Aaron's (new)JK Build

[Aaron]

Bought this JK about 3 weeks ago. Its been on Johnny Park, Yankee Hill and Barbour Forks already. Yes, this JK loiks a lot like the one I used to have. In fact its the same year, same color JK Rubicon that I had. Only this one is an Auto.

[Aaron]

Notice the street sneaks on it in the above picture.... Got that fixed today :)

[Chris]

Looks better now Aaron! Ready for Holy Cross now!

[Brad]

Holy crap! :eek:
Its a dead ringer! :D

[Aaron]

Right? Except no lift on 33s this time. How's the queen treating you?

[Brad]

I'm up to 3 discoveries. Not sure yet if it is punishment or curse. ;)

[Aaron]

Wow. Let me tell you this as a friend. You have a problem... Says the guy with 2 jeeps... But I'm working on getting to one. Hows the fams?

[Cr33p3r]

Aaron how are you liking it so far, we are in the market currently for one and there is tons of them out there it is just hard to choose from.

[Aaron]

Well, this is the second time I bought the same exact car. So needless to say, I love it! Stock, it is pretty much set up for trails 5 and under. It rides like a Cadillac on the trails and it is incredibly hard to get a tire off the ground... It rides great on the street. My last one was a stick, this one is an auto. On the street, I'd rather have the stick, on the trail, the auto is fine. It just shows the low point of the 3.8 much more. Its not an issue, I hear with the 3.6 in the later model years.

Shorter answer... I love it!

[Cr33p3r]

Cool thanks, we are looking for an automatic because of health issues and a clutch doesn't get along anymore. So far everything we are looking at has the 3.8. We are wanting to stay around the 35" tire range mild lift but more towards something with body protection since I don't have the time to build my own with the other projects going on.

[Aaron]

The tires I just got measure 33.25 inches by about 11.5. I had no problems with 35s when I had the stick but I think 35s, even on a Rubi (4.10 gears) would be a dog. I took off tires that were about 2" shorter than these and everything seems to work well. As for protection, the Rubi comes with rails and skids that have always been fine for me.

[Brad]

Wow. Let me tell you this as a friend. You have a problem... Says the guy with 2 jeeps... But I'm working on getting to one. Hows the fams?
Fams are good. Neil now driving and heading into senior year. And the other 3 A's? :D

[Aaron]

Proud Papa!

[Funrover]

I'm up to 3 discoveries. Not sure yet if it is punishment or curse. ;)

When did I miss #3?

[Brad]

She's new. Only had it for a month. Anyway! Back to Aaron's jeep!

[Aaron]

Bought some 2014 Rubicon springs and shocks this weekend. Someone replaced the front ones on mine with Ranchos which might as well be solid steel rods welded from the axle to the frame. Figured I will throw them on this week and see if my $70 upgrade improves the ride anyway. They were advertised to have only 2000 miles on them before they were taken off.

[Aaron]

Also tested the viability of flexing with the new shoes. They tuck pretty well unless I want to turn the wheel. Guess some trimming is in order.

[Aaron]

Lastly, bought a Superchips Flashpaq to help with a few things like... lockers in 4 hi (mud, sand), recalibrated speedometer and, last but not least, a few more hp.

[Chris]

Looking good Aaron! Can I trim for you? :D

[dieseldoc]

so how did the flashpaq work out?

[Aaron]

Chris. Absolutely! DieselDoc, hard to say... It comes in today. I did put premium fuel in it in anticipation of trying the ultimate tune..

[cfr]

Chris. Absolutely! DieselDoc, hard to say... It comes in today. I did put premium fuel in it in anticipation of trying the ultimate tune..

Do you have the 3.8 or 3.6? I have the 3.8L w/auto and the flashpaq. I run premium fuel and the tow tune for best results.

[Aaron]

I have the 3.8. I used the performance 91 tune yesterday. Definitely better than stock. Throttle response off the line is better and the shift points are better. I hadn't thought of using the towing tune. How does it act?

[Aaron]

I put the take off shocks and springs on the front last night. I noticed while I was doing it that the springs were not stock. Results... It rides better but I have a rake. I'm going to put the old springs back in here soon. The rear has stock shocks and springs so I'll replace both back there.

[ColoJeeper]

If you or anybody is interested, I have the factory Rubicon springs and shocks from my "11" JKU available and would be glad to give them to anybody that wants them. They have about 1700 miles on them.

[Aaron]

I've got a set now :) Like I said, I think the rancho front springs (not shocks) are going back on to get rid of the rake. I'll put the new '14 ones in the back though. Red Rubi shocks all around again. Rubi springs in the back and Rancho springs in the front.

[Aaron]

People on CL are asking between 100 and 125 for the takeoffs. My guy was asking for 100 and I got them for 70.

[cfr]

I have the 3.8. I used the performance 91 tune yesterday. Definitely better than stock. Throttle response off the line is better and the shift points are better. I hadn't thought of using the towing tune. How does it act?

You'll have to try it. Improved throttle response on the low end (think they're just playing with the throttle positioning), doesn't try to upshift so much. Try it for yourself. Interested in your feedback.

[Aaron]

Made a few mods to the JK... Whatcha think?

[open_circuit]

Impressive transformation. You converted the 4 door into a 2 door!