New rig! 2010 JK Unlimited...

[onlyontwo]

Hey Everyone,

So my wife and I picked up our surf blue unlimited JK last night. We couldn't be more excited. The plan is to build it in to a capable rig to do some exploring with.

I'm stoked to be on the forum with a new rig. I'm open to suggestions and ideas. First order of business is to get some real wheels and tires on it. Looking at doing a small lift and either 33's or 35's. Ideas? Looking forward to learning much from EP.

Cheers,
Andy

[Scott Brady]

Congrats. You will love it. We have had four in various configurations in the past year.

[mountainsoul]

Andy..congrats on the new JK. Post up some pics of the Surf Blue when you can. We too just picked up a '10 Unlimited and are trying to learn as much as we can about this new platform. The aftermarket support is mind blowing. So many options it makes my head spin at times. It's our 1st Jeep and 1st domestic product, so I have my fingers crossed that it will serve us well. We are loving it so far. Keep us updated on your build.


Congrats. You will love it. We have had four in various configurations in the past year.

Scott, did you see my quick PM about the Eezi-Awn 1800 on the BajaRack Expedition rack you tested? You said it hung off the back a few inches but was it OK other than that issue? Any other concerns with this pairing??

I'm working with Wil on getting one but I'm just trying to get as much info as I can before ordering it because I will be buying it unseen.

[onlyontwo]

Yeah, we are very excited. The options are a little mind blowing. I'm trying to build a fairly cabable rig on a tight budget so there is a lot to learn.

Scott, I have read plenty on your rigs and they are great. We want to eventually get the flip-pac when funds allow. Right now I'm just looking at building a platform in the back to sleep on.

For us newbie's, are there any must have's on these rigs (or in general) for some short one or two night trips?

Cheers,
Andy

[AZchris]

Congrats, you're going to love it. I've had mine since January 2008 and still love it every time I get in.

[SilverBullet]

Congrats!

[flyingwil]

Congrats! What kind of recommendations are you looking for? What's your plan besides small lift and larger tires?

[wanderer-rrorc]

CONGRATS!!

my 09 Surf blue is currently at a trade-in lot waiting on final figures on a 2010 tundra...(in the middle of trading it for the tundra....we have 3 kids and the unlimited just doesnt have as much room for the baby twins junk..)

I loved my 4dr...and the 6spd manual is THE ONLY way to go!!

I got the mid package with the bfg mud tires and the rubi shocks...

Ive done a terraflex lift on an 07 jk...easy bolt on lift..my buddy LOVES it!!

[onlyontwo]

Yeah, my wife loved the surf blue so that is what we ended up with. I like it, it is a bit more flashy than I'm used to though.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs264.snc3/27874_754626740008_20709587_42836097_124940_n.jpg

I'm just looking for advice on a small lift. Also, what some "must have" items are needed to get out. I used to wheel many years ago, but it was always with many other people and always in areas that were easy to access in case of break down, etc. So I know I need recovery gear, full size spare, water...

I know these seem like ridiculous questions, but we are completely new to the exploring end of off-roading.

Thanks again.

Cheers,
Andy

[thetanningman]

Congrats on your new ride, now let the fun begin. I have been lurking on this forum for probably a good 18 months and have finally joined. These are great people here. I met a few of them at SEMA '09, Scott Brady the head Jose, Dave Harriton, Dave Yegge wearing Mike Reckling's badge, yes I caught that Dave, and Jim Frens all from American Expedition Vehicles, Paul May from Equipt, a couple guys from the ARB booth and most recently Wil via phone at Sierra Expeditions. Out of all the forums I lurk and am registered with this one is the best bar none. I own an '08 Wrangler Unlimited outfitted with an Old Man Emu HD lift 619/618 springs, JKS trackbars front and rear, ARB bumpers front and rear, AEV Bridger wheels, 305/70r16 Cooper Discoverer SST tires, Warn winch, Lightforce lights, and last but not least a super siphon. I still have a couple other items to add but all us Jeep owners know the list never ends right guys/gals. Yes Wil I will try and get a pic up soon but it is still RAINING in Oregon. I think it's Mother Nature's way of letting us know how unhappy she is with the BP oil spill going on in the gulf.
Cheers,
p

[Timgco]

Congrats on the new rig.

For a small lift:
2.5" Teraflex Coil Lift with Tera shocks.
Front Tera track bar.

That's all you need to get rolling on 33's. You can build that lift as your needs increase. You can run 33's with this kit without choping the front bumper or pinch weld in the rear wheelwell.

