2007 JK Unlimited Saharicon... (aka Julia)

[iaccocca]

I accidently pushed the "add to cart" button today.

What did you add? I got gloves today, is it better than that?

[TJDave]

I accidently pushed the "add to cart" button today.

What did you add? I got gloves today, is it better than that?

I've been eyeballin Lance's Poison Spyder Hood Louver for awhile now. Not too spendy, and should let some heat out of the bulbous TJ bonnet this summer.

[Livin4Today]

Well don't you know, nothing in life is free... My free cat y pipe, is gonna cost me the price of 1 shiny new O2 sensor... It seems that 3 were ruined or crappy and 1 survived the ordeal of removing them from the original pipe. I'm sucking it up and getting 4 new sensors instead of just 3, so I'll be all brand new.

Now the true cost... Lithia doesn't have any in stock, so I'm stuck w/o my Jeep for another day, so tomorrow, I'll be back in action.

The wrench tells me as we were underneath it that my rear axle is in need of some new clutches... and the front has too much play, but he did compliment me on my use of the rig. Then we got to talking about the future under strappings, and he suggested 94-96 Dodge 3/4 p/u axles (Dana 60's) that my ABS crap would fit into....

Crap, now , I'm thinking why waste money buying a 44 front, when I'd really rather be stronger in the end... So I started looking, and found that for the price of a slightly beefed front 44 housing I could have both axles out of one of these trucks...

Of couse then the need be shortened and geared/locked etc, then new wheel lug patterns etc... So I'm opening myself back up to your witicisms... I really wanna go play with Rich someday in Idaho, but don't wanna be undergunned...

So I'm dreaming of D-60 f/r on a 4 inch longarm suspension...

So commence the tomato tossing, and let's see what ideas are borne, killed or whatever...

[TJDave]

1. Your plans include swapping out the front axle already
2. You wheel the snot out your big Jeep frequently
3. You want to play with Rich

Sounds like the 60's is the way to go.

[Livin4Today]

1. Your plans include swapping out the front axle already
2. You wheel the snot out your big Jeep frequently
3. You want to play with Rich

Sounds like the 60's is the way to go.

Thanks Dave, I posted a similar rant on Wayalife/Project-JK forum to get some more tomatoes...

[Livin4Today]

Part of the rant on the other forum... Still applies here...

Of couse then they need be shortened and geared/locked etc, then new wheel lug patterns etc... So I'm dreaming of D-60 f/r on a 4 inch longarm suspension, 37/40 Inch tires... On a poor firefighter's budget (which fluctuates from a little to nothing quite regularly), who hopes to retire in 5 or 6 years, and tagging along with you guys (Eddie) on say Moab, Rubicon, and hopefully a JK-Adventure (Remember for our honeymoon in 2015)... Hence the reason, I'm not just shelling out my $1000's on Teraflex/Dynatrack axles...

Here's what I'd like to learn in this thread, pluses & minuses of this build, costs I need to think of (with actual values please), some steps to take so that it comes out right the first time (shortening, gear ratio {5.38s}, and what beef to consider so I don't tear my axle off like Trail-Bud... I'd also like to list things I have yet to think about like keeping or loosing my 5x5 bolt pattern, tie rod/drag link issues etc, How much to shorten the axles... Yeah basically a build list to contemplate continuing my slow build with a 44 or make the break to 60's again trying to contain costs as much as possible.

Bottom line, the front 30 has to go soon, and I thought this might be a chance to upgrade both for a better outcome. Also this is my daily driver up here in the beautiful Pac NW. One more thing, in my Craiglist surfing I'm finding 60 fronts and 70 rears? Ideas, thoughts, etc. So please be generous, this is my first Jeep, and just like my first and only Harley, I'm jumping in with both feet thinking I'll keep her forever...

Thanks in advance for the wisdom that is to follow.

[Roman]

Huh, sounds like the Dodge 60 is the winner, especialy if it keeps your ABS/ESP stuff happy/working!

How wide is one of these axles?

[Lurch]

I like these
http://www.dynatrac.com/products/JK/ProRock60.html

[Livin4Today]

I like these
http://www.dynatrac.com/products/JK/ProRock60.html

Me too, can I use your wallet? Maybe you missed the part of no budget to work with?

[SPR]

If you have a limited budget for a JK build, you're building the wrong rig.... JEEP... Just empty every pocket. JK.... just kick up the spending.

