We ran the main buildup feature on Blue, our 2007 JK Wrangler Unlimited, in the March 2009 issue. Since then, we've made a few additions and changes.
For those of you who didn't see the original feature, Blue has Dynatrac ProRock 60 front and rear ends with 5.38 gears, an ARB Air Locker in back and a Detroit Locker up front, Mopar/Rubicon Express long arm suspension system, and a 5.7L Hemi with 6.1L intake built by Burnsville Off-Road. We made one mistake in the first feature, though. The Hemi was installed using the complete AEV Hemi conversion kit, not just the AEV harness as we originally reported.
Project vehicles are living things and Blue is no exception. Work continues to make Blue a reliable and competent backcountry explorer. Check out the photos to see what we've done now.
 |  The front crossmember isn't...  The front crossmember isn't much more than sheetmetal. It's ugly and begs to go away. |  A little sawzall action deletes...  A little sawzall action deletes the worthless piece. |
 The Rubi Skid from Expedition...  The Rubi Skid from Expedition One replaces the plastic air dam and wimpy OE crossmember with 3/16-inch plate that protects the Rubicon Smart Bar (electronic swaybar) motor. It doesn't hang down and cleans the front up considerably, as well as protecting the vulnerable swaybar disconnect. |  Once the sawzall work is finished,...  Once the sawzall work is finished, the Expedition One Rubi Skid bolts on. The entire installation takes about 15 minutes. |  Rock Slide Engineering rock...  Rock Slide Engineering rock sliders are one of our favorite rocker guard designs. They can be used as a step, stick out just enough to keep rocks at bay, and are angled to deflect debris away from the Jeep. |
 The Mopar/Rubicon suspension...  The Mopar/Rubicon suspension came with Mopar-specified valving in the Bilstein shocks. Both compression and rebound valving were much too soft. We changed to the same Bilstein gas-charged shocks, but with Rubicon Express valving. It's made all the difference. The JK now feels controlled on- and off-road. |  In California, Utah, and many...  In California, Utah, and many other states, mud flaps are required on the road. Teraflex makes these that are quickly removable when in the dirt. |  40x14.50R17/C BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain...  40x14.50R17/C BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires have 33-percent stronger sidewalls than the previous Mud-Terrains and are excellent for all-around Jeeps. The tread works everywhere but gumbo mud, excelling in rocks, dirt, sand, and on the pavement. They're quiet and true. In fact, we haven't balanced these 40-inch KM2s yet because they don't shake, even at freeway speeds. |
 The RT-885 17x8.5 RT-Renegade...  The RT-885 17x8.5 RT-Renegade beadlocks are lightweight and strong. While tires and wheels seem to be getting heavier all the time, the lightweight Raceline beadlock and BFG 40-inch KM2 combination weighs in at only 111 pounds. That's not bad for a 40-inch tire and wheel combo. |  |  |