CloakedJK Build Thread

CloakedJK

Jeep Owner
So, I have been meaning to do a build thread for my 2015 JKU Sport. I purchased the Jeep in March of 2015, with a whole 9 miles on it. The Jeep is about as base model as you can get, with manual windows, locks, and a soft top. Shortly after getting the Jeep, one of the first things I did was swap the wheels and tires from a Rubicon to make it not look like such a Barbie Jeep rolling around on sub 30” tires.

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The next upgrade would be doing a 3.5” True Dual-Rate Rockport Edition lift and Overland Fenders. At the same time the Jeep got 4.88 gears (Knowing 37s would be the end goal), an ARB locker in the rear, and 35” Goodyear MTRs on the stock rims with 1.5” wheel spacers. The gearing was a little much with the 35s, but it made more sense to do it once and deal with it for the time being. Shortly later I would add the rear MC tire carrier to hold the larger 35” spare and the front modular MC bumper to get rid of the crappy plastic factory bumper.

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CloakedJK

Jeep Owner
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After about 6 months I went ahead and upgraded the 3.5” Dual-Rate kit to the new at time, 4.5” Short Arm Game-Changer kit and switched between Rocksports and 6Paks a couple different times, but ended up sticking with the Rocksports for the simplicity. Running the 4.5” kit with the Overland Fenders made the 35s look a little small, but 37” Nitto Trail Grapplers fixed that a couple weeks later with Racline Monster Beadlocks. With the short arm and 35s the Jeep was scoring right around 900 on the CTI trailer.

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This last summer Northern California had a huge amount of rainfall and inevitably the interior of the Jeep took a beating and water may have floated the carpets a time or two. I came to the conclusion the carpet was not for me and ripped it out one day on an impulse. About a week later I decided to have the interior of the Jeep sprayed with Line-X and chose to go with a dark red, instead of the standard black. I liked the way the interior turned out enough that I went ahead and had the tops of the Overland Fenders done as well.

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CloakedJK

Jeep Owner
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In the last 6 months, the Jeep has now been upgraded to the 4 Link Long arm kit with the DB3 rear drop brackets, still at the 4.5” height. The 4-link provided and even better on road ride, as well as the speed you can take dirt road/fire roads at a ton! The flex did increase, but that also had a lot to do with going with the new longer front Rocksport shocks and the raised lower brackets in the rear. The font Dana 30 was also swapped out for a Dana 44 out of a Rubicon that was trussed and built. The current CTI score is right at 1000.

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Brian

Jeep Fanatic
I really like the red lineX. When you said dark red, my initial reaction was "NOOOOOooooooo". But I was 100 percent wrong. A great inspiration to others!
 

CloakedJK

Jeep Owner
I really like the red lineX. When you said dark red, my initial reaction was "NOOOOOooooooo". But I was 100 percent wrong. A great inspiration to others!
The red had me nervous LOL. It is actually the Dark Velvet Red Color code off the Grand Cherokee that a co-worker has and that is the only reason I went that route. Makes it stand out for sure!
 

Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
I was curious on how you did your Fenders. Line-X looks great. Always been nervous that it would fade over time of be a pain to keep clean.

How much trimming did you do to the rear, of any?
 

CloakedJK

Jeep Owner
I was curious on how you did your Fenders. Line-X looks great. Always been nervous that it would fade over time of be a pain to keep clean.

How much trimming did you do to the rear, of any?
The fenders were the standard black powder coat MC uses and what I ran for about a year. The Line-X went right over the powder and hasn't faded at all so far. I find Windex and a bristle brush will go a long way to keep it clean. The Line-X guy recommended I do it with the fenders off the Jeep, but due to time line constraints, were done on the Jeep and it worked great.

No trimming in the rear as of yet, when I go 40s we shall see haha
 

Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
The fenders were the standard black powder coat MC uses and what I ran for about a year. The Line-X went right over the powder and hasn't faded at all so far. I find Windex and a bristle brush will go a long way to keep it clean. The Line-X guy recommended I do it with the fenders off the Jeep, but due to time line constraints, were done on the Jeep and it worked great.

No trimming in the rear as of yet, when I go 40s we shall see haha
I like that, “when I go 40’s” thinking. Slap on some full width tons and break out the sawzaw! Things will get super flexy.


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Pairodice

Jeep Newb
Very nice build and I like the red interior. Some day I will get enough $ together to go all out and do the 4.5” MC lift (or maybe I will WIN one here!)...
What would you recommend if I were just going to go all out, spend the $ and just go for it? I like to rock climb mostly but like wash roads also - have not tried the desert yet but it’s in my back yard so might be fun...
 
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