Jeep Project: Build a JKU to the same specs as my LJ

pkrfctr

Registered User
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
So having another kid really messes with jeeps. I loved my LJ and think with the stretch on it, it was dang near perfect. But then I needed a 5th seat belt. I gave my jeep friend and ex-jeep suspension engineer a call and told him what I was thinking. He said I was crazy.
Same or lower step in heigth as the LJ but with 40's. Remember the JK's loose about 4" of side tub under the doors. I wanted breakover, approach and departure angles to be the same. After a year of going back and forth we came up with a plan. A flat belly JKU on 60's and 40's with a rear tank and custom suspension would meet all the criteria. And so the process started- 600 hours of CAD work, and over a year to build. It done and running great.
Heres the build list and pictures to follow. I have 100's of pictures so if you want to see something specific just let me know.
2007 JKU rubicon
premium JBL sound w/ subwoofer, 1‐CD radio
Tow package plus upgrade to 7‐way connector with Tekonsha premium trailer brake controller.
Powertrain:
5.7L VVT Hemi (2009 ram truck) + Getrag G238 6‐speed manual trans (3rd gen Dakota w/4.7l+4wd) installed Nov 2011 @ ~126k miles, 12” clutch
Adaptation to JK using AEV ‘Premium’ kit w/ Flowmaster exhaust. Custom exhaust comes completely out of the vehicle in 4 pieces without cutting.
OEM‐equivalent: functions as if factory‐installed; no codes, no quirks, all gages work + A/C Performed by two former Jeep div. Development Engineers
Mileages @ time of install: Engine ~ 500mi. (take‐out); Trans ~8k miles (according to junkyard.)
155k miles on odometer ‐ relevant to body/frame and T‐case only.
Deleted Hemi engine dress cover (intake, etc. directly visible for visual maintenence)
Note cruise control does not work due to Hemi swap (not feasible with VVT motor+manual)
t-case clocking ring
custom adjustable t-case shift cable linkage bracket
custom front body mounts, relocated to clear tires
Suspension:
SPC Performance (aka Light Racing) Jounce Shocks F/R (original proto kit; now in production)
Custom hybrid nth long arm lift AEV 5.5 "
Flat skids frame rail to frame rail
Reel drivelines
Nth LongArms & GJ's ‐ Front & Rear
Pinion Guard & 4‐link truss
Custom nth style stinger boom and mount
Custom engine, transmission and tcase skids
Hood: AEV ‘heat reduction’ painted to match w/ black inserts & Rubicon badges NOT replaced.
Front body mount custom designed and positioned
Headlights: Tuck‐Lite LED with PWM adapters (to eliminate flicker)
Battery is new 2016, Old AGM (‘dry’) type.
Tires – Goodyear MTR Kevlar 40/13.5/17 mounted on H2 wheels
Shocks – bilstein 7100 piggyback reservoirs custom configuration
Gas tank – Custom steel 38 gallon tank under rear of jeep in tj location
Steering—PSC hemi specific hydro assist, steering box forward 1”
Rear axle – 14 bolt, ’96 silverado 3500 DRW, 10.5” ring gear, full float, TMR shave kit, ARB, 5.38 gears, speed sensors, machined hubs for tone rings, ’77 cadillac Eldorado calipers with e-brake, 77 cadillac rear pads, teraflex JK 2" Rear Spring Spacer, custom ebrake lever arms , RTV the good stuff rear seal
Front axle – ’03 ford f-350 superduty srw, arb, HP 5.38 thick gears, knuckle machined for high steer arm (weaver fab), redrilled hubs, long side shortened 1”, short side lengthened 3.125”, diff moved center 2.125”, axle wider 2.125”, pinion rotated up 2* so sits at 7*, caster at 5*, inners 35 spline, 30 spline outer, short side 78-79 ford f-350, long side 88-98 ford f-350, 1410 pinion yoke
Wheel speed sensors
Drag link has es2234L on both ends
J8 master cylinder and booster
Stock fuel pump custom extended, summit racing fuel lines
9 gallon air tank
Color – powder coat = silver vein, paint= rustoleum black hammer tone
Exhaust- magnafow cats, flowmaster mufflers
Rear bumper—DV8 RS-7 HAMMER FORGED REAR BUMPER custom hitch, 2 d ring mounts
Front Bumper – genright Jk stubby steel, custom tube work and trim for 40’s
Winch – Warn Zeon platinum 12k with synthetic rope.


pics- CAD done and getting axles out.
 

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pkrfctr

Registered User
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
Front and rear axles mostly done
bottom of gas tank
steering box bracket to move it forward an 1"
TMR 14 bolt shave
t-case clocking ring
 

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pkrfctr

Registered User
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
front axle in and on roller tires
Getting the steering geometry right took the lion share of the CAD hours. I have full steering at full stuff.
CAD shows 46+" of wheel lift before anything else leaves the ground.
 

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Jinx

when in doubt, upgrade!
Location
So Jordan, Utah
So Much to love about this build. As always the devil is in the details.

It is pretty wild to see the fab and attention to detail in person.
 

Bart

Registered User
Location
Arm Utah
Wow, you don't mess around when it comes to your wheeling needs. Love the project and looking forward to seeing it on the trail.
 

pkrfctr

Registered User
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
Wow, you don't mess around when it comes to your wheeling needs. Love the project and looking forward to seeing it on the trail.

It's a curse right? Family loves it, we get to spend time together and with great people. Ever jeep I've built has been driven by seatbelts though. Good thing I'm done now!
 

pkrfctr

Registered User
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
rear ARB in and clearance on the TMR kit.
Rear shock mounts tacked in
Is it just me or is this rear axle happy to see me?
rear in and roller
check out that flat tummy!
 

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pkrfctr

Registered User
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
Clearances on the entire jeep are crazy tight to get everything to work! Imagine if its this tight in the rear without steering what the front looks like......
 

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pkrfctr

Registered User
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
Ok aside from the steering the tank was a huge nemesis!!
38 gallons by volume, it'll hold 34ish once you account for the 10% expansion volume. Its a good thing too because this hemi manual is thirsty.
these are the build pics. I'll post finished ones at the end.
We were able to cut apart the stock tank and use all stock factory connectors, parts and valves- only lengthened the pickup/sending unit.
 

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pkrfctr

Registered User
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
shocks getting built
hitch fabbed
shocks mounted
 

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