Now that this thread is starting to gain some momentum, I figure I should include a quick synopsis here for new-comers. This is the story of Alice. My 2005 Unlimited Rubicon, Limited Sahara edition #431.
For sale:
stock front bumper - sold
LJ stock soft top with hardware - tan/khaki -sold
Stock Rubicon unlimited rocker guards
Stock marker light set with bulbs
Rubihara tire cover -sold
Stock 31" tire with Rubicon Graphite Moab 15" wheel - sold
Perhaps a full carpet setup for an LJ - sold
Set of 5 Rubicon Moab wheels/ 4 Goodyear Kevlar 33" tires if wanted (1/2 tread left) - sold
List of mods:
Tires: 35" Falken ATRs
Lift: Entire Curry/Savvy 4" suspension kit, 1" Brown Dog MML, 1.25" BL
Shocks: Bilstein 5100's
Steering and stuff: Currie Antirock and Currectlynk
Front Bumper: Rokmen Mercenary - powdercoated
Rear Bumper: A to Z fab - powdercoated
Side Protection: A to Z fab with custom step - powdercoated
Recovery: Engo 12,000 lb winch with synthetic line
Other Armor: A to Z fab diff covers still need to be put on, skid plates next year
Top: Besttop Trektop NX
Little things: Custom shift knob, rain guards, all-terrain floor mats, grab handles, clear marker lights, stainless hood latches, Monstalinered tub, PIAA fog beams
Since this thread is gaining momentum rapidly- I am taking advice and starting a thread index. I would of course suggest you read all of it, I tend to enjoy the humor in here. Then again, most of it is mine. For those that want to just flip through because they are at work and don't actually have the time to read 100+ pages... Ta-Da!!!
Lift kit discussion: page 2
Lift kit install: page 4
Bumper discussion: page 5
Discussion of handling with new suspension: page 7
Finishing a bumper discussion: page 9
How little mods can help broken people when you least expect it: page 9
Bumper and winch review: page 10
Bumper and winch install: page 13
First breakdown: page 15
Alice on Great American Jeep Rally Poster: page 16
Rock slider discussion: page 18
Why Massachusetts laws are ridiculous: page 19
Discovery of the Jeep cancer: page 20
Jeep vs. Subaru- Alice wins: page 21
Trac bar/ alignment issues: page 26
Rear bumper discussion: page 27
Highline discussion: page 28
Seat Covers/new seat discussion: page 29
Rear bumper and slider discussion... again: page 33
Jeep vs Expedition- Alice wins. A lot: page 39
Sliders discussion: page 48
My attempt at making Hump day just a little funnier: page 49
A big purchase!: page 50
Interest in a drop-down tailgate: 51
Driveshaft being rebuilt - not by me 53
Excessive winch rust: 60
New steel! To powdercoat- or not to powdercoat: 61
Possible root causes of my DW: 65
U-joints, ball joints and all the likes: 68
Another big purchase! 74
What should I put a "my other ride is a Jeep" sticker on: 76
The first meeting of the CT Jeep Posse: 83
Issues with so-called "bolt-on" ZJ tie rod upgrade: 85
I find out what a very bad U-joint sounds like: 92
The stagnation of Alice: 107
My first real repair job: 117
Removal of the hideous nerf bars: 119
Found my first missing important bolt/fender rage: 123
Alice vs. JK and fun with rattlecans: 126
Interior upgrades planning - bedliner and security box: 133
Mid-week getaway to Vermont with my lady: 135
Coolant flush&fill and carpet removal after some wet wheeling: 138
Videos of Alice's first water crossings: 140
Details of rocker guard installation: 142
Now, If you do choose to read it from the beginning.. pardon my ignorance the first few months. I was brand new to this and asking a lot of questions and doing side research. Bear with me, it gets better - I promise.
I bought #431 of the Sahara edition of the '05 Rubicon in June of 2012. This is my first jeep and I don't have a heck of a lot of experience with hands-on mechanic work (though I am an engineer, so I find it fascinating. I cant wait to get my hands greasy).
Feel free to add comments, suggestions and give me some advice. It will be much appreciated. Let me know if you have any questions!
