JK Overland Project: Expeditions West 3.0

[texas taco]

I just installed the National Luna with the controller. It has worked perfectly. I really like the time delay feature. Good luck on your search.

 

[Scott Brady]

Thanks guys. How about battery mounting in the JK? I am leaning towards the National Luna or the IBS, but need to find a good method for mounting the dual batteries. The National Luna 74L fridge is a big unit, and will likely draw more amps than usual because of the freezer.

I am particular to the second battery being up front, as the Jeep needs more weight over the front axle.

 

[sinuhexavier]

I drove the Overland JK back in March or April for a Viking Offroad shoot. If my Disco died today I would replace it with this truck.

You can see more pics from that day here.

 

[radar95zj]

i defendantly found my new background. great picture

 

[mmccurdy]

Thanks guys. How about battery mounting in the JK? I am leaning towards the National Luna or the IBS, but need to find a good method for mounting the dual batteries. The National Luna 74L fridge is a big unit, and will likely draw more amps than usual because of the freezer.

I am particular to the second battery being up front, as the Jeep needs more weight over the front axle.

I have been very happy with the kit from Benchmark Designs. Nice and sturdy and you can fit two Odyssey 1500 (group 34) size batteries side by side in the factory location.

There is a similar kit from M.O.R.E., but I find the aesthetics of the Benchmark kit to be a little cleaner.

EDIT: FWIW, John from Benchmark also offers a "smart isolator" wiring kit which uses a solenoid from Cole Hersee (marine supplier) that has similar logic to the Nat'l Luna or IBS, but it does lack some of the cool external displays.

Here's a pic of mine from before I wired up the isolator (please forgive the dirty engine bay):

 

[The Swiss]

The JK Overland is also featured in the December issue of the Camping Life magazine. :wings:

 

[AZUnlimited]

Benchmark Designs Dual Battery Tray

I second mmccurdy's comments on the Benchmark Designs Dual Battery system. I have two Sears Die Hard Platinum batteries squeezed into it with the Cole Hersee smart isolator mounted on top of the batteries. The install is very clean. So far no issues with the battery tray or the isolator. However I did add a National Luna dual battery monitor into the mix to keep track of the voltage on both batteries.

Here is a pic of my setup:

Here is the spec file on the Cole Hersee Smart Isolator. I am currently using the model with the 200 amp relay:
ColeHerseeSmartIsolator

Scott,
Any chance you can share which TV show you guys will be featured in so I can get the Tivo dialed in :sombrero:

 

[mmccurdy]

Here is a pic of my setup:

Pic's not coming through (and I don't see a MobileMe gallery w/ that username).... I'd love to see it though, as I've debated adding the monitors to my setup too.

EDIT: Much better, thanks :ylsmoke:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Overland Journal and Expeditions West is going to be featured in a prime-time television program, which will include us driving the Overland JK on various routes in Utah.

Very cool

Any more you can tell us about the program?

So, beyond the modifications done for SEMA, we will be making some final preparations to this truck over the next week, primarily aux. battery and wiring for the house systems and final modifications to the storage systems.

Has anyone found an aux. battery system they are particularly happy with?

I'll second the National Luna system. I've been extremely please with them.

 

[mwigant]

I have two Odyssey batteries in a Benchmark Designs dual tray and the National Luna system. The tray was a pretty easy install. However, the batteries are pretty tight, especially if you use the side terminals. I mounted the solenoid on top of the hold down and the gauge on the A pillar with a little wedge of wood to angle it towards me.

 

[Scott Brady]

I will let everyone know more about the program once we shoot, which will be about the 2nd week of December.

Thanks for all of the feedback on the battery systems.

 

[outinthewoods]

Such a cool rig. Makes me really really wish I had a four door.
and that switch panel is freaking sweet!

 

[IceCap4runnerORP]

Such a cool rig. Makes me really really wish I had a four door.
and that switch panel is freaking sweet!

