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BRUZER JCDriller's 2014 Hydro Blue JKU

198K views 551 replies 120 participants last post by  Eightstackhemi 
#1 ·
I've had my jeep for about 2 months now. I intended to start a thread when I first picked it up, however, I never got around to it. I'll do my best to document it's evolution as it occurs.

The day I picked her up from the dealership:


First modification was to install gutter screen in the grill and removed all badges except the trail rated badge:


Next as the canvas back pet liner:


Next I installed onboard water, love this modification! With a German Shepherd who loves to swim in the ocean and hike, onboard water is a necessity. If I ever get rid of my OEM bumper, I'll have to install an auxiliary tank like one of the front runner units. I used a 3gpm pump, all brass fittings, hot exhaust water hosing and a 25a switch with 10a fuse. All purchased from West Marine. I fit the pump into the rear drivers side quarter panel and mounted the water outlet with a spare rear bumper bracket I found on craigslist. Wired it into the 12v outlet next to my sub for power.









After onboard water was installed I needed some way to carry a hose, tools, dog toys, etc. I looked at existing options, but couldn't find any that would allow my shepherd to still ride in the back, so I fabricated my own. Took my time so that there isn't any more than a 1/4" gap around the outside of the lid so the dog's paws can't get stuck. Installed tie downs and cut about 2" off the back of a factory slush mat so it fits perfectly.




Then came the Safari Straps pet barrier:
 
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#2 ·
Addie Loving it:)



Next came the LED interior lights:



Blue LED accents in center console and blue LEDs to illuminate the door handles. I used strategically placed plastidip to keep the door handle light from spilling out onto the dash. It's confined to the door handle cups. Center console outer lights are dimmer and diffuse, inner lights are brighter and more focal. All are hooked to the dimmer and only come on with the headlights.






Somewhere in the mix I got new license plates, modified my rear brake light, painted my tow hooks red and plasti dipped "JEEP".



Next modification was to install an overhead light into the wiper motor box for additional light when working behind the jeep at night. Found a great light for $20 at west marine, plasti dipped the chrome body black and installed with rocker.



Other mods completed are visor warning label cover ups:

Trashcan (generally full of used floss picks:happyyes: )

installed Daystar ram mount and hardwired old garmin to turn on with Jeeps power. At this time I don't plan on updating my garmin, if it gets stollen, I'll get a new one.


I've also installed Dynomax exhaust which dumps under the drivers seat, and a short Antenna X antenna, very happy with both! I've drilled my mirrors, which resulted in a ~10sec. mirror piss. I have 2 under seat tuffy boxes on order and plan on painting the calipers red to match the tow hooks this coming weekend.

This summer as I PCS from VA to CA I will stop in MO to see family, during this time I'll be installing a 3.5" Rock Krawler Max lift, Nitro Sleeves, Gussets, LCA sliders, 37" Trail Grapplers with spidertrax spacers, 4.88 gears, Tera-flex tire carrier and some kind of calibration unit as well as trimming my rock rails fenders and front bumper as needed. After that I'll start saving for a PR60 for the front, onboard air and a front ARB Air Locker. Eventually I'll do a 60 in the rear and an ARB back there too. I'll keep this updated as I progress forward.
 
#4 ·
I love the blue lights! I want to change my stock lights to blue. Not sure I'd add as many as you did, but they sure are pretty! :)

Nice jeep! :thumb:
 
#5 ·
Starbrite, it's only 4 LEDs in the center console and 1 in each door handle. That picture shows it with the dimmer set to its brightest setting. It's not at all overwelming or distracting when the dimmer to turned to a normal driving setting. This is a very simple install if you have basic wiring skills.

The 4 LED are wired in series total around 17v so I didn't have to use any resistors. I wired it into the dimmer wire in the window switches. On the doors I did have to use a resistor since they are single LEDs and 12v is too much. I tapped into the dimmer wire in the door lock LED for their power.

I plan on putting blue LEDs in the foot wells to replace the factory foot well light. There also appears to be a second light down there that comes on when the doors are opened. I plan on leaving this one white. I like the blue, but I don't want to over do it and make it too import/ricy.
 
#6 ·
Thanks! I appreciate the write up! I'll have to show it to my electricians and see what they can set up. :D
 
#8 ·
No I pulled it from the rear 12v outlet that way it's always hot, ground was from the wiper motor. Make sure you add a quick disconnect so you can remove your top.
 
#10 ·
Base camper, love your photos of the speaker mod. I'm definitely adding that one to the list.

Today I installed both my Tuffy under seat boxes. Everything went smooth and they will do their job against a smash and grab.











 
#11 ·
My Pixeldecals.com decals came in today. Took almost a month, but they look like really high quality decals which should last. I started a thread about using blitzkrieg as the name for my Jeep after placing the order, it didn't go over so well, everyone pretty much disliked it, but they were already on order.

Anyway, since I had the stickers and wanted to see how the reflective black and red would look against the Hydroblue I went ahead an installed them. I love it, although I'm still trying to decide on a name... Maybe I'll just go with something generic like WRANGLER or MOLON LABE. The best one is Cookie Monster, not sure if I'm man enough to put that on my Jeep and still feel good about myself :)

Tomorrow I'm painting the calipers red to match the tow hooks.




