BigJerm's where the heck am I going LJ build

[Bigjerm]

Well this is my 3rd Wrangler now and I plan to actually build this one. I had a 2 door JK, 4 door Rubicon and after owning both I didnt find what I wanted. After driving around in a truck we (I say we because this is the lady's favorite Jeep too) found a 2006 LJ. Believe it or not it only had 14,000 miles on it It has a soft top with tinted windows, 6 speed, D30 front, D44 rear with LSD and looks like the poor Jeep has never seen anything but maybe a gravel road.

It does have some mods done to it:

Good
-2" Pro Comp suspension lift
-Best top rear tire carrier (bolts to the body)
-35" pro comp mud terrains

Bad
-3" body lift
-Chrome front/rear tube bumpers
-Chrome tube steps
-Chrome grille overlay
-Chrome tail light covers
-Mickey Thompson classics simulated beadlocks 15x10








The plan: I am going for this idea in my mind of a hybrid of many styles: Budget, Rock Crawler, Overland and general purpose vehicle. I want it to do a lot good, but I don't plan for my budget to make it do anything great. I am not going to tear the body up on the jeep rock crawling, I don't get enough time off for big Overland trips, and most of my driving is daily and would love to have a rig that was a cool tailgate vehile. Oh and I love the LCG builds so that too!

Stage 1:
-Stock front and rear bumpers without the floaties (done)
-Metalcloak front highline fenders and rear fender flares (ordered)
-1" BL for the 3" BL (ordered)
-CB (done)
-Body Armor rock rails
-Spartan front auto locker
-Steering skid
-Engine skid

Stage 2:
-Winch Plate
-Smittybuilt XRC8
-Hi-lift and mount it on the spare tire carrier
-On board air

Later mods in no certain order:
-Belly up
-Fridge (i like the ARB)
-Roof rack maybe? I like and dislike it all the same
-If I get a roof rack, I will get something going with an awning system
-Quick disco's or maybe the anti-rock sway system

And then just keep on going. Parts will get bought as sales and price drops or I find them used. Its all about budget but doing it right. Thanks for reading my long post, pretty bored at work.

[Bigjerm]

Ok so atleast got the bumpers and the CB. iPhone camera pictures (front Chrome Grille is removed now)









Metalcloak flares will be here tomorrow and then its time to paint and prep from a fender/body lift install this weekend

[Root Moose]

The chrome grille ain't so bad, I say keep it.

[Bigjerm]

I already pulled. It doesnt look bad but I dont think it will look right the the black high line fender style of the metalcloaks.

I forgot to add, i got all kinds of ideas swirling in my head after being on here so much. Ideas of water tanks and pumps, setting up a trailer, RTT, I mean you people may really cost me some money in the long run of the "budget hybrid" build. I just keep thinking about certain situations like when camping or tailgate or just a long road trip and all the times I have said, "it sure would be nice to have...."

[NOMADIC_LJ]

Welcome to the LJ family!

Already looking better without the chrome tube bumpers. I would ditch that 3" body lift ASAP!

[Bigjerm]

Welcome to the LJ family!

Already looking better without the chrome tube bumpers. I would ditch that 3" body lift ASAP!

It will be gone by Saturday night. Got the 1" daystar in my garage now. I would have done no BL but I know i will do a belly up and maybe move the gas tank up one day

[cocco78]

Looks nice so far, except no flare covering the tires is going to get old real fast... I hated not having my front tires covered, any little water or mud and it sprayed everywhere, it sucked.

[Ronin95]

Nice fenders and compressor! I installed a metal cloaks bumper earlier this year and have the same compressor hardwired and mounted to the inside of my existing fender.

[Bigjerm]

Yeah today was the first day in the rain and not going to lie at low speeds i did throw water everywhere... otherwise not to horrible. Not much rain here in GA so I can make it awhile. Before are start road trippin i will get some 4" flares

[Bigjerm]

Lets see... blew a rear shock at Choccolocco mtn and replaced the cheap Pro Comps with Old Man Emu shocks... So much better! Looking to replace the fronts before I drive to Harlan.




Tired of dragging the belly so I put on an UnderCover Fab belly skid and JMS motor mount lift. Fit and finish is good, had to modify the exhaust hanger by the transmission so the exhaust would stay away from my front upper control arm.