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Bad324

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I love this thread! It is extremely similar what I’m trying to accomplish with my 19 JLU Sport. Great info!
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blnewt

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@The_Paper_Cut
Thanks for posting this, seem to have a similarity to what I'm going with. I went w/ a high fender kit so I can run 35s on my next set but still keep a low center of gravity build.
Nice job on that switch setup, nice way to get a clean look w/ plenty of switch options.
X2 on the Rubicon suspension swap, great bang for the buck and still retain a decent on-road drive.
I may replace my shocks w/ some Ranchos later this year but not a big deal ATM.

Did you go w/ the longer Mopar lift LCAs & did you get the new cast iron steering box? If not, I highly recommend both, my JL steers great at all speeds (unless there's heavy crosswinds, then it's death-grip time) :)

Great job!
 
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The_Paper_Cut

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@The_Paper_Cut
Thanks for posting this, seem to have a similarity to what I'm going with. I went w/ a high fender kit so I can run 35s on my next set but still keep a low center of gravity build.
Nice job on that switch setup, nice way to get a clean look w/ plenty of switch options.
X2 on the Rubicon suspension swap, great bang for the buck and still retain a decent on-road drive.
I may replace my shocks w/ some Ranchos later this year but not a big deal ATM.

Did you go w/ the longer Mopar lift LCAs & did you get the new cast iron steering box? If not, I highly recommend both, my JL steers great at all speeds (unless there's heavy crosswinds, then it's death-grip time) :)

Great job!
Seems to be what a lot of people are going for, which actually surprised me to find out! Thats a good way to go. Do you plan on regearing and adding lift to achieve 35’s or what’s your plan? I want to do them eventually, but I know it’ll be a hefty investment to get my Jeep prepared for it.

I have the switches, I just need something to wire to them now lol. Thinking of getting extra lights and maybe try to figure out how to wire my winch to the switch box. Never heard of Rancho shocks, hope they do you well whenever you decide to get them!

I didn’t do the longer LCA. I’ve been contemplating it since I feel like my Jeep pulls right just a tiny bit, but sometimes it drives perfectly straight too, so I’m not sure if I’ll do the LCA or not. I know I’ve heard the longer ones will correct steering problems like that, I just don’t know if it’s a problem or just in my head.

Thanks though! I actually think you were the one who helped me out with figuring out my rubicon suspension in another post of mine. Thank you for that!
 

blnewt

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Seems to be what a lot of people are going for, which actually surprised me to find out! Thats a good way to go. Do you plan on regearing and adding lift to achieve 35’s or what’s your plan? I want to do them eventually, but I know it’ll be a hefty investment to get my Jeep prepared for it.

I have the switches, I just need something to wire to them now lol. Thinking of getting extra lights and maybe try to figure out how to wire my winch to the switch box. Never heard of Rancho shocks, hope they do you well whenever you decide to get them!

I didn’t do the longer LCA. I’ve been contemplating it since I feel like my Jeep pulls right just a tiny bit, but sometimes it drives perfectly straight too, so I’m not sure if I’ll do the LCA or not. I know I’ve heard the longer ones will correct steering problems like that, I just don’t know if it’s a problem or just in my head.

Thanks though! I actually think you were the one who helped me out with figuring out my rubicon suspension in another post of mine. Thank you for that!
Here's how my JL currently sits, the gearing isn't something I'm too concerned with as I've read enough members running 35s on stock gearing and they've been ok with it. I just want to be able to trail run and handle moderate type trails, not looking to get too extreme (done some of that w/ past Jeeps & other 4x4s). That 8AT is another factor, if I had the 6spd there's no way I'd consider 35s on the stock 3:45 setup.

Ted ( @wibornz ) runs Rancho shocks/suspension, I'm sure you've seen him around here, he puts his Jeep through hell & back, so I'm sold lol.

Looks like you got a nice 2" lift from your Rubi swap, the 2dr Sports benefit the most from the longer LCAs since they get the most lift. You'll be glad you got them, trust me on this one :) you can drive w/ one finger on the wheel on the hwy.

Keep up the great work there!

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG
 

ItsNo4RE

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Just finished the last part of my off road capable daily driver on a budget for my 2020 2 door Sport S. Hopefully some new people to the community can find this and take something away from it. Thanks to silverbullet for introducing me to this style of mods.

1. You don’t need to purchase new quality of every mod you’re getting. Often times used things are just as good as new, but are significantly cheaper. People are constantly upgrading their Jeeps, so you’re eventually going to find someone who’s selling something that you want.