[79chevy39.5's]

in my opinion to wheel a rig hard with a 02 and older axle it needs big a$$ trussing over the cad section also narrowing you will probably have to just hack the passenger side off and retube the entire side depending on how narrow you want to go and a one piece shaft installed there are people machining the back of early d60's hubs and putting tone rings on them, also the 94-02 axles are all low pinion dunno if front shafts are a problem in these havent checked really, do you plan to keep 8 lug then? if not you will be into custom drilled unit bearings and rotors or custom brakes also only some of these are abs rigs not all and even then theyre only 3 channel at most (isnt your rig 4 channel) also wheelin hard on a 60 rear your pushing it at 40's in my opinion

another thought is how big do you want to go? at 37's and bigger i would want to put in full 35 spline inners (aftermarket locker) and outters

either way you would be pretty much be paying for only a housing to be used not to mention the lack of high steer setups (i believe they have them similar to the d30 style

a better axle for this in my opinion would be to start hp60 from ford you can find superduty stuff on the cheap side and would have abs,


the run down cost would probably be cheaper but a lot more fab involved

[tobyw]

Here is my free advice, take it for what you paid for it...

Take every last cent you have socked away for upgrades, or plan to spend on upgrades, and instead use it on fuel. Burn that fuel learning how to drive your rig. In only the rarest of cases will an overbuilt vehicle piloted by an inexperienced driver outshine a guy that simply knows his rig and how to use it. Roy, David, OG, and many others are prime examples of this. Sure you're not going to win any large man parts measuring contests when you're outfit is sitting in the parking lot next to a $100k JK that just rolled out of the Off-Road Evolution shop, but at the end of the day, that's not where it counts...

Again, just my opinion.

[Grumpy]

Very good advice! I don't chime in too often on this subject because I'm not sure my wheeling skills haven't atrophied of late, but Toby makes a point. Learn to wheel a basic rig well, and when you start building, it'll all be good...

[White trash]

Here is my free advice, take it for what you paid for it...

Take every last cent you have socked away for upgrades, or plan to spend on upgrades, and instead use it on fuel. Burn that fuel learning how to drive your rig. In only the rarest of cases will an overbuilt vehicle piloted by an inexperienced driver outshine a guy that simply knows his rig and how to use it. Roy, David, OG, and many others are prime examples of this. Sure you're not going to win any large man parts measuring contests when you're outfit is sitting in the parking lot next to a $100k JK that just rolled out of the Off-Road Evolution shop, but at the end of the day, that's not where it counts...

Again, just my opinion.

GOSPEL!


The bigger better badder stronger idea is a great idea but unless you have recockulous bank it won't end well. Been there, done that sold the $ parts and scrapped the leftovers. By all means don't go throwing polish on that scrap metal front axle in a wasted attempt at making it live but just back off the stupid pedal and keep your eyes open for a deal on a 44 etc that will fit your budget.

[Danny]

Here is my free advice, take it for what you paid for it...

Take every last cent you have socked away for upgrades, or plan to spend on upgrades, and instead use it on fuel. Burn that fuel learning how to drive your rig. In only the rarest of cases will an overbuilt vehicle piloted by an inexperienced driver outshine a guy that simply knows his rig and how to use it. Roy, David, OG, and many others are prime examples of this. Sure you're not going to win any large man parts measuring contests when you're outfit is sitting in the parking lot next to a $100k JK that just rolled out of the Off-Road Evolution shop, but at the end of the day, that's not where it counts...

Again, just my opinion.

GOSPEL!


The bigger better badder stronger idea is a great idea but unless you have recockulous bank it won't end well. Been there, done that sold the $ parts and scrapped the leftovers. By all means don't go throwing polish on that scrap metal front axle in a wasted attempt at making it live but just back off the stupid pedal and keep your eyes open for a deal on a 44 etc that will fit your budget.

And I have to chime in here as well....since you asked. I think you're making a big mistake. Wheel what you have. You've done tons of it since we drug your a$$ around Darlin Mt. and it's doing well.

I run a 4 banger lifted and locked with stock axles and 33's and I wouldn't hesitate one second to take on that canyon. It's not the junk you have it's how you handle that junk.

[OldGreen]

Sell JK. . .Buy TJ and a corrolla (daily driver).

