Phenom3030's 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

[Phenom3030]

Aloha all!

Figured I'd start a build thread / running log of my JKU early in my overloading experiences. It all started March of this year (2017). I bought a used 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara with 136k miles.

A month prior my wife bought a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X and I ended up liking it so much I had to find myself one! At first I thought our driveway would look a little wonky with two of the same vehicle in the driveway...now I think our driveway just looks tough!

My wife and are still learning a lot about our Jeeps but so far we are super satisfied and look forward to getting out and enjoying what they are capable of!

The goal for mine is to build on a budget, wrench or mod the things I can DIY, and upgrade things as I find necessary.

Things it came with:
- Lift (unknown, estimate to be 4")
- Wheels and 35" tires
- XRC front and rear bumpers
- KC Hilites lights on front bumper
- KC Hilites led cube lights near windshield
- Side steps/rock sliders
- slim metal fenders
- Warn winch

 

[Phenom3030]

The first mod I did was to add a Body Armor 4x4 roof rack and cargo basket I found on Facebook Marketplace. Again being new to Jeeps, I thought $600 seemed like a good deal. I later found out that this model retailed for about twice that!

I also plasti-dipped the wheels as i thought the chrome stood out a bit too much for me on an overall black and maroon Jeep.

 

[Phenom3030]

We took our first family camping trip to Lake Pueblo State Park in late May. It was a good first trip but I learned I wanted to do something more off road and rugged for future trips.

Click below for time-lapse!


Then, the wife and I took our Jeeps out to Mt. Herman road for our first off road experience. The trail we were looking for ended up being closed so we drove on Mt. Herman road which was more dirt road than "off road".

It was probably for the best that it was dirt road rather than off road because I recently learned about off roading etiquette and how to properly use four wheel drive when I took my first off road overlanding trip with @COVeteransOverlandTeam.

 

[Phenom3030]

A little more than a week ago I went on my first "proper" off roading / overlanding trip! I went out with a group I met on Instagram called @COVeteransOverlandTeam. Great bunch of folks that taught this new guy about four wheeling! We went out on the Hackett and Metburry Gulch trails in the Pike National Forest.


It was a great time and I learned a lot! I also used the resources and article here regarding a 3 case load out! I slept in the back of my Jeep with the back seats folded down. This was a great first trip as I had some lessons learned about what to pack, what I ended up using, ideas to make the sleep area more comfortable, etc. I also learned about some things that I want to do for future trips. Like a tailgate table of some sort to cook on.

And thankfully I didn't break anything while off roading! Or so i thought... I somehow ended up piercing the passenger side rear shock. Though I didn't feel it while driving. And it somehow pierced the area facing in towards the cab. So i ended up having to replace the shocks after the trip. I opted for Fox Performance 2.o shocks.

While changing out the rear shocks I found the driver side rear top mount was also broken!
Rear passenger side on the left and rear driver side on the right.

And the new shocks!




I also put together a Youtube video of my shock install.

So to recap on some things I learned / want to do after my first overloading trip:

• Folding shelf for the tailgate to put the propane stove
• Shorter antenna. OEM antenna kept whipping around when hitting tree branches
• Hardwire power inverter for some 120v/USB outlets
• Something to eliminate the space at the bottom of the seat backs when the rear seats are folded down. That made sleeping uncomfortable.
• Door hinge steps to access the roof rack better.