2. Rubicon take-offs are one of the best things you can purchase. They’re cheap, they’re factory, there’s tons of them, and they’re extremely capable. Most of my build is from Rubicon’s because a Rubicon can already do mostly anything stock. Throwing that stuff on your sport is an easy and cheap way to upgrade yourself. For example a 2” lift kit will run you about $1,500. JLUR suspension will cost you about $100-$200 and get you 2” lift.

Here’s a list of all my upgrades:

JLR 33” AT Tires: $950

Rock Hard 4x4 Winch Plate: ~$200

Badlands 12,000lb Winch: $500

Recovery Pack: $140

Grab Handles: $30

Oracle LED headlights: $400

Trailer Hitch: $50

Voswitch JL300 Switch Box: $240

JLR Rock Rails: $75

JLUR suspension: $200

Altogether these upgrades cost me ~$3,000 total. It cost me nothing to install it all because everything was extremely easy to install due to the fact that they’re factory parts. I have myself a daily driver that still gets 20MPG, that can also tackle some pretty serious trails with its 2” of lift, 33” tires, and 12,000lb winch.

I’m not saying any other way of building your Jeep is wrong. I just want to throw this out there so that people don’t think the only way to build your jeep is with brand new parts, name brands, and super expensive items. That was my mindset when I first looked into modifying my Jeep. And I’m glad I was introduced to this style of build because I easily saved myself a few thousand dollars.



Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG

The day I bought my Jeep. Completely stock.

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG

First time taking Jeepie on a road trip. This is the Grand Canyon. Still completely stock.

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG

First major mod weekend. Added the winch plate, winch, lights, and removed the fender flares. I’d thrown the tires on a week or two prior.
Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG

After installing the JLUR Suspension. Got 2” in the rear and 1.25” up front. The rake looks worse in the picture because I’m parked on a slanted surface. I plan on throwing spacers in there eventually to even it out.

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG

Voswitch switch panel with no button identifier stickers placed or assigned.

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG

Under the hood. The switch box. Plus green cable run to the fuse box for the DRL.

Should be able to tackle mostly anything I throw at it. Within reason of course
Awesome brother. How did you install the winch on the stock bumper?
 

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sebythellama

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@The_Paper_Cut,

Nice build. Great advice.

Most Sport owners purchased their Jeep most likely due to budgetary constraints (me included). Rubicon's are just too damn expensive. Your build highlights what you can do to really make your Sport way better than stock... On whatever budget you can afford.

Yet one of the things I see missing from your list of cheap modifications is a Sway-Bar Link Quick Disconnect kit. Not totally essential, but for around $150 it adds likely the most off-road capable enhancement possible besides lockers. Of course, adding lockers to a Sport isn't anywhere in the neighborhood of being inexpensive. That's primarily why Rubicon's are so costly.

However, just to offer another small change in perspective, I own a 2019 2-door Sport S. Living along the Colorado Front Range my desire was to build my JL to be as off-road capable as possible but still within a limited (but not an absolute minimalist) budget. I was willing to invest just a little more than the bare minimum. My objective was to ride on All-Terrain 35s. This required a tad more clearance than what some previously used Rubicon take-offs would offer.

The more off-road capable 35s would certainly provide the best possible tractive improvement. Noting for the record that this of coarse is the biggest tire possible on a Sport without undergoing the high expense of differential regearing to something higher than the stock 3.45:1 gears that come standard with the lower-line m186 / m200 axles. As a side effect, the 35s have certainly provided me with an 8th gear that's truly an overdrive now on steroids.

However in order to get the wheel-fender clearance for the 35's (on a Sport) a little more lift is required, beyond what the Rubi take-offs can provide. Recall, the Rubicon's have a higher stock fender flair setup so they can indeed better support 35's without any further modification. Unfortunately the Sport requires an additional half to a full inch of additional lift in order to prevent any rub at full articulation.

So I went with the Mopar 2.5" Lift kit, ended up at nearly 3 inches after installation. Yes, this is certainly more expensive than the take-off suspension but gives me the ultimate capability that a Sport can provide. For the additional $1300 investment, this was peanuts. Best investment in my JL I could have ever made. I'd gladly give up all the cosmetic and optional electronic stuff (up-front, within the initial build budget) in order to get the most capable ride possible for my Sport.

