2015 Jeep JKUR - Daily Driver / Family Camp-mobile BUILD

[DEFENDERBEAM]

Icom radio & antenna install

Got an Icom IC-V8000 2M Radio. Diamond NR770HB antenna with adjustable mount. The other wiring seen is for the 3rd brake light/license plate light (haven't completed the relocation of the plate yet, just need to make the wiring connection for the plate light). I used the existing grommet, and cut a larger hole in it for the coax & 3rd brake/Lic. Light. I slit the hole to the edge to get the wire/cable in. I may add some sort of black glue. Now it just has a tiny piece of electrical tape over the crack. Its easy to see the inside of the tailgate to see if water is leaking. I am not finished with the inner door portion yet, and the coax between the radio and the antenna is ran temp for the moment. Being able the adjust the mount and have the antenna sideways seems handy. The antenna rubs upon entry to the garage, but had plenty of headroom once inside. I know roof mount is better, but I am going to try this for now. The mount was designed to fit onto a tube, so I removed the bottom portion and bolted it directly to my stock rear tire carrier.

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

Had a hard time deciding where to mount the radio. I can always move it. A couple tiny holes in plastic never hurt anyone. The overhead seems nice, but I didn't like the headband possibility, and I might get an spod? The side of the center console limits the seat from fully sliding forward. I ended up below the glovebox. The box can fully open without touching the radio, and I won't be reading it sideways. Not like it will be getting used constantly anyways. Seems out of the way enough for the passengers legs. Still haven't mounted the clip. The 2-side tape it came with doesn't work, so I have yet to screw it in somewhere.

 

[Nullifier]

Like your plan far. You will probably want to add some clear vinyl sticker to the area between that antenna and hard top. Antenna's have a funny way of beating the paint up quickly when they are that close to the body. Pull it back from the top and see where it is contacting when it snaps back then apply vinyl accordingly. a year from now you will be happy you did.

Subscribed! :coffeedrink:

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

Like your plan far. You will probably want to add some clear vinyl sticker to the area between that antenna and hard top. Antenna's have a funny way of beating the paint up quickly when they are that close to the body. Pull it back from the top and see where it is contacting when it snaps back then apply vinyl accordingly. a year from now you will be happy you did.

Subscribed! :coffeedrink:

That's a good idea. I was thinking of doing something, but at least it won't rust if I did let the paint go.

So far it seems it hit the wiper and not really the roof, unless I went under something really low. Probably when I lift it, I'll have issues. I was going to test how it works in and angled position , but have yet to try. So far the reception seems good. I am hoping to get my license early next month. just listening to stuff so far. Getting some interesting local police stories to tell. haha.

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

Got my combo 3rd brake light/License plate light installed and wired. It ended up being the White with purple stripe wire from the passenger side tail light that I tapped into for my license plate light power. The plate assembly is secured with a couple of bolts ran through the plate holder and a couple of large urethane blocks (I had laying around) with washer and wing nuts to hold it on from behind. Its a little ghetto, but I am going to see how it works. it only takes a minute to take it on and off in the event of tire rotation of using my spare. I didn't like how the aftermarket legit mounts stuck out so far. The one I got and didn't use should be fine when and if I get wider tires.


Also exposed the from bumper winch provision holes. I thought I had read somewhere they moved the fairlead hole to center (apparently I was imagining that?). I believe maxxis or someone makes a front plate to re-center the hole? I may still end up with an AEV front bumper? Not sure yet? I like how the AEV bumper sits a little higher, and has attachment holes vs. hooks. I guess hooks could be quick and easier in an emergency, but holes seem safer for attachment.

 

[LL247]

First off, your Jeep is coming along nicely!

Second, I figured you might appreciate this, just picked up a set of take-off steel wheels from a Jeep Commander. No 'after' shots, but I had them powder-coated a flat-white color. Waiting on some 285/70/17 Cooper St Maxx's to be delivered now...

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

Nice. If you look around you can get the steels pretty cheap.

I noticed at first the steel wheels do not absorb road bumps as smooth as the alloy. Curious if you notice the same?

I just left mine painted. I decided not to powdercoat since I wanted black anyway.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Looks good! What mod did you do to the front bumper to shorten it? I'm familiar with one kit I've seen but your mod doesn't look like it.

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

Looks good! What mod did you do to the front bumper to shorten it? I'm familiar with one kit I've seen but your mod doesn't look like it.

The bumper it totally stock (it is the same as the 10th anniversary bumper, but mine was part of the "hard rock" pkg. they have now).

The end pieces are designed to be removed. Takes about 15 min of wrenching to unbolt them or bolt them back on.

Right this second I have them ON (as you can see in the pictures where I exposed the winch holes).

 

[MagicMtnDan]

The bumper it totally stock (it is the same as the 10th anniversary bumper, but mine was part of the "hard rock" pkg. they have now).

The end pieces are designed to be removed. Takes about 15 min of wrenching to unbolt them or bolt them back on.

Right this second I have them ON (as you can see in the pictures where I exposed the winch holes).

Nice! I've got a 2014 and I'll need to saw the ends off my front bumper and put on the "finishing caps."

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

fold down table added

Got a Springtail Solutions tailgate Molle fold down table.

I ended up re-drilling the top mounting holes, as to relocate the unit over to the left 1.5". As it came, it overlapped onto a slightly thicker portion of the gate, and it did not sit flat. The added rear weatherstrip padding made the slight difference more of an issue. It was easy enough to throw some more holes in. From all the videos and pictures of other units installed, it appears mine was no different. I guess I'm just picky.

If anything, I would recommend they add the holes I made from the factory to give the end user mounting location options?

The molle holes in the metal frame do not line up exactly with molle pouches and bags, but the alignment is good enough.

The supplied bag and pouch are made in china, condor type. The price to add these bags to the kit seems reasonable compared to buying them after the fact on ebay or your local surplus joint.

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

few finished product pictures.

I actually fully installed it before I decided to drill the extra holes.

Happy with the outcome.

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

Gutter Racks

yakima gutter racks. Going to add an old strap thang kit for surf boards. found some plain colored tube pads from some hipster bike company. They look cleaner than the vast majority of rack pads with dakine or whatever.

I can still remove the front freedom top section with the racks mounted on the back gutter only. For longboards it wouldn't hurt to space them out some more, but, oh well?

 

[RoyJ]

Just want to say I LOVE your wheel and tire choices. It is, IMHO, the purest form of an "expedition" setup.

Way too often, we see people building a rock crawler or show truck - big fancy wheels with large offset, pushing big wide 37"s way of the the fender. Nothing wrong with that, but just don't call it an expedition setup. You won't find geologist, anthropologist, or nature photographers travelling across Africa in a setup like that.

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

Just want to say I LOVE your wheel and tire choices. It is, IMHO, the purest form of an "expedition" setup.

Way too often, we see people building a rock crawler or show truck - big fancy wheels with large offset, pushing big wide 37"s way of the the fender. Nothing wrong with that, but just don't call it an expedition setup. You won't find geologist, anthropologist, or nature photographers travelling across Africa in a setup like that.

Thanks RoyJ.



I doubt I'll go bigger than the 35" range, unless I end up trying out those XZL knock off's.

I've seen 16.5" military beadlocks with 37's on a JKU that I like the look of. at that point you're looking at re-gearing.

I'm trying to stay fairly stock for a while, and put some wear and tear on the stock stuff rather than give it away.