We’ve been covering the building of Sleeper, our 2011 JK Rubicon two-door, in the last four issues. After the success of Project Trailrunner, we knew that we could build a 2011 JK that retained a mild look and had better-than-factory performance, on- and off-road.
Large, bulbous, and heavy JK bumpers aren’t bad if that’s what you like — and evidently, many people like them — because most JK bumpers are big. We like smaller bumpers on our vehicles.
Expedition One offers its Basic DX front bumper that’s pretty much a stylized winch mount. We ordered a Basic DX along with detachable OE foglight wings. In keeping with our sleeper theme, we wanted a winch that sat between the frame rails, so we ordered a red Warn 9.0Rc rock-crawl winch. Before installing it, we powdercoated it black for aesthetic reasons. The Basic DX and Warn 9.0Rc make a lightweight combination. We also installed the Expedition One Rubi Skid swaybar skidplate under the bumper. It not only protects the Rubicon Smart Bar motor, it cleans up that area, getting rid of the hideous OE plastic chin spoiler and its corresponding wimpy stamped frame crossmember.
Poly Performance developed its Synergy Long Arm Suspension System for the JK Wrangler, and it’s a winner. Completely bolt-on, the geometry is perfect as are coil rates. “Bolt-on” isn’t as easy as it sounds, as the stock frame bracketry has to be cut off and holes drilled in the frame. The effort is worth it, as the Synergy suspension is amazing. Arms are adjustable on the vehicle, a major boon when adjusting driveline angles and arm lengths. Track bars are adjustable the same way. It’s easy to dial in the Synergy suspension. Poly Performance offers Fox Racing shocks, so we went with new Fox 2.0 Factory Performance Series Shocks, aluminum reservoir shocks that are affordable and are valved perfectly for the JK.
We plan to install a PSC ram assist, but have only installed the PSC steering gearbox so far. We installed the Currie Currectlync JK tie rod and drag link that are beefier than their Dana 60 counterparts and have reversible, rebuildable ends.
It’s not news that the JK frontend is weak. Instead of beefing up the factory’s mistake, we went with Dynatrac’s ProRock 44 with heavy tubes. Motive 5.13 JK Rubicon 44 gears installed easily in the Dynatrac pumpkin. Ten Factory hardened front axles are strong and use the large OE JK Spicer joints. Dynatrac’s reliable ProSteer ball joints replace the worthless OE ball joints and are rebuildable.
The 37x12.50R17LT Pro Comp Mud-Terrain three-ply tires are mounted on 17x8 Black Rock Intruder wheels. The Intruders are reasonably priced wheels that don’t look like everyone else’s designs. Pro Comp Mud-Terrain three-ply tires work well in the backcountry.
Inside, we installed a Cobra 75 WXST CB that stores in the center console when not in use. Cool Tech LLC supplied the radio, as well as antenna mounting bracket and coax. HotHead headliners insulate the top and make an enormous difference. Excellent 4WD Hardware slush mats protect the carpet. Not much else needs to be done in the new, comfortable 2011 interior. We also ordered 4WD Hardware flat panel flares so the tires would clear with our 3-inch Synergy coils. It turned out we were able to trim the stock inner rear fender liners a bit and the 37s cleared the OE flares. We left the OE flares on the Jeep for now.
John Williams of Impulse Off-Road contributed his JK expertise and made Sleeper what it is. We agree with others who’ve driven Sleeper that it’s the best handling Jeep, on- and off-road, we’ve ever built. The fact that it gets very little respect from other off-roaders when they first see it makes it even better. We like our 4x4 projects to be surprising. When checking out other people’s 4x4s, remember the old maxim, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Or, in this case, a JK that looks stock, but is not.
Dynatrac’s ProRock 44 affords...
Dynatrac’s ProRock 44 affords more ground clearance than the stock 44 and is better in every way. Ours came with Dynatrac’s heavy tube package, making it even beefier. Dynatrac ProSteer ball joints are strong and rebuildable. The OE E-Locker, 5.13 Motive gears, and Ten Factory hardened axles were installed, as were OE Jeep JK Spicer 5004891 U-joints from West Coast Differentials. Currie Enterprises Currectlync 1.25-inch forged tie rod and drag link have threaded ends that use 7/8-inch tie rod ends that can be reversed and rebuilt. They are direct replacements for the stock parts. Expedition One’s Rubi Skid protects the Rubicon Smart Bar swaybar disconnect and looks clean.
Synergy coils are progressive...
