2016 JKUR, AKA Dad's MiniVan
- Thread starter GFA
- Start date
Wrapped up the suspension and have put a few miles on it. It rides really good, much better than the stock rubicon suspension and I'd say it feels a little better that the 2.5" teraflex system I had previously. I do hope the springs settle a little though as it seems much higher than 3.5".
I've driven another one with the AEV 3.5" and I'd say it feels about the same but it has been a few months since I drove that one.
I've driven another one with the AEV 3.5" and I'd say it feels about the same but it has been a few months since I drove that one.
So my build is pretty much wrapped up, for now at least...
I picked up a set of AEV bumpers and tire carrier from a forum member awhile ago back and set a warn zeon 10s in it. Lots of other little things have been done also but now it's time to start using it all finally. It's been a really busy few months since buying it but in two weeks we leave for a 7k mile trip with my homemade teardrop in tow. Hitting the Dakotas, a tad in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. Hope it pulls it as well out there as it does here in NC.
I picked up a set of AEV bumpers and tire carrier from a forum member awhile ago back and set a warn zeon 10s in it. Lots of other little things have been done also but now it's time to start using it all finally. It's been a really busy few months since buying it but in two weeks we leave for a 7k mile trip with my homemade teardrop in tow. Hitting the Dakotas, a tad in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. Hope it pulls it as well out there as it does here in NC.
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Looks great!
The soft top is a fantastic addition. At first I didn't think the "Sun Rider" position would be used much, but it's turned out to be used quite a bit this summer.
Hope you get to do the same. :beer:
The soft top is a fantastic addition. At first I didn't think the "Sun Rider" position would be used much, but it's turned out to be used quite a bit this summer.
Hope you get to do the same. :beer:
For my use, I'm not concerned. My off road adventures are typically slow and steady more for my comfort vs the axles longevity. I might eventually add the braces to the c's but I feel like for every one that has bent there are likely dozens that are perfectly fine even after many miles.
Yeah, I really like the premium top, it is soooo much better than the standard one I had on my old JKU. It's quiet and seems to insulate the heat of the sun far better. But, I have yet to try the sunrider position in 6 yrs of JK ownership so maybe I'm due to try it out. I typically just drop the top all the way when I do open it up. I also have a spiderweb shade that stays on full time under the top which is very nice in the bright sun.
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Yeah, it's a pretty impressive top.
It took me a bit to warm up to the Sun Rider position. At first it seemed like a waste of time. But after some use, it's become very convenient.
I have a front and back shade panel (Dirty Dog), and also cargo netting for the rear (again Dirty Dog). All of this stays on all the time.
With the top up, the rear cargo panel tucks up on top of the rear shade. With the top down it's all hooked up, and keeps Super-Mutt "in" the Jeep.
The next thing to get is a bag/roll to keep the side and rear windows in. That way the top can be dropped on the trail, but still have the ability to raise the whole top when sleeping in the Jeep at night.
Hope you have as much fun as I have running the soft top. :beer:
I tried the sunrider this afternoon but as soon as I flipped it back with the rear windows removed, the remaining rear corner pieces seemed too loose to hold in place while underway. Is yours the same way and if so have you noticed any issues like that? I ended up just folding it down all the way after seeing that.
Thanks
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
I have only run the Sun Rider with the windows in.
What you are saying makes sense, since there is nothing to help keep the back portion taught without the side windows.
As a side note. I keep the top stowed in a boot when it's down. Keeps it lower, and keeps things from rubbing in the back
So, after 6 months of ownership and 13k miles on the Odometer, I'm still very happy with this setup. 7200 of those miles were with a teardrop in tow and we were very heavily loaded. I wish there were a bit more power available at times but for the most part it did just fine. The stretch of hwy 26 from Shoshone WY to Casper had me wanting a V8 but it's a steady uphill for over 50 miles and it just happened to be a 40+ mph headwind the whole way so I guess it couldn't have been much worse conditions. With the teardrop in tow and the RTT on it acting as a sail, I couldn't break 55 without holding 2nd gear at 5500 rpms. 3rd would net me 45-50 and 4th and 5th were useless.
I'm starting to research various forced induction setups but reliability is my main concern and I've read about several issues with the auto trannys shifting afterwards. I believe from what I've read I'd get the power I'd like with a simple 4th gear downshift at highway speeds to keep with the 18 wheelers on the hills but I'm not sold that the reliability is there with any of the setups yet. Anybody have first hand experience with a 3.6 auto and forced induction?
Badlands NP
Morrison Jeep Trail
White rim trail
I'm starting to research various forced induction setups but reliability is my main concern and I've read about several issues with the auto trannys shifting afterwards. I believe from what I've read I'd get the power I'd like with a simple 4th gear downshift at highway speeds to keep with the 18 wheelers on the hills but I'm not sold that the reliability is there with any of the setups yet. Anybody have first hand experience with a 3.6 auto and forced induction?
Badlands NP
Morrison Jeep Trail
White rim trail
So I'm a big fan of the scosche Magic mount for my cell phone. It holds my iPhone 6+ in all of my vehicles in any type of road conditions, even washboard. But, the '11+ Jeep Wrangler dash doesn't hold the dash part of the magic mount well because of the curve of the dash above the radio which is the best spot for it IMO. So after replacing the 3m VHB tape on it a time or two it was time for another mounting option. After talking with a friend of mine about it, he mentioned that he could duplicate the curve of the dash with a 3D printed mounting block. 20 minutes later, a much better solution was hot off the printer that has been trouble free even after hundreds of miles offroad in the desert heat and sun.
Nice and clean mounting and it looks really good too...
Nice and clean mounting and it looks really good too...
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Pictures of your last trip, and that phone mount are awesome! :beer:
The picture of the JK and trailer parked on the rim is spectacular.
Sorry I don't have any first hand info on the Jeep F.I. kits. Nor do I have any kind of educated opinion, but hopefully someone with experience will post up.
The picture of the JK and trailer parked on the rim is spectacular.
Sorry I don't have any first hand info on the Jeep F.I. kits. Nor do I have any kind of educated opinion, but hopefully someone with experience will post up.