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Well I decided to start documenting my build here since this site seems to get the most traffic...so here it goes.

We bought this beauty in December of 2011 to be our winter DD. The plans were at first to do a 3.5 or 4" SA then LA lift. But I decided before I dumped that much money into her, I should first see how much off-roading I actually get to do. Now I will warn you this build will not be as radical or as great as others here, but it was I like and want for now.

So here she is at the stealership that had her on the wholesale lot.







It stayed this way until the first of March when we started having 80 degree days here in Ohio.

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So my first "mod" was pulling out the non-working factory radio and putting in one of the many aftermarket ones I had from parting out Mustangs.

Next item on the list was to replace those nasty yellow headlights. I bought a kit from Rock Auto and to say they were a PIA would be an understatement. I purchased the CAPA ones thinking they would be good...boy was I wrong. But between them and parts from the OEM ones I was able to get them to work.

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So next came the big question...which lift to go with. After thinking it over I decided a 2"BB would be my best bet for now. I mean higher is great and looks great too, but when it comes down to it I will be lucky to hit a trail once or twice a year right now. So I ordered up Rubicon Express's 2" BB w/ shocks. I also ordered a set of M/T Classic II's in black. I also figured I might as well upgrade that nasty OEM style exhaust, and with the deals on Dynomax I ordered a Dynomax Super Turbo catback kit.

So here she is after the lift and with a set of used wheels and tires I got from my buddy when he sold his XJ. They are Falken ATS's and have approx. 1400 miles on them. He sold them to me wheels and all for $300.

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Next came the M/T wheels and an alignment. Little did I know you need special lug nuts for these wheels. Luckily the tire shop I went to was able to track me down a set while they had it.

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All of that brings me to today.

Today I installed the Dynomax catback kit. Went on fairly easy being that I did it in my driveway. I did make the mistake of starting it before installing the kit but with the OEM crap gone. Nice little raspy sound..although I am sure it would get old. After I installed it I was happy with the sound...at least that is what I keep telling myself. It would be nice if it was a little louder, but I am sure this will be fine in the long run.

Next I decided to pull the nasty "chrome" grill off. The chrome was peeling and looked like crap. So I sanded it down and sprayed it with some Krylon Satin black. I figured why I was at it, I might as well remove the front bumper and start painting all the plastic satin black. So here she is right after I washed it off...hence the discolor. Hope to paint the rest of the molding next weekend and then take some decent pictures.





Like I said not as exciting as some, but hey I like it and that is all that matters. Next up will be some fog and driving lights, CB, and upgraded speakers. Who knows maybe in a year or two a bigger lift...

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Well today I changed the oil and finished painting the plastics! The black gives it a whole new look I think. Not sure what to do next. Either add some lights or upgrade my speakers...Hmmm

jkustomz28

looks really nice man. i love the black two tone look i think it makes a rig look bad ***. the only down side is sometimes it makes the truck look smaller cause at night at least on my rig the tires blend in with the black bottom half and it seems to look smaller. but the again i don't think my rig looks like it has 5.5'' of lift lol. but that looks really nice. keep the updates coming

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Thanks...We are having a lot of fun with her. Maybe next year we will step up to a bigger lift...but not quite 5.5"...lol

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Well here is a big update for my build...lol

Just ordered a set of Alpine speakers for the front door. I used the $75 rebate card I got from Dynomax. So the speakers and wiring harness cost me nothing. Also I received a promotion at work which is great, but I have almost no free time. So sad to say this is mostly a Mall Crawler...O'well I am still having fun with her.

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Wow...bringing back from the dead.

Our ZJ ended up becoming our back up car and winter beater for the last couple years. Never really did much other than basic maintenance. Heck, those Alpine speakers are still sitting in the box in my garage. Well all that has changed after an injury, surgery, and forced medical retirement. Selling off my DD 2011 F150 and going to use my ZJ as my DD.

So last week I hit the JY and found some factory fog lights and switch. Found some factory tow hooks, but with no impact an my bum shoulder I could not get them off. So here is how she looks today. Heading out camping for a few days and once we get back I am going to get back at her. I think the first thing to address will be the crappy shocks. Thinking of going with some Bilstein 5100's after reading a lot of good reviews.

So here she is today...in the rain.

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Finally installed the Alpine door speakers, which now has me needing to replace the rear speakers with something better. Also need the battery out of the Jeep for my other project, so a red top Optima battery made its way under the hood.