Mods for 2wd KK

Daneffinbailey · **Joined:** Tue Apr 21, 2015 11:24 pm **Posts:** 3

Hey everyone! I'm new to the group I have a 2012 KK sport 2wd. I am an outdoors enthusiast ad have considered upgrading to a wrangler many times but something about my Olivia won't let me trade her in. I have gone through mud, snow, and sand and have only gotten stuck in the most extreme conditions. Right now all I have is a high pro k&n air filter, 17in black shotgun style rims and 31 inch tires that are too big and scrape when I turn. I plan on doing a day star 2 inch lift, adding firestone destination a/ts, and adding a roof basket with a light bar. I know she will never be a rock crawler or mud runner. I am on a bit of a budget and I am looking for little things that may increase performance both on and off roads. As well as things I can add more for looks. I am going for like an outdoorsmen/military/bug out vehicle kind of look. Anybody got ideas? Thanks in advance

-Dan & Olivia

At The Helm · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2015 12:10 am

Before any other mods like a basket rack or light bar I suggest doing a suspension upgrade rather than a day star lift... I started out out with the daystar spacers when it was almost brand new and wish I just saved up from the get go even doing my own suspension work myself.

For a basic suspension lift just get Old Man Emu 927 fronts, 731 rears and Bilstein shocks..24-139168 front, 33-185552 rears and extended bumpstops front/rear. JBA UCA's should just be installed at the same time imo. All can be had as a one stop shop at Jeepinbyal.com, or you can save a few bucks by shopping around. Good luck!

Erikg84 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2015 8:53 am

I agree with the suspension lift vs the spacer lift. Too many times I have read about people getting one of the spacer lifts, only to turn around and get the suspension lift later because they were unhappy with it.

Since you are 2WD and take it offroading, I would suggest some recovery points if you don't already have them. The factory tow hooks work OK, but have been know to get ripped off of the body. I highly suggest one of Atthehelm's products, I personally have his recovery bar, and love it. very well built, and looks awesome with the shackles dangling from the front.

If your looking for strictly cosmetic mods, the blacked out headlight mod is probably one of the more popular mods, and it's super easy and cheap.

There's a whole list of how-to's in the Tech section, I suggest looking through the thread to get some inspiration.

And don't forget to post photo's!

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2015 9:00 am

First make sure you have skids and recovery points. Then throw the ome 927/731 springs in for 2.5" of lift, or add to it for up to 3.5". Then throw on some 245/75-16 A/T tires. After that's done regear to 4.10s and while you're in there add a Detroit truetrac(lsd) or a full blown locker(preferably selectable to keep it nice on the street ie arb, ox, eaton).

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2015 10:51 pm

I'm pretty sure that doesn't have the "trail rated" badge on it? Having that stupid badge I believe means you have 4x4 and many more features to conquer the Rubicon trail.

I'd be honest with you, either keep the KK and keep her stock and buy a wrangler and deck it out or sell the KK and buy a wrangler. The 2 wheel drive does you no good when you need 4x4.

Erikg84 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2015 9:48 am

PALiftedKK wrote:

I'm pretty sure that doesn't have the "trail rated" badge on it? Having that stupid badge I believe means you have 4x4 and many more features to conquer the Rubicon trail.

I'd be honest with you, either keep the KK and keep her stock and buy a wrangler and deck it out or sell the KK and buy a wrangler. The 2 wheel drive does you no good when you need 4x4.

Having the "Trail Rated" Badge just means that it has passed some off-road tests, it doesn't necessarily mean that you can conquer the Rubicon Trail. The tests are FCA confidential, and I believe they are done at Chelsea Proving Grounds, not the Rubicon Trail.

It sounds like he is an outdoor enthusiast that just wants a capable vehicle to get him to wherever he may go. The 2WD with a good set of tires is more than enough for what he wants. Extreme situations would require 4X4, but to me, it doesn't sound like he wants to do any serious mudding or rock crawling.

Per Jeep's Website:

www.jeep.com/trailrated/index wrote:

We test Jeep® 4x4s on the toughest trails in the world to prove one thing: They can take whatever you dish out. The Trail Rated® badge means that your Jeep 4x4 has been designed to perform in five categories of off-road conditions: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording.

