Slow Build: 2013 JK

[apalmer]

Hey all,

Just picked this up on Saturday, and I'm pretty excited about it:

Key Options:
Commando Green
Auto
3.73 rear end
"limited slip" rear end
Alpine stereo

I'm planning a trip to the SW with this for 2014, more on that later. This is the first new vehicle I have ever owned, so I'm going to really make sure to plan my eventual mods out and take my time.

Plans:
-bike rack (2 fatbikes)
-rear storage system
-some sort of auxiliary lighting
-platform rack for the:
-RTT (sometime down the road)
-probably a tailgate shelf/table thing of some sort

That's it for now!

I have been lurking on here for a bit, pretty excited to start actually DOING some of the stuff I see on here instead of just reading about it.

 

[Rubicon John]

Very nice! Great color choice too.

Good luck with your build.

 

[apalmer]

Thanks! I started out wanting billet silver, but this grew on me.

Also, This forum wants to make me dump a ton of cash, good lord. So many awesome rides on here.

 

[Rambo1]

love the color congrats

 

[apalmer]

^thanks!

I found a set of very lightly used Rubicon rails on Craigslist last week for $75, and snatched them up. I put them on today:

I also removed the side stickers, and replaced them with some OEM jeep badges I got off amazon for $7 whole dollars each. Put a shorty antenna on as well, I could not take the factory one flopping around in my peripheral vision as I was driving around.

Took a drive with the top off today as well. I used to have a miata for a summer toy, and it was a different feeling to have the wind in your hair, and not have your *** about 3" off the ground:

I think I found a set of 5 new take-off Rubicon wheels/tires with about 10 miles on them for a good price, I might go look at those this week as well. I love this thing!

 

[jaxs1984]

Congrats on the Jeep , I love that color !!! You know you need at-least a 2.5 lift and 35' tires

 

[apalmer]

The color has really grown on me. Looks awesome with the black bits.

And yeah, I do need a lift. It's in the cards, just not for a couple years. I'm going to drive it and see what the shortcomings are, and let that guide me.

I did find a CB radio I would like. I have almost NO need for one, but they seem like fun for road trips and whatnot, so why not?

I like that one because it's Nice and small, and would be pretty easy to do a "hidden" install.

 

[apalmer]

Can you tell I'm sick of winter yet?




I have also decided on a Gobi rack, should have that in less than 2 months. Then I can start tent shopping!

 

[Maine07jk]

Can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[County98]

Looks good! I'm pretty biased toward the CG though, lol. I ALMOST bought that cb, but went with the Midland 75-822 instead. Almost the same, but I wanted to be able to take it with me in an emergency.

Cant wait to see the additions!

 

[Warn Industries]

Congrats on the Jeep , I love that color !!!

Ditto that!

- Andy

 

[Gear]

Nice Jeep. A couple of suggestions. Go find a vehicle scale and weight the Jeep as it sits now with a full tank of gas. This will be a good baseline for adding mods later. Weight is a killer to fuel economy. Thinking about it now will save you from replacing heavy aftermarket parts later. You will be suprised by how fast you hit and exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Limited of this vehicle.

Second suggestion - skip the CB and go take your HAM test. Check out www.qrz.com for sample tests under (Resources). The quality and usefulness of a HAM radio makes a CB seem like a child's toy.

The CB you are interested in is good because of its size, but if you have a problem with it their is no easy way to fix it. It is essential a throw away.

I have a Uniden pro520xl in my Jeep only because some runs mandate that you have one. It is small and compact. If you pull your drivers seat you can make a simple bracket to span the seat stays. This allowing you to hang the CB backwards(facing forward). Since most of the time you will be on a designated channel you simple set it and forget it. The volume and squelch can be controlled with your hand while driving. Since I rarely use mine I just pull the mic from under the seat and put it in one of the drink holders or lay it across my leg. I would also suggest using an external speaker. Makes hearing it a lot easier. Again I just leave the speaker under the seat and pull it out when I need it. I usually just put it in the rear cup holder since the sound quality of a CB is so poor(loud, crackle). If you decide to go with a HAM radio I have some cool ideas for this as well.

 

[xkid]

Congrats on the jeep. Love the color.I was also thinking of buying my first brand new vehicle. Same one. Did you order it with the 373s or just lucked out?

 

[stolenheron]

love the color.

 

[apalmer]

Looks good! I'm pretty biased toward the CG though, lol. I ALMOST bought that cb, but went with the Midland 75-822 instead. Almost the same, but I wanted to be able to take it with me in an emergency.

Cant wait to see the additions!

Yeah, I waffled back and forth between the two, just for that reason. This is my first radio, so I'll see if a need arises for a portable unit.

Ditto that!

- Andy

Thanks!

Nice Jeep. A couple of suggestions. Go find a vehicle scale and weight the Jeep as it sits now with a full tank of gas. This will be a good baseline for adding mods later. Weight is a killer to fuel economy. Thinking about it now will save you from replacing heavy aftermarket parts later. You will be suprised by how fast you hit and exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Limited of this vehicle.

Second suggestion - skip the CB and go take your HAM test. Check out www.qrz.com for sample tests under (Resources). The quality and usefulness of a HAM radio makes a CB seem like a child's toy.

The CB you are interested in is good because of its size, but if you have a problem with it their is no easy way to fix it. It is essential a throw away.

I have a Uniden pro520xl in my Jeep only because some runs mandate that you have one. It is small and compact. If you pull your drivers seat you can make a simple bracket to span the seat stays. This allowing you to hang the CB backwards(facing forward). Since most of the time you will be on a designated channel you simple set it and forget it. The volume and squelch can be controlled with your hand while driving. Since I rarely use mine I just pull the mic from under the seat and put it in one of the drink holders or lay it across my leg. I would also suggest using an external speaker. Makes hearing it a lot easier. Again I just leave the speaker under the seat and pull it out when I need it. I usually just put it in the rear cup holder since the sound quality of a CB is so poor(loud, crackle). If you decide to go with a HAM radio I have some cool ideas for this as well.

That's some solid advice. Thanks, I appreciate it. I do have a truck scale near my house that I have used in the past, so I was going to do that eventually anyway. I am well aware of the cargo capacity of these vehicles...seems a bit light for what it is, but hey, I can't complain too much. I'm used to packing light anyway.

We will see about the HAM radio. It will be interesting to see what limitations I run into with this setup, and what I can change. Hopefully I don't have any issues with it. All the parts should be here by the end of the week. Once I complete the install to my liking, I'll figure out where to put an external speaker. I have a few fun ideas for my install as well.

Congrats on the jeep. Love the color.I was also thinking of buying my first brand new vehicle. Same one. Did you order it with the 373s or just lucked out?

Thanks! We have an awesome dealer in my area, and that's how they order them. "24s" package, with a couple key options. Perfect for me, all I had to do was pick the color. One of the senior sales guys is a Jeep nut, and they do seem to draw the enthusiast crowd more than the other dealers I went to. They had an AEV JK on the lot when I was there.

love the color.

Thanks, I like it more every day. I have yet to see another one rolling around.