I've never regretted the Mopar lift. In my opinion it rides much better than stock. It's no longer some squishy ordinary sedan. It handles and behaves to what I believe a Jeep should be... Capable of maneuvering over nearly anything.

So there are potential trade-offs... That's certainly the absolute beauty of these Wranglers. You can be as cheap or as extravagant as you desire. I chose the +1 step up from the minimally lowest cost
build possible. It's your Jeep, you don't have to cut every corner possible.

Envision what it is you truly want from your rig and either trade up or down from there. For me, that meant no Rubicon take-offs. I now have something way (way) better than any stock Rubi. There isn't a trail here in Colorado yet that I haven't felt comfortable in tackling. I've even helped pull a couple of stuck Rubicon's out of trouble on the exact same obstacle I just successfully accomplished. In all fairness though, both were bone stock Rubi's.

Be cheap, be extravagant, be creative. Your build is up to you. No matter what, have fun and with no regrets.

Jay

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG


Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_0502.JPG
This thread is awesome, this is exactly the kind of thing I'm trying to do with my '19 JL Sport S. On an unrelated note, where were these photos taken (especially the mountain pass one)? Thanks!
 

JL MADDOG

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Good info here for a Jeep noob. Thanks for posting up your approach to the mods!
 

Uhdinator

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My 2" spacer lift and 295's has better clearance than my 2 1/2" lifted Rubicon had.

285's on Rubi, 305/65's on the JL

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build 2003to2018


295's 2" spacers

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build IMG_6204.JPG


The 8 speed auto with more gears that are closer together handles bigger tires a bit better than the 6 speed.

2" spacers (a little more lift and less stiff than Rubi Springs)
Rubi fenders, and 305/70's would be a great combo with the 8 sp and keeping center of gravity within reason. The only issue is limited tire choices with 305/70 size tires. I go everywhere I went with the Rubi without issues. BLD works very well. Keeping with the non steel bumpers is also a plus in keeping added weight to a minimum.........If they get damaged then I will worry about upgrades at that time.
 
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jeepoch

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This thread is awesome, this is exactly the kind of thing I'm trying to do with my '19 JL Sport S. On an unrelated note, where were these photos taken (especially the mountain pass one)? Thanks!
Sebastian,

I believe the mountain pass you are asking about is not really a pass but rather is the veiw of Mt. Lincoln from Wheeler Lake at 12,175 ft, just west of Alma CO. Mt. Lincoln in the picture is at 14,293 ft.

However, there are other mountain passes in my pics as well. Wise Mountain and Argentine Pass. Wise is actually a peak at 12,034 ft. This has the cabin where it's floor has now caved in and is now revealing the mine shaft underneath it. Also in one of my pics is the view of Mt. Edwards at 13,856 ft from Argentina Pass 13,207 ft.

It certainly is a blast to experience these locations. Anything above 12,000 ft is a very good day. It's what Jeeping is all about.

Jay
 

Robellion

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Hey all- I've been reading various threads about the sway bar disconnect and decided to get the Teraflex quick disconnect kit. I am running a full stock Sport S, no lifts. When I see the length of the connection arms on the stock compared to the disconnect arms that came with the kit it got me paranoid about using it. They are much longer and when connected to the sway bar, the bar would be much higher than the 5-10 degree number that is advised on various other kits and threads about it. Could someone explain to me if I can use it? It seems that the sway bar would be more like 20 degrees or so when connected. The kit does advertise, for "0-4.5 inch" lift kits. Thanks!

https://teraflex.com/shop_items/jl-jt-front-sway-bar-quick-disconnect-kit-0-4-5-lift
 

qnet

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Cool thread. I went a similar route. My Rubi takeoffs were from a JLUR with a soft top. My 18 JL sport was purchased used at the end of last year with only 7400 miles.

I did things slightly different by only adding the Rubu springs with Teraflex 9550 0-2" shocks. I also added Teraflex LCA's for 1.5 -3.5" lifts, and a 1/2" Teraflex load leveling spacer in the front. I got a lot of Teraflex stuff, just how it worked out.

I added the spacer in front to accommodate my smittybuilt X20 10K LB. winch and Rugged Ridge Arcus bumper, but those items didn't seem affect the front much as I thought. It could be the way you guys took your pics, but you look higher than me. I still have the rubu shocks, I already had purchased the Teraflex shock when the kit was offered to me.

I'm a noob too so not sure if i did things right, but still happy with it so far.

Jeep Wrangler JL JL Sport S Off Road Capable Daily Driver Budget Build 20201226_143210
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