In preparation for stage two, I trimmed the fenders all the way around to make room for 35" tires, which is the size I've decided to go with next time I buy a set.  If you're thinking about trimming your own fenders, this is a very general guide.  You'll need to take your own measurements, safety,…Read more The build thread: high and tight – fender trimming

The Poor man's HiLift mounts for any size roof rack Ingredients: (2) Pipe Repair Clamps (The size will differ depending on tubing diameter of roof rack) (2) 5" x 7/16" Carriage bolts (2) 7/16" Fender washers (2) 7/16" Large diameter Rubber or Neoprene washers (2) 7/16" Wingnuts (4) 7/16" flat washers (2) 7/16" nut (1) Tiny Master…Read more The build thread: LowBuck HiLift mounts

Although this isn't strictly "build-related", I figured it would be a good topic to share, because we all have dozens of odds and ends rolling around our rigs. I found the Cocoon Grid-it panels on Amazon a few weeks ago and couldn't get them out of my head. It wasn't a product that I needed, of course,…Read more The build thread: overhead organization

I ran Broken Arrow in Sedona, AZ with a buddy as a shakedown for the lift install, and it performed awesomely. I was tempted to try and run the staircase upwards, but time got away from us and I didn't get a chance. At the very end of the day as we were coming off…Read more The build thread: on retainers

Drum roll please... At this point, I was about 8 months into my relationship with the Jeep, and it was everything I could dream that a one-sided, codependent relationship with an inanimate object could be. I deliberated a LOT about why, how, and how much I wanted to lift it. Initially, I planned to go…Read more The build thread: finally getting high

I spent many nights lying awake trying to justify the cost for the front tow points from Saguaro4x4. In the end, they're pretty. And I got them. They bolt into the same location as the factory hooks, and are fully closed for use with a D-Ring shackle. I regret nothing. They fit and function without…Read more The build thread: tow points

After I gave up trying to convince myself that it was gonna stay stock, I decided to see what I could do on stock suspension and street tires. I knew the dub would be capable in stock trim, but I wanted to see just how capable. Keeping that in mind, I decided to attend to…Read more The build thread: Sight and sound

The first thing I needed to do was to fix all the "Jeep-ness" that it had accumulated over the last decade, so it was off to the dealer, rockauto.com, and Amazon. Here's a running tally of the fixes that I can remember: Oil pressure sending unit Water pump Blend doors Heater core Condenser Dash speakers…Read more The build thread: Restore

I originally bought my Grand Cherokee to tow a bike trailer so I wouldn't have to borrow a truck every time I bought a new bike. I figured I could kill two birds with one stone and get a 4wd for the snow too. Instead of keeping a bone stock toy hauler, all the money…Read more The build thread: Purchase