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bazza877
29-08-2013, 08:46 AM
As a newbie of this forum, I figured, why not get rid of my forum virginity and write about my Jeep.

Ok, first thing... Her name is Wendy (the Wrangler). It was not my choice to call her that but my friends called her that and it stuck. Personally, I wanted to call her Way Fast Whitey, with dreams of a Hemi conversion, etc... But Wendy stuck...

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=437&pictureid=2282

Wendy is a 2012 Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited Sport, automatic. I bought her about 2 months ago, stock standard with 6000 km on the clock, at a pretty good price.

I have already taken her to Lithgow, and performed brilliantly up various climbs. Although, I wasn't confident enough to take her up to the top of Mt Walker. That was the moment I thought to myself I need to prepare her for this climb!

Ok, to date, here are the modifications I have done to Wendy

Airraid Cold Air Induction - Airraid Cold Air Induction system, thanks to Bill at DBOR. Great piece of kit, Great sound! I did a before and after video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRMPe5vewkA

ARB Bull bar
http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=437&pictureid=2283

I had thought about getting these things installed by the respective shops. It's cheaper to do it yourself (ARB wanted $500 to install the bar :mad: ...). It's also fun to do, and you get a sense of pride when you think, "I built her". Ok, yes, I will be getting the professionals to mount the tyres to the rims... it's all part of the experience both on and off road!

I like seeing how others, on this forum, have built their rig. The feedbacks and opinions, have helped me with how I am going to build Wendy. So your comments would be good.

Next mod... Wheels and Tyres...

bazza877
02-09-2013, 08:55 AM
I made a trip up to DBOR NSW, and picked up my wheels and tyres, and other goodies. Going into the shop, I felt like a kid going into a candy shop and I wanted everything on the shelves! Phil and his team was awesome.

This is the wheel and tyre package I picked up:

Wheels: Pro Comp Series 7005 - Flat Black Alloy Wheels (17 x 8)

Tyres: BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM2 (285/70r17)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/10550_179898018859474_64291985_n.jpg

Personally, I have not used Mud Terrains before, and I have heard many people say how noisy mud tyres are, but these tyres were pretty good when it came to the ride home. Yes there was a slight noise, but it was bearable... The wheel just looks friggin awesome on my JK. I had seen these same wheels on a green JK and that looked pretty cool.

So, I didn't just get wheels and tyres. I also picked up my lift kit and winch.

Lift Kit: DBOR JK 2" Rookie lift kit, with Synergy tuned Fox Racing Shocks. Originally I was going to just get the Teraflex shocks, but after reading some reviews about this shocks being a really firm ride, I decided to go with the Fox Shocks as this was my daily drive as well. Phil from DBOR NSW confirmed it. After getting back from DBOR, with a couple of mates, and beers, we installed the lift. The install took about 5 hours, with the Springs giving us the most challenge - we couldn't get the axle lower since we were installing on car stands. It would have definitely be easier and faster to install it on a car lift. I would say the rear was the most easiest to do. After install, it is sitting higher than 2", and still needs to settle.

Here are the components that came with the kit:

- front and rear Synergy 2" Lift Springs
- Synergy brake line braket relocation kit
- Synergy Tuned Fox Racing 2.0" IFP Shock (front and back)
- Fox Jeep JK Hi-Mount Stabilizer Relocation Kit (they didn't have the Teraflex steering stabilizer in stock so I opted to get this one instead)
- ARB Quick Disconnects (Awesome setup)
- Synergy rear sway bar drop bracket kit
- DBOR bumpstops (front and rear)
- DBOR rear track bar bracket

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=437&pictureid=2290

I also installed a winch on the ARB bull bar. I picked up the Smittybilt X2O Comp Series, 10,000 lb. Amphibious Winch. pretty straight forward install (youtube videos of other winch installs helped). they only thing was because of the location of the RHD JK battery, I had to extend the Negative cable.

http://www.doubleblackoffroad.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/images/Products/WINCH/TRANS/SB%20X2O%20WINCH%2010000.jpg

After the install, my rig just looks more aggressive, and looks pretty darn awesome! A BIG THANKS to Phil and his team at DBOR NSW. These guys are awesome! It was totally worth the trip up to North Wyong. I will definitely be back for other goodies!!!

next thing to install is the Superchips Flashcal - which will be delivered to me soon. Driving back from DBOR on the motorway, I tested the speedometer, and because of tyres size, I was about 4km/h faster. The Flashcal will fix this, and also the tyre pressure warning.

I come to realise that this is not over! after seeing Phil's ride at the shop - that setup with 37" tyres - I'm like "oh crap" i'll be back to for more! I can't wait to see the capabilities of my new "re-born" JK.

To be continued...

