RodReckets Sport S Build Thread

[Koryluke]

I see bigger tires in my future...

Installed the MOPAR 2" lift
Terafelx adjustable front trackbar
EVO adjustable rear trackbar
Rancho geometry correction brackets
Fox TS steering stabilizer

Very happy with the ride

Looks great. It makes me want to add the Mopar lift, but I am worried about not adding the geometry correcting parts!

I don't know If you're able to give a comparison or share your experience? I don't do heaps of off-roading, which makes me think the other parts would be crucial because I road trip often and spend a lot of time on the highway.

My local shop quoted me $4,400, haha

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[RodRecket]

Looks great. It makes me want to add the Mopar lift, but I am worried about not adding the geometry correcting parts!

I don't know If you're able to give a comparison or share your experience? I don't do heaps of off-roading, which makes me think the other parts would be crucial because I road trip often and spend a lot of time on the highway.

My local shop quoted me $4,400, haha

So I can't compare having the lift with brackets vs no brackets because they went on at the same time. MOPAR says you can add the lift as is, no track bars or brackets, and it works. I'm sure that's true but I'd rather get all the angles to a stock setting reducing the chance of any weird steering or handling behaviors.

The rancho brackets I have on now will be going up for sale soon. Nothing wrong with them but I ordered AEV brackets but was too impatient to wait for them to install the lift so I went with rancho temporarily. Is it worth the hassle to switch them? Probably not but I like AEV stuff. I was very close to going with the AEV lift but was able to get the mopar lift/track bars/brackets all for less money. I have no regrets, the set up I have works very well.

For what it's worth I DD my truck and make a couple of road trips ever year to camp/offroad. My goal is a very capable, dependable, streetable truck. Here's an image from Imogene Pass last year.


Oh, and $4400 is ridiculous BTW

 

[RodRecket]

Pretty happy today. I've been waiting for AEV to come out with the new salta wheel for the JT. The JK version would fit but I really like how AEV specs the offset for the specific vehicle. I paired them with Toyo ATIII in 35/11.5 R17. These tires keep width in check, are C rated (ride quality for me), and pretty light for a 35 at 63lbs. Only have 20 miles on the set up but I love the look at ride. The tires are a little louder but thats all I've noticed so far. Pics!

 

[RodRecket]

The Rancho geometry correction brackets were swapped with AEV brackets today. Don't think it makes much of a difference but time will tell.

Dirty truck, slightly better pics in the sun.

 

[RodRecket]

I forgot to add that the spare is a Kenda Klever RT 35/10.5r17 on the stock spare steelie. I went this route to tuck the tire up out of the way as much as possible while still having a full sized spare, and it's an inexpensive 35 option for a tire that hopefully isn't needed.

Two more shot cleaned up at night.

 

[RodRecket]

From my latest adventure. While climbing a boulder wall I decided I have to regear. 4.56 going in end of July

 

[Samsons Wig]

Looks great! I'm about to go with 35s as well, and still debating whether to lift or not. What RTT are you rocking?

 

[RodRecket]

Looks great! I'm about to go with 35s as well, and still debating whether to lift or not. What RTT are you rocking?

I'd recommend lifting if you re going to wheel and have the swaybar disconnected. I had a really tough time deciding between AEV and MOPAR. I ended up going MOPAR because a member here had theirs for sale with some extra components for a deal I couldn't pass up.

The RTT is a Tepui Kukemon ruggedized. This was before Thule bought them but I think they make great stuff. It's been a great tent for the last 5-6 years we've used it. My wife and I are considering a hybrid hardshell just to make set up and breakdown a little faster. Most of our trips we are setting up someplace new everyday. Though it only takes 10 minutes to get the tent broken down we will end up setting up and breaking down 8 times on a 8 day trip which adds up.

 

[Veloruche]

From my latest adventure. While climbing a boulder wall I decided I have to regear. 4.56 going in end of July

Those photos look like North Carolina or Virginia?

 

[RodRecket]

Those photos look like North Carolina or Virginia?

Good eye. We were in North Carolina and Tennessee visiting Smoky Mountain NP and some surrounding areas

 

[Veloruche]

Good eye. We were in North Carolina and Tennessee visiting Smoky Mountain NP and some surrounding areas

I thought I recognized it, looks like some of our favorite places. If you haven’t been yet, check out Wilson Creek NC area.

 

[RodRecket]

I thought I recognized it, looks like some of our favorite places. If you haven’t been yet, check out Wilson Creek NC area.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm sure we'll make it out there again, it's beautiful country.

 

[RodRecket]

Installed Smart StartStop for my sanity and the AEV Procal for the tires and soon to be installed 4.56 gears

 

[RodRecket]

Been busy chipping away at some mods that I've found I needed...

Put on some skid protection: Rusty's Frame side LCA skid, Rockhard LCA skids front/rear + rear shocks, Rancho front diff skid

Slight Rant:
Not super impressed by any of the skids. The all seem beefy and up for a beating but every brand of skid fought me during installation. Rusty's had one hole that didn't line up and required drilling. Rockhard required shims and washers to fit properly on the front LCAs and required me finding some additional washers to keep the bolt head and nut from wallowing the bolt hole. I'm currently waiting on Rancho to supply to correct U bolt so I can install it. It seems these are known issues but damn...I was hoping for better.

All that said I think I now have some decent protection for the type of wheeling I do. Pics

 

[RodRecket]

Then I regeared to 4.56 and finally got the clutch software update. The 4.56s really feel right w/ 35s for a DD. I'm digging the gear indicator too

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