Sticker Build

[DannyBLong]

Hey all,
New to the forum here so I thought Id go ahead and start a build thread.

*Little background:
1st Jeep- 88 YJ, bought from my dad at 19
2nd Jeep- 99 XJ, bought at 20 yrs old and mildly built-
3rd Jeep- 93 XJ, bought, fixed, built, and chopped. 22-26 yrs old
4th Jeep- 2001 ZJ, bought and swapped AWD t-case for 4wd and sold at 27yrs old

FWD 10 years to May 2025.
I bought this 2016 JKU Sahara 6spd, totally stock

 

[DannyBLong]

I know there are a lot of great build threads on this forum that are very elaborate. This will not be one of those.
My intentions are to do a throwback Sahara Edition, reminiscent of the OG 88 Wrangler Sahara.
This is mostly an aesthetic build, doing things here and there for performance, but maintaining enough stock-ness to not negatively effect resale, just in case.

 

[DannyBLong]

The reason I have decided to share this on the forum is for those that maybe don’t have the skill or resources to do major builds but still want something unique.
I’ve done extensive Jeep builds but I’m at a different place in my life now. I do still want to stand out among the thousands of Jeeps that are in coastal NC though.

 

[pc1p]

I know there are a lot of great build threads on this forum that are very elaborate. This will not be one of those.
My intentions are to do a throwback Sahara Edition, reminiscent of the OG 88 Wrangler Sahara.
This is mostly an aesthetic build, doing things here and there for performance, but maintaining enough stock-ness to not negatively effect resale, just in case.

Sounds fun! Nothing wrong with a simple build, especially a throwback. Now with that said, I wouldn't worry about "stock-ness" impacting resale value. It's a JK, one of millions total and likely one of tens-of-thousands built in that trim and model year. You could build a relatively "big" build with easily removable "bolt on" parts. Even yours as it currently stands is not completely "stock"; that bumper, headlights, and side steps for example are not Mopar, but are easily removed.

Have fun, be safe, and take lots of photos - I love me a good build thread with adventures mixed in

 

[DannyBLong]

This 90 Sahara is the inspiration for the look I’m got my for:
-Pinstripes across rockers, over fender flares, and around rear quarters
-Sahara Edition decals and tire cover
-Jeep decal below Sahara Edition decal
-Wrangler emblem on rear quarters
-Tan soft top

 

[DannyBLong]

Sounds fun! Nothing wrong with a simple build, especially a throwback. Now with that said, I wouldn't worry about "stock-ness" impacting resale value. It's a JK, one of millions total and likely one of tens-of-thousands built in that trim and model year. You could build a relatively "big" build with easily removable "bolt on" parts. Even yours as it currently stands is not completely "stock"; that bumper, headlights, and side steps for example are not Mopar, but are easily removed.

Have fun, be safe, and take lots of photos - I love me a good build thread with adventures mixed in

Thanks!
Truth be told, that original picture is just a pic I found online that was the closest to what mine looked like when I first got it. I neglected to take a picture before wheels and tires!

 

[DannyBLong]

First step was pinstripes. I quickly found out that there isn’t enough space between the rear fender flares and the back door jambs for pin striping, at least for my taste.
Knowing that it doesn’t have to replicate OG Sahara trim exactly, I did what seemed right. I doubled up some brown pinstripes straight across the rockers. I liked it well enough to call that phase good.

 

[DannyBLong]

First step was pinstripes. I quickly found out that there isn’t enough space between the rear fender flares and the back door jambs for pin striping, at least for my taste.
Knowing that it doesn’t have to replicate OG Sahara trim exactly, I did what seemed right. I doubled up some brown pinstripes straight across the rockers. I liked it well enough to call that phase good.

View attachment 130694

 

[DannyBLong]

After the pinstripes, I removed the 2016 Sahara and Wrangler decals from the front quarter and laid down the original Sahara Edition decal from Phoenix Graphics. Two large decals on front quarter, and a small on the front of the driver side front flare. I found a matching, but kind of metallic Jeep decal online to go with it.