Anviljk's JKUR Adventure Thread

[anviljk]

Heading to a friends cabin this weekend in Elk County and needed a new sleeping bag. Decided now is the time to pick up a Cobra 29 LX and Rugged Ridge CB mount. Having NOAA weather channels is a big plus and the main reason I chose this CB. I feel like this is probably the best CB on the market now and will be a huge improvement over the smaller Cobra 19. The JK doesn't really have a lot of space for a CB. I was going to put it under the dash by the power outlets but didn't really want to cut the interior of the JK too much. Also thought about putting it in the glove box or center console since they can be locked and provide a good sense of security however didn't really like those options. The best option IMO is above the rear view mirror.

I'm starting to have a nice little pile of parts stored up. Living in an apartment with no garage or tools on hand makes it hard to get work done. As soon as it gets warm I plan on installing them at my parents place.

 

[anviljk]

Finally took the Rubicon out wheeling a few weekends ago to Rausch Creek. Aired down to 18psi. Found the tire deflator I had was junk and bought some Rugged Ridge auto deflators. Found the weakest spot of the JK is the ground clearance. Even with stock 32" tires the skid plates made some contact with the rocks. That will need to be addressed soon. 4lo was fun to mess around it. Glad I got a manual over automatic. Being able to pick the gear you need to be in for the different terrain was nice. We did mostly green trails on the northeast property with some blues mixed in there. Didn't need to use the lockers, maybe next time. Overall happy with the Rubicons capabilities.

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Also got around to installing the Cobra 29lx after the initial one I had was defective out of the box. Still need to tune it but am getting an "antenna warning". My SWR is a little over 2 on all channels. I did add a ground wire from the body to the tailgate. Will need to go back and verify connections again, maybe my mount isnt getting grounded, who knows. Also installed the Daystar hood wranglers. I was driving the other day when it was windy and saw the hood flutter for the first time at 55mph. So far they have been keeping it tight. Today there are gusts of wind so we will see how they do. I picked up a cooler as well. I figured I will need it when I go to the Mid Atlantic Overland Festival.

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With the air damn removed I didnt like how it showed the front support bracket or exposed the sway bar disconnect motor. Picked up an Expedition One DX bumper and Rubiskid. Also have the fog light wings but they are not pictured here. I plan on getting a Superwinch Tiger Shark 9500lbs Synthetic line to go with it. Pending how much it sags the front end (Front springs are 17, rear are 59. Front is about .5" lower then the rear stock) will be looking into either the AEV 2" BB kit or EVO 1.5" leveling kit.

 

[Weeds]

If you are putting a winch on the front, I would recommend you do not waste money on a budget boost as I and many others did. The stock springs will fail in 6 months or so from the weight of the winch. When I could not get my finger between the bumpstop and axel I knew springs were required.

The springs also helped with the high centering and bashing the skid plates.

Good luck in your choice, build it to suit you.

 

[bluehash]

Thanks! I actually just picked it up at the dealer and signed the papers a few hours ago. It snowed last night and I was messing around with it in 4hi. Defiantly notice an increase in traction compared to 2hi. Although I did have some issues getting it into 4hi. Took a good amount of force but I finally got it.

The Teraflex CB antenna mount came in today as well. Mounts to the stock spare tire carrier. I chose this instead of the Rugged Ridge mount because of how the Rugged Ridge mount is not flat at the top plus it looked thin compared to the Teraflex mount. Now I just need to find time to install all of these items along with the Mopar grab handles. Also noticed I have been banging my feet against the door stills so I need to pick up a set of those from Amazon.

I have the same one. Make sure you put in dielectric grease to prevent rust at the mount points. Slather it up.

 

[anviljk]

If you are putting a winch on the front, I would recommend you do not waste money on a budget boost as I and many others did. The stock springs will fail in 6 months or so from the weight of the winch. When I could not get my finger between the bumpstop and axel I knew springs were required.

The springs also helped with the high centering and bashing the skid plates.

Good luck in your choice, build it to suit you.

Thanks for the heads up. Defiantly going towards springs now.

I have the same one. Make sure you put in dielectric grease to prevent rust at the mount points. Slather it up.

And is your properly grounded? I feel as if it's not getting a good ground. Did you strip off any paint on the mount?

 

[anviljk]

Broke down and bought some more Jeep parts last weekend. Picked up the Poison Spyder Evap skid. I was going to go with the EVO Evap skid however saw that the Poison Spyder skid raised the evap about an inch. Since I am not really lifted I felt I could benefit from the extra 1" back there. Also decided to go with the EVO leveling kit. Right now I believe my front is at 35.5" and the rear is at 36". With the extra weight from the bumper/rubiskid/and winch when I pick one up that will lower the front a good bit. This will level the JK, prevent front end sag (have 17 springs now, 59 in the rear), and hopefully lift the Jeep a little bit so I won't bottom out as much on some of the trails.

