Expo / Daily-driver JK build (Pic-heavy)
Disclaimer: I’ve found many great ideas on ExPo that I have used or adapted to my needs, but I’m afraid I haven’t kept track of the sources of those ideas; I appreciate all the R&D efforts others have posted. All bad ideas are the sole responsibility of the owner, and anyone with comments, questions, or suggestions for improvements are encouraged to do so!
After gleaning a lot of information and advice from the Portal, its members, and others in the Jeep and off-road communities, I’ve finished (well, almost) my build for duties ranging from daily commuting to overlanding. Since my wife and daughter have little interest (read: none) in this type of camping, the Jeep is basically set up for solo expo use, but with the ability to take a passenger or two (my son and a friend) on occasion. Goals were to keep the rear seat available, recovery gear outside and more easily accessible, and tent and sleeping gear out of the Jeep and readily deployable.
Highlights
· 2007 Jeep JK Unlimited Rubicon, 6-spd manual (still with 4.10 gears), hardtop (soft top in garage), 87,000 miles
· 35x12.50R17 KM2's, siped, on OEM wheels with 1.5" Spidertrax spacers
· GenRight 20 gallon auxiliary fuel tank with Currie Antirock rear swaybar
· Shrockworks front bumper (with Warn PowerPlant and IPF 968 lights), rails, and rear bumper/tire carrier
· Old Man Emu springs (2619’s front, 2620’s rear - 660# needed for weight), long-travel Nitrocharger shocks, and extended brake lines
· JKS ACOS adjustable spacers, driveshafts, and upper control arms
· Dynatrac ProSteer ball joints
· Custom roof (fairly low profile) and rear cargo racks of my own design, built by SMP-Fabworks, all removable (with enough time) and work with the T-tops and soft top, too
· Tentcot Oversize (legs removed, but can be easily reattached), mountable to roof rack on sliding bracket, with custom cover, Butler bag, and Thermarest mattress (need to find quality cotterless pins for quick disconnectability)
· ARB rear awning
· Golight Stryker spotlights (2) with wireless remote controls and detachable flood lenses
· Whelen 3” LED compartment light with both white and red settings
· Vector Offroad JK E-dock with RAM mounts for Garmin 60CSx GPS, Cobra 75 WX ST CB, and iPad
· ARB 50qt fridge/freezer
· Front Runner 13.2 gallon upright water tank (water pump / heating system still needed)
· Dual butcher block cutting boards/tables
· Pelican cases with Caribou Cargo Quick Fasten System
· PETT toilet and Outback Porta Privy
· Recovery gear (straps, tools, shovel, Pull-pal, etc.)
· Safety gear, Adventure Medical Kits Comprehensive First Aid kit, fire extinguisher
Pics to follow.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, the fully-loaded, ready-to-go wet weight of the Jeep, including driver, is 6400 lbs., split 2650 front and 3750 rear. An upgrade from OME 2618 (330# rating) springs was needed; adjusting the ACOS just didn't cut it. Now, with the 2620's (660# rating), I'm handling the load much better. Just need to adjust the rear ACOS to lose the stink-bug look.
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I knew I forgot something! Yeah, thanks, stock wheels, 35x12.5 KM2's, and Spidertrax spacers.
