2012 JKU Rubicon Build/Adventure Thread

[Septu]

Wow! that looks excellent on my monitor. :beer:

Thanks. Color wise and paint wise they turned out pretty good. Better than I thought they would. But then I went through almost $100 in paint (3.5 cans of Chrysler color match and 2.5 cans of rustolemum silver). Just took my time and tried to do thin coats. Basically took over works heated garage for the weekend and was there lots. Would do a coat then tinker or go do something (watch TV, read a book, or go home), then go back (I live nearby) do a coat then thinker then do another coat. Other than one spot where I messed up by leaving a tacky (I assume) fender on the edge of the box too long (was able to sand it out and apply lots of paint to cover it up), they came out really good. Unfortunately the fender I messed up on? Yeah drivers side front fender - so I'll see it every freaking time I get in/out lol. But unless you're looking at it most won't see it. Now the big question is how good will it hold up.

Now just can't wait till tomorrow when I can install them.

 

[Septu]

Well the fenders are on! Fronts are Poison Spyder Customs (steel) and the rear's are Aries (aluminum). Still not the biggest fan of the PSC fronts... but the price was just too good to turn down - and they were local so no shipping! Paint isn't the perfect match, but it's so close most wont' be able to tell unless you're standing right beside it, so I'm good with that.

 

[kojackJKU]

Hmmm... glad to see I keep on top of the updates lol. Will post a new picture once I get the fenders on early next week.

Well, I installed the JW Speaker EVO 2 headlights and fog lights (that I've had for over a year). Also started painting the new fenders I picked up used. Steel PSC's on the front and aluminum Aries on the rear (can't believe the weight difference!! wow). The color will not be a perfect match (am painting them silver), but they'll be close - and honestly I'm okay if they're a little off. I just did not want more black. So a bright metallic silver should be pretty close and at the very least complement the jeep. If not I can always change it up Will keep adding coats over the weekend (work has a heated garage I'm using for this) and will get them installed next week.

As for the lights... The fogs are amazing - can't believe I waited this long to get them installed - although considering what a PITA it was (which I kinda expected), it's a little more believable. As for the headlights... The lowbeam is insane - and significantly better than the TLs. But I have to say... I'm not all that impressed with the highbeams. I did two runs with them (adjusting them inbetween) and while I think I have them dialed in as best as they'll get... for a light that's suppose to put out 45%-50% more light with the highbeams (as per JWS), I'm not sure I'm really seeing it on the road. Right now my thoughts have been... "you just spent how much on these?" And while I'll recoup half of it (or so) when I sell the TLs... I'm still not sure this was the right move.

Next step (tomorrow or Sunday) is installing the backup lights and running the wiring for that (will just run them off a switch), and touching up my rock rails (I just spray on some bedliner and it'll be good for another 6 months).

I have been saying this all along. TL high beams are killer compared to every other LED replacement headlight. And by the sounds of it yes, the low beam is brighter, but if there is kick up light, like you are saying, then snow/fog/rain will be miserable to drive in. TL is staying in my rig and 400 extra dollars in my pocket!

How does your light bar compare to your lightforce lights?

 

[Septu]

I have been saying this all along. TL high beams are killer compared to every other LED replacement headlight. And by the sounds of it yes, the low beam is brighter, but if there is kick up light, like you are saying, then snow/fog/rain will be miserable to drive in. TL is staying in my rig and 400 extra dollars in my pocket!

How does your light bar compare to your lightforce lights?

It's not bad (it's 10w LEDs - all spots). But it can't touch them for distance - but to be honest I use it way more then the LF (55w HIDs). But that's mostly due to the ****ty extenders I'm using to move the ballasts that turned the lights unreliable. They both will not always turn on - and they alternate which one will turn on, so it sometimes can take 5-8 attempts to get both on at the same time. Yeah annoying ****. The only reason I haven't pulled them (and the tiny light bar on the front) is because I've been too laz.. I mean busy with other stuff. That and I like the look of the bigger round lights on the bumper, and if I pulled them would want something else there to take up the space, so until I figure out what that will be I'm not in a rush. Besides, the LED bar with the pillar lights does a good enough job. Not great, but good.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Fenders came out awesome. Looks great on the Jeep. :beer:
I think the only person, beside you, who may notice is going to be a body & paint guy, who is specifically looking at the fenders. Since they are at different angles/distancee then the sheet metal our eye expects them to be slightly different (giving us spacial presentation).
Great job on this.

Digging those two search tower lights on the front too! They should light up the night.

 

[kojackJKU]

I ran vvme's for years and had one ballast go down. I love my HID converts. they go FARRRRRRRR! down the road, and light up the ditches perfect...I feel no need to change them and go with LED.

 

[Septu]

I ran vvme's for years and had one ballast go down. I love my HID converts. they go FARRRRRRRR! down the road, and light up the ditches perfect...I feel no need to change them and go with LED.

Yeah it's not the ballasts, but just the extension cables to get the ballasts off the bumper and under the hood that is the issue. If I remove those the lights work every time all the time. I just do not want the ballasts on the bumper and there's no other room around there really that I've been happy with.

 

[kojackJKU]

I mounted mine inside the grill. Never had an issue with them in there. worked perfect. Good to know on the extension wires.