Synergy coils are progressive and are the perfect rate on our JK. Coupled with new Fox 2.0 Factory Performance Series aluminum reservoir shocks, they allow Sleeper to handle superbly on the road or in the dirt.
A finned aluminum cooler from...
A finned aluminum cooler from Currie Enterprises adds volume and keeps our power steering fluid cool. We plan on a PSC ram soon, and a cooler is required. It doesn’t hurt to have a power steering cooler whether a ram is installed or not. Yes, we know there’s no clamp on the drag link in this photo.
The front and rear Synergy...
The front and rear Synergy control arm brackets include both upper and lower arm mounts.
They’re clean, bolt on, and...
They’re clean, bolt on, and easy to install, once the OE bracketry is removed from the frame. Synergy control arms are easily adjusted on the vehicle.
Arm geometry is perfect.
The NVG241OR Rock-Trac transfer...
The NVG241OR Rock-Trac transfer case has a 4:1 low range. There have been 241 case failures when driveline vibration is present, so it’s a good idea to make sure driveline angles are dialed in.
The OE rear driveshaft has...
The OE rear driveshaft has Rzeppa joints at both ends. Sleeper has no driveline vibration.
Why can’t the OE front 44...
Why can’t the OE front 44 be as strong as the OE rearend? Ours sports 5.13 Motive gears, the factory E-locker, and a Dynatrac cover. Until someone offers a quiet performance muffler, we’re sticking with the factory muffler.
The Synergy track bar bracket...
The Synergy track bar bracket raises the rear track bar where it should be. We welded it on the housing, but installed the clamps to fill the holes. All Synergy arms and track bars are adjustable on the vehicle.
The JK vapor canister needs...
The JK vapor canister needs to be protected or moved out of harm’s way. We like Pure Jeep’s solution and used the canister relocation kit that moves it above the rear axle behind the gas tank.
The 2011 JKs come with a new...
The 2011 JKs come with a new interior that’s comfortable and functional. Heated leather seats make cold winter mornings nice. The set-and-forget HVAC controls keep occupants comfortable.
Cobra’s 75 WXST CB incorporates...
Cobra’s 75 WXST CB incorporates all controls and speaker in the microphone. It stores handily out of the way in the console when not in use. Cool Tech LLC included everything needed, along with the CB itself, for a successful, simple installation.
You can see that the 4WD Hardware...
You can see that the 4WD Hardware slush mats are doing their job.
We powdercoated the red Warn...
We powdercoated the red Warn 9.0Rc winch black before mounting it in the Expedition One Basic DX bumper. Nick from 12 Volt Solutions installed the new Warn contactor winch control and was able to fit it next to the winch between the frame rails for a clean look.
The single-wall construction...
The single-wall construction of the JK’s hardtop does nothing for sound deadening or insulation. HotHead Headliners do. The difference is amazing. HotHeads are easy to install and stay put.
The 37x12.50R17LT Pro Comp...
The 37x12.50R17LT Pro Comp Mud-Terrain three-ply tires are mounted on 17x8 Black Rock Intruder wheels. The Intruders are reasonably priced wheels that don’t look like everyone else’s designs. The Pro Comp Mud-Terrain three-ply tire is a strong tire that works well in the backcountry. In the past, they took very little weight to balance, but this set was only average, requiring about 12 ounces per tire.
Two-door JKs have an 18.5-gallon...
Two-door JKs have an 18.5-gallon fuel capacity. That’s not much for exploring the backcountry. In keeping with Sleeper’s mission to be relatively lightweight and not have equipment permanently hanging from it, we needed a solution for carrying extra gas. Rock-Slide Engineering’s EZ Rack equipment and can brackets are strong, lightweight aluminum. The black mounting brackets for the 2-gallon RotopaX cans mount in seconds. The RotopaX cans are strong, roto molded, and don’t leak. Not shown here, the EZ Rack is available with an aluminum top piece that can carry all kinds of gear. The ratchet is supposed to be on the bottom of the spare, but in our application, using the stock spare on the stock carrier, the ratchet hit the bumper. As we’re not carrying anything on top of the tire, the ratchet works fine up high. We’ll be trimming the excess strap, but not until we’re sure we’re staying with the stock spare and carrier. The Cool Tech antenna bracket bolts to the stock spare carrier. The rear bumper is from Exped
Sleeper looks even milder...
Sleeper looks even milder with Falken WildPeak tires mounted on the OE Rubicon alloy wheels, using Spidertrax aluminum spacers. The Falkens are completely silent on the road and return eye opening performance off-road. They took very little weight to balance and are true, with no radial or lateral runout.