2012 JKU Rubicon build

[comac90]

really leaning towards the AEV solution on the rack ... I think I was spoiled on my exo-caged D90 (that is, before I took it the rock-crawling direction); rack just mounted to the cage. The mounting system on the Gobi is just bugging me for some reason ...

T

 

[Off Duty]

Nice looking rig.
A friend of mine has one that's lifted on 37's (IIRC?) and he and his wife love it!

I saw a tan/sand colored JKU today. lifted, etc.
Looked sweet!:drool:

 

[redthies]

That thing looks sweet! How big a spacer did you use to run the 35s and stock wheels? Is it horrible with factory gears and 35s? My '11 would be much happier with the color matched top and flares. Oh well, I will some how survive with silver and black. If only the boxes from OME were not sitting on my porch full of stuff, but actually installed on the Jeep...

 

[comac90]

Your rig looks great!


I looked into the lift today with the drop brackets AND talked with AEV on this. you have to move that crossover pipe forward to give you enough clearance on the drive shaft. It will only hit when the drsd droops all the way.

Thanks!

As for the crossover pipe clearance ... it actually needs to move back towards the tranny mount crossmember, not forward. Maybe that's what you meant??? Moving it forward would make the DS hit earlier.

T

 

[comac90]

That thing looks sweet! How big a spacer did you use to run the 35s and stock wheels? Is it horrible with factory gears and 35s? My '11 would be much happier with the color matched top and flares. Oh well, I will some how survive with silver and black. If only the boxes from OME were not sitting on my porch full of stuff, but actually installed on the Jeep...

Thanks -

I used 1.5" spacers. I ordered the 4.10s with the auto ... and it feels alright. I live in the mountains of NC normally driving at 2000-3500' and its definitely live-able. I'm not certain 4.10s would be low enough if I was back in Boulder, CO.

As for off-road, I don't know yet ... I did drop it in 1st gear, low range and idled up the drive way - it 'seems' like it'll work fine off that anecdotal test. I'll know more when I hit the dirt in a couple of weeks.

T

 

[redthies]

Thanks, that's good to hear. I live at +/- 2000' in the mountains and most of the passes we have nearby are under 5000' as well. We also have 4.11s and auto, although the older variety. I am not generally in a hurry to get any place so I will try it out stock before I buy gears. Conventional wisdom says 5.38s for 35s with the 3.8 and 4 spd auto.

 

[comac90]

Thanks, that's good to hear. I live at +/- 2000' in the mountains and most of the passes we have nearby are under 5000' as well. We also have 4.11s and auto, although the older variety. I am not generally in a hurry to get any place so I will try it out stock before I buy gears. Conventional wisdom says 5.38s for 35s with the 3.8 and 4 spd auto.

That conventional wisdom is correct with the 3.8 - you'll need them. With the new auto and motor, however, 4.10s will work. To put it in perspective, final drive with the new auto, 4.10s and 35s is the same as the new auto with the stock 3.73s and 32s.

T

 

[willh]

Troy,

Hey, long time, no see! Glad to see you on here!

I've looked at several roof rack options as well. Like you, I think the AEV rack will be a good option whenever it is ready for market. As an alternative, I might also recommend the Front Runner Rack (http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/Roof-Racks-c35/). They mount to the hard top. They have two options listed for the JK Unlimited (the 2.2 and the 1.4), but I've talked with them about a 3rd mounting option. You can get the 1.6 rack (meant for the 2-door JK) fitted on a 4-door hard top. See the pic below of a Jeep that ran as a support vehicle for last year's Dakar rally with the same set-up. The rack will hang slightly over the freedom panels, but still allows for their easy removal. It also will remove with the hardtop, so you won't have to deal with unbolting the rack in order to remove the hardtop (unlike D-90). I have concerns, like many probably do, about mounting a rack to the fiberglass top, but you can order additional feet (like the Jeep pictured below) to spread the weight of the rack along the top.
:safari-rig:

Also, my brother Ben is an AEV dealer (http://hedrickspeedsports.com/), so let me know if you ever need anything! Ben has a thing for Hemi Jeeps. Here are some pics from our last trip to Uwharrie (http://benhedrick.com/styled-8/) I was in Ouray, CO back at the beginning of this month. That place never gets old! Again, good to see you, and maybe we can catch up the next time the family and I are in Asheville!
:smiley_drive:


P.S.- I was very saddened to hear about Johnathan's passing. He was a good friend.

Will Hedrick

'07 Rubicon Unlimited

 

[comac90]

Troy,

Hey, long time, no see! Glad to see you on here!

I've looked at several roof rack options as well. Like you, I think the AEV rack will be a good option whenever it is ready for market. As an alternative, I might also recommend the Front Runner Rack (http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/Roof-Racks-c35/). They mount to the hard top. They have two options listed for the JK Unlimited (the 2.2 and the 1.4), but I've talked with them about a 3rd mounting option. You can get the 1.6 rack (meant for the 2-door JK) fitted on a 4-door hard top. See the pic below of a Jeep that ran as a support vehicle for last year's Dakar rally with the same set-up. The rack will hang slightly over the freedom panels, but still allows for their easy removal. It also will remove with the hardtop, so you won't have to deal with unbolting the rack in order to remove the hardtop (unlike D-90). I have concerns, like many probably do, about mounting a rack to the fiberglass top, but you can order additional feet (like the Jeep pictured below) to spread the weight of the rack along the top.
:safari-rig:

Also, my brother Ben is an AEV dealer (http://hedrickspeedsports.com/), so let me know if you ever need anything! Ben has a thing for Hemi Jeeps. Here are some pics from our last trip to Uwharrie (http://benhedrick.com/styled-8/) I was in Ouray, CO back at the beginning of this month. That place never gets old! Again, good to see you, and maybe we can catch up the next time the family and I are in Asheville!
:smiley_drive:


P.S.- I was very saddened to hear about Johnathan's passing. He was a good friend.

