2007 Jeep Wrangler JK Buildup - Project Jeeponomics

Jeep|o|nom|ics (jep-o-nm'iks)
the act of spending a good portion of one's capital on aftermarket products, and/or modifications for one's Jeep, thereby enhancing both the Jeep's job performance and the economic health of companies offering the products and/or modifications in question. Also accounts for the acronym J.E.E.P. Just Empty Every Pocket.

Stim|u-lus Pack-age (stim'yoo-ls pak'ij)
a gathering of quality products and/or modifications together for the purpose of stimulating the performance of the vehicle in question. A by-product of this packaging is stimulation of the bottom line of the companies offering involved products. It is hoped that no pork is installed during this packaging.

4 WHEEL DRIVE & SPORT UTILITY MAGAZINE has yet another Jeep JK project to help you decide how to build up your own JK. Jeeponomics is the author's latest buildup involving a bright yellow, 2007 two-door. Despite its bright, happy color, this poor little Jeep was shown no love during its first year of life. Cast off by its first owner after only six months of ownership, it was then tossed about between brokers, auction houses, dealerships and wholesale hustlers. After traveling only 8,000 miles, it landed in my hands for the paltry sum of less than half of what it sold for new a year earlier! This violated Jeep had never even had its T-case lever shifted! Why do I tell you all this? Because under the current economic conditions, there are some screaming deals to be had on slightly used JKs. Half-price deals allow you to own one of the best factory Jeeps yet and have coin left to build it into your dream machine.

A Suspension for all reasons from American Expedition Vehicles
The first modification I performed on Jeeponomics was to install a 3.5-inch Nth Degree suspension system from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). AEV has become well known in the Jeep world as a premier player offering high end Jeep aftermarket products with design ties closely linked to Chrysler Corporation. When installed, AEV's products appear to have been designed and installed at the factory.

I picked up Jeeponomics in Portland and drove it 600 miles to its new home near Reno. This was the first time I'd driven a stock JK without suspension mods. I was impressed with its ride and handling at highway speeds on Interstate 5. For a short wheelbase Jeep, the little yellow JK handled a long highway road trip like no TJ, YJ, or CJ I've ever driven. I vowed (knowing that I wanted to lift this Jeep for larger tires and improved off-highway performance) that I wouldn't screw up its good highway manners by over doing its suspension. This vow led me to AEV's new Nth Degree JK suspensions.

Three and one half inches...        read full caption Three and one half inches of lift makes a big difference with approach angles.	With the lift, the monstrous...        read full caption With the lift, the monstrous plastic hulk just cleared the offended rock. You can be sure that both of these front and rear polyurethane protrusions are not long for this world on this Jeep.	Jeeponomic's hideous rubber-baby-buggy-bumper...        read full caption Jeeponomic's hideous rubber-baby-buggy-bumper sustained some rock rash when I tried to cross this ditch in stock form.
These before and after shots...        read full caption These before and after shots of Jeeponomics hiking a tire in my "Twisty Bits" test wash don't show much change in articulation. Stock, the measurement under the tire to the ground was 16-3/4 inches.	With the AEV suspension it...        read full caption With the AEV suspension it was 16-1/4. All the before and after testing was done with the OE wheels and tires mounted to keep things equal. The 35-inch Intercos change the dynamics of the tests.	On my loose hill climb test...        read full caption On my loose hill climb test the Jeep performed as a Jeep should, both in stock form and lifted. If you look closely you can see the rig's tire tracks and see that it started to slip and dig in about half way up the climb. Instead of hopping and huffing and giving up, the little JK just kept working and eventually re-gained traction and walked up the hill. I was impressed that it crawled this loose hill just off idle in stock form and really happy when it repeated the performance with the lift. Many test vehicles I have worked with in the past have failed to climb this hill, even with lots of throttle and momentum.