"Bruce" the 2014 Jeep JKUR Build Thread

[KlausVanWinkle]

Just got back from a quick scouting trip to Baja to find some new secret mountain climbing routes. I must have the world's heaviest JKUR because it doesn't look too weird with stock sized tires and the 3.5" lift. Everything worked well. Although I discoverdd why the 3.5 Lift instructions suggest trimming the tubular front crossmember. It rubbed on the DS sway bar when flexed. I also neglected to do the post 100mi torque check on all the bolts. So the post 300 Baja Miles torque check might be more substantial.

 

[Comanche Scott]

It looks really good riding on those KMs... :beer:

Looks like a pretty awesome area too.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Running out of mods to do. I decided to go with a super bright low profile 3rd bake light on top of the mast so it would still work when using a trasharoo. I reused the oem wiring and changed the plug to Deutsch connectors. But I need a little more slack though.

I just drilled out the rear hole to mount my 2m ham antenna. Works from truck to truck without further grounding. But I'm going to try running a grounding strap from the tire carrier retention bolt to the frame in the future.

Also mounted 2x 10w Cree LED spot lights (800-1000 lumens) to use as dust, reserve and camp lights. They're tied to a switch on the A-Pillar and use individual Deutsch connectors so I can run just one in camp. I may add a dimmer control.

I had a chance to test the ARB CKMTA12 compressor in Baja. It pumped up each of my stock sized tired from 20-32psi in :30. I managed to finish all of mine in the time it took the 200-series to pump up 1.5 of its 33x11x18" tires with the ARB CKMA12. So I lent a hand and sped up the process. It also works well with the air gun. I used it to blow out our dyson vacuum.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Bruce got a soft top for summer and for its 2 year anniversary. I wanted the Bestop soft top insert for the freedom panels. But at $650, I figured I'd be better off spending $300 on a used OEM premium soft top. So far it's been great. We put the top down and drove to the dog beach in Malibu. Riding home with the top up but all windows out/down was great. In 5 seconds, I can flip the front part back and get that top down feeling every day.

 

[kojackJKU]

awesome I was looking at that insert as well. But had the exact same thoughts at you. get a used soft top and have a better setup. I sold my last soft top to get my wheels. They were at an awesome deal and everything just lined up.

 

[Comanche Scott]

The soft top is an awesome addition! :beer:
Last year I had the soft top down and stored in a boot for almost the whole year (Jeep parks in the garage). This year it has been up most the year, and I've been using the Sun Rider position a lot.
That is a great way to travel.
A nice roll/bag for the windows would be a big advantage on multi-day trips.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

The windows are already fairly scratched so I'm not worried about them for now.

 

[Comanche Scott]

I'm thinking of ease for storage when top down on the trail. :victory:
Could tie the bag to the sport bar to keep it all out of the way.
Lot's of fun to run trails with the top down.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Yeah but all that dust.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Not as bad as you'd think, unless you are following in a conga line. lol
For those kind of trail rides, I keep the windows up, and the A/C set to re-circulation.

When I'm leading, or out by myself, the dust doesn't seem to swirl around so much with the top down. I'm guessing because the overall aerodynamics are different.

 

[zigsrig]

Microfiber rag and some armor all for the win!! Just remember to turn the ac on high before you clean the whole jeep up.... Otherwise you get a nice dust cloud back into the clean interior.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Haha

 

[KMG]

Klaus, With all the advantages offered by Toyota and Nissan , what made you decide to take a chance on a JK? There are a lot of other mall cruiser type vehicles available from many manufactures for a lot less. I'm not trolling. I'm honestly looking for honest opinion.

 

[kojackJKU]

Please fill me in on the advantages. I see advantages for the JK over the rest of the cookie cutter rigs. like solid front axle, removable roof/soft top, plethora of aftermarket support, very comfortable etc.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Finally got it naked this weekend. #posershot Next stop, 35-inch KO2s and some mountain trails.