smccusker22

Hey guys,

Well this i just purchased my first jeep today. The powertrain is in awesome condition but the body and minor things need work. It needs a muffler, break job, tie rod, and a couple of other minor things. After all that is done, i wanna look into fixing up some of the rust/dent issues. Then finally lift it up and put some fat tires on it. I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions where i should start with the body work required? Also some good budget lifts and tires? Thanks.

Shane

smccusker22

So after 4 years of careful reading, deliberation, making money, spending money, then actually saving money. I am finally starting my rusty bucket build. I pulled the trigger on Rusty's 3" hd front coils and a Rusty's 3.5" AAL. Now There were many components that went into the simple decision of AAL or Spring pack. At the forefront, I paid 750 bucks for this nice piece of Michigan rust. Then I began to think about the great benefits of a spring pack on how much of a value it is and yada yada. At the end of the day, the spring and shock mounts are going to blow through the floor boards before my AAL will begin to fail. So it begins, 200 bucks for coils and an AAL shipped.

Next on my radar, A set of 4 2014 JK rubicon shocks. Rusty's lift kits come with (from what ive read) pretty crappy shocks for around 30 a pop. I looked and looked for rubicon shocks at a decent price for months. Finallys, I strolled on over to the big spenders forums, JKfroums. Sure enough, new rubicon take offs, 50 bucks.

To round off the basics, I am looking to run 31's. Not new 31's however, so my eyes are peeled to craigslist and there are a couple of options. Tires to be continued. I plan on mounting whatever I get on my rusty jeep wheels so if anyone has advice on sanding and repainting wheels that would be great, or if its just as simple as i just said that would be great too.

I might look at getting quick discos used for the right price, Anybody with experience of disconnects in the Dunes? Thats most likely my primary destination. Im going to chop the rear sway bar when the lift goes on. I will also look into LCA's used for the right price, again any input on LCA on a 3" budget lift, helpful? Most likely not? Also the front trac bar where does that lie on the necessity meter? I am going to use pucks in front for bump stops and hopefully welp a stop plate on the ubolt plate out back.

I am most likely going to trim the fenders, more so because of the rust then added ground clearance. I want to bolt either sheet metal or black diamond plate to the doors to cover up the rust, rockers are nearly gone. Eventually the front doors will come off. Carpet is coming out as well as the headliner. I also found a cool idea of a snorkel intake that leads into the wiper area.

Ok thats 4 years of abbreviated thoughts. Ill keep you posted

Shane