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XJFanatic’s JT Build Thread

XJFanatic

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Well time to start documenting the build up of this Jeep. Background I came from an XJ based buggy but priorities change as you grow a family and I ended up in a JLU. Family loved it and I got tired of the other ride not getting any miles on it. So we traded it to a JT. This is being built to compliment the JLU for some family off highway fun.

2020 JT Sport Max Tow.

The night I brought it home.
Jeep Gladiator XJFanatic’s JT Build Thread 560C754A-FAFD-4714-B0F4-18EEC3546CB8

In the daylight
Jeep Gladiator XJFanatic’s JT Build Thread D01BEC38-C980-44F3-8DD6-370C7C376458


current build
-Rubi sliders
-tonneau
-led headlights - Sealight
-315/70r17 Dick Cepek Trail Country EXP
-Quadratec Xtreme Rubicon wheels
-Westin WJ2 full width front bumper
-bulletpoint rubi grid
-Iron Rock Offroad 2” spacer lift with trail tamer shocks
-mopar longer lca
-Rockjock carrier bearing drop
-Synergy rear sway bar drop brackets
-JL rear sway bar links up front

Future
-RSi evo sport (ordered)

-Skids
-rear bumper
-winch
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XJFanatic

XJFanatic

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So first thing was finding some tires, the baby stock tires and 4.10s were nice around town but on the highway I was reving about 2200 rpms at 65-70. Found a good deal on some 315/70r17s mounted to Quadratec Xtreme Rubicon wheels. Best part it actually seems to have improved the mpg.

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XJFanatic

XJFanatic

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Braved the cold this morning and threw on the tonneau. Just a cheap yitamotor cover from Amazon but it fits pretty well. Should serve the purpose until we can order a cap.

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raypla

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Where’s pics of the XJ? My 99’ below

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XJFanatic

XJFanatic

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Got the kiddos seating situation taken care of today as well

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XJFanatic

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The brown suited man dropped off some goodies for the JT.
Jeep Gladiator XJFanatic’s JT Build Thread 38BE9F02-8015-4C00-96B2-5E77D138940A

Iron Rock 2” spacer lift
Rockjock carrier bearing drop
Synergy rear sway bar drop brackets (chose these over longer links as the reinforce the bracket some)

Not sure how great the trail tamer shocks will be, but for 40 extra dollars vs shock extensions I fingered the should be a little better than stock sport shocks. Also interesting with the built in bump stop to save them and they have a pretty beefy shaft.
Jeep Gladiator XJFanatic’s JT Build Thread 38BE9F02-8015-4C00-96B2-5E77D138940A
 
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Yesterday I got a chance to install a few things.

Westin WJ2 full width front bumper and my rubigrid. I really had no intention of installing a bumper so soon, but Facebook marketplace is the devil anc I found a deal I couldn’t pass up.

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Well the JT grew up today. Iron rock Offroad 2” spacer lift, their trail tamer shocks, rock jock carrier bearing drop, synergy rear sway bar drop brackets, and JL rear sway bar links for the front. Loving the stance. Probably wil throw some rubi front springs once I get a winch for the bumper.

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USMC_1Wire6337

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Well the JT grew up today. Iron rock Offroad 2” spacer lift, their trail tamer shocks, rock jock carrier bearing drop, synergy rear sway bar drop brackets, and JL rear sway bar links for the front. Loving the stance. Probably wil throw some rubi front springs once I get a winch for the bumper.

Jeep Gladiator XJFanatic’s JT Build Thread C4DD1BF5-B4EC-41E1-ADC1-973441716CA7


Jeep Gladiator XJFanatic’s JT Build Thread C4DD1BF5-B4EC-41E1-ADC1-973441716CA7


Jeep Gladiator XJFanatic’s JT Build Thread C4DD1BF5-B4EC-41E1-ADC1-973441716CA7


Jeep Gladiator XJFanatic’s JT Build Thread C4DD1BF5-B4EC-41E1-ADC1-973441716CA7
Now that you've had the lift for a while, how has it been for your?
 
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Now that you've had the lift for a while, how has it been for your?
It’s been great. Overall I am very happy with the ride. The cheap trail tamer shock option works great to soak up the massive potholes that formed this past winter on the country roads I drive everyday. Much better than the JL rubicon shocks I have on my JLU. No odd noises, no more pull than pre lift from the tires, and it seems to steer better with the mopar LCAs.

Would I do it again? Absolutely, I wanted to keep the rear max tow springs and this Allowed me to do that. The only thing I want to eventually add or change is a heavier set up front springs before I throw a winch on there. I just haven’t found a reasonably priced set of rubi or diesel take offs locally.

This was a great bang for my buck lift.
 

USMC_1Wire6337

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It’s been great. Overall I am very happy with the ride. The cheap trail tamer shock option works great to soak up the massive potholes that formed this past winter on the country roads I drive everyday. Much better than the JL rubicon shocks I have on my JLU. No odd noises, no more pull than pre lift from the tires, and it seems to steer better with the mopar LCAs.

Would I do it again? Absolutely, I wanted to keep the rear max tow springs and this Allowed me to do that. The only thing I want to eventually add or change is a heavier set up front springs before I throw a winch on there. I just haven’t found a reasonably priced set of rubi or diesel take offs locally.

This was a great bang for my buck lift.
Thank you for the feedback! I am thinking of going the same route. I was initially going to go with Bilstein shocks, but I think I might go TT. The built in bumpstop is a good looking feature.

I've been looking at how much drop a bumper and winch adds, and I am going to try first without a different spring. most people report less than an 1". I have the max tow coming on my Gobi Sport S, so i'm hoping it is already a stiffer spring.
 
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Thank you for the feedback! I am thinking of going the same route. I was initially going to go with Bilstein shocks, but I think I might go TT. The built in bumpstop is a good looking feature.

I've been looking at how much drop a bumper and winch adds, and I am going to try first without a different spring. most people report less than an 1". I have the max tow coming on my Gobi Sport S, so i'm hoping it is already a stiffer spring.
Not a problem. I figured for the cost of the TT shocks it was worth a try as one of my factory shocks was blown. Not sure how long they will last but for the cost if I get 10-20k out of them I will be happy.

The rear max tow springs definitely have a higher load capacity, I had 16 wet bags of mulch in the bed and there was still some rake on the rig. Front I think are just sport springs as they feel the same as what I took off my JL. Depending on what you are going for you may or may not need to swap them out. But even if you do it’s only two hours of work.
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