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Drift Breaker's Build Thread

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rcguymike

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
:SOLD:

Username: rcguymike
Year: 2013
Make: Jeep
Model: Patriot
Trim: Sport
Color: Silver

Running weight: ~4200lbs



Mods:
Used to have: Trimmed rear bumper(Now TAG bumpers)
always on 12V outlet(use the trailer fuse)
Disconnected Front Swaybar JKS quick disconnects(From an '04 TJ) Idea courtesy of Sandstone
Disconnected Rear Swaybar Now removed altogether.
Beefed up rear control arms
Outlander front control arms Also here

Interior:
Husky liners: front rear and cargo
Baofeng UV5R 5W HAM radio(Dash mounted)
OBDII bluetooth adaptor
RAM Mount Universal X-Grip Mount for Samsung Galaxy S4
LED interior lights Idea courtesy of drjmcguire
MV-50 DC air compressor

Exterior:
Mopar lockable cross bars
LED Backup lights idea thanks to The_Jeep_Now (but I got different ones courtesy of PTAaron) Ebay Link(dead :-( )
Engine/trans and gas tank skids
Front and rear TAG bumpers
Tuff LED cube lights
9500lb Superwinch on 2" reciever plate

Suspension & Tires:
STU's coils
215/75-R15 BFG KM2's(on 15" rims)

Performance:
exhaust(muffler delete)

In Progress:(all progress on hold. This is now wifey's car.)
Additional rear lighting
small spacer lift

Future Plans:
Tablet radio replacement! (Now how to get my wife to give me her Nexus...?)(Might just get one of those Android radios...)
RRO supersliders
Water proofing intake for deep water fording
Roof basket with lighting
New battery/2nd battery
Closeable Hood Vents
Rear locker if anyone will make one...

Adventure Threads:
General Adventure Thread
Color Tour Jeep Style


You guys can help with any ideas for a name, but since I put my order in today for 2 TAG bumpers I figured I'd start my build thread.

Replacement Jeep:
Image
Click for full res

Image
Click for full res
 
#2 ·
Well, if you're trying to emulate Ken Block I'd go with the name "Blockbuster" or something like that, but not sure a Jeep is the best vehicle to use for that unless you're on ice. Lol, nice to see another radio guy on here, but mine's a CB, not a ham set.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
I've been meaning to get my license so mostly been listening in, but between classes and work I'm busy from 8am to 8pm. I'll probably go for it this summer. A ham or CB is good to have when 4x4ing around the keweenaw peninsula without cell phone service. As for picts, the exterior is basically stock and I trimmed the rear bumper when it kept popping off on logging trails due to mud and sticks building up in it(one reason I'm getting the TAG bumpers).
 
Discussion starter · #6 · (Edited)
dixiedawg said:
Sounds like you need more clearance, maybe a lift?
Click to expand...
Got a quote already from STU, but got to space out the purchases so the wife doesn't freak out...lol Probably won't really need the lift until spring anyways. It's winter 'til may around here. I was planning on getting the bumpers before winter (to protect from the foreign drivers around here) but didn't have the funds due to some guy opening their door...Still don't have my $1000 deductible back...
 
Discussion starter · #10 · (Edited)
Creation said:
Should have just let him slide into you. Sometimes it's just better that way. New bumper would have happened!
Click to expand...
He spun out in front of me. I was probably following too close(three car lengths, 25mph downhill). I thought fluffy snowbank would have been better, but there were 2 distinct layers of ice in it.
 
Discussion starter · #12 · (Edited)
Got the LED's finally from iconicparts on Ebay. Got them installed and took comparison picts. They aren't much brighter but it's a cleaner "brighter" light. (Now that I look at them side by side they don't seem brighter...I was using night mode on my camera so maybe it adjusted to the different color of light better for original lights. I think the 38 watt fog light hack would be a better option for a brighter backup light.)
Right view original:

Right LED:


Left original:

Left LED:


Center view original:

Center view LED:


View of LED directly:


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT:
Found some different brighter ones:
Ebay Link

vs


A much better color light too!

