"Bruce" the 2014 Jeep JKUR Build Thread
- Thread starter KlausVanWinkle
- Start date
KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
Oh I just need new fogs because the OEM ones recess too far to fit the winch inside the bumper. The JW Speaker fogs seem to work the best and don't recess as far. But are pricey and I don't think I need dedicated foglights anymore. I'm wondering if a Rigid Dually mount or something would be worthwhile. I really wish I could find a cheapish Hard Rock or Rubicon 10th anniversary front bumper instead.
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KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
Looks like the euro spec one is already out. I think for $699, I'd rather get a used Mopar one. But also for $699, I'll probably keep the stock one. $500 is about as much as I'm willing to pay for a front bumper. Too bad the ARB stubby doesn't have removeable wings like this. I love that design. It just looks odd with stock fenders.
Looks like theyhave a cloned rear bumper and TF tire carrier too. Someone bought a steel stamper.
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Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
What amazes me is that even the Chinese know to center the fairlead slot... roflol!
Not a bad looking bumper.
Interesting grill too.
Not a bad looking bumper.
Interesting grill too.
KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
It's all definitely subjective. But it seems like rugged ridge pushes everything into monster energy territory.
KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
Minor Update: I was experiencing some jiggling in the steering wheel at speed on the highway. So I removed the AEV geometry correction brackets. My lift was just barely at AEV's recommended minimum lift for using the geo brackets. The clunking and steering wheel movement at speed has improved without the brackets.
The wheel debate is over. I found a set of reasonably priced AEV Argent Pintler wheels. They were very rock rashed but I didn't mind since I'd scratch them up also. But after looking into it, it sounds like AEV wheels scratch, gouge and crack very easily. So I passed on the AEV wheels and will keep my stock rubicon wheels. I think the color and machined highlights compliment the Granite color the best. The Quadratec Moab rims were a nice runner up. But the machined aluminum seemed too bright, the painted silver too boring, and the black and gun metal too drab with the Granite paint.
Spidertrax spacers are going on this weekend.
4Wheel parts has the best price on BFG AT KO2s and BFG KM2s and will install them on the stock rims. So that's the route I'm headed.
What do yall think about the AT KO2 vs the MT KM2 for Baja? It seems like the AT is better for all of my usages (Mostly highway and dry overland routes with occasional rock crawling when necessary) and cheaper. They just don't look quite as tall or good IMHO. But these 35" KO2s with 3" Mopar lift are slowly changing my mind.
I've been doing a lot of home improvement projects lately. I think I have the itch to build some stuff. The biggest annoyance when camping is setting up the kitchen at every meal time. It's too hard to get to what you need. And without a tailgate, there aren't enough good work surfaces on the Jeep. I've been looking for a better kitchen set up for awhile. Lately, I've been considering building a single full width drawer for the back of the Jeep with a slide out table surface. Ideally it would hold all my tools and misc stuff in the back. And hold my stove, food and kitchen gear in the front. The table part would slide out above the drawer and be about half the depth of the drawer so you could easily get to utensils and foods while cooking on the table part. I'd like it to be easily removable so packing for a trip would be a matter of sliding it in the back and tightening down two turnbuckles. It would have to be fairly short so I'd have enough room between the shelf and drawers for my feet while sleeping. But I know I should be saving for that lift and tires instead.
The last set of drawers I built turned out well but took forever to build. Who would have thought that counter sinking every piece of hardware, and using all stainless steel T-nuts would be expensive and time consuming. If I build another set, it'll be much simpler and use locking slides.
I've also nailed down a shotgun rack design that seems to work. And I'm looking into some quikfist mounts for a roll bar mounted propane tank and mounting a zodi shower to my shelf.
The wheel debate is over. I found a set of reasonably priced AEV Argent Pintler wheels. They were very rock rashed but I didn't mind since I'd scratch them up also. But after looking into it, it sounds like AEV wheels scratch, gouge and crack very easily. So I passed on the AEV wheels and will keep my stock rubicon wheels. I think the color and machined highlights compliment the Granite color the best. The Quadratec Moab rims were a nice runner up. But the machined aluminum seemed too bright, the painted silver too boring, and the black and gun metal too drab with the Granite paint.
Spidertrax spacers are going on this weekend.
4Wheel parts has the best price on BFG AT KO2s and BFG KM2s and will install them on the stock rims. So that's the route I'm headed.
What do yall think about the AT KO2 vs the MT KM2 for Baja? It seems like the AT is better for all of my usages (Mostly highway and dry overland routes with occasional rock crawling when necessary) and cheaper. They just don't look quite as tall or good IMHO. But these 35" KO2s with 3" Mopar lift are slowly changing my mind.
