Mangrove Mafia

Finally picked up a JKU a couple of weekends ago after being out of the Jeep community since 2008. Figured I'd start a build thread for myself, as well as everyone else, to track the progress of my Jeep from day one.

Here she is, still at the dealership. 2014 anvil JKU with 6 speed, max tow package and 430N touchscreen. Had 21 miles on it when I picked it up at the dealer 120 miles from my house


After a ton of research both before and after the purchase, I decided on the AEV 2.5 lift, AEV geometry correction brackets, Northridge 4X4 grade 8 hardware kit, RK adj. front trackbar (I know it's not needed) and TF front discos. Parts started coming in this week!


Obligatory front end GoPro shot


As for wheels and tires, I decided to run 35s on 15s. Why? I like the look basically (price of tires was also a factor). Decided on the Black Rock D-windows in 15x8


It was a toss-up on tires. I went back and forth between KM2s and Kevlar MT/Rs but then found a steal on General Grabbers. At under $200 a tire for 35x12.5x15s, I couldn't say no! (Thanks Discount Tire!!)


Tires and wheels should be here on Monday or Tuesday.

That's about it for now. Lift is going on this weekend, followed by wheels and tires next week. I'll update the thread as my build progresses.

-Kyle

str8edg

Sweet, looks like a good plan thus far....

unr8d

Very nice mate, loveing that Anvil colour.

I am curious how your going to fit the 15" rims over your brake rotors/calipers however.

Mangrove Mafia

I chose wheels from the DTT thread that they guarantee to fit. A few forum members have installed them with seemingly no problems. Hopefully my results are the same...

jeepmojo

Mangrove Mafia

Haha, the front end shot with the GoPro? It does kind of remind me of that!

sea bass

I have those exact rims on my 08. No worries with fitting.

Mangrove Mafia

Good news! Do you know if that rim/tire combo will fit on the stock tire carrier? I never even thought about that when I bought them. I know it won't be ideal for the long term, but I'm not in the position to spring for a new one just yet. I understand I'll probably need to extend the isolators. More worried about the rim size being so small.

KnappsJKU

Looks like your building a sick rig .. Be sure to show it off in the anvil show off thread !

Mangrove Mafia

**update**

Got everything installed last weekend/early this week. The rear of the lift wasn't too hard. Did it by myself and aside from a couple of hiccups, went pretty smoothly. The AEV instructions make no mention of removing the e-brake cable bracket. The front required a buddy (thanks ScubaSteve) to help get the new springs in. I'd say the hardest part about the front install was removing the stupid brackets from the front brake lines, which I'll get to below.

I netted approximately 3-3.25" front and rear from this lift, measuring from the bottom of the top part of the fender (if that makes sense) to the ground. The distance between the top of the front spring "perch" and the bottom of the frame is 6.5". The front axle shifted .5" to the driver side. Not much, but more than I was anticipating. Bought an adj. track bar to correct it. Pic after the lift, before the new wheels and tires:



Then wheels and tires came from Discount Tire Direct:





I forgot how big 35s are in person, especially going from the stock 16" steelies! Install was pretty straight forward. Remember to remove the stock retaining clips/tabs/circle things from your axle lugs before installing aftermarket wheels and tires. Those things will prevent the new wheel from contacting 100%. I was worried that the 15s were going to be very tight. They are, but had no issues with rubbing/fitment with the exception of one wheel that had weights that were set way back towards the rear/inside of the wheel. They made very little contact with the brake caliper heat/dust shield. One of the tires must be a bit out of whack, as DTD had about 5" of wheel weights stuck to the inside sidewall of the tire That one is the spare for now.