"Bruce" the 2014 Jeep JKUR Build Thread

[KlausVanWinkle]

Got the tire carrier installed today with only minor complications.

I put in a deposit for the KO2s at 4wheelparts for installation tomorrow. But I think I'm going to cancel that and postpone until next month after our vacation. I wanted to get everything done this week. But it's not worth the tension/guilt with the wife.

Tomorrow's Agenda: AFE Y-pipe, tire carrier adjustments, reverse lights, new led brake light.

AEV 3.5 lift is going in Wednesday whenever it arrives.

 

[Captain Texas]

What is the Y-Pipe going to be for. What are the benefits?

 

[MTSN]

What is the Y-Pipe going to be for. What are the benefits?

The 3.5" kit requires some additional spacing to clear the exhaust. The shop that did my install offered exhaust spacers or a Y pipe. I went with the spacers because I was told that's what the majority of people do without issue, and so far I've had zero issues in over a year. The Y pipe is just another way, arguably "nicer", of accomplishing the same thing.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

An exhaust spacer would interfere with my skid plates. And my exhaust already rattles against my skid plate when the engine shifts under acceleration. So I'm trying to kill 2 birds with one stone.

Another option is to replace the front drive shaft with a thinner double cardain. This is what the hardcore wheelers recommend. Because the front DS angle on the 3.5 lift will still supposedly kill the CV joint one the transfer case side.

However, that's the most expensive option, often creates balancing issues, requires more maintenance and isn't as strong as the oem front drive shaft. Teraflex sells replacement HD Cv joints for the stock drive shaft and it's easy to buy take off front drive shafts so that's why I'm going with the Y-Pipe. It was also $150 vs $50 for the spacer or $400 for a new DS. I wonder if I even need that crossmember skid plate now that the exhaust is being routed behind it.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Finally got the tire carrier on. I bought it used and it was missing some hardware including bolt that adjusts the wheel-mount backspacing. Apparently Orchard Supplies 1/2-20 Grade-8 bolts aren't perfect. I had to run a tap over the bolt and through the tire carrier to make everything place nicely. But it's on. Time to wire up a new brake light, back-up lights and my 2m Ham antenna.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

As I'm installing the Y-Pipe, I'm noticing that you might not seems a crossmember skidplate once the cross over pipe is moved behind the crossmember. Another possible benefit of the Y-pipe.

 

[Comanche Scott]

The stock cross member is pretty easily bent. But more important is to protect the cooler pipe and oil pans.
So something to consider when playing in the loose rocks.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Got the Y pipe installed. I us to uninstall the EVO Protek transmission skid plate. The oil pan skid and crossmember skid seem like they should still work. I'll post pics after I clean them up a bit.

The Y-Pipe moves the crossover to behind the crossmember and under the transfer case. Wondering If I could figure out a way to throw on some head shields under the drive shaft.



Along the Passenger Side, the exhaust runs along the side of the transmission. This is where it interferes with the Evo Protek Transmission skid plate.



The Y-Pipe came with a few stick on heat shields for this area. One goes on the front inner corner of the gas tank. This seems like overkill. The gas tank is prettty far from the exhaust and surrounded by a steel skid plate. There are two fuel lines above the rerouted exhaust. Both get wrapped with stick on heat shields. I also installed this aluminum exhaust head shield directly below the fuel lines.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

I've been curious about Australian style swag tents. I found out that Kodiak Canvas sells one in the US. It happened to be on Amazon prime, so I ordered one to check it out, knowing I could send it back. It's very well made, similar to Kodiak's other tents. Set up is fairly fast, but dealing with poles takes a minute. The open cell mattress makes it a beast. 36x12" tube. If you pull out the mattress it's much smaller. I could see it working well with a Thermarest style pad inside. But I'm not sure how you'd access the valves since you have to roll it from the head to the feet. So you can't just slip your hand it and tighten the valves. Gotta decide to keep it or not. It's probably not super useful for me. When solo, I sleep in the Jeep. My dog could fit inside with me, but it'd be tight, hairy and hot. So it could be useful if she'd sleep in the Jeep when it's just the two of us. Probably going to send it back and keep it in mind as a future option.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Finally finished installing the AEV 3.5 SC lift on my 2014 JKUR. AEV's DIY install estimate of 10hrs was dead on. Also installed an AFE Y-pipe for drive shaft clearance.

The 3.5" lift looks goofy with stock 32" tires, but less goofy than I expected. New tires are on the agenda for next month.

I upgraded to the 3.5" lift after noticing that my Jeep with the AEV 2.5 XT lift was barely taller than a stock Jeep. Apparently, the 3.5 lift is designed to handle more weight. I gained 2 inches of lift over the 2.5 kit.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Looks like it leveled out nicely. :beer:

 

[zigsrig]

Looking Good!

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Just found out I have this week off also. Making some final adjustments and heading to Baja.

 

[Comanche Scott]

You lucky dog!
That's awesome. Hope you guys have a blast! :beer:

 

[Captain Texas]

Man that makes me wish I had gotten the 3.5" lift. Jealous! Looks great BTW.