"Bruce" the 2014 Jeep JKUR Build Thread

[KlausVanWinkle]

http://overheadgunrack.com/
This gun rack looks promising. If only I hadn't mounted my CB up there.....:ar15:

I want it up in between the roll bars above the rear seat. You can only see it if you shine a light through the tinted window while bending down and looking up. On trips, only my dog sits in the back seat. And she doesn't need the head room. The overhead gunrack would be in the way and be way too conspicuous around here.


I like Big Sky Racks design but I'd want it to be easily removable between trips. It looks like theirs is designed to screw into a headliner.

 

[MR.Ty]

Unrelated. The solution to the sag is new suspension. There's no getting around that until I install the lift. Most of my cool mod plans are in a holding pattern until I'm allowed to change the suspension.

Moving the jack to the outside is just to free up space for gear that can't live outside like sleeping bags. Also when inside, the jack rattling is annoying. And mounting extra weight up high seems less than ideal. But so does hanging it off the rear end and storing it outside where it can rust.

Might I suggest ditching the High lift jack and getting a bottle jack. At least for now while you still have stock front and rear bumpers (so no real place to use it).

It is something I do. Even with my 35s, I leave my high lift at home and carry a bottle jack that takes up about as much room as a gallon of water.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Hi Klaus,

Nice skid plates!

From what I have *read* (no first hand experience with this... hopefully ever), it is the tail gate hinges that wear quickly with added load, as well as the spot welds of the tailgate breaking. I *think* there are a couple of different reasonably priced heavy duty hinge kits out there. jsherb posted on one kit he was involved with, but not sure if it is on the market yet. His design has the ability to mount the Hi-Lift Jack to the hinge.

I made mounts to put the Hi-lift on the stinger. Haven't looked to see how that effects front sag, but I will get some measurements, and let you know. Really like how easy it is to access, and that it is out of the way.

Are you going to skid or relocate your Evap canister?

 

[kojackJKU]

The two best options for tailgate preservation are the AEV, and teraflex. AEV can work with the stock bumper, but you have to be exact cutting your bumper cover. The teraflex is a bolt on with no cutting.
What is the weight of the evo skids?

 

[Maxcustody]

Unrelated. The solution to the sag is new suspension. There's no getting around that until I install the lift. Most of my cool mod plans are in a holding pattern until I'm allowed to change the suspension.

Moving the jack to the outside is just to free up space for gear that can't live outside like sleeping bags. Also when inside, the jack rattling is annoying. And mounting extra weight up high seems less than ideal. But so does hanging it off the rear end and storing it outside where it can rust.

Understandable.....I have a Tera flex 2.5 and very happy with it. I have my ARB fridge, 2 storage cases; tools, recovery etc, highlift on roll bar and I pull my Manley trailer no problems with sag or the weight......good luck

Sent from my Roof Top Tent

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

The two best options for tailgate preservation are the AEV, and teraflex. AEV can work with the stock bumper, but you have to be exact cutting your bumper cover. The teraflex is a bolt on with no cutting.
What is the weight of the evo skids?

Yup. Both have their advantages and draw backs. The point of the after market tire carrier in my mind is to carry larger than stock tires and other gear/weight like fuel, trash, hi-lift, shovel.

So you probably need the full Tera flex kit for anything bigger than a 34" tire. And then you're at the same price as the AEV which is a sturdier and better design. So I'm waiting to get the AEV until I get larger tires. The RR mount is just for trips until I get the AEV.

The only thing I don't like about the AEV is the lack of adjustability. I wish it centered the tire and could be lowered to not take up all of your rear view.

The plastic parts on these trucks can be found on Craigslist for free. So I don't mind cutting them.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Understandable.....I have a Tera flex 2.5 and very happy with it. I have my ARB fridge, 2 storage cases; tools, recovery etc, highlift on roll bar and I pull my Manley trailer no problems with sag or the weight......good luck

Sent from my Roof Top Tent

I'm pretty set on the AEV 2.5 or 3.5 suspension. From what I've read it'd be perfect for my needs. I'm going to drive my friends at the end of the month and see for myself. But the money is already saved. I'm just waiting for the go ahead.

 

[Maxcustody]

I looked at both as well. Got a good deal on the Tera flex and did the install myself. I think you can't go wrong with either. Good luck with the AEV.....

Sent from my Roof Top Tent

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

I looked at both as well. Got a good deal on the Tera flex and did the install myself. I think you can't go wrong with either. Good luck with the AEV.....

Sent from my Roof Top Tent

The teraflex with the stock carrier seems like a good clean solution. That was my original plan. The AEV has a little more utility and strength though.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Hey Klaus,
do you see yourself ever needing a rack over the spare tire?
I was all set to find a Moab/CoD rear bumper for the water tanks, then add the tire carrier, fuel tank, etc. But remembered how nice it was to have a rack on the spare of my old Blazer. It was a great place to carry a chain saw, and a small gas container for early spring trips up to the mountains, or a cooler for later in the year.
So that changed my mind over to the LoD. Which also has an integrated hitch, for better clearance, and an extra $50 savings.

BTW: I ordered up the Nemesis evap relocation bracket. The more I look where it's currently mounted, the more I want to make an air tank for that area (seems about 37"x6"x6" of useful space). I'll post up in my build when it gets installed.
Also will have measurement of squat with the Hi-Lift mounted to the front stinger. I set it on earlier today, and the jeep didn't budge... at all.
This seems like a viable alternative, and with the shorter 48" version, actually looks pretty good from the pictures I've seen. I have the 60", which looks stupid.