This is the jeep as it sat at the dealers- completely stock, under 80k miles. It was love at first sight. Below is a teaser shot of how she sits now.
For sale:
stock front bumper - sold
LJ stock soft top with hardware - tan/khaki -sold
Stock Rubicon unlimited rocker guards
Stock marker light set with bulbs
Rubihara tire cover -sold
Stock 31" tire with Rubicon Graphite Moab 15" wheel - sold
Perhaps a full carpet setup for an LJ - sold
Set of 5 Rubicon Moab wheels/ 4 Goodyear Kevlar 33" tires if wanted (1/2 tread left) - sold
List of mods:
Tires: 35" Falken ATRs
Lift: Entire Curry/Savvy 4" suspension kit, 1" Brown Dog MML, 1.25" BL
Shocks: Bilstein 5100's
Steering and stuff: Currie Antirock and Currectlynk
Front Bumper: Rokmen Mercenary - powdercoated
Rear Bumper: A to Z fab - powdercoated
Side Protection: A to Z fab with custom step - powdercoated
Recovery: Engo 12,000 lb winch with synthetic line
Other Armor: A to Z fab diff covers still need to be put on, skid plates next year
Top: Besttop Trektop NX
Little things: Custom shift knob, rain guards, all-terrain floor mats, grab handles, clear marker lights, stainless hood latches, Monstalinered tub, PIAA fog beams
Since this thread is gaining momentum rapidly- I am taking advice and starting a thread index. I would of course suggest you read all of it, I tend to enjoy the humor in here. Then again, most of it is mine. For those that want to just flip through because they are at work and don't actually have the time to read 100+ pages... Ta-Da!!!
Lift kit discussion: page 2
Lift kit install: page 4
Bumper discussion: page 5
Discussion of handling with new suspension: page 7
Finishing a bumper discussion: page 9
How little mods can help broken people when you least expect it: page 9
Bumper and winch review: page 10
Bumper and winch install: page 13
First breakdown: page 15
Alice on Great American Jeep Rally Poster: page 16
Rock slider discussion: page 18
Why Massachusetts laws are ridiculous: page 19
Discovery of the Jeep cancer: page 20
Jeep vs. Subaru- Alice wins: page 21
Trac bar/ alignment issues: page 26
Rear bumper discussion: page 27
Highline discussion: page 28
Seat Covers/new seat discussion: page 29
Rear bumper and slider discussion... again: page 33
Jeep vs Expedition- Alice wins. A lot: page 39
Sliders discussion: page 48
My attempt at making Hump day just a little funnier: page 49
A big purchase!: page 50
Interest in a drop-down tailgate: 51
Driveshaft being rebuilt - not by me 53
Excessive winch rust: 60
New steel! To powdercoat- or not to powdercoat: 61
Possible root causes of my DW: 65
U-joints, ball joints and all the likes: 68
Another big purchase! 74
What should I put a "my other ride is a Jeep" sticker on: 76
The first meeting of the CT Jeep Posse: 83
Issues with so-called "bolt-on" ZJ tie rod upgrade: 85
I find out what a very bad U-joint sounds like: 92
The stagnation of Alice: 107
My first real repair job: 117
Removal of the hideous nerf bars: 119
Found my first missing important bolt/fender rage: 123
Alice vs. JK and fun with rattlecans: 126
Interior upgrades planning - bedliner and security box: 133
Mid-week getaway to Vermont with my lady: 135
Coolant flush&fill and carpet removal after some wet wheeling: 138
Videos of Alice's first water crossings: 140
Details of rocker guard installation: 142
Now, If you do choose to read it from the beginning.. pardon my ignorance the first few months. I was brand new to this and asking a lot of questions and doing side research. Bear with me, it gets better - I promise.
I bought #431 of the Sahara edition of the '05 Rubicon in June of 2012. This is my first jeep and I don't have a heck of a lot of experience with hands-on mechanic work (though I am an engineer, so I find it fascinating. I cant wait to get my hands greasy).
Feel free to add comments, suggestions and give me some advice. It will be much appreciated. Let me know if you have any questions!
This is the jeep as it sat at the dealers- completely stock, under 80k miles. It was love at first sight. Below is a teaser shot of how she sits now.