Chief Edition Dream Build - MischiefMaker 3.0

[MischiefMaker]

About 10 months ago the rock crawling bug bit me hard and any chance of my first Jeep being a mixed use DD and recreational vehicle went straight out the window (along with all my money...)

One of my favorite things about the Jeep community is the fact that my story is in no way unique. We all share the same obsession and that’s why I’m excited to share my dream Jeep build with all of you (now that most of the pieces are in place).

I’m joining this forum 14 months into owning my first Jeep and next month I will be installing my phase 3 mods, including:

• MetalCloak 4.5 4-link Long Arm
• MetalCloak Overline Front Fenders
• Fusion4x4 Kingpin 60 Front Axle
• Fusion4x4 Elite 80 Rear Axle
• PSC Big Bore XD
• TrailReady HD17 Beadlocks
• Pitbull Rocker LT Bias 42x15r17s
• Atlas Transfer Case
• Rebel Recon Front Dual Shock System

This was always the plan for MischiefMaker, I just wanted to move quickly, get more experience off road and experience for myself the limit of my existing build.

A number of the things listed above are already ordered. The remaining items are being ordered this week and I should be able to start installing things (the fun part) around October 19th at the latest.

I'm hoping to have enough saved by Christmas to finish this build with a full replacement roll cage, supercharger and seat/harness setup - but no promises there.

My goal since the start of this year was EJS 2019 and this next build up is a major step toward that goal.

If there are any things I'm over looking please let me know.

Here are all of my existing mods to date (I'm sure a few things are missing, but you know how that goes..LOL).

• Bestop Passenger Under Seat Locking Storage
• AntennaX Off-road 13” Antenna
• Spiderweb Shade 4D (custom printed, of course)
• Smittybilt (98510) X20 Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch (10,000lb)
• Wild Boar Front Grab Handles (black)
• Poison Spyder Brawler II Front Bumper with Trail Stinger
• Evo Rockskin Corners
• Evo Tire Carrier
• Poison Spyder Rocker Knockers (Frame Mounted)
• PowerStop z36 Brakes (13" rotors and carbon ceramic brakes)
• ARB Dual Piston Air Compressor
• Viair 2Gal air tank
• MetalCloak 4.5" Game Changer Lift w/6Paks (Hi-steer)
• Tom Woods 1350 Drive Shafts Front/Rear
• ARB Air Lockers Front/Rear
• Dana Spicer 5.13 Gears
• 37" BFG KM2s mounted on Rugged Ridge XHD Wheels (Silver)
• Hi-Lift Jack HL484 48” (with jack keeper and neoprene jack cover accessories)
• Dominion Off Road 4-Door Jeep JK Wrangler 48" Hi-Lift Jack Mount
• 2x Dual Windsheild mounted LED POD Combo Flood/Spot Phillips fog lights (white)
• Color-matched AUXMART 50" Light Bar Windshield Mounting Brackets
• sPOD 6 Switch System with double LED light Contura rocker switches & Source System (w/Blue LEDs)
• 50" Curved Led Light Bar Spot Flood Combo (White)
• 2.9lb Fire Extinguisher w/Black Roll Bar mount

Here he is in all his glory ...sorry for the boring pic.

 

[MischiefMaker]

Reserved

 

[Pthorpe84]

Are you just going to delete your rear fenders during the next phase? BTW great choice in axles. Dan really makes a great set.

 

[MischiefMaker]

Are you just going to delete your rear fenders during the next phase? BTW great choice in axles. Dan really makes a great set.

Haha. No joke, the rear setup has been keeping me up at night! & I’m a bit undecided on the direction...

Here’s where I’m at...I love the MetalCloak Overland fenders and I’m committed to keeping my Evo corner armor and tire carrier. I’ll also be keeping my 4.5” coils and 15” 6Pak shocks in the rear (for now at least...).

Any suggestions other than just completely deleting them would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Axles...I went with Fusion for several reasons, but Dan has been (just like the team at MetalCloak) a fantastic build partner. Moving to 42s is so involved and he has really gone above and beyond as an advisor for this build.

 

[Pthorpe84]

Haha. No joke, the rear setup has been keeping me up at night! & I’m a bit undecided on the direction...

Here’s where I’m at...I love the MetalCloak Overland fenders and I’m committed to keeping my Evo corner armor and tire carrier. I’ll also be keeping my 4.5” coils and 15” 6Pak shocks in the rear (for now at least...).

Any suggestions other than just completely deleting them would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Axles...I went with Fusion for several reasons, but Dan has been (just like the team at MetalCloak) a fantastic build partner. Moving to 42s is so involved and he has really gone above and beyond as an advisor for this build.

If your committed to keeping that Evo Armor, I would just run no rear fenders. I really love that look anyhow.

The fenders you have now are perfectly fine. Lots of builds with high articulation run that style/setup. I’m not sure if there is a narrower version out there, but that is what I would look for if you just had to change that part of your build.

Do you have an LS or Hemi on your future build list? Those 42’s will be begging for horsepower.

 

[MischiefMaker]

If your committed to keeping that Evo Armor, I would just run no rear fenders. I really love that look anyhow.

The fenders you have now are perfectly fine. Lots of builds with high articulation run that style/setup. I’m not sure if there is a narrower version out there, but that is what I would look for if you just had to change that part of your build.

