2017 Jeep JKU Rubicon Build/Adventures

[cody93225]

So I decided to trade in my 2015 Jeep JKU Sport on a 2017 Jeep JKU Rubicon. After pricing gears and lockers it didn't make sense not to go with the Rubicon. Anyways, my old Jeep had a ton of parts on it that I wanted to put on the Rubicon. I had a gobi rack, winch bumpers, lights, switches, CB, rock sliders, WFRB Box, etc that I wanted to keep to trick out the Rubi. Here is how I tore it all down and rebuilt it in 2 days.


Here are pictures of what the 2015 looked like. You can see it resembles the 2017 very much.

 

[cody93225]

Rubicon Build

I added everything to the Jeep in the driveway of my apartment building by myself. It took me about 8 hours to do everything, but I am glad I put in the time. It took me roughly two years to collect all of these parts and I did not want to let them go on a trade in. Check out the build in this video.


Here is the interior on the Jeep. I love this Jeep so much more than my 2015. It came factory with a power inverter, Uconnect touch screen, and slush mats. I added the tuffy lock box, and Cobra 75 cb radio from my last Jeep.

 

[rubicon91]

I added everything to the Jeep in the driveway of my apartment building by myself. It took me about 8 hours to do everything, but I am glad I put in the time. It took me roughly two years to collect all of these parts and I did not want to let them go on a trade in. Check out the build in this video.

Jeep looks great and I can relate to this in its entirety. Love the color also lol I did the same thing traded in my 12 and pulled off everything I wanted to keep and swapped to the new 17 gobi rubi. I did it however over a few weekends and with a friend. What else are you planning to do to yours?

A pic of mine

 

[TrailBadger]

I wasn't sure if I would actually say something here.. But non the less. Yes, Even we have hopes of joining the ranks of the overland community after seeing this part swap.

 

[cody93225]

I am not planning on doing much else. I spent enough on Jeeps and parts over the last two years to put this addiction on hold for a little bit. I am planning on doing more trips now. With that said, I may buy some traction boards and some rotopax lol.

 

[cody93225]

I am not planning on doing much else. I spent enough on Jeeps and parts over the last two years to put this addiction on hold for a little bit. I am planning on doing more trips now. With that said, I may buy some traction boards and some rotopax lol.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Awesome upgrade!
Great move to strip your old JK. The added parts don't get much, if anything, on a trade in. You've made some excellent upgrades, and I'm sure you'd have been kicking yourself if you'd let them go.

Look forward to more adventure reports. :beer:

Funny, but when I saw the video, the first person I thought of was Rubicon91. It seems great minds think alike.
Two exceptional rigs.

 

[cody93225]

I am super glad that my father, brother, and friends drilled it into my head not to let the Jeep go with all the upgrades on it. The upgrades add up quicker than you think and are difficult to repurchase. For instance, the Gobi rack was $1500 and the awning was around $300, $500 in winch and bumper (got amazing deals), $200 in sliders (got off craigslist), $50 for the rock hard bumper (best deal ever off craigslist). The CB and tuffy lock box were gifts. $130 in WFRB and $50 in switches. It took me two years to procure all these parts and a lot of them were steals online.

 

[TrailBadger]

Feel your enthusiasm on this seeing how we've been starving for more than 12 years due to the past administration. Now that the table has turned, we're slowing rebuilding and with this (over time) the jeep should see some mild changes. I personally don't like used stuff.. but it was yours in the first place which made it easy and very accessible to swap parts. I have a feeling (IF) it came down to it.. I wouldn't let the jeep go if we put all that stuff on it in the first place.

 

[cody93225]

Lake Hughes Road to the Angeles National Forest

I decided to take a day drive through Lake Hughes Road and the Angeles National Forest. If you get a chance you should stop by the Rock Inn. They have great food and it is a fun environment. The area we went doesn't require 4by, but it is one of the most scenic drives that I know of. Check it out!

 

[cody93225]

Jeep Rubicon-Cherry Creek Trail

Took my new Jeep Rubicon on its maiden voyage. I accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up on a easier trail, but all in all it was a fun day to the bottom of Cherry Creek. This is an easy trail, but it offers some nice scenery. I only needed to use 4x4 a couple of times.

 

[cody93225]

Jeep Lights

Here you can see the difference between Jeep's factory LED's and my aftermarket lights. If you buy a JK definitely get the LED's. My 2015 had terrible lights and made my KC lights and Light bar look like God's gift to night driving. I also attached pictures of how I have everything set up. I run rugged ridge switches, the Waterproof Fuse and Relay Box, KC lights, Auxbeam (Amazon.com) 12 inch light bar, and Rubicon factory LED's. Future plans involve LED back up lights.

 

[cody93225]

Jeep Rubicon-Salt Creek Trail

Decided to take the Jeep out for a 2nd time this weekend. I had a lot of fun getting to know what the Rubicon was capable of. Unfortunately the bugs were fierce and numerous so we weren't able to get a lot of out of car shots.

 

[cody93225]

Trail Tool Kit

Here is my trail tool kit. Let me know what you guys carry and if you see anything that I really need.

 

[cody93225]

Ace Engineering Rock Sliders Review

Here is a review of my Ace Engineering Sliders. I bought these on craigslist for $200 from a guy who was selling his Rubicon. They aren't super heavy, but they are pretty stout. I have hit them a couple times and they haven't crumbled yet.