Arrowhead
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- George
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2018
- Threads
- 19
- Messages
- 480
- Reaction score
- 643
- Location
- Stillwater, NY
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018 Wrangler JL Sport
- Vehicle Showcase
- 1
- Thread starter
- #526
Wow, great this thread is still going! I looked back at my original post and then the update I posted last winter.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/the-2dr-sport-only-thread.15647/page-18#post-973784
Surprising how your Jeep can evolve and not realize it. Very happy with the upgrades I've made but the as you push the limits of your rig it just highlights more opportunities to improve it.
Since my last post in this thread I went with Raceline simulated bead locks and 35" Milestars. Very happy with the setup. They are a bit heavy though 107#'s tire and wheel although the Milestars measure a true 35". I selected those wheels anticipating they would get scuffed up and since they are natural colored scratches would not stick out so bad. That's working out pretty well. The Rubicon takeoff axles are working out perfect and the stock 4:10 with the automatic is the sweet spot for this tire size (on our lighter two doors). I see 8th no problem on the highway. With the 2-1/2" RK lift I had a lot of fender interference so I trimmed the lips and added the AAL high line fender lights for the Sahara fenders (no, I don't want Rubicon fenders). I tuned the suspension so there are just enough bump stops to protect the shocks. Why have shocks with 12" of travel only to stunt them with bump stops?
Finally got around to making my rear bumper to compliment the front I made. I raised the hitch up for more clearance, frenched in the license plate for better protection (most aftermarket bumpers leave you with no mounting locating) and added recovery points up high so they don't hang down causing a snag point when backing up. VERY pleased with the Hooker Blackheart exhaust. Tucks way up, reasonably priced but doesn't have an obnoxious sound. Just slightly louder than stock but no drone on the highway. Added Motobuilt diff covers and they paid for themselves already. The front one took a pretty hard hit that probably would have crushed the stock cover.
Very pleased with the Synergy steering components. Tie rod has some evidence of getting whacked pretty good but everything is holding up fine. Multiple day long highway trips and it tracks straight and true. Have had to adjust the steering box multiple times but it seems to have settled down now, minimal to no play. Steering stabilizer is a whole nother story and have a separate thread on that. It's off in the picture for some repairs (my fault).
Have full M.O.R.E skids and they have been great. Again reasonably priced but work.
Some recent wheelin trips have highlighted some areas that could use improvement though. I think diff skids are in order and those rear lower shock mounts have got to go. I could see the advantages of going with a bigger tire but not ready to commit to gears and beefier axle shafts but that's only way I would do it.
Overall I'm thrilled with the 2dr sport and have no regrets. I'm having a blast wheeling with it and enjoying doing mods to it. It's interesting out on the trail with fellow Jeepers and the 4dr and 2dr are just as capable but in different ways. Some obstacles a 4dr goes over with ease where I struggle and then vise a versa but the turning radius on the 2dr is the clear winner.
Typical Northeast trail:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=TlEtdkJ4X3NiRy1vOU1VWWhRbDhDaGhkeUZGdWR3
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/the-2dr-sport-only-thread.15647/page-18#post-973784
Surprising how your Jeep can evolve and not realize it. Very happy with the upgrades I've made but the as you push the limits of your rig it just highlights more opportunities to improve it.
Since my last post in this thread I went with Raceline simulated bead locks and 35" Milestars. Very happy with the setup. They are a bit heavy though 107#'s tire and wheel although the Milestars measure a true 35". I selected those wheels anticipating they would get scuffed up and since they are natural colored scratches would not stick out so bad. That's working out pretty well. The Rubicon takeoff axles are working out perfect and the stock 4:10 with the automatic is the sweet spot for this tire size (on our lighter two doors). I see 8th no problem on the highway. With the 2-1/2" RK lift I had a lot of fender interference so I trimmed the lips and added the AAL high line fender lights for the Sahara fenders (no, I don't want Rubicon fenders). I tuned the suspension so there are just enough bump stops to protect the shocks. Why have shocks with 12" of travel only to stunt them with bump stops?
Finally got around to making my rear bumper to compliment the front I made. I raised the hitch up for more clearance, frenched in the license plate for better protection (most aftermarket bumpers leave you with no mounting locating) and added recovery points up high so they don't hang down causing a snag point when backing up. VERY pleased with the Hooker Blackheart exhaust. Tucks way up, reasonably priced but doesn't have an obnoxious sound. Just slightly louder than stock but no drone on the highway. Added Motobuilt diff covers and they paid for themselves already. The front one took a pretty hard hit that probably would have crushed the stock cover.
Very pleased with the Synergy steering components. Tie rod has some evidence of getting whacked pretty good but everything is holding up fine. Multiple day long highway trips and it tracks straight and true. Have had to adjust the steering box multiple times but it seems to have settled down now, minimal to no play. Steering stabilizer is a whole nother story and have a separate thread on that. It's off in the picture for some repairs (my fault).
Have full M.O.R.E skids and they have been great. Again reasonably priced but work.
Some recent wheelin trips have highlighted some areas that could use improvement though. I think diff skids are in order and those rear lower shock mounts have got to go. I could see the advantages of going with a bigger tire but not ready to commit to gears and beefier axle shafts but that's only way I would do it.
Overall I'm thrilled with the 2dr sport and have no regrets. I'm having a blast wheeling with it and enjoying doing mods to it. It's interesting out on the trail with fellow Jeepers and the 4dr and 2dr are just as capable but in different ways. Some obstacles a 4dr goes over with ease where I struggle and then vise a versa but the turning radius on the 2dr is the clear winner.
Typical Northeast trail:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=TlEtdkJ4X3NiRy1vOU1VWWhRbDhDaGhkeUZGdWR3
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