[Zakman]

New chapter of my Jeep life.

My wrangler life started back in Jan 2009:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f22/zamkan-s-02-tj-sport-671095/

Back in June 2016, while pre-running for the Jeep Jamboree (JJUSA) - Badlands, in Attica, IN, my beloved 2002 TJ - "Minion" came to an end. The edge of a trail gave way, causing me to roll 2.5 times down an embankment, landing driver's side in a river.

When I returned home, this is the result:

So, contemplating my next move, we decided to put the time, energy, and $s into a new platform vs rebuilding the TJ. We always liked the LJs, esp seeing how well they do on the trials, and the increased cargo capacity.

Did some searching and came across this:

2005 LJ
Auto
1 Owner
From Georgia
Excellent condition

After taking a test drive, made a deal, came home, and thought it through. Couple of days later, flew back down, check and insurance in hand, and had a new to me LJ! 12.5 hrs drive home was great. No issues, as expected, and gave me lots of windshield time to think the build through.

Simple, yet solid is the plan, and not go to crazy:

Swapped over:
- the axles
D30, ARB, 4.56 gears, & RCV axle shafts
D44, ARB, 4.56 gears, chromo shafts
- wheels
- tires
BFG MK2s - 285/75R16s
- winch
Warn M8000
- seats
Corbeau XRS Suspension
- Savvy LED Tail Lights
- Truck-Lite LED Headlights
- Temp / Compass Mirror
- Savvy / Currie 3" suspension
- Savvy / Currie HD Steering
- Currie AR
- Savvy GTS
- 241or xfer case

New
- Full corner AL armor - Savvy
- PSC Defender 3" Tube fenders front & rear
- Savvy Rockers
- UCF Deep Cover Engine & xfer case skid system
- Rokmen Bumper
- LOD Signature Series rear bumper
- Rokmen drop-down tailgate
- Rock Hard bolt-in cage
- Advance Adaptors Rubi-Crawler

The name goes back to an old TV that was my favorite growing up, "Emergency" Ran from '72-79, about LA County Fire Department and the first paramedic squad. The reason I became a firefighter / EMT. lol

 

[Zakman]

So, Immediately, began swapping the axles, and suspension:





New banks muffler:


Mean Green Altinator swapped over:


New brake lines:


FlowKooler water pump:


High-flow T-Stat housing:


Warrior steering box brace:


PSC Dual cooler (PS and Trans)

 

[Zakman]

Monster Lined the rear tub:


Removal of 42Lre extension housing and spud shaft:






AA Rubi-Crawler installation:










NV241OR and UCF Skids installed:




So, now with the Rubi-Crawler, I have:
1:1 High - 4WD
2.73:1 low - 2WD
2.73:1 low - 4WD
4:1 Low
10.5:1 Ultra Low

 

[Zakman]

Harness bar:


Seats & Belts:


Center console - AA twin sticks, Trans Temp gauge, heated seat switches, and ARB Locker switches:


Rock-Hard Cage (included floor mounts and frame mounts)




PSC Defender 3" Taper flares:




Rokmen bumper, JK Turn Signals, winch mount, Rigid 10" LED




Savvy Sliders and custom stainless vent covers:


LOD Rear Bumper:


Savvy full AL Corners, Tub rails, LED Tail Lights, & PSC flares:






Rokmen Drop-down tailgate:






Where she stands now:


Plans:
- JJUSA - Gateway to the Cumberlands, KY - Oct '16
- Full Soft Doors - Spring '16
- 5.13 gears

 

[my73cj5]

Sounds sweet, just picked up an 06 LJ with similar plans, would love to see pictures when you have a few, I like the red also.

 

[Corigirlloves]

I am really digging the drop down tail gate with storage. More information on this?

 

[TJnBC]

sick LJ...that Rubicrawler got me intrigued would love to have 2.72 :1 back in the Jeep..too bad its only for the Autos

 

[Zakman]

I am really digging the drop down tail gate with storage. More information on this?