The only condition he would be lacking in is traction

Daneffinbailey · **Joined:** Tue Apr 21, 2015 11:24 pm **Posts:** 3

Folks, I appreciate all of the info. If I ever get the money these are all things I will do. But as stated I am by no means trying to conquer the rubicon trail. Like I said in most mud snow and sand situations she does fine. My main purpose is hauling my camping, climbing gear. And most of the roads are dirt and get muddy sometimes. I am going to get the spacer lift because it is less expensive and will suite what I am using the jeep for. A locker would be nice but nit in the price range. I am looking mainly for looks. To give her an outdoorsy look. Practical things such as roof rack for more gear, light bar to light trails (dirt roads) at night. Small lift to clear small debris that might be on the road. I have two points on the back but none on the front. Can I get one added with out having to get a whole new steel bumper? Also is there a way I can add a swinging gate on the back? For spare tire and fuel/water cans?

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:15 pm

Daneffinbailey wrote:

Folks, I appreciate all of the info. If I ever get the money these are all things I will do. But as stated I am by no means trying to conquer the rubicon trail. Like I said in most mud snow and sand situations she does fine. My main purpose is hauling my camping, climbing gear. And most of the roads are dirt and get muddy sometimes. I am going to get the spacer lift because it is less expensive and will suite what I am using the jeep for. A locker would be nice but nit in the price range. I am looking mainly for looks. To give her an outdoorsy look. Practical things such as roof rack for more gear, light bar to light trails (dirt roads) at night. Small lift to clear small debris that might be on the road. I have two points on the back but none on the front. Can I get one added with out having to get a whole new steel bumper? Also is there a way I can add a swinging gate on the back? For spare tire and fuel/water cans?

If you want to know how "great" the spacers ride, look up my username. In the end, if you buy a spring lift, your actually saving money and a headache. :dizzy:

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Daneffinbailey wrote:

I have two points on the back but none on the front. Can I get one added with out having to get a whole new steel bumper? Also is there a way I can add a swinging gate on the back? For spare tire and fuel/water cans?

Message AtTheHelm. He's a KK fabricator and does a front recover option for much cheaper than a new bumper!

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:31 pm

Daneffinbailey wrote:

Also is there a way I can add a swinging gate on the back? For spare tire and fuel/water cans?

Yes and no. No because you need a steel bumper. Yes, because you need a steel bumper. As NAM stated, message ATH for the front recovery points and for the rear bumper and jerry can holder.

A locker for your rear would definitely help out with traction. Look for an ox locker for 27 spline 3.73 unless you upgraded gears.

Have you been in the sand with your KK yet? I'm curious on how the 2x2 did on it.

Getting the biggest tires possible would really help you out. Though it depends what type and how much lift you get.

From my spacers, new tires, new outer tie rods, new shocks, and future repairs, I would have saved a few grand by buying a spring lift. Just because its a cheap lift, doesn't mean its cheap in the future..... because myself and NAM can attest to cheap lifts. And we don't like them!

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Ted15 has a hitch mounted spare tire tire carrier. I believe it was semi-custom from Detours (where the stock bumper winch plate comes from).

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:58 pm

NAMoulton1 wrote:

Ted15 has a hitch mounted spare tire tire carrier. I believe it was semi-custom from Detours (where the stock bumper winch plate comes from).

Does the hitch tire carrier have another hitch on the end of the carrier so you don't completely loose the hitch?

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

PALiftedKK wrote:

NAMoulton1 wrote:

Ted15 has a hitch mounted spare tire tire carrier. I believe it was semi-custom from Detours (where the stock bumper winch plate comes from).

Does the hitch tire carrier have another hitch on the end of the carrier so you don't completely loose the hitch?

I'm pretty sure it did haha.

http://www.detoursusa.com/knucklebone.php

Doesn't show it, but again Ted15 had his a little custom. Not hard to request a receiver tube installed on it.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2015 8:56 pm

Daneffinbailey wrote:

Folks, I appreciate all of the info. If I ever get the money these are all things I will do. But as stated I am by no means trying to conquer the rubicon trail. Like I said in most mud snow and sand situations she does fine. My main purpose is hauling my camping, climbing gear. And most of the roads are dirt and get muddy sometimes. I am going to get the spacer lift because it is less expensive and will suite what I am using the jeep for. A locker would be nice but nit in the price range. I am looking mainly for looks. To give her an outdoorsy look. Practical things such as roof rack for more gear, light bar to light trails (dirt roads) at night. Small lift to clear small debris that might be on the road. I have two points on the back but none on the front. Can I get one added with out having to get a whole new steel bumper? Also is there a way I can add a swinging gate on the back? For spare tire and fuel/water cans?

