Big Tuna's "Building the Dub!"

[BigTuna117 33]

I picked up my 99 WJ almost 2 years ago (gosh, time flies!), after my 94 ZJ was rear-ended, and pretty much turned into an accordion. It had had only one previous owner, who had taken fantastic care of it, though it hadn't been driven in nearly 7 years! That being said, at 45k miles, it had never seen dirt. When I bought it, it got a full front-to-back fluids change, of course.

 

(day one)

 

The previous owner had already equipped it with a 2"BB and the Westin safari/light bar. From day one, I was unsure of what I would change on it. Of course, it is stuck as my daily driver, and it stayed that way for a while, until the off-road adventure bug really bit me.

 

On an overcast day in January of 2013, I rolled her off the pavement for the first time and set off on a trail I had been on when I was younger.

 

...and that is where this build began.

 

Once summer came, the radiator went, and would shoot hot antifreeze 5ish feet straight forward out of the front of the grill when you shut the vehicle off. That's where it started. After I replaced the radiator, I began to develop a list of things I wanted to do with the Jeep. I started pricing parts, and figuring out how I wanted to proceed. basic things got done pretty quick. Speakers got replaced, and then the stock Casette/CD player (which would etch a lovely pattern into my CDs and then eject them with an "ERR" code) was replaced with a Clarion CZ302, and in November I did a driveshaft conversion. If you have a Rezeppa-Rezeppa driveshaft, it is worth EVERY penny to convert to a U-joint/CV Driveshaft. The vehicle drives MUCH quieter, and there is much less vibration.

 

Shortly after this, I got the opportunity to run the Backway to Crown King.

This was my first opportunity to really test my rig. The experience was INCREDIBLE! I made some new friends, I learned a whole lot about off highway driving, and about what I needed to improve and change on the rig.

I then solidified a starting game plan of what I wanted to do with the Dub.

 

-Phase 1- (complete!)

Various tweaks and changes prepping the jeep for Phase 2

 

-Phase 2-

CB Install (complete!)

Lift (IRO 3" lift- Complete!)

New tires (Complete)

Roof rack (Complete!)

Rock rails

Underbody armor

various aesthetic and mechanical tweaks

 

-Phase "2.5" (or the parts Phase 2 forgot)-

Dual battery setup (Done!)

Infinity amp replacement (Done at last)

Rear tire solution

LED/HID conversion

Additional lighting

 

-Phase 3-

Transfer Case Swap:good:

Long arm conversion:good:

Who knows?
 

Edited July 14, 2021 by dzJeepChic

[BigTuna117 33]

Now we're getting to current. I recently bought a Nexus 7, and added a dock for it on the dash.

(Action shot!)

It is connected to the Head Unit via Bluetooth, and connected to power through a 12 volt plug I installed in the dash.

 

 

A couple of weeks ago I got bored, and decided to end the chrome grille once and for all. I decided on Chrysler Charcoal Grey, the same color as the grille on the WK2 Trailhawk. The sub grille got a fresh coat of satin black, and the Grille got a couple layers of Charcoal Grey and Spray on clear-coat.

 

In the end, I'd say it was a success.

Now I just need to find a suitable color for the bumpers and rocker panels!

[BigTuna117 33]

The next order of business was getting a CB radio put together.

Although tuning it was a headache, the setup is pretty straightforward. A Uniden PRO505XL, a Firestik MK-184R mini-kit for the Dodge Ram/Durango, A Firestik heavy duty spring, and a Firestik Firefly II 3 foot, super flexible tunable tip antenna.

As many do, I installed it above my passenger tail light, using the included Firestik mounting plate.

I trimmed my tail light, so that it isn't as crooked, however had to add washers and a lock nut to the mount for correct ground, so it needs to be trimmed again.

[dzJeepChic 2,387]

Cool, love build threads. Glad you were able to get caught up fast!

[BigTuna117 33]

Cool, love build threads. Glad you were able to get caught up fast!

 

Thanks! I'm hoping to start making some serious progress in the weeks and months to come.

[UnderlyVerbose 1]

It's really coming along nicely, Mike. Don't forget to budget for some skid plates/underbody protection too.

[BigTuna117 33]

It's really coming along nicely, Mike. Don't forget to budget for some skid plates/underbody protection too.

 

Of course! The next major step I think, ought to be differential skids. Definitely a good idea.

[BigTuna117 33]

Today I did a quick little mod to the dash that makes a BIG difference in sound. I expanded the dash speaker holes to make way for a Rockford Fosgate 3.5" full range coaxial Speaker. Since the Infinity amp cuts off somewhere in the mid-range (The stock setup is 2.75" full range) I figures I'd replace my second pair of blown tweeters with something a little beefier.

Overall, it was a pretty easy switchout. A little trimming with the dremel and cutting out some of the foam padding that sits between the firewall and the dash made it sit perfectly in the dash.

 

The nice thing is, after trimming the original mounts, the top panel fits back on, no problem.

 

I did expect better mid range presence, but wow. I didn't realize what I was missing out on.

[theksmith 3,667]

Today I did a quick little mod to the dash that makes a BIG difference in sound. I expanded the dash speaker holes to make way for a Rockford Fosgate 3.5" full range coaxial Speaker. Since the Infinity amp cuts off somewhere in the mid-range (The stock setup is 2.75" full range) I figures I'd replace my second pair of blown tweeters with something a little beefier.

[ATTACH]2064[/ATTACH]

Overall, it was a pretty easy switchout. A little trimming with the dremel and cutting out some of the foam padding that sits between the firewall and the dash made it sit perfectly in the dash.

[ATTACH]2065[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2066[/ATTACH]

 

The nice thing is, after trimming the original mounts, the top panel fits back on, no problem.

[ATTACH]2067[/ATTACH]

 

I did expect better mid range presence, but wow. I didn't realize what I was missing out on.

 

good to know, i still want to do an entire speaker system upgrade one day myself.

[BigTuna117 33]

good to know, i still want to do an entire speaker system upgrade one day myself.

 

As far as the other speakers go, I have a pair of Polk DB651 series 6.5" coaxial speakers in my rear doors. Love em. All of Polk's DB series is built to marine spec, so a little moisture doesn't intimidate them. They also do very well in the heat. As far as sound quality on em goes, I have yet to find a 6.5" coax that can beat them. Very clear crisp highs, and a good present mid range, and the lows on these are incredible for 6.5's These sound twice their size easily.

 

On the front channels I have now the Fosgate 3.5's and a pair of Pioneer 6x9 4 or 5 way speakers in the doors. I cant really vouch for the 6x9's sound because they are under powered by the infinity amp, plus the crossover effect that the infinity amp has. Eventually, I'll rip the infinity amp out and replace it with a Rockford Fosgate low profile, 4 channel, 300 watt amp. That will power the doors, and the front lines from the headunit will power the dash.