Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

Janesy's 03' Rubicon Build

102K views 841 replies 68 participants last post by  TechJeeper 
#1 · (Edited)
Janesy's Hylined '03 Rubicon Build

Been wanting a Jeep forever and I finally got it, since the Trailblazer that I had was starting to have too many problems. Found a 03' Rubi in nice shape with 100k on it that will only be my DD for a few months and then a weekend and trail toy.

The plan for it is to be a capable trail rig and weekend cruiser. LCG is the long term plan. For now will be 2" suspension lift, 1.25" BL, 1" MML, sitting on 33's. Once those wear out I will plan on flat fenders and 35's. No rush on that as first I want to armor it up and beef up the axles with some RCV's up front...

Here it is the day I picked it up:

Image uploading. Refresh page to view


Updated: Pretty much how it sits today:





2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Drivetrain Specs:
o 4.0L I-6 engine
o NV241 Rock-Trac 4:1 transfer case
o Dana 44 front and rear axles w/ Tru-Lok selectable pneumatic lockers
o RCV Performance CV axle shafts
o Ten Factory Rear chromoly shafts
o Motive 5.13 Gears
o 42rle Transmission
o Novak shifter

Suspension/Steering/Brake Modifications:
o BDS 2" suspension lift
o Zone 1.25" BL
o Savvy 1" MML
o Currie HD steering
o Synergy ball joints
o RE 3/4" spacer (front)
o Black Magic brakes
o YJ Brake lines
o Currie AntiRock
o Metal Cloak Control Arms
o Metal Cloak adj. front trackbar

Exterior Modifications:
o A to Z front builder bumper
o Rampage Frameless Soft Top
o 35x12.5x15 MTR's w/ Kevlar on MB TKO wheels
o Rear bumper plate w/ D-ring & Swag frame tie-ins
o JK Turn signals
o CJ Tailgate

Armor
o Rokmen Steering Box Skid
o Smittybilt Crusher Corners w/ 3" flares
o Rokmen hilines w/flare
o A to Z Fab sliders
o Savvy GTS
o Savvy Under Armor
o Barnett Diff cover (front)
o Riddler Diff cover (rear)
o Poly Performance Front cage & extra DOM for custom rear additions

Engine Modifications:
o AEM Bruteforce CAI

Recovery Equipment:
o 12' Wheeler's Tree Strap
o 20' & 30' Wheeler's Straps
o 9k lb Engo winch w/cable
o Smittybilt Snatch Block

Electrical Modifications:
o iSimple
o Uniden Pro 510xl CB
o 3' Firestick Firefly CB Antenna
o Scangauge II
o 4" LED tails
o Rigid Ind. Dually's - Flood
o Nalin Speaker/Tweeter adapters w/ Polk db Component Dash System
o Polk db speakers in soundbar
o Roadless Gear In Cab winch control

Misc.
o MV50 air compressor
o Oasis Trailhead Tire Deflators
o Mostalined Tub
o Corbuea Baja SS seats

To Be Done
o F250 shock towers and BBCS 11" shocks for outboarding
 
See less See more
Sensitive content, not recommended for those under 18
3
#424 ·
Yea, I'm more than sure that will happen, but since I've taken advantage of others in the past I can help out others as well.

In all honesty..... I've got to do my cage in a few weeks. If you want to get one we can have a cage-building weekend. You're more than welcome to borrow my Hobart if you ever need it.

Edit: just read your other post about accessibility. Offer is still there if you ever wanted.
Yea, I have a few connections that have anything I would need to get the job done, and should just figure out a date and do it, but it would be nice to just wake up and do it whenever I wanted and take my time if need be...

But I'll keep that in mind, so thanks for the offer. :cheers2:

Cages are important I don't know why it always seems to be the last thing in a build. Do it up
Oh I know, I do need to get one in, because I've been pushing my limits more and more each time out and have come close to flopping a few times...

I am more or less waiting for Poly to do another 20% off sale and then I will def hop on that deal to scoop up a cage.

Right now, at bare minimum I need front lowers and I don't think I can swing them and a cage right now, but my bday is coming up so maybe I can put some of the $$ I'll get to one.

I wish I had more dough to drop on the heep, but I'm trying to save as much as I can for a house, which is a lot of $$ if I want to stay in the area I am living, which I do.
 
#425 ·
Hmm, now really thinking of the A to Z sport cage, since its a bit cheaper, but I think I remember hearing the tubes aren't really notched and make for even more work...

Decisions, decisions.
 
#426 ·
Doesn't the A to Z cage use dash plates? Those are a big no no. I'm sure you have read it but the cage thread in TJ tech has a lot of good stuff in there. The Poly cage is probably the best "kit cage".

Only problem I have with these cages is I suck at welding tubing :brickwall.
 
