Triple-purpose JK Build

[6Pins]

I just took delivery of my JK Rubicon last month and am glad I found this thread. One question for you about the Garvin rack, does that interfere any with the CB reception? I know someone with a similar rack that claims his CB doesn't work too great once he installed the rack, but I'm wondering if maybe he did something wrong.

Great build.

 

[jsmoriss]

I just took delivery of my JK Rubicon last month and am glad I found this thread. One question for you about the Garvin rack, does that interfere any with the CB reception? I know someone with a similar rack that claims his CB doesn't work too great once he installed the rack, but I'm wondering if maybe he did something wrong.

The CB was installed after the roof rack, so I can't give you an opinion on the effect of the rack. I have a very good ground, wiring, etc., and my SWR is very low. My antenna sticks up quite a bit higher than the rack, and is mounted behind the rear tire -- well away from the vertical roof rack supports. I may install a HAM radio in the near future, and that antenna will be mounted to the front bumper's brush-bar.

js.

 

[DavidEllzey]

Since you've already replaced the exhaust, which I assume runs straight back, why not make use of all that extra room under the trunk and enlarge it?

Brent Woods at 4XFix (http://www.4xfix.com/) makes the kits. I'm really happy with mine, along with the Evap & Steering Stab Relo kits he installed for me.

Not my Jeep but a good picture of the bigger tub.

Dave

 

[jsmoriss]

We just finished installing the AEV Snorkel today. Here's what it looks like:

I had to use 5 thick washers (3 top, 2 bottom) between the snorkel and roof rack brackets to prevent the pre-filter from contacting the roof rack support. I'm hoping the upcoming air ram will let me remove one or two washers... Another alternative would be to add a short extension between the snorkel and pre-filter. This could be a nice add-on option from AEV, but there probably wouldn't be much demand for it. The alternative is somekind of homemade ABS, but that probably wouldn't look very good.

Here are some more pics...

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

Since you've already replaced the exhaust, which I assume runs straight back, why not make use of all that extra room under the trunk and enlarge it?

Brent Woods at 4XFix (http://www.4xfix.com/) makes the kits. I'm really happy with mine, along with the Evap & Steering Stab Relo kits he installed for me.

Dave, thanks for the suggestion. I'd already considered Wood's storage tub, but it's not compatible with my exhaust tip. I have the CoolTech kit, which finishes tucked behind the rear bumper - very streamlined. Wood's tub is too wide for something like this, so the exhaust has to pass under the tub. I haven't decided if I'll change the tip or not yet. I need a place to mount a second battery, and this larger tub seemed perfect. Unfortunately Brett's opinion is that the tub isn't strong / think enough to properly mount and protect a battery. So we'll see. The alternative right now is still to remove the 40 part of the 60/40 second row seats and mount a battery & fridge... Or maybe I'll find someone local to fab up a custom tub for me.

js.

 

[WFTW]

Just mount your 2nd battery next to the original one.

 

[jsmoriss]

Off-Road Lights

I _finally_ received the 4th Cibie light. It was a long wait -- it was back-ordered for a while, then lost by UPS, and then returned by UPS when it was deemed 'dangerous' material. The weather was kinda gray on Saturday, but I decided to risk it. It was going well by the time I stopped for lunch:

But then the rain started. I didn't want to leave the bare wires out, and we were going dog training the next day. So I improvised:

I ran a few tests, and everything checked out. Good thing too, 'cause after this, it really started coming down.

The outside pair are Cibie Oscar 'Cornering' lights, and the inside pair are Cibie Oscar 'Driving' lights. The driving lights are wired with two relays -- one triggered by a switch, and the other by the high-beams.

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

Hannibal Awning

Here are the awning brackets with the original mounts cut off, and the new backing plates:

Once assembled and painted:

And this was our setup yesterday when we spent the day dog training:

And what the heck, here are a few pictures of my guy in action.

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

Yesterday I started working on the Bestop 2-piece soft doors...

I couldn't finish the whole thing though because of an alignment problem with the front passenger door. One of the locating pins between the top and bottom piece was welded a little off. My experience with Bestop stuff has been so, so up until now, so I hope this won't turn into a negative experience. I'm waiting for an e-mail back from both Quadratec and Bestop. Let's see how quickly they step up...

After I put the solid doors back on, I snapped a couple of pics...

js.

 

[Ded Hed]

JS,

I was going to wait until you got you soft doors installed to see what you thought, but I couldn't wait when I found out Q-tec had them in stock. You said on of the pins was a little off on the front passenger door. Was it the first(most forward pin on the upper? Just curious as that was the only door I had any real trouble with. I was able to get it into position with a BFH. Makes me wonder if Bestop's setup is a little off.

 

[jsmoriss]

I was going to wait until you got you soft doors installed to see what you thought, but I couldn't wait when I found out Q-tec had them in stock. You said on of the pins was a little off on the front passenger door. Was it the first(most forward pin on the upper? Just curious as that was the only door I had any real trouble with. I was able to get it into position with a BFH. Makes me wonder if Bestop's setup is a little off.

Yeah, that's the one. I can do the same, but taking it apart takes two people and a bit of time. There's no way I'm going to live with a fit like that. The whole reason for getting 2-piece doors is to remove the window section! Unfortunately Quadratec has become silent on the issue. I'm going to have to shake the tree again I think...

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

Missing pictures...

Sorry for the missing pictures in this thread. My internet connection went down on Friday and the telco company is taking their sweet time fixing it... The pictures should be back shortly, as soon as my internet connection is back.

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

Lots of updates...

A while back I added some 'mini skids' to the front control arm mounts, but didn't take any pictures. So this week I did.

The big news these days is that we removed the rear seats and we're working on a tie-down platform from 3/4" plywood. I gave it a nice textured paint finish. We'll see how that holds up -- I can always put down some carpet later.

The trick to taking out the seats is to un-bolt the floor mounts first, then swing up the seat. Here's a shot of my father-in-law holding the seat while I work on those bolts.

And here's the space, including where the 2nd battery will be.

And doing some test fits on the plywood platform.

The other big news is that I changed the drive shafts this week! Woohoo! The new shafts are Tom Wood's 1350s.

And lastly was an upgrade to the stock steering stabilizer. This was a real pain because the trackbar, drag-link, and tie-rod have all been upgraded to tougher / larger units, so there isn't much room between them for a big stabilizer. We had to try a few different bracket combinations before settling on this configuration.

I still have a few things to do before the Vermont Jeep Jamboree next week-end, including fixing an annoying squeek somewhere in the front-end. I think it's coming from the trackbar. I wish Full Traction had made it greasable...

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

And lastly was an upgrade to the stock steering stabilizer. This was a real pain because the trackbar, drag-link, and tie-rod have all been upgraded to tougher / larger units, so there isn't much room between them for a big stabilizer. We had to try a few different bracket combinations before settling on this configuration.

So Melanie and I ran a small trail today -- making sure everything works before driving down to the Vermont Jeep Jamboree -- and what d'ya know... When turning left with the driver's side stuffed, there's not enough room for the stabilizer. Damn. So, gotta go back to the stocker.

js.

 

[DH2002]

awesome build