2" lift, rear locker, 32" tires. Wheel it until you can't stand it anymore. Then build a JK when you retire.

The equipment means almost nothing. Experience is everything AND it will tell you how you eventually want to build the rig.


The internet is evil. Only listen to people you know and actually wheel with.

Or. . .full width ProRock 60s and 42" tires. . .either way.

[Wrench]

I like these
http://www.dynatrac.com/products/JK/ProRock60.html

Me too, can I use your wallet? Maybe you missed the part of no budget to work with?

No budget? Seriously, sell the JK and find yourself a Cherokee and some 33's. You will have just as much fun and a fatter wallet.

In fact, sell yours now and just wait for Toby to put his Cherokee on the market and hit the trails without having to turn a wrench...

[Yrjan]

JKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJK!!!!!!!!!

bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

[Livin4Today]

So, I had an interesting chat with Kenny from River Raider this morning about a kit they do that allows a JK to run a ford HP 60 in front...

His advise? He says all they build is JK's and they run the piss out of the D30's, all they do is gear 'em, gusset 'em and wheel. The only reason they do 60's for JKs is cuz folks who don't know any better and want them, oh and he said it keeps their lights on...

So while I'm not satisfied with my D30 I may in the future upgrade to a 44 or ? So that I can run my 37's comfortably. My rig will be a DD and I will always drive to and from the trail (unless I break), no trailer queen here. Hell, my Harley has 128,000 miles on it and has only seen a trailer 3 times, due to breaks, to get to the shop... It's just my way of getting the experience mentioned above and building my rig as I choose...

Why do I want 60s? Simply to lessen the potential of breakage, I'm not a neutral drop kinda guy, but stuff happens even when you're prepared. I believe my skills as a driver speak for them-self, not always great, but a darn site better than novice, and improving all the time.

XJ, TJ, really? I had a TJ, hated it for multiple reasons. But I love my JK and will run it til there no more run left in either of us!

Additionally, Julia will be for sale the same time as Jaded my Harley, when I'm dust in the wind... Nuf said?

[Livin4Today]

So Brown santa dropped by today with a gift I've been waiting on...

My Bilstein 5170 Remote Reservoir Shocks, I'd heard these are the next level of shock absorber, and OMG I can definitely attest to these being incredible. After my install I ran up the road (Olympia) and thought wow these are Hell smooth, then once over the top a made a hard right and hit a trail back to the crest. Wanting to know how these would perform off road.

SENSATIONAL! Where I used to do and end to end bounce theyse were incredibly smooth, so I pushed the go pedal a lil more and to my delight, no bottoming, just an insanely smooth ride. While I'm sure Rs 9000's are a decent shock these were worth every cent I paid for them!





Now some may have seen my ad on CL, but these year old Rough Country N2.0 shocks are up for grabs $100... They measure out at full extension at 27 1/4 inches, if anybody were looking. They aren't bilsteins but a darn site better than OEMs...

[TJDave]

Those sure are purdy.

I am in need of new shocks........ one of these days.

I've been looking at the Bilsteins, but the poorer guy model, 5100.

[Grumpy]

Them're purty Mounts are wrong, or we'd be talking...

[Yrjan]

Been a long time since anyone chimed in. Just wanted to revive this tread and say hi! Buy something already! Oh, and I spent the last 30 mins or so reading each and every post on this tread and the last page (5) disturbed me. I bought a '10 Rubicon, wheeled it till I was accepted as a member , then bought a '07 Sahara and am not rich but loving it. Spent some money and am planning on spending much more but as it sits now, I am more than happy to play with the big boys. I agree with some that the driver makes the difference. I wanna "learn some more"... Haven't had a chance to take the Sahara out yet... Would love to next weekend if anyone is up for it? Somewhere close to home like Juniper or The Slab would be fun. Would love to practice and try out my Rubicrawler....

[Wrench]

...the last page (5) disturbed me.

Personally, the only thing I find disturbing is the panty-bunching.

[White trash]

...the last page (5) disturbed me.

Personally, the only thing I find disturbing is the panty-bunching.

Indeed. Hitting a rig you have financed with a quadratec catalog doesn't mean you can do anything better than the guy that has been resourceful and stayed out of debt by not attempting to keep up with the jonses. The guy in the cheap rig has more fun 99.999% of the time too. Thats a fact I read on Wikipedia.