98% of the folks running lifts on KJ and KKs ( same exact lift in front ) do so and are off road less than 5% of the time. One of the reasons for doing a full spring lift is for much better ride and handling on road as well as off . When they say a spacer lift is bad , it is! Hard on front suspension parts as well as your a** riding down the road . KJs and KKs have weak springs from the get go so upgrading to a full spring lift will not only ride better but also be better when you load it up to go camping etc
You don't need a steel front bumper to have recovery points, there are other options available

I'll dig out the pictures I have of Teds rear swing for the tire carrier for you

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2015 8:58 pm

PALiftedKK wrote:

NAMoulton1 wrote:

Ted15 has a hitch mounted spare tire tire carrier. I believe it was semi-custom from Detours (where the stock bumper winch plate comes from).

Does the hitch tire carrier have another hitch on the end of the carrier so you don't completely loose the hitch?

It did but for lighter weight, you wouldn't want to pull a heavy camper etc with it due to how far from the actual hitch it would be

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

You could always do this option so it's offset a little (I'm actually REALLY liking this so I can take this tire off the roof haha.)

Gageraid · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 10:28 am

Front recovery points are a must.
If you want dual hooks, they are available, but they are listed as for the KJ, but fit without a problem.
It's also wise to have a full size spare instead of a donut.

Daneffinbailey · **Joined:** Tue Apr 21, 2015 11:24 pm **Posts:** 3

Erikg84 wrote:

PALiftedKK wrote:

I'm pretty sure that doesn't have the "trail rated" badge on it? Having that stupid badge I believe means you have 4x4 and many more features to conquer the Rubicon trail.

I'd be honest with you, either keep the KK and keep her stock and buy a wrangler and deck it out or sell the KK and buy a wrangler. The 2 wheel drive does you no good when you need 4x4.

Having the "Trail Rated" Badge just means that it has passed some off-road tests, it doesn't necessarily mean that you can conquer the Rubicon Trail. The tests are FCA confidential, and I believe they are done at Chelsea Proving Grounds, not the Rubicon Trail.

It sounds like he is an outdoor enthusiast that just wants a capable vehicle to get him to wherever he may go. The 2WD with a good set of tires is more than enough for what he wants. Extreme situations would require 4X4, but to me, it doesn't sound like he wants to do any serious mudding or rock crawling.

Per Jeep's Website:

www.jeep.com/trailrated/index wrote:

We test Jeep® 4x4s on the toughest trails in the world to prove one thing: They can take whatever you dish out. The Trail Rated® badge means that your Jeep 4x4 has been designed to perform in five categories of off-road conditions: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording.

The only condition he would be lacking in is traction

You nailed it. When it comes to the mud, the streams, rocky inclines, snow, me and my pack will be doing the trekking. I just need the jeep to get me and my gear there. I will look into a spring lift. It seem that I will regret the spacers more than enjoy it. As the money comes so will the tire and locker. And to answer some ones post, she does fine in the sand. I am stationed in NC so I hit the beach and trails with the wranglers. Usually I don't have a problem. The sand is usually packed down. I only have problems when there is too much built up in front of the front tires. And the only time I get stuck in mud is usually in thick watery areas. And I am from PA and have used her to pull my dads GMC out of snow several times

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2015 9:15 am

If you do get the Mopar tow hooks, throw out the M bolts it comes with and get the stud plates instead. I've heard stories about the M bolts getting ripped out of the frame.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2015 2:16 pm

ajohns1288 wrote:

If you do get the Mopar tow hooks, throw out the M bolts it comes with and get the stud plates instead. I've heard stories about the M bolts getting ripped out of the frame.

There's a video of it on Youtube. It's DoubleK's Jeep, she's a member here. She has since gotten a TJ Rubicon that was lifted on 35s and then sold both the KK and TJ for a JKU (that I believe she is in the process of lifting and installing 37s).

Mods for 2wd KK

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