Do you have an LS or Hemi on your future build list? Those 42’s will be begging for horsepower.

Yeah there definitely is an LS in his future, but like 2020. Phase 1.5 of this final build will be a supercharger followed (hopefully quickly in early 2019) by a roll cage, seats & harnesses.

Gotta see how things play out over the next few months.

Then I’ll be done

 

[Pthorpe84]

Yeah there definitely is an LS in his future, but like 2020. Phase 1.5 of this final build will be a supercharger followed (hopefully quickly in early 2019) by a roll cage, seats & harnesses.

Gotta see how things play out over the next few months.

Then I’ll be done

I would look at the Edelbrock Super Charger. It has a lot of low end torque which is more useful in the rock crawling world.


What all did Fusion tell you to do to prep for 42’s ?

 

[MischiefMaker]

I would look at the Edelbrock Super Charger. It has a lot of low end torque which is more useful in the rock crawling world.


What all did Fusion tell you to do to prep for 42’s ?

Well, the only thing I’m pretty sure I’ll need to modify is the grill based on the measurements we went with on the axle width, the backspace on the wheels and the width of the tires.

I actually had a Sahara grill modified by Flobuilt Conversions. The turn signals have been relocated inward and the edges shaved. I’m also planning to cut the very front edge of the fenders to meet the new angle of the grill. I know it’s a necessary mod, but I’m also really excited for MischiefMaker to have a custom look.

Other than that, it’s kinda tough because I’m changing basically everything except the drive shafts (which will be sent back to Tom Woods for modification).

I was planning to play it by ear with regard to trimming and other clearance related mods.

If there’s anything I should prepare for now, I’m happy to benefit from the free advice!

 

[Pthorpe84]

I was planning to play it by ear with regard to trimming and other clearance related mods.

If there’s anything I should prepare for now, I’m happy to benefit from the free advice!

Did you go with full width 72” axles?

Don’t get just the XD steering box, get the whole XD hydro assist kit.

Honestly you won’t know what else to do until you get everything installed and start checking for clearance.

 

[MischiefMaker]

Did you go with full width 72” axles?

Don’t get just the XD steering box, get the whole XD hydro assist kit.

Honestly you won’t know what else to do until you get everything installed and start checking for clearance.

Dan did all the math (thank god!). The axles will be 73.75” and the wheels will have 4.5” backspace.

Sorry for the confusion...I did end up getting the full hydro assist kit from PSC. Great minds...

 

[Pthorpe84]

Ohhh yeah they do! Those axles are going to be sweet. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

 

[lisaoc]

I’ve followed you for a few months on IG and you are definitely an inspiration.

 

[gingerempire]

I can't wait to see those Fusion axles...I'm not ready for them yet, but they're on the short list. I love this build so much.

 

[Jegar]

Wow - what a build!!! Looking foreword to updates and EJS pics

 

[MischiefMaker]

I’ve followed you for a few months on IG and you are definitely an inspiration.

Thanks! I never had any interest in working on my previous vehicles and now (if I can't be wheeling) I'm just as happy turning wrenches on MM. It's really amazing how the right kind of vehicle can ignite that kind of passion.

There are so many really inspirational Women Wheelers on IG. I owe a lot to those who helped inspire me and my main goal is to pay it forward...

 

[MischiefMaker]

I need some ideas on a new exhaust. What are you guys/gals running and why?

Let me know. Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

[Todd Ockert]

Does that rear tire carrier swing away.
I have seen some that swing down.
I am getting too old to lift that thing back up if it is ever needed!

Nice build.

 

[MischiefMaker]

Does that rear tire carrier swing away.
I have seen some that swing down.
I am getting too old to lift that thing back up if it is ever needed!

Nice build.

Thanks! Yes, the Evo tire carrier does swing open so you can access the tailgate and the rear cargo area of the jeep and there is no way to sugar coat it....getting the spare on/off the carrier is a real PITA

I can't imagine that I'll be doing it myself once the 42s are mounted (each tire is 105lbs by itself...). My husband is 6'10" and his wingspan definitely helps handle larger tires...

Poison Spyder makes one that swings down from the bottom. I've never seen it in action, but I bet it is a lot easier to lean/roll it out of the carrier and get the damaged one mounted in it's place. But does that mean you have to swing it down every time you want to access the rear cargo area? And is it just laying there in the way...seems more complicated to me.

I might have gone with this option IF I had the chance to see it in person. Getting to see/touch the Evo rock skin corners and tire carrier was easy....so many people have them.

Either way, there really aren't that many great options for safely/securely mounting such a massive tire and I hadn't yet come across any bumper-mounted options in person that seemed as secure as the EVO/PSC style carriers.

Let me know if you go with PSC. Would love to know what you think.

 

[Todd Ockert]

Thanks for your insight.
I have the TJ, so options are very limited.
At the moment, I never use the back seat in my Jeep, so the tire is laying back there, and tied down with straps.
When I go out wheeling, I have a box that sits on the tire that has tools and stuff.
I have not had to do an overnight trip with this configuration, and that could be an issue if I had to.

We will possibly test out how much room we really have next year on one of the MJ Adventure trips.

Thanks

Todd

 

[TakHardRock]

Very nice build.