The lift

I decided that the rubicon express 2inch lift would be enough at the time I ordered it (now I want bigger haha). I liked it because it came with shocks, it was not very tall so driveline mods wouldn't be needed, and it was inexpensive. But I bought the add a leaf instead of the block lift witch caused the rear of the jeep to be lifted about 2inches taller than the front giving it a rake look. I would rather it have more of a squat look than what it is now and am looking at ways to get it taller in the front with out breaking the bank.
It also has the jks sway bar links due to it needing new links to pass inspection, might as well upgrade than but the factory ones back one.



You can see it in this picture how the back wheel gap is bigger than the fronts

The front tires rub sometimes when hitting bumps when turning and would not like to rip the flares off.

The flares are rugged ridges cut outs and they were a spur of the moment decision as I broke most of the bolts that hold the stock flares on off due to rust. I was looking at the flat flares but I liked these due to them being much cheaper and had more wheel coverage.




Flares don't stop all the dirt. But help a lot.


For the wheels and tires I new I wanted something bigger and really wanted to go bigger that 31s. I ordered the black rock aluminum wheels but when I got the wheels and tires in the mail I got the steel ones instead. Where I order it from they said the aluminum wheels were unavailable and they gave me the money back for the cost difference.😑
The tires are the copper at3 in 32 1150. They are not very aggressive but 99% of the time this vehicle will be on the street and the are smooth and quiet.
The gearing is still stock and it doesn't seem to be slow or bad to drive, but I have nothing to compare it to as I never drove it stock due to it needed some work.

 

Goals
Make a good daily driver that has some good offroad ability with out going to big. Also would like to perform better than full size trucks offroad.

-3.5-5 inch lift long arm (possibly the iro long arms)
- 33 inch tires
-lockers and regear
- matching tire carrier to the front bumper
- armor (rock slider and and rear quarter guards...)
-and probly more

My goal is to do all the work to the jeep as I feel that I am fairly capable and have space to work on it. The only things that I possibly will not do is gears as that is something I have never messed with before.

Open to tips or pointers on what parts to use or other as I have never done this type of work before as my family normally leaves our vehicles fairly stock.

 

With the plan to go bigger I just ordered these two items





These two should get me the height that I am looking for and I hope stop the tire rub but I know that that I am in the need of some control arms. I do not really want to buy them because I would like to do long arms. Also the shocks may end up being to short and my jks quick sway bar links say they only work from 2-3.5 inch lifts.😐

Just wondering in case that I need control arms, what would be a good set to buy that are inexpensive. I don't need adjustable and have been looking at the rough country arms but haven't heard the best from there stuff.

 

Your JKS sway bar discos will work with the 4 inch coils, don't worry. They adjust more than they advertise. Nice Jeep by the way. Looking forward to the rest of the build!

 

lower arms $129

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...vc?Screen=PROD

Why didn't you order the double shear trackbar with the lowering bracket?

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10215.html

 

The main reason is I didn't know what the difference was. But I liked with this track bar that is if I ever needed to buy it they sold it separately. And also it was a bit cheaper to get it with out it.

 

Ok, originally I order the rubicon express discos from quadratec but it was going to was going to take for ever to get to my house. I switched it to the Jks and they were at my house the next day. But the jks are probly better any ways. Thanks

 

All of the parts came from ironrock offroad and are installed so now the jeep is sitting at just under 4 inches in the front and slightly over 4 inches in the back.







looks very close to level





stock with spacer vs iro rock offroad coil

It probaly needs control arms but i have not driven it much after the lift and did not hear and thing so it may be alright. If it doesnt need them i will start saving for a long arm kit (most likely the iro kit) but if it does rub i will buy the short arms from iro. If you have experience with long arm kit or believe that there is a better kit to buy i would like to hear it because I am just going off of what i thinks looks good. It needs an alightment and the steering wheel is no were near correct.

Also i will be putting the 97 plus manual mirros on because i ruined one of the mirrors when painting and they are very small.

 

Damn this looks so clean! What are your rims/tires? Looking to replace mine and I really like those

 

Thank you. They are the black rock d widows and copper at3 32 1150 r15. I really like the tires, they are very quite on the road and seem to do good off-road from the little that they have been.

 

Bit of a change in plans. Went and bought the fixed arms to save some money and they should work good enough.

 

After calling iron rock off-road they suggested that I should buy the upper control arms. So I bought the matching uppers. Should of ordered it at the same time to save time and less on shipping.

 

Went to the junk yard to get a hood for my Honda because I hit a deer.😑 should of drove the jeep, no damage would of been done, But when I was there I saw a Scion tC in really good shape and the sets were mint. So I bought the seats for 150$ and they are going in the jeep. They are a little wide but should fit.😀


Also a pile of parts piling up to install.



Control arms, seats, mirrors and a bolt I missed on the track bar

 

The new seats are installed. Much better than the stock ones, better foam, no tears, and the seats hug you more. Also i made it so they sit farther back due to me being some what tall.





New vs Old





factory seat bottom, un bolt the rails and





This is what is needed rom factory seat.





Put seat brackets back in.





Lay tubeing over brackets and tack in place then pull out to wleld





Pulled Bracket out to weld up.





.





Welding (used a Lincoln Pro Mig 140)





Set brackets on new seat after taking the sliders of and anything else not needed.





Antoher view





Installed, i will get better pictures from drivers seat, but I ran out of mig wire and the store was closed. so the drivers seat is not in yet just tacked up using some flux core wire. (Not a big fan of)

The seats sit some what higher and head almost hits the roof. But i guess that is a trade off for a better seat and more leg room. It actually gave more leg room for the back seats due to the seat shape. I hope to use the old passenger seat for a computer chair as it is in really good shape.

 

Seats are in. Better all around but headroom.




Almost look like they should be there.

Now it is on to the next project which is to build a roof rack. I got a price for some 1 inch square tubing that is 1/8 inch wall and a sheet of 4x8 metal grate. I am trying to make a rack that is 48"-50"x70"-74"inches in size. But i have to buy the mounts first and put them on and see what that gives me for sizing. And after this project is done I would like to stop throwing money at it and start driving it. I have only put less than a thousand miles on it for the six months that i have had it due to the projects.