***Edit*** So I re-measured after going for a short drive and parking back in the same spot. The driver side sits 1/8" lower than before. The passenger side sits the same height.
Doesn't seem to make much difference. On this Jeep the front springs are -19, and rears are -60.
Hth,

Scott

 

[kojackJKU]

The teraflex with the stock carrier seems like a good clean solution. That was my original plan. The AEV has a little more utility and strength though.

There is more than one way to skin a cat. The teraflex hinge, stock carrier will carry a 35" tire with a wheel spacer. Then add the vector rack on the tire for gas. works great, less expense overall compared to the same aev setup. The Teraflex hinge helps with even the stock wheel. My gate makes a noise now when getting ridden hard off road, I fixed it a couple of times but keeps coming back after a month or so. I have talked to others that have the TF unit and it fixes it.

I love those 10A bumpers. they are sweet and not too heavy!

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

That's definitely true with Jeeps. I'm used to there being one and a half ways.

I could see the need for an over the spare tire rack. And I like the Handon bumper for that application. But that's probably not the best place for a rack as far as centers of gravity go.

Same with the front bumper mounted hi lift jack. It's fine just for trips. But it's subjected to a lot of weather in front. Storing it inside is probably best. But these jeeps don't exactly have interior room to spare.

I gave a lot of thought to the TF tire carrier. I like how cheap, light and factory looking it is. But the hi lift and rotopax mounts seem like after thoughts. And a lot of the heavier users seem to have issues with it cracking. Plus the AEV is made in the USA if you care about that sort of thing.

 

[Comanche Scott]

That's definitely true with Jeeps. I'm used to there being one and a half ways.

I could see the need for an over the spare tire rack. And I like the Handon bumper for that application. But that's probably not the best place for a rack as far as centers of gravity go.

Same with the front bumper mounted hi lift jack. It's fine just for trips. But it's subjected to a lot of weather in front. Storing it inside is probably best. But these jeeps don't exactly have interior room to spare.

I gave a lot of thought to the TF tire carrier. I like how cheap, light and factory looking it is. But the hi lift and rotopax mounts seem like after thoughts. And a lot of the heavier users seem to have issues with it cracking. Plus the AEV is made in the USA if you care about that sort of thing.

The AEV will definitely serve you well. Are you going to change the rear bumper to the style with water tanks?
If not, have you decided what you want to do for water storage?
Totally agree that bolting a bunch of stuff to the Hi-Lift is kind of silly. Should be able to just grab the jack, get your work done and put it away, without playing "Erector Set Charlie."
.
As to the rack above the spare tire, I think it's a non-issue. I mean people mount huge Safari racks with roof top tents, and hit some pretty gnarly trails. I've gone over the Rubicon trail behind CJ-5s with coolers loaded full of beer, steaks and ice, on those racks. No issues climbing Cadillac Hill, or getting through little sluice, etc. So on a 4 door JK, I just don't see it being an issue.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

The AEV will definitely serve you well. Are you going to change the rear bumper to the style with water tanks?
If not, have you decided what you want to do for water storage?
Totally agree that bolting a bunch of stuff to the Hi-Lift is kind of silly. Should be able to just grab the jack, get your work done and put it away, without playing "Erector Set Charlie."
.
As to the rack above the spare tire, I think it's a non-issue. I mean people mount huge Safari racks with roof top tents, and hit some pretty gnarly trails. I've gone over the Rubicon trail behind CJ-5s with coolers loaded full of beer, steaks and ice, on those racks. No issues climbing Cadillac Hill, or getting through little sluice, etc. So on a 4 door JK, I just don't see it being an issue.

The trail rack would be nice becuase it's slightly in the Jeep's slip stream. But I saw someone ask AEV about mounting a rack to the top of their antenna mast. And their rationale was that's not a great place to mount things for vehicle dynamics. It's high and hanging off the back of the vehicle. I am a fan of mounting as much behind the truck as possible.

I disagree about mounting things to hi-lifts. My hi-lift is my last resort. If I'm using it, I've been stuck for awhile and have already tried using the stock jack, a bottle jack, maxtrax, etc. The hi-lift is so big and heavy that the only way it earns it's space in the truck is by doubling as a rack for other gear that needs to be secured. AKA shovels, axes, pullpals, rakes, etc. Removing the Dominion off road accessory bars adds an extra minute to "deploying" the hi-lift. They come off with a pair of wing nuts.

Speaking of hi-lifts. I got my rugged ridge mount in the mail yesterday. It's not the nicest. I wish my LabRak hi-lift mount would fit. I might talk to them about making one. But in the mean time, the Rugged Ridge will probably do the trick. Although it needs some ExPo-Approved Plastidip. The crinkle finish doesn't match my build.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Gotcha.

My last Hi-Lift got used for everything from a press, to a sledge hammer, to stretching metal. It was the 48" version, and with a couple of home made brackets saw a lot of trail use (old wore out rigs break a lot... lol).
So I totally see your point. Your use would be more as a mount than a jack. The only thing I'd recommend is something to spread the load so it doesn't work as a lever. That *may* be why some of these mounting brackets are breaking.
Will look forward to seeing pictures of your setup. :beer: