I might be the only one here that wants to make a rally wagon out of my toaster. It all started when I was first researching the car and I ran across a photoshopped image. There's already lowering springs on the market, along with dual exhaust and some cool bumpers in the works. If I have the patience to wait until the warranty is up, there's sure to be some more cool parts. What are your thoughts? I think it would definitely be unique lol.
I love rally cars, and am all about having fun with vehicles. That being said, are you looking for the performance or just the look? The Renegades are relatively powerful, but not for their size. These things are really heavy for what they are. I also don't think the 9sp auto would be good for performance driving at all without some major work, at least programming all the shift points and firming them up a lot. Then you get into suspension and all that, I just personally think if rally is what you MAINLY want to do with the vehicle, there are much better choices out there to start with than our little Renegades.
As much as I would love to, I'm not actually going to rally it. This is my daily driver so I can't go wrapping it around a tree lol. If I had wanted to build a legitimate rally car I would've saved up and bought an STI. If I were to go through with this, it would mostly be for looks, and to make it a little more fun to drive. I've never been super interested in lifting things. I have a 1950 ford sedan as a project car, and sort of live by "if it doesn't scrape it isn't low enough."
Nothing wrong with that. If I wanted a legit 4x4 I would have bought a JK or an XJ. I wanted something to have a little fun in and still get me back and forth to work. I got what I was looking for.
That's exactly how I feel. I almost got an '06 wrangler (not familiar with exact model names) and it had the 4.0 with a 6 speed. Pretty much the holy grail of jeeps, but the renegade is more road ready. Even with a 2 inch drop I could probably still handle driving on sand and maybe some mild trails.
If you aren't looking to trash it out on the trails I say go for it man. Personally I like the lowered look, with some "rally" looking wheels and maybe a couple subtle decals. I think the lights tucked in the grill would be a pretty cool touch too.
Madness is selling lowering springs and they have this photo as an example. It actually looks pretty good.
Personally I don't like the headlight mod so many are doing. Other than that, I really like the look of that Renegade a lot.
This one looks good too. (Also from the madness site.) I would throw their flared fenders and some rallyarmor style mudflaps on it and call it a day.
So I am going the whole Rally look next week. I have the 75th anniversary edition. Already put on a BoV and am getting straight pipes put on Friday. Trying to find some black 1.25" wheel spacers that wont make me poor and am ordering the lowering spring from madness. With the color of my toaster and a few decals I think it will be really fun!
