There are many levels to being a cheapass, but it’s okay to spend coin if you see value. Carpet stains, dents, and scratches aren’t going to affect capability, but if you’re stuck in a mud pit with a set of tires that came cheap cause one was bald, you’re gonna regret it. If you bought a Jeep for a song, then even a cheapass can stomach spending a few bucks to make it what you want it to be. Only cut corners where you won’t notice or care. Sometimes there’s no inexpensive or free way around it, so you pull out that wallet, creak it open, and dump the Benjamins to pay for it.
When making repairs to a Jeep, why not consider making upgrades rather than paying too much for OEM parts that may get tore up again. Even Jeep designers and engineers are forced to make some compromises in the name of safety and vehicle codes. The JK’s gigantic front fenders and a park-bench front bumper are fine examples. Not all factory components are expensive, but if you plan on taking the rig on a trail, there are upgrades you’re gonna make anyway. It’s a long list. Wheels, tires, rocker protection, bumpers, steering, and suspension parts are just a few easily upgradeable items. In most cases, aftermarket parts are cheaper and don’t alter your Jeep so much that it looks or drives like a three-wheeled golf cart.
Damage is a great excuse to open up the latest issue of Jp magazine and start searching for trinkets to bolt on your rig. Also check your local 4x4 clubs, favorite Jeep forums, and online vending sites like eBay and Craigslist. You may find what you’re looking for locally. We know of a Jeep dealer that strips factory Rubicon rocker guards and tosses them in the trash in favor of chrome tube side steps from the Mopar catalog. That’s not to say everyone who reads this should call their local Jeep dealer and ask for free rockers. Just go dive in their dumpster instead. They like that.
You Might Be a Cheapass If…
• Your kitchen cabinets are full of dishes from past relationships
• Some of your favorite shirts have work logos
• Bringing home dinner includes Taco Bell’s value menu, ’cause you can eat pretty well for $3
• You sneak your trash bags into your neighbor’s cans every week to avoid paying for disposal
• You don’t water your grass…or what’s left of it
• You steal Wi-Fi from your neighbor
• Your mom buys you underwear at Christmas because she knows your current collection is full of holes and skid marks
• You’ve bought used tires
• You drive across town to use your bank’s ATM to try to avoid the transaction fee
• You could fill a shopping cart at Harbor Freight Tools and spend less than $100
• You’ve had the same bed since high school
• You buy one-ply toilet paper
Without front fenders, everything...
Without front fenders, everything you run over like mud, tar, and roadkill slings up on your hood and doors. The stock front fenders suck and they’re as ugly as a muffin top with stretch marks. We opted to add some slick form and additional protection with Notorious Flares and Titan Tub Armor from Nemesis Industries. Both come unpainted in aluminum, so we hit them with flat-black spray paint. Nemesis offers powdercoating on the flares and armor. The company also will cut a logo, image, or design into the tub armor if you fancy.
Although some additional holes...
Although some additional holes need to be created for the new flares, the instructions call for drilling out the existing holes as well. Our ’07 Wrangler had large enough holes to accommodate the included hardware, but other model years may not. You also need to trim the plastic inner fender to accommodate the narrowed flare. Measure twice and cut once.
The provided support brackets...
The provided support brackets are well engineered with more-than-adequate support. By connecting to the second layer of steel, more pressure can be applied to the flares without damage to the mounting surface. When bolting on the flares, there’s one nut that required some creative placement. We taped the nut to the wrench so it wouldn’t fall out while tightening the bolt.
We choose the Nemesis flares...
We choose the Nemesis flares not only because they’re durable, but because we like the lines and how they mold into the front end without straying too far from the original factory design. The front can now clear larger tires without a lift.
Our new flares served to highlight...
Our new flares served to highlight the hideousness of the stock front road-clearing device. The bumper—we’re talking about the bumper. Rather than using part of our budget for a new aftermarket unit, we took a blade to the stocker. It gives the JK a better approach angle at the tire, and although this look may not be for everyone, we like it. A touch of flat-black paint on the ends and we were done. Rough Country sells aesthetically pleasing bumper ends and winch mounts for this nearly free modification.
Rocker guards are a great...
Rocker guards are a great investment and they do a good job of covering up our less-than-perfect bodywork. The parts are mounted with threaded inserts, which are loved and hated. They allow you to mount to a surface without being able to access the opposite side, but if they don’t sit correctly, you’re in for a long day. Installation can be an exercise in patience. We started with the middle and worked our way out, drilling two holes at a time. Don’t think for a second that lining up ten threaded holes is easy, but the finished results are worth the effort.
Front-end alignment is a bitch....
Front-end alignment is a bitch. Don’t eyeball it ’cause you’ll be way off. Live-axle vehicles are certainly easier to check yourself. You can get a decent tie rod alignment measurement by using reference points such as tire lugs (good), wheels (better), or the brake rotors (best). By comparing the width at the front of the axle to the rear of the axle, you can get it close. Also, don’t forget to square the front and rear axles or you’ll be doglegged. Our Poly Performance adjustable lower control arm links allow adjustability to align the axles in parallel.
Once your alignment is complete,...
Once your alignment is complete, adjust the drag link to center the steering wheel. Unfortunately, close enough isn’t good enough. The steering sensor will require the wheel to be aligned properly. With the steering wheel straight, all the warning lights will turn off and ESC should operate normally. Otherwise, the ESP will freak out and the warning lights will flash like a scene from “Dance Fever.”
Picking wheels is easy thanks...
Picking wheels is easy thanks to the plethora of designs and sizes at affordable prices. We like the Pro Comp Series 7032 wheels in flat black. We decided against running the included hubcaps. Match your tires to your intended use. In Michigan, there’s mud and snow but this JK will be a daily driver so road noise is also key. The Pro Comp LT285/70R17 Xtreme Mud Terrains offer plenty of clearance without a lift and provide needed traction without a huge noise penalty.