I could use that switch panel myself, can't wait to order one. :sombrero:

 

[gpwpat]

started piecing my version of this rig. My dumb luck, all aftermarked parts purchased second hand so far, except the snorkel. Without the lift and the 35" tires the snorkel makes the JK rubicon look top heavy. The wife hates the snorkel. It will grow on her. thinks it was a waste of money

so far collected

AEV bumper
AEV hood
AEV snorkel
Hansen rear bumper (want AEV rear but for $200 to cheap to pass up)
RockHard Cage
mopar tailight guards

needed
2.5" lift
winch
35" tires
AEV corner guards
Paint hard top
ARB roof rack or Baja Rack

I plan on only buying all my parts second hand to make my budget. It will take longer but I am half way there.:coffeedrink:

 

[ssmfg]

Simple Solutions Manufacturing's New Switch Panel for JKs

Since posting this I have found a small amount of additional info (all second hand, so take it with a grain of salt). Supposedly the company is called "Simple Solutions Manufacturing" (new company, no web site that I could find), expected release is January, and it sounds like they're going the sPod-type route where there will be a relay bank component under the hood.

The pics make it seem super prototype-ish (like produced on a 3D printer), so who knows whether January is realistic, but I'm very tempted to hold out since it looks so damn nice.

Just wanted to give you some more information on the new JKSWITCH to wet your appetite:wings:

​

JKSWITCH Features and Benefits

• The JKSWITCH has been designed to fit seamlessly with the new Wrangler (JK) factory dash so everything looks and acts like factory.
• The JKSWITCH provides five switches in a stylish ABS molded replacement dash piece complete with a built-in storage tray.
• The JKSWITCH is extremely easy to install; you don’t have to know wiring to wire this! The under hood command center comes with a mounting bracket designed specifically for the JK. The current dash pieces come out with an appropriately placed screwdriver and the new dash piece utilizes the same fasteners and contact points, so it just snaps in place. All wiring harnesses utilize JK components, so it is literally “unplug, re-plug and play”. The under hood command center has posts for attaching the negative and ground ring terminals from your accessories. You select the appropriate labels for your switches and you’re done!
• The JKSWITCH is the only reliable, robust way to wire aftermarket accessories. All wiring comes into the command center in designated areas. All switches are internally fused. If overtime one of your accessories develops a problem it is simple to trace and fix.
• The JKSWITCH has a built-in 40A fuse for each of the five switches.
• The JKSWITCH offers the user unprecedented control over the accessory by simply setting a rotary dial. The user can specify under what conditions each switch will be operable by turning a rotary dial in the command center to designated condition: i.e. with ignition, always hot, with headlights, etc.
• The JKSWITCH is the only switching product that allows the user to safely and reliably operate the winch from the driver’s seat without a separate wireless controller. Switch 1 is a two-way momentary switch designated for use with the winch. It is conveniently located closest to the driver for ease of use and has a special safety feature. On the backside of the switch there is an additional pushbutton switch that must be pressed while activating the winch switch. This prevents inadvertent bumping of the winch switch and subsequent deployment of the winch cable when not actually desired.
• The JKSWITCH also has a designated switch position for use with an air compressor. Switch 2 has a build in port to attach a pressure regulator as part of your air compressor system.
• The JKSWITCH has a built-in memory features for some of the switches. After ignition has been killed, our system will remember the last position the switch was in and reinstate that upon restart of the vehicle. This is beneficial for accessories that you always want on when the vehicle is on without having to remember to activate the switch each time you start your vehicle.
• The JKSWITCH panel is backlit with green LEDs to match the factory lighting system. These LEDs illuminate to a low level when vehicle head lights are illuminated and to a high level when the switch is activated.
• The JKSWITCH has a built-in low voltage cut-off feature that prevents you from draining your starting battery by leaving an accessory powered. This feature is particularly useful for applications like a mini-fridge where you want the fridge to be always on whether the ignition is on or not. If the starting batteries fall below a designated level, the LED on the switch activating the fridge will change color first to amber, then as the battery voltage continues to drop to a solid red when the accessory will be deactivated. This provides you with a visual notification that battery voltage is dropping and an opportunity to start your engine to rebuild charge before your fridge is turned off

.

Our website should be active in the next few weeks. We will be taking pre-orders at a 10% discount at that time. We expect to have product available to ship late January.

Thanks for your interest.
The SSMfg Team