#427 ·
No A to Z goes thru the dash like the Poly, which is the only reason I'd consider it, but from what I've been reading just now, the tubes are all notched, but about 2" too long so they need to be cut and re-notched.. So really the $200 or so saved isn't worth it with the extra work needed.

But yea, I know of Poly being the best, which is the one I've had my eye on for a while now, I guess I'm cheaping out at the moment, but no decisions will be made just yet til more research.

And I hear ya, I took a basic welding class, but didn't do any tube and I'd probably suck at it and start to get good as I finish the cage, haha.
 
#430 ·
I just put in my order for two pairs of Metal Cloak lowers!



That's what I decided. I really want the Poly cage, so I'll save up for that next.

I had an A to Z cage and the fitment was not good , thankfully it was a good deal and I used the tube for other projects .
Good to hear first hand. I sent Zach a PM to see if there has been any changes, but I wont take my chances.
 
#431 ·
janesy86 said:
Yea, I'm more than sure that will happen, but since I've taken advantage of others in the past I can help out others as well.

Yea, I have a few connections that have anything I would need to get the job done, and should just figure out a date and do it, but it would be nice to just wake up and do it whenever I wanted and take my time if need be...

But I'll keep that in mind, so thanks for the offer. :cheers2:

Oh I know, I do need to get one in, because I've been pushing my limits more and more each time out and have come close to flopping a few times...

I am more or less waiting for Poly to do another 20% off sale and then I will def hop on that deal to scoop up a cage.

Right now, at bare minimum I need front lowers and I don't think I can swing them and a cage right now, but my bday is coming up so maybe I can put some of the $$ I'll get to one.

I wish I had more dough to drop on the heep, but I'm trying to save as much as I can for a house, which is a lot of $$ if I want to stay in the area I am living, which I do.
Hobart welders are good for the money but Millers are the best running migs I sell . A little more money but worth it.
 
#432 ·
Welp, was driving home for the packie last night and my drivers front caliper locked up on me and started smoking like crazy. Since I was less than a mile from home I continued on. Picked up two new calipers from Autozone and got those on along with the YJ brake lines I've been holding off on, since I haven't had any length issues with the stockers, but felt I might as well.

Gravity bled the brakes, since I was by myself and all is well. I do at some point need to take care of the divots on the knuckles tho..

And found out my drivers unit bearing is shot as when I put the wheel back on there was some play, so got a new one coming from RockAuto, and now I'm wondering if that was what my slight wobble/shimmy has been for the last month or so, hopefully it is.
 
#437 ·
Had a little trail cut yesterday, cleared a couple climbs and then gave em hell to clear em off. Only made the easier of the two (left side) as the one I didn't make is pretty damn big, I did try tho, just needs to be cleared off a bit more then I'll give it another try sometime.









 
#438 ·
Got a bday present a week early from the wife. Will be nice to have some Aux lighting for the night runs I'll be doing in the near future.





Plan is to mount them to the windshield brackets I've had empty for the last year... If glare isn't too bad they will stay, otherwise get moved to the bumper.
 
#441 ·
Sweet! I want a set of those myself, sure beats the prices of the led bars
Yea, I can't wait to hook em' up! But I do wish I had a 10" bar for ontop of the winch fairlead, now that I am pretty sure they are going on the bumper.

I have hit the windshield frame/light mounts countless times, so I think I should not mount a light there. Also I noticed that the tabs that the lights mount to are not level. Plus they are flood pattern so I would (according to JF) get too much glare reflecting off the hood and want to mount them elsewhere anyway...

I mocked them up in the two places I am considering...



 
#444 ·
I think I want them on the bumper, but with the hooks right there and the fairlead sticking out, I don't know if they will be blocked enough to kill some light. What I am going to do is wire them up and put them in both locations, and see which works best and how I like them there... Easy enough.
 
#450 ·
That light bar is nice! Thats eventually what I'll pick up and mount in that same location. I think if anything the floods would go out back, which in the long run will be great to have back there.

My reasoning for not mounting them to the windshied mounts is because I have been in several situations where I'm leaning them against a tree. My windshield frame had multiple dents and scrapes along it. I know the lights are tough, but I don't want to take my chances.
 
#459 ·
Had a potluck at my clubs wheeling spot yesterday. Fun day, was out a little longer than expecting, due to some breakage on an XJ that hasn't really been ran in 2 years, but fun no less.

Tried some big stuff, that hopefully others will post up with some pics, but not counting on it... God I need to hire a photographer.







Just slipped off her line...






 
#460 ·
Uhhh, good thing I have the MC lowers sitting here, waiting to go in...





Not even sure where this happened. Was just doing a look over this AM and noticed. Since this place is soo close to home I didn't even bother airing up, and it even drove home better from the run, than it did to the trails doing 60 on the HW with 9psi in the tires and tracked pretty damn straight...
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top