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Boedys '15 Hard Rock Build

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23K views 127 replies 28 participants last post by  Chrisboedy  
#1 ·
Ordered 9/10/2014, took delivery 11/10/2014

Options:

  • 430N Radio
  • Tow Hitch
  • Auto climate control
  • 4:10 gear
  • Freedom Top
  • Remote start
  • Automatic

The base product: First photos at the dealership


 
#3 ·
Next up was installing a backup camera. The visibility out the back is pretty much non-existent. I really can't believe a backup camera isn't an option for the wrangler.

I looked into a number of different options (expensive options). For me, all credit goes to a guy known as fiero880. Here's his video instruction:

Jeep Wrangler - How to Install Rear Camera - Part 1 JK JKU - YouTube

Camera - http://amzn.com/B00B2ZD7OS
Video harness for back of 430N - http://amzn.com/B0051XBNDY
Qty (1) Video connector coupler - Amazon.com: C2G / Cables to Go 29507 75-Ohm RCA Video Coupler: Electronics
Qty (2) Wire splice connector - Amazon.com: Morris Products 10774 Quick Splice Connector, Blue, 18-14 Wire Range (Pack of 25): Industrial & Scientific

Here's the end result in the steel rear bumper



I added a comment to fiero880's video noting that I don't believe you have to remove the steel bumper like you do on the plastic ones. In my case, I did remove it because I couldn't find any information online to know what I was going to find behind that first layer of steel. In the center point where the camera goes in however, there's plenty of room for this specific camera and wiring to come through.
 
#24 ·
Chrisboedy said:
I don't believe you have to remove the steel bumper like you do on the plastic ones.
Click to expand...
Just a quick follow up on this. I had a failure with the first camera and had to get a replacement. I can now confirm that you do not need to remove the rear bumper if you have an X or Hard Rock.
 
#4 ·
CB Radio:

While I was wiring the video cable up through the Jeep to the dash, I went ahead and purchased the CB hardware so I could run that at the same time.

Here's the kit I used as a reference. My local 4x4 shop (Olympic 4x4 Supply | Jeep and Offroad Supply) had all of the parts individually in stock and are always great with their pricing.

JK Jeep CB Radio Kit | Right Channel Radios

I didn't take any pictures because I'm waiting on my tire carrier before doing final fit. I'll take some once that gets here on how I routed the wiring and where I secured the CB module under the glove box.
 
#5 ·
Suspension / Wheels / Tires

Placeholder while I wait on parts.

Waiting delivery:
Lift - JK Wrangler 3.5" Old Man Emu Duroflex Mid-Arm Suspension System
Tune - American Expedition Vehicles - Brute Kit, V8 HEMI, Aftermarket Jeep Conversions, Products, Wheels, Accessories and Highline Kits for Jeeps (TJ, JK, WK, XK).
Tires - 37" :: PIT BULL TIRES :: Rocker® LT Radial Tires
Wheels - Anza - D557 - Fuel Off-Road Wheels
Winch - 98495 GEN2 Waterproof Winch - Smittybilt
Winch Bracket and bumper hoop - 0400-002HLP-CVF https://www.maximus-3.com/10a-x-and-hard-rock.html
Tire carrier - https://www.maximus-3.com/tire-carrier-.html
 
#8 ·
Finishing touches on the CB wiring up front.

Here's where I zip tied the module in the glove box



Here's where the power wire goes out and into the engine bay area:
(This was somewhat difficult to get through. I used a piece of rigid copper wire to poke through at a bit of an angle while my wife watched for it to pop out the other side. When looking up into the cowl, on mine, it popped out a section where there was what looked to be a small patch.



In this shot you'll see I routed the wire through an opening way in the back and comes up nice and cleanly into the engine bay. Makes it look very inconspicuous.



And here's the final fit until I get a black wire tube for it to hide it competely.

 
#13 ·
Ok so I received the Maximus-3 parts I had on order which included the front winch mounting hardware for my winch, the fairlead centering setup, and the tire carrier.

The front stinger is a super easy install so there's not really much to say other than it looks badd ass!

Installing the winch mounting bracket and fairlead was definitely more technical, but the fit and finish of this stuff is pretty damn amazing.

To install the fairlead centered you'll need a 1 3/4" steel hole saw and a powerful cordless or corded drill. You'll also need an angle grinder with a cutting disk or something comparable. The instructions are very well documented, but cutting a 1 3/4" hole into my brand new Jeep and then pulling out the cutting wheel was good times.

