to work out, so even if I don't make it this month, I'll be back eventually. Hope you all enjoy the pics. I had to scuff my brand new paint (which was hard enough, and then bent my brand new tie rod) to get them! Why else would you have a Jeep though? lol All the times I went wheeling before I deployed, I was lucky and never once got any trail damage aside from blowing a few beads. Just posting poser pics I managed to get more damage than I ever did before. Hopefully this isn't a sign. Without further ado, here's my beastie... The Pumpkinator.
Pictures:
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Elwood
Matthew Morgan
2003 Wrangler Rubicon
Modifications:
5 speed
Stock drive train
Rock Krawler 4" X-Factor long arm suspension
AEV coils
Bilstein 5100 shocks
15x10 Mickey Thompson Classic II's
33x13.50x15 Toyo Open Country MT's ( I also run a 33x14.50x15 Super Swamper SSR on 15x10 Steel wheels at Badlands)
Kilby Rocker Guards
Warn front bumper
winch plate, hoop (9.5ti not pictured)
Custom built rear bumper with tow hitch and reverse lights
Locker bypass mod.
tinted windows
IPF headlights with Fatboy bulbs
Riddler Rear Dif. Cover
Tons of little things here and there.
In one picture, the best mod. of the Jeep is my 11 year old daughter, a true "Jeep Girl"!
Story:
Since riding in a Jeep as a kid, I always wanted one of my own. Fast forward 25 years and I have finally bought and built my dream Jeep. Should have done it years ago!
Pictures:
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ZRubicon
John and Bob Haffey
Modifications:
Rubicon Express 5.5" Lift
Bilstein 7100 Series shocks
35" Baja Claws on 15" Classic Lock wheels
1.25" Spidertrax wheel spacers
Superior Evolution Series chrome moly axle upgrade front and rear
Poison Spyder Front Tube Fenders, Rocker Knockers, and Tube Fenders with 3" flares
GenRight windshield armor
Delta and KC lights with HID bulbs
SMF Bumpers
Warn 9.5 Ti winch with synthetic rope
Hilift
Viair onboard compressor
Story:
My dad was into off roading when he was a kid. He had a Jeep and a Bronco. He sold those and got into muscle cars. When he had to sell those, it was a while before he got back into 4 wheeling. We found an '03 Silver Rubicon with a 4" short arm lift, and we got that, but 8 months later, it was stolen. Needless to say, that sucked. However, less then 2 weeks later, we found a white '06 Rubicon for sale at a BMW dealership, of all places. Well, we bought it, and this is how it sits today. Weve taken it to Calico, Bigbear, Anza Borrego, and Johnson Valley.
Pictures:
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