 
#12 ·
Looking good! Especially with the doors off! Can't wait to try that with mine! :thumb:
 
#15 ·
Having the doors off is great except the pollen has gotten REALLY bad. I took the doors off for 2 days an my interior was yellow. Cleaned it up last night and put the doors back on. I'll have to give it a few weeks before I take them off again, that was not fun to clean up.
 
#13 ·
Painted my calipers today. originally I was going to just paint them on the jeep, but decided to disassemble them and paint them off the rotor. This is the only photo I took between coats. I used a big thick piece of shipping paper to form a "cave" over the boxes when painting so I didn't get any overspray. More photos tomorrow once I get more light.

Also, ordered a new hood decal. Same reflective black with red outline, but this time it's just WRANGLER.

 
#14 ·
As promised, a photo of the red calipers. At this point I'm done adding red to the Jeep. When I replace my bumpers I'll paint my shackles red, but that's it.



 
#16 ·
I really hate that I can't go back and edit posts when I want to add a little something. Anyway, here are a few photos my wife snagged today of the JKU in action after a long day at the beach.
This mod is ALWAYS a head turner and gets lots of attention. Everyone loves it but not more than me. Best thing I've ever installed on one of my vehicles.



 
#17 ·
Yeah, I just noticed some pollen on Celticon after I washed him Thursday. I'd rather deal with some pollen than the nasty weather though. Pollen means spring! :)

Water mod is SUPER cool! Pup looks like he had a great time! :thumb:
 
#18 ·
Nice build. Sub'd. I am torn between the JKS adventure tire carrier and one of their bumpers or the Teraflex hinge and Roto-pax brackets. I'm leaning Teraflect now so I can run the stock bumper and do the pressurized water mod. So many uses for that.
 
#19 ·
I'm going to go the Teraflex hinge route. If I ever change out the back bumper there are other solutions available from Front Runner.
 
#20 ·
Today I installed a Mopar hood lock, plus made a custom bracket to keep someone from sliding a coat hanger, ice pick, screw driver under the hood and bypassing the hood lock. This is a well known flaw in the OEM hood lock.







 
#22 ·
I'm just about to order a Rock Krawler 3.5" Max Travel lift. Looks like KOR has the best pricing with their 10% Jeep Beach discount. It's not gonna look very good rolling around on factory 31" wranglers until August, but that's when I'll put the 37" trail grapplers on :).
 
#23 ·
Just thought I'd mention this...

We helped a friend install an RK 2.5" lift on his jeep and he wound up with 4" of lift!!! I believe he's in the market for a new driveshaft now, which I don't think he originally planned on this soon. And that 4" of lift included the 95 lb. front bumper he already had installed.

Wanted you to be aware, you get much more lift than advertised, some to the point where it could mean you need to replace more parts.

Can't wait to see how it turns out though! Everything looks good on hydro! :D
 
#24 ·
Just thought I'd mention this...

We helped a friend install an RK 2.5" lift on his jeep and he wound up with 4" of lift!!! I believe he's in the market for a new driveshaft now, which I don't think he originally planned on this soon. And that 4" of lift included the 95 lb. front bumper he already had installed.

Wanted you to be aware, you get much more lift than advertised, some to the point where it could mean you need to replace more parts.

Can't wait to see how it turns out though! Everything looks good on hydro! :D

Thanks StarBrite, I've kicked around about every combo I can think of to get this bad boy lifted on 37s. I've come to the conclusion that at this time I want to keep the factory flares which means I've got to go tall. It also sounds like no matter if I go with a 2.5 or a 3.5 I'll be changing drive shafts so I decided to go big or go home!

I plan on installing the lift sometime in June then in July I'm moving/driving from VA to CA, I'll be stopping in MO to see family at which time I'll install Nitro Sleeves, Gussets, AEV ProCal & 1.5" spacer along with my 37s. Then its off to Utah for a week before landing in Coronado CA for 2-3 years :) I hope to get the gears swapped out in a reasonable amount of time, I'm also on the hunt for a Front Rubi D44. I'll replace the drive shafts and ball joints as needed. I also need to decide on a tire carrier, I don't wanna give up my onboard water, so I'll probably just get a Teraflex hinge. Dang thing is stupid over priced...

My wife gave me the nod to do this all at once, but I just don't want to dip into our savings to drop 10k on my Jeep. Seems better to just pay as I go.
 
#25 ·
I should have known you had it all thought through, but just wanted to be sure. Our friend was surprised when it happened to him. He thought 3" was the maximum he'd get...

Looking forward to seeing it all done! :thumb:
 
#27 ·
Got some new Mirrors and decals.



A little more American hood decal



Pirate Mode ARGGGG

 
#30 ·
Went camping this last weekend, nothing crazy, but snapped a few photos of the Jeep.





Got my Trasharoo




 
#31 ·
Got my Lava Jackets today, tops coming off this weekend so I can try them out!



1 jacket folded up for storage:



Vent rings and free swag.

 
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