Jeep Wrangler JK SWB, Modified.

One of the most common and capable off-road vehicles in the U.S. the Jeep Wrangler, what really makes this Jeep Wrangler different than the American ones is the CRD motor (common rail diesel).

The CRD Jeep really gives the Jeep JK Wrangler great crawl speed and good torque, add this with Dan’s mods and you have a go anywhere ‘TOY’.

Being the Short Wheel Base version of the JK wrangler gives it a really good ramp over angle too.

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We have seen Dan’s Jeep tackle just about anything from big sand dunes to hardcore rutted terrain in wet conditions.

This is Dan’s second SWB Jeep JK Wrangler due to an unfortunate accident but this time its setup even better!

Vehicles specs (NOTE* modded details below):

Make model: 2011 Jeep Wrangler JK

Engine: 2.8L 4cyl diesel

Drive train: part time 4wd, open diffs

Suspension: solid axles, Automatic gearbox

A Jeep Wrangler in trouble on a sand dune.

A Jeep JK Wrangler on the track in Western Australia.

A Jeep JK Wrangler on a track in Western Australia.

A Jeep JK Wrangler on a sand dune in Western Australia.

A Jeep JK Wrangler on the beach in Western Australia.

A Jeep JK Wrangler on the beach in the sunset in Western Australia.

Dan’s mod list for his JK Jeep Wrangler:

Engine:

Snorkel

Electric upgrades:

Dual battery, redark isolator

Lights:

LED and HID spotlights, rear work lights

Comms & GPS:

80ch UHF

Suspension and tyres:

3” lift, 35” Maxxis Bighorn mud tyres

Bar work and exterior mods:

Front and rear bar, rear swing-away tyre carrier with jerry can mounts.

Back of the wagon/ute:

Roller drawer w/ fridge slide, LED strip light with dimmer

Recovery gear:

Snatch strap, shackles, snatch block, winch extension strap, drag chain, tree trunk protector, gloves, folding shovel.

Dan’s top 3 trips in the Wrangler:

Jeep JK Wrangler on a beach track somewhere in Western Australia.

A Beach in the southern part of Western Australia.

D’Entrecasteaux National Park with Explore WA.
Bremer Bay to Albany with 4WDing in WA.
The Powerlines.

Unstoppable moment in the JK:

Idling up a hill with a diagonal washout where a mate had needed to use momentum to get his Hilux SR5 through.

It really opened my eyes to how much ability the Jeeps have.

Most scary situation in the Jeep:

At The Powerlines I was attempting a really steep climb and the front left tyre rode up a section of wall that pitched the Jeep upwards and almost into a backward roll.

Dan's modification tips:

A decent lift (anything over about 3 inches) puts stress on the stock drive shaft CVs and will eventually damage them. A double cardan aftermarket drive shaft is a great upgrade, or there is also a high angle CV replacement being offered by Teraflex.

Things to lookout for with this model short wheel based JK:

Modifications by previous owners! You never know what has been done because of the range of aftermarket parts and options for these things, and the propensity for Jeep owners to mod their Jeeps.

Weak front diff housing, if you’re going to bounce around rock crawling.

Top 3 tips with Jeep JK Wrangler:

1. Storage is non-existent. Learn to pack sparingly and skilfully if/when camping.

2. Fuel range is woeful. Get a long-range tank. And jerry cans.

3. Take all the Jeep teasing in your stride because when the going gets tough, these things will show the way.