Definitely brighter:
 
Discussion starter · #14 · (Edited)
So I got one side of the JKS disconnects on...my friend didn't have both of them to put on(the other one is still connected to his old sway bar at home...lol) Will finish up the other side when we do the TAG bumpers in the next couple weeks(will add pics too). It turned out a little different than Sandstone's because they were TJ disconnects for a 0-2" lift.

Here's some flex comparison(sorry about night pics):
Connected

Disconnected

Connected:

Disconnected

Definitely more travel allowed. Snowbanks aren't the greatest for testing on but with 4wd on ESP on I could go 6-12" more up the (20-25 degree) banks before opposite corners started slipping.


Install pics:
If you have any questions feel free to ask. I followed Sandstone's thread a bit and made the rest up as I went. The TJ JKS model#2000 disconnects are a bit shorter so I made a three inch bracket to drop them and the top connects differently so I had to get a pin from TSC and a sleeve which I JB welded on to make it the right size. Also, to center the link and prevent it from sliding back and forth on the pin, I used some tight fitting lock washers that I bent flat(kinda ironic...lol) and JB welded together to match the thickness of the rubber washer. (Also don't forget to use thread lock...lock nuts still come loose, ask me how I know...lol)

Remove old swaybar link(hex wrench and box end wrench needed)


Bracket and upper pin installed


Installing lower pin(hardest part)
I used the lynch pin and a channel locks to keep the main pin from spinning


What it looks like without the swaybar link


Finished:
Passengers from front


Passengers from rear

Drivers from rear


Drivers from front
 
#16 ·
rcguymike said:
I've heard about running with the rear sway bar removed but I'm not that comfortable doing that. There's no easy way to temporarily disconnect the rear is there?
Click to expand...
Nah, not really.:(

I've been running with the rear disconnected for a while now. I removed the links, tie wrapped short sections of bicycle inner-tube over the ends of the bar so they wouldn't scrape, and just let it ride atop the control arms.
I don't really like it that way, but I haven't had any problems so far, even through all the rock crawling.

I would take it completely out, but it probably means dropping the rear diff, and that's more work than it's worth.

Also, the back bar is really thin, I don't think it really does that much. You can make it bend pretty far just pushing on it hard by hand.

BTW, nice pics!
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Sandstone said:
Nah, not really.:(

I've been running with the rear disconnected for a while now. I removed the links, tie wrapped short sections of bicycle inner-tube over the ends of the bar so they wouldn't scrape, and just let it ride atop the control arms.
I don't really like it that way, but I haven't had any problems so far, even through all the rock crawling.

I would take it completely out, but it probably means dropping the rear diff, and that's more work than it's worth.

Also, the back bar is really thin, I don't think it really does that much. You can make it bend pretty far just pushing on it hard by hand.

BTW, nice pics!
Click to expand...
Did you notice any improvement with the rear disconnected or was it practically negligible? I'll probably leave mine for a while.
 
#18 ·
rcguymike said:
Did you notice any improvement with the rear disconnected or was it practically negligible? I'll probably leave mine for a while.
Click to expand...
Yes, having the back wheels disco'd makes a big difference getting over stuff on the trail. Check out the video here: https://flic.kr/p/f9KdrH

Watch how the front wheel goes down into the dip (at about 1:25) and comes up easy, then how it seems to struggle (at 1:08) getting the back wheel up and out. Had to get on the gas, then it pops out and I have to hit the brakes.

With the back disco'd it's not as bad, goes over easier like the front.
 
Discussion starter · #20 · (Edited)
Finally did a muffler delete...man does it sound good. On the plus side I think my MPG went up along with power and there isn't any noticeable reduction in torque...if any there's more.

Find a trail to climb on some snowbanks?

check

disconnected swaybar?

check

Let the fun begin:

Flexin:




Sound:
(sorry about wind...)

Got approach angle?


Just enough anyhow...lol




Flexin on the way down:


Stuffed


Not quite as good departure angle as I'd like:


I think I'll leave it there in case I ever sell it and someone wants it stock...Although I can't foresee selling this anytime in the near future...


He's dead Jim...


Oh and the best part?
<$85
Image


Edit: May 2015
Small update. Had to get it redone as it was getting crushed and bent on rocks offroad, another $100 got me some 2.5" thick walled pipe that even makes it sound better, there's less of a drone around the mid rpm range than the old.


 
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Sandstone
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