Here's what the cutout looks like:

Image


Image


Other than this bit, the rest is bolt on with this as the final result:

Image


I'll note that with the winch I used, I did not have to relocate the vacuum pump at all.
 
#14 ·
Next up was the tire carrier.

Let me just say... do not underestimate the installation of one of these. I had allocated a couple hours max to complete this knowing I was also going to be mounting the CB wiring and antenna I'd ran earlier.

I ran into a couple minor issues that added quite a bit of time to the install.

First up... the hinges and lack of any paint at all behind them. I'd read about this on another post, but didn't really know what to expect. This is literally bare metal on the back of the hinge and on the tailgate. I couldn't just put it back together this way so I taped and sprayed the back of the hinges and the gate. I should have taken a photo, but I didn't.

Secondly, the company sent 1 wrong bolt (wrong thread) for mounting the carrier bracket. I went ahead and moved on with the install since I could get to the bolt later (which I picked up from my local Home Depot after confirming the size/length with Maximus-3 folks)

Third, the mounting holes for the 3rd brake light onto the mast were smaller than the holes and hardware provided with the brake light itself. It was a simple fix to drill it out, but just another small thing I wasn't expecting to have to do.

Fourth, there is a hole through the mast for the 3rd brake light wiring. The hole is smaller at the bottom than it is at the top. Small enough so that I couldn't push my CB wiring through without having to cut and re-crimp the connectors. I went ahead and drilled it to match the top hole and had no problem pushing it through.

Lastly, once I completed the install, wiggling the tire exposed a rattle. Further inspection I found it was coming from the turnbuckle. I had to unthread it further than I'd expected I should need to for it to line up. This, coupled with it having a pretty coarse thread gave it some slack that was enough to cause a pretty nasty rattle.

(I found that threading the turnbuckle back in further and then putting a good bit of force onto the tire carrier towards the tail gate to line up the bolt was enough to secure it and the rattle was done)

Install finished without the tire:

Image


Pic of where I ran the wiring. The left is the brake light, and the right is where I brought in the CB wire. This worked really cleanly and was pretty easy to thread in using a piece of copper wire through the gate and into the opposite side opening along the existing wire harness. (I can take a pic of the other side if anyone is interested)

Image


Here's a photo of the turnbuckle I had trouble with. Currently no rattles though after the adjustment.

Image


Here's the CB and 3rd brake light installed on the mast. The brake light nut in this picture is where I had to drill out to fit the hardware provided.

Image


And here's a final picture with the stock tire mounted

Image
 
#15 ·
Stopped by the 4x4 shop on the way home to pick up a quick disconnect for the CB Antenna and the wife decided we needed new headlights (I wasn't about to argue).

These things look great! Heading out to test drive them now that it's dark out, looking forward to being able to see. Here in rainy Seattle having good lights make such a huge difference.

Image


Image
 
#16 ·
The lights are awesome. So much better than the stock ones. Very happy.

After I got home, I decided to get started on cutting my fenders. I'm planning on getting the Metalcloak fenders at some point, but it likely won't be for awhile after I get my lift, wheels and tires so I wanted to be sure I give as much room as possible to them until I can save up for the custom fenders.

This mod has been documented to death so I won't bore anyone with the details. Here's before, during and after shots:

Image


Image


Image


I love the look of this mod. It does make my tires look a bit smaller, but the stance is completely new and badass!

I still have to do the rears tomorrow as I ran out of time tonight to get it all done. I'll take a few full shots once it's all done.
 
#17 ·
Finished up the rears and sprayed undercoating in all the wheel wells so as to not see the white paint under. By the time I was done it was dark though so will get a shot tomorrow if I'm home before dark.

I also did the zip-tie of the amber side markers. I'm going to research some small ones that I can attached to the edges using a small bracket or such this week. If anyone has suggestions with pictures I'd be interested. I may go with an amber led strip in the seam between the hood and the fender. Saw it in another thread, looks cool but not sure if it's legal here.
 
#18 ·
#25 ·
Slight modification to my build now includes:


  1. Decided to go with 35's instead of 37's
  2. Welding in the Teraflex gusset and sleeve kit Teraflex 4990900 - TeraFlex Front HD Knuckle Gusset & Tube Sleeve Kit for 07-15 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK - Quadratec
  3. Added the Synergy HD skid kit - Synergy Manufacturing HD Skid Plate System for 07-11 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK - Quadratec

It's on the lift now, so hoping to have some new pictures by this weekend and ready for one of the upcoming trips on the calendar.

:iamhappy:
 
#27 ·
Gonna be a monster looking forward for more updates
 
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