J88P ME

Hey guys, I'm just about to start on what I think maybe the first major mod project on a JK here in the UK.

As with my CJ7 project 4 years ago, all parts had to be ordered from the U.S. as that's where the aftermarket is. Unfortunately we have very limited availability over here for Jeep aftermarket parts. I used 4wd Hardware for my CJ but looks like I'm going with Quadratec for the JK parts. No reason other than availability.

Here's my hit list for starters based on a Silver 2.8 CRD Auto Sahara Unlimited: (I'm just about to purchase the Jeep - used not new)

37x12.5x18 BFG KM2's (to go on stock rims)
1" Spacers
4" lift
AEV Front bumper with lights
PureJeep rear bumper with tire carrier
AEV Heat reduction hood
AEV front skid plate
5:13 Gears
Warn 9.5ti winch

I'm just about to place an order for all these parts above, so any feedback on this set up would be greatly appreciated from my fellow Jeepers across the pond

Cheers,

J88P ME

oh, and I think I will add the AEV snorkel to that list as well

whpony96

Four Wheel Drive Hardware will do one thing Quadratech wont... They will match any price from anywhere just copy the link and send it to them. The other nice thing was that everything was in stock.. I would have had to wait for 4 to 6 weeks for Quadratech.

[N]UGE

thats a serious list. I cant wait to see all those mods done. make sure to take pics of teh event!

dociain

I am also UK based.
If your JK is RHD the 4inch lift ,if you use a US kit, will muck up the steering geometry dangerously!
A company called FTE are about to bring out suitablly modified suspension kits for RHD vehicles.Currently I have a 2 door Rubicon with Bestop front bumper Warn 9.5,tubular grill guard and a couple of PIAA 550,s.I also put on the extreme rock rails.A good UK source for bits is;
Specialist leisure Ltd.tel 01942 295 195,fax 01942 295185.
They have a web site but it is not brilliant. specialistleisure.co.uk
They have an excellent importing service eg I ordered some bits on a Friday morning and they had them delivered from the USA by the Monday lunchtime.they will arrange UK delivery to your home address within 24 hours of import,or you can collect,they are based in Warrington Merseyside.
Hope all goes well.My last heavely modified TJ was written off by my daughter,a steep snowy bank in Scotland and a large oak tree!Daughter fine TJ totalled!

Hog

I'm sure that I'm not the only one state-side that envies you having a CRD (I wanted to eventually go "green" w/ BIO-D in the worse way as my state [Washington] seems like it is getting into that - but could not wait and now me and my JK are part of the problem, not a solution). Anyway, great list of mods.. good luck! BTW, do you have the Chinese Dana 44 front axles? If so, check to see if c-clips installed correctly and keep an eye on those axle u-joints. I'm going American-made replacements as soon as I can afford to.

PEACE!

'07 Silver Rubicon Unlimited 4dr/dual top
TFlx 2.5 BB Lift/ stock Ruby shocks on ext's
SuperLift steering stabilizer
Longer braided steel brake lines
5 Toyo Open Country 35x12.5 on Argent AEV Pintlers (billet wheel spacered the spare)
SmittyBuilt stepside rockrails
Bestop FlexTrunk
Airaid CAI (box and tube wrapped in hi-temp tape w/ grille shroud opened for direct air)
Aiiraid Throttle body spacer
Husky floor liners
Jeep fuel door
Drilled mirrors
Black SmittyBuilt Seat covers (dang those were hard to fit)
Hood lock (now conveniently hidden by grille inserts... will mod eventuallyHood lock
Hood pop-up spring removed (hood still tries to blow away when 18-wheeler drives by @60+)
Cracked windshield
Modified '98 TJ companion Jeep

directedby

i think you brits need to post some pics!

i'm a brit living in LA....

Cheers....

J88P ME

Thanks for the feedback guys, I'm gonna get in touch with 4wd and see what their availability is on these parts.

dociain - I know Pat at Specialist Leisure he helped me finish off the refurb project on my CJ7. I've spoken to him ref this JK project and we're probably gonna work together on this one as well.

Yes, the JK will be RHD - I didn't know about 4" lift kits screwing up the geometry on RHD Jeeps Does anyone know why this would be and how I can overcome it???

Will post up some pics when the project begins

Also - "Hog" - I'm not sure if we have the Chinese Dana 44 on the RHD UK JK's, I will keep my out on that one tho, thanks

Cheers

snowibex

Hi,
New to this forum, but I've been a JK owner (Unlimited CRD sahara auto) for 2 weeks now in the UK. I'm loving it so far, but I'm going to run it for 6 months to iron out any warranty issues before I start to modify it.

Guys, we don't get Chinese or American D44's on the front of our unlimiteds because DCJUK in their wisdom don't market the Unlimited Rubicon over here with either engine

J88P ME - I'd love to see your truck when it's finished!

Lofty - any chance of posting pics of your bumpers? Buying one from England would make a lot of sense if they're any good!

All the best,

Giles

Hog

You are welcome... got to say for the record that "Chinese DANAs" is my label and personal speculation based on threads that seem to identify incomplete and incorrect assembly re: the c-clip in these front axle u-joints, other "inferior materials?" discussions around axle housings, and the fact that DANA has a business relationship with China:{ following excerpt from http://dana.mediaroom.com/index.php/press_releases/1494} -
"Dana's presence in China includes the recently announced joint venture
with Dongfeng Motor Co. Ltd. Called Dongfeng Dana Axle Co. Ltd., the new
joint-venture company will support the regional market through 8,000 employees in three production facilities in Xiangfan and Shiyan, as well as plans for a research and development center to be established in Wuhan.
Adding to Dana's footprint in China is ROC Spicer, a facility that
produces passenger-vehicle axle components and driveshafts in Shenyang and
another facility that manufactures axles and differentials in Fujian. Dana is
also a strategic partner of GETRAG in China, and Dana's Wuxi facility produces
axles for off-highway and commercial vehicles, along with axles for lawn and
garden applications."

Not sure if the DANA front axles in our JKs (not just the 44 btw) are truly Chinese manufactured or just assembled or not... but easy for me to jump to that conclusion based on the posts here about axle problems... and hey, to be fair, maybe if it was true it is all worked out now, but I for one check my f-axl u-joints every day and need to get something in there I can take for granted and give me peace of mind when my wife (who can id a u-joint, but won't likely check-em each outing) drives JACK.