I am running that exact setup with 35's and Bushwacker Flat Fenders.
I chopped the front bumper until I can decide on a front and rear bumpers.

I also run the Superchips programmer to help with the extra tire size.

fwiw- i will be adding front lower control arms at some point.

http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg437/Timgco/P5150021-1.jpg

Feel free to PM me if you have questions about your build and the cheap/ free thing syou can do to get ready for the trail. ie: evap. canister, breather tube mods, etc.

My build is under the Expo Rig section as I plan to run a camper or trailer at some point, additional camping gear, etc.

[Bennyhana]

Congrats on the sweet ride! I'd say my most favorite mod today..daily living wise with the Jeep is the woods mfg tailgate strut. It's sweet! You just pop the tailgate and the strut takes over opening it and holding it open... www.jeepswag.com

Also check out the teraflex leveling kit for a small, cheap and easy lift...

[mountainsoul]

Congrats on the sweet ride! I'd say my most favorite mod today..daily living wise with the Jeep is the woods mfg tailgate strut. It's sweet! You just pop the tailgate and the strut takes over opening it and holding it open... www.jeepswag.com


Cheers mate for posting that. The swinging tailgate is annoying at times and I was looking for a solution. :26_7_2:

It's funny that with the millions of mods available for the JK, it's the small ones that are often the most significant or useful. Another one I just installed is the Rugged Ridge Dash Organizer. It's a HUGE improvement for everyday storage and organization within the cargo-challenged cabin.

[WRMorrison]

Congrats! I've got an '09 Unlimited in Surf Blue. If I were in your shoes, I'd get a leveling kit and look around for a set of "X" or Rubicon take-off tires and wheels. They're 32x11.5R17 BFG mud-terrains, and I think they're great tires so far. After mine are worn-out, I'll probably go for a small lift, 35's and 4.88's.

I haven't done too many mods to mine yet, but I did make my own front bumper and trimmed my flares. I wish I could do it all over again though, and get the hard/soft top combo instead of just the soft top, and the half-doors too...

Oh, and take those doors and top off; you'll love it!

-WRM

[WRMorrison]

Right now I'm just looking at building a platform in the back to sleep on.

Just in case you didn't know, a full-size air mattress fits PERFECTLY in the Unlimited with the back seats folded down and the front seats slid forward...:)

-WRM

[onlyontwo]

We are really excited to get the project going. :wings:

This past weekend I made a hoist system in the garage to get the hardtop off and to store it. I have been looking all over for parts and ideas. I think I found a set of rubicon take off wheels and tires for a fair price.

Also, does anyone have any experience with the Currie "long travel" leveling kit. It looks pretty nice with a good set of shocks.

I will have to try the air mattress setup. I was looking at building a deck type system so we have storage underneath the bed portion.

Thanks again everyone.

Cheers,
Andy

[XXXpedition]

congrats! i'd love the surf blue, too.
but it is not available in europe

you need ideas...
maybe a pic:
http://www.xxxpedition.com/XXX-Project/Photos/Gallery/06RB.jpg

good luck on the build!
sven

[Bennyhana]

The currie kit looks nice and while I don't have any experience with it...I think it maybe a tad overkill for just a leveling kit 289.00 per axle...I have the Teraflex Leveling kit and it was only 120 bucks..

The nice thing about the Currie kit is that it comes wioth most everything you are eventually going to want to add or replace..Brake lines, extended sway bar links, the spring retainers are a nice idea.

With the Tera flex kit it was a simple hour install, no realignment other than maybe re-centering the steering wheel. The rubi shocks are long enough to handle the small lift. If you are wheeling hard enough to max out the suspension droop on a stock rubicon..then I'd say look past a leveling kit and towards a real suspesion lift.

In the end..my 2 cents would be save money and just do the teraflex kit..
Good luck and definetly post up some pics..
Here's a pic of mine with the Teraflex kit.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i235/desertbenny/Picture036.jpg

[onlyontwo]

So it has been far too long since I updated this thread.

The jeep has now been outfitted with XD Hoss 17x9 rims with 34's. The OME 2.5" lift will be here soon as well. Then I'm going to stubbie the stock front bumper for now. It will also be getting sliders soon.

The build is under way, so I'm excited.

Cheers,
Andy

[96discoXD]

Must have pics! Love the surf blue, I'm trying to resist the temptation to trade my car in for a JKU right now too.

[JKIslander]

Here is a Surf Blue 2 door on Rubi springs/shocks and the 32x11.50 tires.

Its a good look and its definitely an unusual color, dont see it around very often.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Fahrvegnugen/DSC_0002.jpg

[Mr. D]

congrats on your jeep enjoy