 

[dstock]

And is your properly grounded? I feel as if it's not getting a good ground. Did you strip off any paint on the mount?

I have the same mount, you definitely need to strip off paint to get a good ground.

 

[anviljk]

I have the same mount, you definitely need to strip off paint to get a good ground.

Thats what I figured. Im going to pick up a grounding strap and re-do it better today. Hopefully I can get a better SWR. It's like 2-2.5 right now and throwing "antenna warning" on the CB. I can't pick up anything either.

 

[anviljk]

Today I Installed the Expedition One DX Basic JK bumper, Rubiskid, and the side wings. Also installed the OR-Fab Vacuum pump relocation and Poison Spyder Evap Skid. Added a ground strap from the rear to the tail gate and stripped some paint off the Teraflex mount in hopes that it would fix my CB issue. It didn't. Found the Coax was pinched right at the Fire-ring against the mount. Look's like I will need to replace the coax again.

Still have a few things to do but so far it is making progress. Still need to install the EVO Leveling Kit, extend the foglight harnesses, and install the Rancho Steering Stabilizer Relocation bracket.

Some things to note here. The powder coating on the bumper and the vacuum pump bracket is already chipping at spots. The OR-Fab chipped just by tightening down the mounting bolts. Also, they do not supply the 6mm bolts to mount the pump to the bracket itself. Pretty happy with the Rubiskid and the Poison Spyder Evap skid. It's nice to know that everything is protected now. Gives me some peace of mind since I want to start playing in the rocks. The Rubiskid and DX bumper is a pain to install, i'm glad I had my buddy there to help. Onto the pics:

Here you can see the before and after the electronic disconnect rotated up and the bash bar removed. Defiantly gain some more clearance. You can see that Dana 44 peaking through now.

My buddy cutting the bash bar off. Only has 3,500 miles, no regrets.

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Here you can see the mounting of the vaccum pump using the OR-Fab bracket.

 

[anviljk]

Flipped the steering stabilizer today. It's now protected above the tie rod. Gained a few inches of clearance now also. Last time I went out wheelin I got hung up on it. Now everything major is protected. Steering stabilizer, sway bar disco motor, oil pan, crossmember/exhaust skid, transfer case, gas tank, and evap skid.

 

[da10A]

Very nice bumper indeed. So 35.5" front and 36" rear. Roger that ... Can you please post the new measurements once the lift installed please.

 

[anviljk]

Very nice bumper indeed. So 35.5" front and 36" rear. Roger that ... Can you please post the new measurements once the lift installed please.

Yeah I like the bumper a lot. I think the Rubiskid really pulls the front end together and gives you the protection. Still unsure how I feel about the wings, part of me likes them then part of me likes the stubby look. I do think they give it more of a finish look though.

As for the heights, 35.5" front and 36" rear measured from ground to fender. Front springs are 17, rear are 59. Heights did not change after bumper/skid install. I'll post measurements after the lift. Should be installed this upcoming weekend.

 

[da10A]

Cool, don't forget picsB-)

 

[Mitch502]

I love my Cobra 29LX, it works great. Get a PA speaker off Amazon for like $10-$20. Worth it to me, lol.

 

[anviljk]

The day has come where the JK grew up a little. Measurements before were 35.5" front and 36" rear with the Expedition One bumper and Rubiskid. After Evo leveling kit front is at 38.25" and rear is 37.5". Front gained 2.75" and rear gained 1.5". Not sure how the rear gained over an inch since I only put in a .75" spacer that came with the leveling kit. I checked and the springs are seated where they were previously. That one got me confused

I'm not sure if the pictures do justice but to me it seams pretty dramatic in change. Although the front is a little bit more taller than the rear now, I'm going to guess it's going to settle a little bit and the winch will bring it down so the front and rear are even. If not, then I can always pick up a 1.25" spacer off Northridge4x4 for the rear. As far as the install, everything was pretty easy and took about 2hrs. Have not really noticed a difference in drivability as of yet, if anything the front seams stiffer. It's also nice to be able to "climb" up in the Jeep now. I guess the next step will be to pick up 35's once the stock tires are shot. Anyway, onto the pictures!

(before/after)

You can see the stock spring sizes (#17) vs the Evo springs.

Also got sun burnt the other day with the freedom top off so decided to pick up a Spiderweb Shade and some mirrors for when the doors come off.