Journey with the '05 KJ

[mxzla]

Howdy yall,

First off, thanks to everyone who's posted here over the years. I've been scouring this site over the past few days and it's been of great assistance.

I picked up this 2005 KJ from my uncle roughly 4 months ago. At 44k miles, it'd been sitting in his backyard for the past 4 years, unused as far as I know. It's entirely stock.

It's my daily driver; it was very dirty and the paint was badly chipped as he had bought it wrecked and painted it with evidently defective paint. I cleaned it, got some floor mats and seat covers, and without planning to, spent my time painting it. I did a cobalt/slate on the door jams, painted the door panels a camo green, then painted the exterior with a tan Durabak bedliner paint.

The suspension is now squeaking like heck, and with the time I've already put into it, it kinda seems like I want to take care of the ol' girl. I'm planning on ordering the OME/Bilstein parts for the 2.5" lift that's been discussed at length on this site, and likely putting 245/75/16s on her at some point. I live on gravel roads and occasionally go into the woods, so I want it to be able and aggressive, but also a nice ride on the pavement.

Time will tell if I decide to put a bunch of money into this or not, but if anyone feels the urge to share any of their own ideas for other extras or modifications, it'd sure be fun to think about.

Thanks

 

[tommudd]

Good luck and Welcome
Starting out right with the OME 927/948 combo
What shocks are you going with ?
IMO both Bilstein and OME are both excellent choices and do great
Just make sure to get the right length rear ones in whichever brand and bumpstops etc

 

[mxzla]

Thank you sir;

I'm going with the Bilstein shocks... rear #24-185660, and front #24-139168

The OMEs were much more expensive, and with the rate I've seen you and others reference the Bilsteins, they seem like my best choice.

Also planning to do Tera-flex bumpstops up front and pucks in the back per your recommendations

 

[LibertyTC]

Welcome to the site.
From photo 1 to 4 nice transformation, like the blacked out grille, looking good.
You will like the 927/948 combo, I spent the extra for OME shocks up front.
Many years later, they have stood the on & off road test of time.
As Tom mentions longer rear shocks, you can use Dodge Dakota 2004 club cab specs, in what ever brand, including Bilstein.
One of the first mods beside tires for me, was getting some mudflaps.

You must be registered for see images attach

Sure helped a lot on gravel to protect paint.

 

[mxzla]

Welcome to the site.
From photo 1 to 4 nice transformation, like the blacked out grille, looking good.
You will like the 927/948 combo, I spent the extra for OME shocks up front.
Many years later, they have stood the on & off road test of time.
As Tom mentions longer rear shocks, you can use Dodge Dakota 2004 club cab specs, in what ever brand, including Bilstein.
One of the first mods beside tires for me, was getting some mudflaps.

You must be registered for see images attach

Sure helped a lot on gravel to protect paint.

Thanks for the input -- mudflaps are a great idea, and I'll reconsider the front shocks. I haven't ordered the parts yet, and once I do I probably will wait a bit to put them in... Don't want to go screwing something up and be forced to ride my dirt bike into work when it's 20 degrees outside

 

[sleazy rider]

Thanks for the input -- mudflaps are a great idea, and I'll reconsider the front shocks. I haven't ordered the parts yet, and once I do I probably will wait a bit to put them in... Don't want to go screwing something up and be forced to ride my dirt bike into work when it's 20 degrees outside

No sense of adventure?

 

[mxzla]

No sense of adventure?

Challenge accepted

 

[sleazy rider]

I've got some pics somewhere on this laptop of me in Michigan riding a sportbike in January with snow on both sides of the road playing moto-photo tag.

Where in the north are you and whatcha riding?

My Suzuki DR350 dual sport

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[mxzla]

I've got some pics somewhere on this laptop of me in Michigan riding a sportbike in January with snow on both sides of the road playing moto-photo tag.

Where in the north are you and whatcha riding?

My Suzuki DR350 dual sport

You must be registered for see images attach

Northern Iowa! About ten minutes from the Minnesota border. I also have a dual sport -- '85 Yamaha XT600. I love it. Here's the best picture I could find of it right now