Lieutenant
02-09-2013, 12:58 PM
Nice write up, good looking JK too!

bazza877
02-09-2013, 01:33 PM
cheers man! I can't wait to take her off road this weekend.

bazza877
02-09-2013, 10:45 PM
I guess all good cars has it's flaws... and for the JK it is the fact that it has no grab handles... I was checking out some YouTube videos and came across a JK owner who made some custom grab handles out of paracord. He showed you how to make them, and mount them in the Jeep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywU9qKaK0R0

This was pretty cool, so I had bought about 50 metres of paracord from Ebay. This arrived earlier today, and I started making them. They are pretty easy to make, and they turned out pretty good. I guess I could of bought the grab handles from Jeep, but I liked that they are "home made".

Front grab handles
<iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=9AA84BF12E903784&resid=9AA84BF12E903784%21713&authkey=AOb6EKKGE-k1Wsk" width="320" height="240" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Rear grab handles
<iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=9AA84BF12E903784&resid=9AA84BF12E903784%21712&authkey=AEcC6ztWNEl8ilI" width="320" height="240" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

ausdean
02-09-2013, 11:08 PM
Love the handles mate. I'm disappointed with myself for not making my own too!

bazza877
05-09-2013, 08:45 AM
I just installed a 2.0 Performance Series IFP Steering Stabilizer which came with the lift kit from DBOR.

Originally I as told that I was to wait for a bracket that relocates the steering stabilizer above the tie rod, which would minimise damage to it. Some people were having issues with this bracket, having to drill a hole to further secure this it. I'm not entirely sure of the issue, but because of this they changed they way the steering stabilizer is installed - the kit now comes with a long bolt, which is threaded on both sides.

http://www.ridefox.com/img/other/fox-trackbolt-web.jpg

I've seen so many YouTube videos of installing steering stabilizer relocation brackets as preparations, but proved useless when mentioned about the new bolt! so after some research and finally found instructions on the FOX Racing site, I was able to install it. I have to give Phil from DBOR credit, as he was explaining how to install the bolt to a person who had limited experience when it comes to under the car!

This new bolt replaces the bolt that mounts the track bar to the axel. Then the steering stabilizer mounts to the other sided of the bolt. Of course, you need to rotate the clamp on the tie rod up to receive the other end of the stabilizer. Also you will have to more this clamp across the tie rod to get the necessary movement of the stabilizer. To set the stabilizer, you need to make sure the clamp is loosened, then turn your wheels to the left (until you hit the steering bumps... sorry if this isn't the right term for this). once your wheels are full locked to the left, try to compress the stabilizer so that you get about 1/4" of the steel rod showing, then tighten up the clamp. this should allow the stabilizer to not "bottom out" (if you can give me another word for this, let me know) on each side. once you have installed the stabilizer, it's best to turn the wheels to the right then back to the left. If you get the same 1/4" on the left, then you are sweet! Of course, check your bolts are tighten to spec.

NOTE: there may be several ways to install a steering stabilizer on your Jeep. this is no way a manufacturer's install guide This is how I installed mine. Please take this only as a helpful tip possibly?

After some trial and error and a big ass bump on my head, courtesy of one side of the stabilizer dropping on my forehead (OUCH! :( ), the install was complete! I wish I took a before photo to get a good idea of how the install would go, but I wanted to install it straight away. So here's a photo I prepared earlier on:

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=437&pictureid=2309


After the install, what I'm taking from this is no matter what you're installing you will always get battle scars! I had deep cuts on my hands trying to cut out rubber pipes; burns on fingers from the soldering iron; Bruises on my knees when installing the lift kit... and now a big bump on my fore head because of this steering stabilizer... I survived, and after all these installs, it's worth it... Of course, if you do get seriously injured, GO TO THE DAMN HOSPITAL!!! Oh yeah.. Safety first! ;)

bazza877
08-09-2013, 01:07 AM
Saturday 7th September 2013

I took Wendy to Zig Zag Railway today. This was a great test of the mods I've installed to date.

I can not say enough good things about these BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 tyres! a great tyre on and off the road! At Zig Zag, I aired down to about 20psi, and disconnected the ARB quick disconnects. Wendy was ready to "flex".

You can not wipe the smile off my face! Today was awesome! I have taken Wendy off roading at stock trim, and was very impressed. With the mods I had installed, she was was more than capable of going anywhere! ok I didn't get a chance to test "everything" i had installed... it got to a point where i was trying to get myself stuck to test my winch. but i guess that can wait for next time.

Ok, it wasn't all plain sailing. At one hill climb, I found myself teetering to a point, where she almost rolled on her side - but with quick thinking from my mates, who jumped on her to balance her out, i was able to get out of that sticky situation! After that, my confidence was low, but I stopped, got out and checked if I had soiled myself... Then continued on! I was going to do Moon Rock on the Zig Zag powerline track, but since my confidence needed a bit more rebuilding, i would leave that for another day.

It was absolutely a top day! Wendy passed test with flying colours! This is pretty addictive, and I can not wait to go out again!

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=437&pictureid=2314

Hoobz
08-09-2013, 07:18 AM
Good on ya Bazza. Excellent write up. Very nice Jeep. Thanks for sharing.

bazza877
08-09-2013, 08:10 AM
Good on ya Bazza. Excellent write up. Very nice Jeep. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers! :)