It's from Rokmen.

http://www.rokmen.com/all-products-...-aluminum-tailgate-w-storage-compartment.html

:grin2:

 

[Zakman]

sick LJ...that Rubicrawler got me intrigued would love to have 2.72 :1 back in the Jeep..too bad its only for the Autos

It's going to be nice to have both 2.73 and 4:1 options.
It's only available for the 42rle trans, though.

http://www.advanceadapters.com/prod...r-auxillary-crawl-box-for-42rle-transmission/

 

[TJnBC]

to the OP ...how much was the Savvy alum rear corners and tub rail ? if you don't mind me asking..

 

[Zakman]

to the OP ...how much was the Savvy alum rear corners and tub rail ? if you don't mind me asking..

http://shop.savvyoffroad.com/Corner-Tailgate-Armor_c8.htm

:thumbsup:

 

[TJnBC]

yup just stumbled across the pricing killing time here at work...Cheers bud!

looks like Xmas may come early for the LJ wonder how far they are backordered for....

 

[my73cj5]

Very nice, your way ahead of me, but love what you have done!

 

[jeepster1407]

Beautiful LJ you have there.

 

[Zakman]

Beautiful LJ you have there.

Thank you very much!

 

[derek12v]

Very clean and well built LJ sir! I think you will enjoy it.

 

[Zakman]

It's been a good couple of months with the LJ.

In October, I took it out for the maiden voyage at the Gateway to the Cumberlands, JJUSA in Williamsburg, KY. I have attended it multiple times, so I ran trails I previously have done to compare the TJ to the LJ. Longer wheebase, auto, and a rubi-crawler all make for a great rig. I'm really happy with it.

Some poser shots from the JJ.







Over the winter, I upgraded to Savvy / Fox 2.0 Shocks and a Fox Steering stabilizer. All made for an even better ride around the pothole infested roads of SE MI. Also upgraded to Black Magic Brake Pads on all corners.

Scheduled this spring:
1) Replace RMS
2) UCF Extra Clearance xFer case skid & LoPro mount
3) Install Revolution 5.13 gears
4) Set of full soft doors for spring / summer

JJUSAs for 2017
1) Badlands - Trail Guide
2) Penns Woods
3) Gateway to the Cumberlands (GTC)
4) Moab (including 3 days of trial running prior to the JJ)

 

[1longcj]

Any idea how much you have invested in this rig, including the aftermarket parts transferred from the old jeep?

 

[my73cj5]

It's been a good couple of months with the LJ.

In October, I took it out for the maiden voyage at the Gateway to the Cumberlands, JJUSA in Williamsburg, KY. I have attended it multiple times, so I ran trails I previously have done to compare the TJ to the LJ. Longer wheebase, auto, and a rubi-crawler all make for a great rig. I'm really happy with it.

Some poser shots from the JJ.







Over the winter, I upgraded to Savvy / Fox 2.0 Shocks and a Fox Steering stabilizer. All made for an even better ride around the pothole infested roads of SE MI. Also upgraded to Black Magic Brake Pads on all corners.

Scheduled this spring:
1) Replace RMS
2) UCF Extra Clearance xFer case skid & LoPro mount
3) Install Revolution 5.13 gears
4) Set of full soft doors for spring / summer

JJUSAs for 2017
1) Badlands - Trail Guide
2) Penns Woods
3) Gateway to the Cumberlands (GTC)
4) Moab (including 3 days of trial running prior to the JJ)

Did you happen to get some additional vibrations during idle and start off with the UCF skid and Lo pro mount?

 

[Zakman]

Any idea how much you have invested in this rig, including the aftermarket parts transferred from the old jeep?

Haha, more than my wife needs to know about. Hard to tell value of what I brought over, but about 10-12k on the new parts just for the LJ. ie Bumpers, armor, rubi-crawler, cage, rockers, fenders, and lots of misc little things.