12 JKU sport build

Took the time today as it was nicer weather to go ahead and install my skid plates. The skids went on fairly easy. What I have noticed, is my muffler is really close to my Evap skid plate. I will search around for a smaller one or get an exhaust shop to move it forward or backwards.

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An update:

I built a rack/platform in the rear of the JKU, and mounted my Hi-lift on it. In the past I have used the Hi Lift in very rare moments, but glad I had it. I took the Jeep on a small run today around SC/GA border near NC.

I have ordered a bottle jack, sway bar disconnects.

here’s some pics from the latest outing.
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Took a long weekend to prepare the Jeep for a 3 day overlanding trip through GA. Checking and topping off fluids, checking bolts, gathering spare parts and extra fluids.

Nothing special about this picture.
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I did however find mounting points for a fire extinguisher, ax, and flashlight.
 
I finally got around to running my long offroad trip around GA. We camped Friday and Saturday, and ran the trails Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Most of the trails were gravel with ruts, but a few technical parts, water crossings, and mud holes. The weather was perfect for camping, clear sky’s, in the 50s at night.

The start of the trails
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Campground
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Some various things and views we came across
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Unfortunately the trip ended halfway through our last day due to a bad clicking U Joint on the passenger side axle. The good thing is was on pavement when we started to find the problem.
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I have noticed I have been a little inactive on here, which I am hoping will change. Between work (we have been on a 6 day work schedule) and going back to school, my Jeep time, along with scrolling on WAYALIFE has been slim to none.
However, I did find a chance to get the Jeep dirty during the Holiday weekend.

Some nice weather off pavement pictures from last weekend.
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nothing like stretching the legs of my Jeep.

One good thing that should come from my long work weeks will be some good upgrades. I have a few mods picked out once life slows back down.
 
A short offroad run after church this past Sunday. We took some friends who currently have a stock 17 Sahara and have never been off-roading before. Needless to say, once he got home, he order a lift, tires, rear bumper, and flat fenders. I am hoping they show up on WAYALIFE. I have received nothing short of good advice on all my builds. Here’s a few pics.

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Happy 4th of July to my fellow Wayalifers!!
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spent the long weekend with some upgrades on my Jeep and a Buddys.
New headlights for my Jeep.
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A new winch and rear bumper installed on my buddys.
We also went to a car show and came across a Willys.
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Next up, some good wheeling and hopefully more parts. I’ve being keeping my eye on some short arms and coilovers.
 
I have noticed I have been a little inactive on here, which I am hoping will change. Between work (we have been on a 6 day work schedule) and going back to school, my Jeep time, along with scrolling on WAYALIFE has been slim to none.
However, I did find a chance to get the Jeep dirty during the Holiday weekend.

Some nice weather off pavement pictures from last weekend.
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nothing like stretching the legs of my Jeep.

One good thing that should come from my long work weeks will be some good upgrades. I have a few mods picked out once life slows back down.
Good looking build. Look forward to more great pictures like these.
 
2 weeks ago, my family and I took a beach vacation. We took 2 vehicles as we had luggage, a large dog, and kids. And what better place for a Jeep to be, at the beach. Here’s a few pics from some local beach trails.
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About 2 days prior to heading home, my passenger side was squealing. After investigating, the wheel bearing was going out. The unfortunate part was the beach area we were out was secluded with no auto stores within a 60 miles. We decided to get it towed home.
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Once home, I was able to diagnose it more to see if any additional parts were damaged.
Turns out, not only was my wheel bearing destroyed, the U Joint was bad, along with the brake rotor having a slight warp to it. So parts have been ordered, along with a few extra 😉

The last parts should be here tomorrow, I ordered parts to redo both sides. Wheel bearings, U Joints, drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic brake pads. Extra parts are Hi Lift hood mount, some mounting brackets/exhaust pipe to relocate my muffler higher and more out the way.

so hopefully the next posts will include some flex pictures along with a trail run.
 
Finally got the Jeep put back together over the weekend. The new brakes feel great.
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Next weekend we should be on a local trail which will allow me to see if the hi lift mount will rattle.
 