 

[Septu]

Back from my vacation... decided to make a 'little' side trip to go see my cousin, her husband and their daughter who I hadn't met before (she's 1). Unfortunately it added 1400 km to my trip for the very short visit (I didn't get in until early afternoon, my cousin had to work that evening and I left at 6am the following morning). But it was a nice drive.

I was pretty fortunate... the weather was amazing the entire trip. A little snow while going through Banff National Park - however that didn't last long and the sun came out pretty quickly.

Some pictures from my road trip.

On HWY 16 between Terrace and Prince Rupert BC

In Banff National Park

Banff National Park

Alaska Highway - Steamboat (75 km North of Ft Nelson BC)

Alaska Highway - somewhere around Toad River

Alaska Highway - Liard Hot Springs - and yes I went for a swim - was very warm and refreshing. The water at the end closest to where I was standing taking the pictures was about 4 feet deep, with the top 7 inches of water being very very hot. I've been to a bunch of hot springs over the years, and I've yet to come across some as nice and as warm as these ones. Getting out wasn't too bad as it was a balmy -5c (25f?). The worst part was all the ice on the deck and cold feet.

8 days of driving - 5400 kms / 3375 miles. Obviously not all of it was driving... I spent 3 days in Prince George BC and several evenings visiting friends and family along the way. The longest sessions was yesterday where I did 1300 km (~820 miles) in ~17 hours (Fort St John, BC to Whitehorse, YT). Distance wise... it's about the same as driving from Whitehorse YT to San Antonio TX.

Here's the full set of pictures. Most of them are scenic pictures of mountains...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153322294612595.1073741851.526467594&type=1&l=36507fef74

 

[Comanche Scott]

Man, what an adventure!

The pictures are stunning. Such a ruggedly beautiful place. :beer:

 

[Septu]

After a long delay and much confusion, it looks like my Titan Tank should be close to getting here (it should be at Northridge4x4 this week or next, then up here shortly thereafter). I also pulled the trigger on the rest of MorRyde's tailgate setup (reinforcement and new metal tire carrier) to support the weight. Hopefully everything arrives sometime in the next 2 weeks or so.

Should give me time to borrow works shop (working outside blows), so I can get my new stereo installed. Then I'm probably good for a little while other than fixing/re-wiring my trailer harness. Then it's just a matter of starting on the trailer.

 

[Septu]

Well, finally got everything setup how I'd planned. MorRyde hinges, tailgate re-inforcement and their tire carrier. Then mounted the Titan Tank, filled it, then loaded up my heavy 35" spare.

Review mirror is basically useless - which sucks as I'm running my soft doors right now and using the mirrors on the heat vents to be legal. Lots and lots of shoulder checks before lane changes. Fortunately l live in a small place where I do not need to change lanes very often (there's also only a couple roads with multiple lanes).

Now I just need to find a way to carry the syphon hose in/around the carrier. Am thinking some sort of mesh bag with a large clean ziplock bag inside of it to keep things clean. But there's definitely some options there to figure something out so that I don't have to carry it in the jeep after using it.


Thoughts after driving around for a bit. Seems alright. More movement when I rock the tire, however I'm sure with a couple adjustments, I could sort that out. A minor issue is that the piece Titan Tank gives you to fit the spare tire on doesn't extend enough to fit a 35x12.5 tire on a stock JK wheel without a spacer of sorts. Fortunately I had one from when I used the stock carrier. Annoying, but not the end of the world.

A much bigger concern is the fact that the hinges cannot support the weight. The tailgate drops by almost an inch when I unlatch it, and unless I lift it up when closing it, it rubs on part of my bumper. Have to say... this A) really bothers me considering what this setup cost (tire carrier and reinforcement setup was ~$700 CND with shipping). And B) is not what I was expecting after reading up on this. It'll do for now, and seeing how I'll rarely be using the tank, it's probably not the end of the world. And when I do use the tank, odds are I will not be in and out of the rear area. But that doesn't change the fact that this really bothers me. Eventually it looks like I'll have to go with either a dedicated bumper setup with a tire carrier or the AEV arm - which sucks, as I like the option of not being tied to a specific setup.

 

[HRPINDC]

That sucks to hear about the drop in the tailgate. That would bother me a lot. I wonder if the Teraflex hinge would be a stronger option. The video shows a dude standing on the tire, I think the door was open too.

 

[kojackJKU]

I am guessing the TF would be the best option. I have the morrydes now as I just wanted to get rid of the slop in the stock garbage. They are great for my application. However, I am planning on doing the exact same thing you are doing, I will be going with the TF hinge in the near future. Thanks for the update.

 

[Dan Grec]

A much bigger concern is the fact that the hinges cannot support the weight. The tailgate drops by almost an inch when I unlatch it, and unless I lift it up when closing it, it rubs on part of my bumper.

Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that. Sucks.

For what it's worth, my AEV carrier is built like a tank, and doesn't move budge no matter what I put on it.
It's also easy to open the whole rear everything with one hand, and it has quite a bit of weight with the spare+hi-lift+max traxx+shovel+titan tank.

I hope you find a solution, it sounds like something will break if you keep driving it like it is.

-Dan