Hi folks, it's been a while since I've posted anything, so I figured I would give anyone who's interested a bit of an update on what I've been up to.

After spending 26 years with the same company, I got laid off in January of 2009. I ended up filing a wrongful dismissal case against my former employer and after a brief legal battle, won a settlement that netted me close to 30% more than what I was being offered Not wanting to waste another 25 years working for someone else, I got together with a few friends and we started our own company servicing the Market Research Industry. I'm actually working a lot more hours now, but it's a hell of a lot more rewarding and some of the perks of running your own business are hard to beat.

Right around the same time that I was laid off, I ran into a guy who made me an obscene offer for my '06 Automatic Rubi, so I sold it to him with one condition, that I would need to hold on to it until I got my new Jeep..............a 2009 JK Rubi

Work has kept me pretty busy so I've only been able to get out with the JK a few times over the past year, but that hasn't stopped me from added a few goodies to the new rig;
- Mopar front bumper and E-Disco skid
- Benchmark Evap skid
- Wild Boar Nerf Steps
- IPF Headlights
- Hothead Headliner
- And my newest addition, new wheels and tires

I always liked the Moab wheels on the '03-'06 Rubi and was a little disappointed with the the fact that the JK Moab wheels were only 7.5" wide and had a crappy backspacing, so when I came across the new Mamba MR1 wheels, I was all over them.

Here's some pics of the new wheels and tires (285/70/17 BFG MK2's) that I installed this week-end

I really like those rims. What is the backspacing on them?

The rep from mamba Wheels told me they were a +6mm offset with a backspacing of 4.6".

I measured them when I got them and came up with between 4.5" and 4.75" depending on whether I measured to the wheel flange or lip.

They're also 1/2" wider than the stock wheels.

Cool. Congrats!

Those rims are nice. Looking good so far... What's next on the list?

Ron

welcome back...congratts on your job

those rims are awesome!

Funny you should ask.............I've got a TeraFlex leveling kit sitting in the garage, I just need to make some time to install it

I also picked up a tire siping tool, so I might sipe the center treads on KM2's at some point. I really want to see how they handle in the rain, and more importantly, how they handle the snow we get up here first. The stock BGF's weren't too bad in the snow, and I already know how the old MTR's handle both the wet stuff and snow, but the reviews and comments that I've read about the KM2's have me a little worried.

After that, I'll probably start looking for a rear bumper/tire carrier combo. I've had my eye on the Expedition One unit, but it's a little pricey once I factor in taxes and shipping to Canada.

I've also got the '02 Firehawk to think about........can't leave the old girl out of all the mod fun I've already got long tube headers, high flow cats, exhaust, 3.73's and Vigilante 2800 converter installed, so I'll probably just to do a heads and cam swap to round out the package............aiming for 400rwhp once I'm done.

I've had my eye on that same rear bumper/tire carrier from Expedition One. I don't have to pay shipping and taxes to Canada and it's still really expensive Would be cool to get in on a group buy or something. Nice Jeep and welcome back!

That looks really sharp with the 285's on it. Did you notice any real difference in power? Is it an auto or 6-speed. I will enentually go the 285's. Will keep the same wheels as I have spacers already.

Hi jonster, to be honest, I can't say that I've noticed any kind of power loss going from the stock 255/75/17's BFG's to the 285/70/17 KM2's, but I've got a 6 speed with 4.10's. It might have more of an impact on an Auto trans particularly with 3.73's or less, but I'm actually finding that the Jeep feels better with the new tires. I do expect to take a hit in the mileage department as the stock wheel/tire combo came in at about 70lbs using an old bathroom scale while the new wheels/tires were about 88lbs

I'm going to break out my old Garmin Nuvi 660 to see how far off the speedo is with the new tires. All the calculations I've seen indicate that it should be reading about 2% higher than stock.

If you do hear of a group buy on the Expedition One bumper/carrier, be sure to let me know, I'm never against saving a few pennies..............by the way, I hope no one gets in trouble for mentioning group buy on this forum