Will Hedrick

'07 Rubicon Unlimited

Will -- good to hear from you, man! It has been a long time ... dang, probably since before I moved to Colorado. Thanks for the info on the rack. I'll check it out.

Yes, it was sad about Tis - tragic loss. We just got back from our annual Labor Day trip with his wife and kids ...I miss him dearly. If you find yourself in Augusta, GA this weekend, there are 4 memorial bicycle rides on Saturday (2 road, 2 MTB) in his honor. I'll be on one of the MTBs with a bunch of guys from Charlotte, Asheville, and DC.

T

 

[Lygriek]

Starting with AEV 3.5" SC lift including the high-steer kit, AEV front Milspec with Rugged Ridge jate rings/recovery rings, AEV front skid plate, AEV rear bumper/tire carrier with CHMSL, stainless steel brake lines, Spidertrax wheel spacers, 35" BFG MT KM2s, and Warn XD9000i.

...Still need a front driveshaft and some skid plates. I'm also planning on-board air of some kind, but haven't started looking yet, and roof-rack/camping setup.

The vehicle will be used primarily for family camping, occasional weekend trail runs, and a run out west every couple of years back to my old stomping grounds of CO/UT.

Few pics from the past couple days ...

So the bumper winch combo fit good? No trouble with the vacuum pump mounted just behind the bumper on the driver's side?

I have been holding off ordering a bumper to hold the same winch, wanting to be sure the pump was not going to be a problem.

Looks good by the way.

 

[comac90]

So the bumper winch combo fit good? No trouble with the vacuum pump mounted just behind the bumper on the driver's side?

I have been holding off ordering a bumper to hold the same winch, wanting to be sure the pump was not going to be a problem.

Looks good by the way.

Thanks! From one fellow GSA rider/lover to another ... No problems at all. I wouldn't change a thing. AEV has quit making the Milspec, but the Premium is still in production and is the same bumper minus the crush cans and fog light holes. I believe Quadratec still has Milspecs, though. I mounted up Rugged Ridge's recovery points where the crush cans would normally go.

T

 

[bob91yj]

Nice looking rig.

ZERO JK experience, but my LJ desperatley needed gears after moving up to metric 35's (315/70/16) with the auto and factory 4.10's. I understand that it's apples and oranges comparing an LJ and a JK figured I'd throw it out there anyway.

Anyone know what the deal is with JK's and square/rectangular control arms? Unless there is something has changed that I'm unaware of, round tube is stronger

 

[comac90]

Nice looking rig.

ZERO JK experience, but my LJ desperatley needed gears after moving up to metric 35's (315/70/16) with the auto and factory 4.10's. I understand that it's apples and oranges comparing an LJ and a JK figured I'd throw it out there anyway.

Anyone know what the deal is with JK's and square/rectangular control arms? Unless there is something has changed that I'm unaware of, round tube is stronger

Thanks! Yes, I agree - definitely apples to oranges - the 2012 JKs have a different motor and auto tranny (which is geared quite a bit lower). Calculate out final drives and 3.73s (which is what now comes stock on the auto Rubicons) and the stock 32s is nearly identical to 4.10s (optional on auto Rubicons now) and 35s. Stock gearing is similar to having something like 4.88s (if I remember correctly - it's been a couple of months since I ran the math) in the diffs in 07-11 JKs. I live/drive daily at 2000-3000' and am not having issues - the auto will downshift out of overdrive on uphills, but I haven't had it kick down to 3rd yet. I haven't timed 0-60, but it's not 'slow' - not 'fast' though either. :smiley_drive:

As for the arms, I'm no mechanical engineer, but I imagine you'd have to figure gauge, wall thickness, and steel/alloy make-up before comparing two specific arms and drawing a conclusion of what's stronger. Apart from that I have no idea ... and don't even really care as long as its strong enough to handle the abuse it receives.

T

 

[Lygriek]

Thanks! From one fellow GSA rider/lover to another ... No problems at all. I wouldn't change a thing. AEV has quit making the Milspec, but the Premium is still in production and is the same bumper minus the crush cans and fog light holes. I believe Quadratec still has Milspecs, though. I mounted up Rugged Ridge's recovery points where the crush cans would normally go.

T

I love my GSA! :bike_rider: Plus I work at a BMW Motorrad Dealer, so....

I will be getting the Premium anyways, or the ARB if it turns out to work with that stupid pump too. I wonder if I can leave off the crush cans and instal the d-rings like you did?

I have a Gobi Ranger on the way. Can't wait to get this thing out in the boonies. :safari-rig:

 

[buddha]

Any update on the exhaust/DS clearance issue? Found a way to solve the problem?