It’s been a while since I have updated this thread. I’ve been busy with work, family, and I started going back to school.

since I fixed my wheel bearings, I was finally able to get back on the trails. Here’s a few pics from some local trails from several different weekends.
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My latest trip ended with some damage to my muffler, along with damaged and worn out draglink.

The muffler was an easy fix, upgrade to a Dynomax.
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The draglink required being parked for a few days due to horrible steering. I replace my drag link upper and lower, new knuckles on both sides and a new adjustable track bar.

It rides and turns great now. Next mods will be upgrades rather than a fix. I hope.
 
A little late, but I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New years.

I took the opportunity with extra days off work to do some off-roading. And snatch up a few goodies.

Right before Christmas, we ran a local trail on cold weekend, 11 degrees after a week of rain. So we found lots of mud that eventually froze to to the Jeeps.
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Right after New Years, Me and my Dad went one a simple run just to enjoy to scenery on a clear sky day.
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I scored a few goodies over the last few weeks as well. My wife got me some EVO shirts and hats for Christmas. Along with some phone and usb accessories for the Jeep.
I have been running a magnet phone holder in the Jeep, but when hitting hard trails it tends to fall down. I moved to one that allows me to see the maps easier, grabs the phone better, along with being able to move it. I also got some USB ports and another 12 volt charger to place in the Jeep. If they work out good, I will add a few to the rear of the center console for the kids. I have it taped into the accessory’s, so it currently only works when the key is on.
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I’m also in the market for new rims and tires. I have around 6k left on my current tires and want to move up from 16 to 17 inch rims. I thought it would be a good time since my tires are almost done anyway.
 
For the last few weeks, I have been fighting a “popping” noise in the steering. This only happens when idle or below 5mph. It was when the steering wheel was barely moved in either direction. After investigating over the last couple weeks, I found out my track bar bolt holes have become more oval than round. I have found a solution for the frame mounted bolt hole. My question is what is my solution for the axle mount without a raised track bar bracket?

I was running a raised track bar bracket and an over knuckle draglink. But since my draglink, ball joints, and trackbar were all replaced together, I went with an under knuckle drag link again. I noticed when I switched to the original under knuckle style, I was experiencing bump steer as I was running a raised track bar bracket.

Any advice or help would be great.
 
A little update….

my Jeep decided to throw a check engine light today, P0520. A code relating to the engine oil pressure sensor. My engine sounds fine, nothing out of the ordinary. I decided to just change my oil and filter, to see if that would help. My engine oil was on the darker side, and it was probably overdue for one. I’m hoping this is the fix, as I’ve read the sensor is under the intake manifold.

Another note, I’ve decided to make the jump to 37s this year. I found a great deal on 37x12.50r17, that I just can’t let go. I currently run 16s, so I will be buying some cheap 17s, and then slowly buy some beadlocks later on.

I’m hoping in a few months, i will also be able to grab a new front axle. But for now, I will just put axle trust on my Dana 30 and be on the skinny peddle when off-roading.

This year I’m hoping to have some major changes come to the Jeep, which should include axle, beadlocks, stinger bumper, and long arms.
 
A little update….

my Jeep decided to throw a check engine light today, P0520. A code relating to the engine oil pressure sensor. My engine sounds fine, nothing out of the ordinary. I decided to just change my oil and filter, to see if that would help. My engine oil was on the darker side, and it was probably overdue for one. I’m hoping this is the fix, as I’ve read the sensor is under the intake manifold.

Another note, I’ve decided to make the jump to 37s this year. I found a great deal on 37x12.50r17, that I just can’t let go. I currently run 16s, so I will be buying some cheap 17s, and then slowly buy some beadlocks later on.

I’m hoping in a few months, i will also be able to grab a new front axle. But for now, I will just put axle trust on my Dana 30 and be on the skinny peddle when off-roading.

This year I’m hoping to have some major changes come to the Jeep, which should include axle, beadlocks, stinger bumper, and long arms.
The sensor is in fact on the backside of the oil cooler and will require removal of the upper and lower intake manifolds. Was is super low on oil to your knowledge?
 
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