Nice, Yeah I actually mounted it the same way that after market tow hooks conect to the vehicle. I used the 3 stock bumper bolt holes with grade 8 bolts, and then 1 anchor 1/2" bolt through the unibody on each bracket. I did this because, I plan on putting tow hooks on the 1/4" steel brackets that are supporting the brush guard in the near future. I just hate how week the factory brush guards mount.

Btw, In case you guys couln't tell from the pictures, I also cut off the bottom of the brush guard where it is supposed to mount... It was killing my aproach angle, and I didn't like how it looked. Especially because it was hanging down extra low because the brush guard was made for a grand cherokee.

This way, it is mounted almost as strong as an aftermarket bumper and It's not destroying my aproach angle. I like how it turned out.

 

I was parking at one of the dorms on campus and noticed this little guy sitting all by himself. It's almost like a before and after pic. Forgive the crappy quality photo please.

 

Got a little dirty today. I found a nice little trail with some pretty deep mud holes near NCSU's campus. The good thing is since were pretty close to the beach, the mud hear is generally thinner and sandy so its not as bad as some of the thick clay mud holes I've seen.

 

For those of you who care, I took a few pictures in the parking lot just to keep every one updated.
Basically, I repainted my wheels gloss black because the old clear coat was coming off, I changed my diff fluid and repainted the covers the same as my wheeels. I bought a grand cherokee grill guard of craigslist for 100 bucks, chopped off the bottom of the grill guard so I wouldn't kill my approach angle, repainted it, and fabbed my own mounts. I think thats about it.

I mounted my brush guard with 1/4 steel the same as the after market tow hooks mount, ( 3 bolts to factory bumper holes, and 1 bolt anchoring it back through the unibody.) I cut slits through my factory bumper as well as I though a straight shot through my bumper would be the strongest way to mount the brush guard and to hooks.

 

Do you have stock steering components? How are they handling the 33s?

 

Yes, All of the steering components are stock except for the steering stabalizer.... I have the adjustable trac bar as well, but thats not exactly steering.

Anyways, every thing has handled great so far. From the research I had done and from my small amount of experience, I have come to understand that the width of the tire is what really will hurt your steering. These tires are 33x10.5, so I don't think they are really any harder on the steering than a 31x10.5 is going to be. If you're thinking about going to a 33, I'd go with the 33x10.5 tires. They are easier on your vehicle in many ways, axles, steering, engine, breaks, have better road manners, etc. They are like 5 pounds lighter per tire, so overall its like having 200 less pounds in the vehicle.

If you have any more questions, let me know..

 

nice build bro. great, clean looking heep.

love the moosejaw sticker!

 

Woo more people from NC LOL. We should all get together one day and go wheeling. Nice jeep though, Im still working on getting a lift for mines. Im a bit skeptical though, because Im not sure if my jeep would fit under the parking deck at UNCC with a lift. I know for a fact the roof rack would have to come off on mines.

 

Yeah man, we should definitely go wheeling some time! And to be honest man, I think you will be okay. I park in the parking garage every day on campus. My Jeep came out to have 5.5" of lift, plus the 33s which give it another 2.5 inches of lift over stock, so my jeep is 8" higher than factory, and even when I had the packasport roof rack on which is relatively thick (about 1'), I still made it. The hanging PVC pipe when you enter the garage said 7 feet of clearence, and I hit it every time with my roof rack lol, but I never hit anything in the parking garage once I go in. I do however drive around any signs that are hanging low...

 

My friend is car enthusiast so he loves taking pictures of our vehicles next to eachother... That's his old 3 series he plans on upgrading and racing...

 

I'm doing some aesthetic work to the jeep this week / weekend. So far I've just removed the four bumper end caps to paint them, but I will also be painting the mirrors and door handles, all in rustoleum professional semi-gloss. I've been doing several light coats, and then wet sanding before applying the final few coats. I'm trying to experiment with these to figure out how to do the best paint job. I'm also going to Rustoleum Truck Bed coat my rocker panel area (like several others have done). Having larger tires that stick out further make the rocker panel area become very dirty and scratched up. If you have any tips or techniques for the bedlining, feel free to let me know. I'm starting tomorrow and I've already bought the paint. My plans are to mildly sand the area down evenly to rough up but also make smooth the paint and remove any unwanted debree.

I'm kinda going for the two tone look on my jeep... The green upper and black lower. I'm considering doing my flares in black, but I do like the look of color matched flares, so we will see.

If anyone wants to photoshop the painted rocker area and black flares, that would be awesome.

 

I'm also playing with the idea of removing my flares and trimming to add additional flex room, but I really don't want to make my jeep look bad. Last time I went offroading I ended up gouging and cutting chunks out of my rear tires due to them stuffing into the body. It also nearly ripped off my rear bumper end caps and my rear flares. I really would like some after market flares, but I'm thinking it could make my tires look small and I don't think my tires would stick out far enough. Idk, let me know what you guys think. I could ask for some for my birthday in November, but I think I'm going to try to get a hack n tap instead. Opinions are welcome.

 

Looks good man

 

Thanks, It should be looking better after this weekend.

 

I'd say make sure and sand and use primer with the Berliner. People say the stuff flakes off but I think they didn't prep correctly. Mine has lasted a year and hasn't faded peeled or chipped at all.