I've been doing a lot of home improvement projects lately. I think I have the itch to build some stuff. The biggest annoyance when camping is setting up the kitchen at every meal time. It's too hard to get to what you need. And without a tailgate, there aren't enough good work surfaces on the Jeep. I've been looking for a better kitchen set up for awhile. Lately, I've been considering building a single full width drawer for the back of the Jeep with a slide out table surface. Ideally it would hold all my tools and misc stuff in the back. And hold my stove, food and kitchen gear in the front. The table part would slide out above the drawer and be about half the depth of the drawer so you could easily get to utensils and foods while cooking on the table part. I'd like it to be easily removable so packing for a trip would be a matter of sliding it in the back and tightening down two turnbuckles. It would have to be fairly short so I'd have enough room between the shelf and drawers for my feet while sleeping. But I know I should be saving for that lift and tires instead.
The last set of drawers I built turned out well but took forever to build. Who would have thought that counter sinking every piece of hardware, and using all stainless steel T-nuts would be expensive and time consuming. If I build another set, it'll be much simpler and use locking slides.
I've also nailed down a shotgun rack design that seems to work. And I'm looking into some quikfist mounts for a roll bar mounted propane tank and mounting a zodi shower to my shelf.
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Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Nice cabinet setup! Would be fun to build something along those lines for the Jeep. :beer:
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Meant to mention about the lift.
So far I really like it, but... The spare tire isn't mounted, the soft top is half on, and there is no added weight in the back.
It's going to be a few weeks before I get the new bumper installed with spare tire, racks, fuel/water cans, etc.
I'm very interested to see what all that does to ride height, and will post that in my "build" thread.
.
I will say, that the shocks and Speed Bumps are pretty awesome. Had the front end compressed to less than 1/2" of full shock compression when going over some big moguls. Never felt or heard it hit the Speed Bumps, and it felt so smooth and controllable. The back end never came down closer than about 3" of hitting full shock compression. I think that will be a different story when the back end is loaded up.
I'm running the 35" Cooper S/T Maxx at about 30-32 psi. They have a firm sidewall, and I don't feel any harshness in the suspension. It has a slightly firmer feel on the road, but mostly it feels more controlled, and controllable than stock.
Sure hope it stays like this with the added weight, because I'm very happy with it.
.
My WAG is you'd probably be pretty happy with the KO2s. From what I've been reading, they are better than the KOs. I've had a couple of sets of the KOs (on a Tundra and a Tacoma). They were decent all-rounders, not great anywhere, but not bad anywhere either. So, if the KO2s are what everyone is saying, they should be good across the board.
So far I really like it, but... The spare tire isn't mounted, the soft top is half on, and there is no added weight in the back.
It's going to be a few weeks before I get the new bumper installed with spare tire, racks, fuel/water cans, etc.
I'm very interested to see what all that does to ride height, and will post that in my "build" thread.
.
I will say, that the shocks and Speed Bumps are pretty awesome. Had the front end compressed to less than 1/2" of full shock compression when going over some big moguls. Never felt or heard it hit the Speed Bumps, and it felt so smooth and controllable. The back end never came down closer than about 3" of hitting full shock compression. I think that will be a different story when the back end is loaded up.
I'm running the 35" Cooper S/T Maxx at about 30-32 psi. They have a firm sidewall, and I don't feel any harshness in the suspension. It has a slightly firmer feel on the road, but mostly it feels more controlled, and controllable than stock.
Sure hope it stays like this with the added weight, because I'm very happy with it.
.
My WAG is you'd probably be pretty happy with the KO2s. From what I've been reading, they are better than the KOs. I've had a couple of sets of the KOs (on a Tundra and a Tacoma). They were decent all-rounders, not great anywhere, but not bad anywhere either. So, if the KO2s are what everyone is saying, they should be good across the board.
KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
I picked up a set of 3 week old OEM Mopar Enhanced Rubicon Rails from a guy getting rid of them locally. Dave from AEV said that AEV actually makes these for Mopar. Luckily I was able to sell my Rubicon Rails on ebay to cover the cost. These seem like a good option for a few reasons.
- Gives up no ground clearance
- Outrigger bar provides additional protection and acts as a step and hi-lift point
- Line-X style coating is great for use as a step
- Outrigger tube angles up slightly for better clearance
- The mounts have reinforced gusseting
- Similar weight to the Rubicon Rails they replace
- OEM part
- Uses original mounting points
- A good balance between protection and weight for an overland oriented build
- Cheaper and stronger than welding tubes to the OEM Rubicon Rails
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KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
They're these Mopar 82210575AG http://www.quadratec.com/products/12112_222_07.htm
Some people say they get them from their dealerships for $450. I see them sell used on eBay and craigslist and forums for $300-400.
Some people say they get them from their dealerships for $450. I see them sell used on eBay and craigslist and forums for $300-400.
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KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
Those rails are sweet! I've looked for a set on my local CL, but each time I see them come up they're priced $600+. My little sister has a 4 door JKU sport which will get my factory rubi rails when I can find the enhanced ones for a good price
A couple people offered to sell me theirs on JK-Forum for like $400. And I've seen some go on ebay for $450 with free shipping. Back in 2009 when they came out, dealerships seemed to sell them for $450 (according to several forum posts).
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=231621938977&globalID=EBAY-US
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