Sugar High started as a dream for Michelle Davis to own her own special vehicle that she could use as a daily driver and also for off-roading.
After deciding to enter the Rebelle Rally, a 1200 mile navigation rally through the deserts of California and Nevada, the build plans changed to ensure the stock 2004 Jeep Rubicon was purpose built for the challenges of the rally, and it was completely rebuilt in about 7 weeks.
In the 2016 Rebelle Rally, the ladies “made Sugar High into an airplane” in the Dumont dunes. The Jeep suffered a bent front axle, broken rear window, broken bumper and mounts, and blown out rear shocks. Thanks to an amazing effort by the mechanics, the front axle was replaced and they were able to limp through the remainder of the rally that year. Sugar High also made an appearance in the Whistler Electronics booth at SEMA 2016.
In early 2017, while returning home from another training in Oregon, Sugar High caught on fire from a transmission/neutral malfunction causing the transmission to get well over 600 degrees while being towed. Thankfully, using fire extinguishers at first and with the help of the local fire department, the fire was put out. The main damage was isolated to the dash and surrounding area.
Following the fires, Sugar High was brought back into the shop and work began replacing and rebuilding the interior. A fully custom, one-of-a-kind aluminum dash was fabricated, along with aluminum door panels and other elements. The entire Jeep was rewired and many systems replaced or removed. All work was done by Kevin and Michelle.
At SEMA 2017, Sugar High made it’s second appearance in the show, this time in the Razer Auto booth, which is where her bumpers, headlights, and grill were sourced.
With only 5 original parts left, Sugar High remains a daily driver and a trail queen, having tackled trails in Montana, Colorado, Moab, and soon the Rubicon Trail (2019).
Build Modifications:
Here are the Modifications that were completed to create “Sugar High.”
3″ Suspension Lift
Heavy Duty Steering Upgrade
Cooling System
Cold Air Intake
Optima Battery
High Capacity Alternator
TNT High Line Front Fenders
AEV Hyline Heat Reduction Hood
Poison Spyder Rock Sliders
Poison Spyder Rear Fenders
SWAG Offroad Tail Gate Conversion
RazerAuto Front Bumper
Barricade Spare Tire Carrier
RazerAuto Angry Birds Grill
RazerAuto Headlights
Black Oak LED Light Package
Warn 8000 Winch – Synthetic Rope
Nitto 33″x12.5″x17″ Mud Grappler Tires
Custom Painted 17″ Raceline Bead Locks
R1 Concepts Drilled & Slotted Brakes
Bilstein Shocks
Full Body Custom Wrap
Roof Rack
Custom Switch Panel and Winch Panel by 12vUnlimited
MasterCraft Baja RS Racing Seats
Tuffy Console
Smittybilt Storage System
WeatherTech Mats – Bill the Buffman
Whistler DashCam, Scanner, Radar Detector & 1600W Inverter
Stereo & Speaker Upgrade
Opti-Coat Ultimate Bed Liner
Rugged Restore Armor Coating on all Exterior and Suspension Components
Rugged Restore Repel Coating on Seats
Fully Custom Wiring Harness
Autometer Gauges
Kicker Auto Amplifier and Marine Speakers
Fully Custom Aluminum Door Panels and Grab Handles
Fully Custom Fabricated Dash, with Laser Cut “Sugar High”
Custom Switch Panel and Instrument Panels by 12vUnlimited
Stock Specifications:
Engine:
4.0L 6-Cylinder -180HP/165TQ
Transmission:
4-Speed Automatic 42RLE
Ratios:
1st – 2.84
2nd – 1.57
3rd – 1.00
4th – 0.69
Rev – 2.21
Transfer Case:
NP241 Rock-Trac
Fixed Yoke
4:1 Low Range
Axles:
Dana 44
4.10 Gears
Tru-Lock Selectable Pneumatic Differential Locks, Front and Rear (Limited Slip when Unlocked)
5 on 4.5” Bolt Pattern
30 Spline
Other Info:
Hard Top
Full Doors
Stock Seats (Front Buckets/Rear Bench)
Stock Electronics
SEMA 2016:
Sugar High was featured in The Whistler Group booth at SEMA 2016. It was a great success for both Sugar High and Whistler, and we are very thankful to be a part of it.
SEMA 2018:
Sugar High was featured in the RazerAuto booth at SEMA 2017. It was another great success for both Sugar High and RazerAuto, and we are very thankful to be a part of it.
Follow the Build:
We are chronicling the build process on YouTube. If you’d like to follow along with us, please visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe. The build timeline is short, so we’ll be building and posting regularly as we go along.
This was the original build series. We did chronicle parts of the rebuild, but have yet to release that video footage.
Photos of the Fire and Rebuild:
Episode 1 – Fender Flares, Diamond Plate, Bracket Removal
Episode 2 – Body Work
Episode 3 – Fenders, Bumpers, Brake Lights, Spare Tire Mount, Fixing AC Fan Resistor
Episode 4 – Undercarriage, Flush Mount Brake Lights, Reverse Lights, Interior and Seat Removal
Episode 5 – Sugar High Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Build – Fenders, Hood, Cat-Back
Episode 6 – Sugar High Jeep Build – Ultimate Bed Liner Prep, Interior, Inner Fenders
Episode 7 – Sugar High Jeep Build – Bumpers, Winch, Rear Fenders, Diff Covers, Rock Sliders
Episode 8 – Sugar High Jeep Build – Episode 8 – Sugar High Jeep Wrangler Build – Bedliner, Cooling, Seats, Interior
Episode 9 – Sugar High Jeep Build – Episode 8 – Sugar High Jeep Wrangler Build – Bead Locks, 3″ Lift Kit, Steering, Wiring, Seats
Episode 10 – Sugar High Jeep Build – Final Reveal + Roof Rack, Wiring, and More!