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I'm not new to jeeps as I've owned a 1993 YJ and a 2005 TJ. First JK: I recently purchased a rather ugly 2013 JK which I'm not very proud of at the moment but I want to accomplish one more build before I check out. With a little help from you, maybe I can make it look like a jeep should. This will not only be my last build but the last vehicle I'll ever own in my life as I'm rounding 73 yrs old and have had too many close calls, battled cancer, severe covid19, Back injury, Arthritis, 50% blind, loss of hearing so much I can't hear myself fart anymore.
Future plans, pretty simple for the most part:
2- 2-5" lift kit - Zone, Old Man EMU, Teraflex, Metalcloak, Currie - Springs, shocks, quick disconnects, bump stops) - adjustable lower control arms if necessary. Open to suggestions.
JKS track bars, front & rear
After market front and rear bumpers plus recovery winch
35" tires and wheels ( main reason I'm here ) I've read about it over 3 months now and yes OMG another question about wheels and back spacing. Don't I feel like an ostrich with head in the sand.
CB, light bar, grab handles, pistol holder, to name a few will follow.
Nice to meet you, I look forward to seeing and reading your builds. Which brand you installed and why? Not only how it performs but longevity. Ha Ha, yes I still consider longevity; someone will be driving my jeep when I'm gone and the last thing I want is for thus said person to rip it all out and replace with quality parts. Just doesn't seem to make sense, I still try to do it right the first time when and if possible.
As expected my mundane photo won't upload, no loss, you'll thank me once you see it. I'll iron things out as I go.
John... WELCOME to JKF.. There are many knowledgeable members here & they aren't shy with opins and thoughts.. Impressive Build plans . The 1st thought I have is what gear ratio is in your JK? Auto or 6dspd? Are you going for hard core off road or trails and DD? Here is Our mostly DD - 13 JKU - 6spd is on AEV 2.5" dual sport lift kit.. went with AEV because many of the employees are former MOPAR/Jeep Engineers & Accessory managers; some are old friends. Rancho Geometry Correction Brackets Stock control arms.. Wheels PRO Comp 7069's Alloy 17x9 w/4.5" B/space running Toyo OC ATIII 35x12.50/17s.. 17s are best option many tires and wheels to choose. Re-geared to 4.10s Yukon with DuraGrip LSD in Rear, Open front Factory D44/D30. You didn't ask; we also run a 600w Kenwood amp pushing Kicker plug n play speakers with a Forsgate powered Sub.
That is a very impressive set up you have there, you really went all out, nice job and thank you for sharing. Reading and looking at other jeep builds, has become kind of a hobby for me, I can't seem to get enough of it.
I'm not sure what gear ratio I have on my JK, to be honest I never bothered to look. It's fully stock with an automatic transmission and has the 3.6L -V6 engine which I've read does a little better then the 3.8L at least I think I read that somewhere. As for re-gearing get ready to laugh. My 2005 SE, manual trans, had a 2.4 cylinder engine and I ran 33x10.5r15" tires with factory 3:73 gears. It didn't bother me although it was a little slow going up a hill on the interstate..........I just got in the right lane with the other herd of turtles. So I don't suspect I'll be re-gearing unless for some reason my new jeep 3.6L- V6 & 35" tires is slower then my 2.4 TJ but I appreciate the heads up. Your sound system appears to be something I could actually hear without hearing aids. Thumbs up dude!
I usually run trails solo so I have a tendency to run easy/moderate trails. I pack a lot of gear and equipment so I think it's fair to say I run heavy. I've always tried to set my jeeps up to run well on & off road and definitely want to be able to jump on the interstate. I really would have preferred a manual transmission but I have a bad clutch knee so I was forced to buy an automatic. I really hope it does OK . Automatic transmissions are not something I trust. This will take some getting used too. I may need some incite on how to run an automatic tranny off road since this will be the first one. I'm guessing drive1 and low/creeper gear.
Welcome! My Dad bought his last Jeep at 75... today he is at 81... we built it with the OME emu 2.5 inch lift and metalcloak arms... it rides nice and flexes nice. The idea was to keep it as maintance free as possible -yet good for moderate trails. He drove hundreds of trails with the family and the 4x4 club up until 6 weeks ago. He recently had a fall outside and has a spinal injury and probably will not be able to drive again, we moved him in with us- as he can't use his arms to feed or dress himself right now, goals now are not to drive...but to have some independence back. He is working on gaining some of that back with PT/OT. ...Some damage is not-repairable, at this point driving seems to be out of the question, but boy he had fun with his JK! Yesterday he sold it to his grandson who is 30...and the Jeep will live on and he will still get to have rides in it! He gets to ride around in mine... and still loves going, just can't drive anymore. We have had other members in our club drive into their late 80's! So like you said...build it to last, buy good parts, enjoy the trails!
Welcome from GA! I hate that you have such hearing and sight issues. But it seems like you are still mobile. My in-laws were pretty mobile (84 and 80) until they got Covid. Now one can't walk at all and the other is in assisted living and has limited some mobility. What a change from before! It is great to have projects and stay busy. Mobility is key as we all get older. This site is great for information and help!
John, welcome and if you don't age too fast I can catch up to you and we can trade stories. Great to see you out and about. You can age slower by only having a birthday every two years. That makes me 34
I'm sorry to hear about your dad, I hope he recovers as much as possible. It's great that he has you and you both get to enjoy the trail together. There's something about getting outdoors on a remote trail, away from it all, it really is therapeutic. I'm glad his jeep stayed in the family and I'm sure he is too. Please wish him happy trails from me.
I'm sorry to hear about your in-laws. I really hope they make some progress, it may take time but sometimes time works. Covid almost got me in Feb, 2020 I had what I believe was the SARS side of it. It carried on over 2 months, it was terrible, I really thought I was finished. Recently I took the J&J vaccine, now I'm not doing so well. I think I'm past the fever and chills, I still have body aches, blurred vision, and Major Fatigue, I just can't seem to shake it.
I stayed in Clayton GA for a short while back in early 2000 and a very long time ago (late 80's) visited a place called tybee island. I miss traveling, getting old sucks!
Welcome to our lil group John, we're glad to have you and happy you took the time to join! We're a pretty friendly group here. We're all getting older too
11-18-2021 | 12:04 PM
just another old guy
