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H&K's (Turtleguy89) JKU Rubicon Build

3K views 24 replies 6 participants last post by  Turtleguy89 
#1 ·
Howdy! Thanks for reading the build log for H&K's 2015 JK Rubicon. We will update this log periodically as the addiction claims our paychecks.

A little background: My Wife and I wanted a Wrangler since we were kids but couldn't commit to it in the past. On past business and pleasure trips, we regularly upgraded rentals to Wranglers whenever they were available. Here are some photos from our latest rental Jeep - at the summit of Mauna Kea.





In Spring we attended the Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, AZ. It was cold and wet. Making the trip on our motorcycles, we envied the folks with roof rack tents, hot water, and fresh coffee.







That experience, along with recognizing the coming need for a family car was enough to justify giving up my Ram for a Jeep.

We did a lot of research... and decided for what we'd like to do a Rubicon fit our wants. Had to be equipped to tow (toy-hauling).

A few weeks before our wedding, we visited a few dealerships. Took us a couple of weekends to find it - but the wait was worth it.



So that is how it starts... 23 miles on it at the time of this photo.
 
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#2 ·
First upgrades

After driving home from the dealership, we took a detour into one of the local OHV parks.



As soon as we purchased the Jeep, we got on Craiglist and bought a new soft top. Not knowing any better, we drove out and picked it up - without the door channels.

Luckily, we purchased the premium top (still in packaging) at a pretty good price. We got onto WERMOPAR.com and ordered the door channels. In a matter of a week we had a soft top installed. Great customer service, fast delivery.

We ordered a Spiderweb Shade for the Jeep - needed in the constant sun of the southwest.

 
#9 ·
Thanks, and thanks for the welcome.

Nice Jeep, but then again I might be biased.....

I've never left my top off during the rain, so I can't help you there...

With regards to the Hi-Lift, if your Jeep is stock you don't have any good jacking points for it....congrats on getting hitched!
Thanks! I'm a fan of yours as well!

With regard to the jack-points, I was under the impression that the sliders are suitable for lifting. I'll do some more research. We'll be doing bumpers in the future, but until then I planned on having the Hi-Lift as a winch/come-along. My Dad and I freed many-a stuck tractor from the backyard using these guys.

As for the rain- yeah, not proud of that. The forecast was clear and we were a bit pre-occupied. Won't make that mistake again. With that said, needed an excuse to Raptorline the interior... that is one of the next mods we'll be doing.
 
#4 ·
Before we made our road-trip for the wedding, we picked up a trailer to haul the toys.



We also attempted to dog-proof the interior for the road trip. Moving blankets, padding, towels wrapped around the seat-belts to deter from one's seat-belt chewing... and a retention system to keep excited dogs in the car.



The straps were a valid idea - at one point preventing a fuel stop bail-out.

Overall, a pretty comfortable ride for two thousand miles even with the pups.
 
#5 ·
Outer Banks, NC OHV

After the wedding, we took our younger siblings and parents out to the OHV areas. Miles and miles of Atlantic coastline.



Attached to the spare tire are two MAXSA Escaper Buddies. So far, extremely valuable for helping those who don't have a Wrangler. On the afternoon before our wedding, we stopped and bailed a family out - they were stuck nearly axle deep off the side of the road. Ford Edge. Took five minutes, a shovel, and the boards to get them back on the pavement. The Escaper Buddies are easily one of our favorite investments.



Also, before the trip, picked up a Hi-Lift jack. We'll be mounting it on the Gobi Rack once it gets delivered. Expecting delivery this week...
 
#6 ·
On one particular night of the vacation, we made a small mistake. Woke up in the morning to a beautiful rainstorm over the sound.



My first thought upon waking: "The top is down."

The Weathertech floormats were floating when we opened the Jeep up.

We pulled the carpet out and opened the drain plugs. Took all day to dry out the seats as well.

Dried it out and was fine for a day before the dreaded airbag light came on...

And then the turn signals went... and then the horn... and the headlights. And the steering wheel stereo controls.

After an hour or so of reading the forums, we recognized that the clockspring had shorted out. Called the only dealership in 100 miles and surprise, they had several in stock.

Took an hour of labor and two hours of hunting for a steering-wheel puller, but we replaced the clockspring after we were sure we'd dried the console out...

All of this before and a month of ownership and the first oil change...Is this the norm for Jeep owners?
 
#7 ·
Anyhow, by the end of the week in North Carolina, we changed the oil.

By the time we returned, we'd amassed a pile of boxes... This weekend, we installed the Evo skid plates.



The plates went on relatively easily thanks to Youtube.



During the installation, I started to unbutton the gas tank skid plate. Was planning on Rustoleum-underbody treating it until I realized the skid plate holds the tank up. We'll disconnect the tank and Raptorline it or we'll just replace the skid plate in the future. It has already taken some hits, and I'm not crazy about the design. For next weekend, we have a few small projects...

 
#8 ·
Nice Jeep, but then again I might be biased.....

I've never left my top off during the rain, so I can't help you there. I've never left the top off over night, I just feel better putting it up.

With regards to the Hi-Lift, if your Jeep is stock you don't have any good jacking points for it. I tried one with the Lift-Buddy straps that hook to the rim, and the jack was way too close to the fender. Didn't work.

Good luck and enjoy your new ride. Oh, and congrats on getting hitched!
 

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#18 · (Edited)
Gobi Rack!

Spent a few hours working this morning.








Gotta hand it to Gobi, the components are high quality. Directions are pretty easy to follow, and overall we really appreciate the design. Installation was a breeze for two people.

Our order included the quick release, LED bar mounting accessories, and the driver's side ladder. We're waiting for the temperature to drop and then we'll work more.
 
#19 · (Edited)
First, we went out in the heat and removed some decals.

After that, we did some custom fabrication (read: dremel and plasti-dip) to modify the brackets on our generic light bar to fit securely in the Gobi/Rigid mounting brackets. We didn't spring for a Rigid bar, so we planned on tinkering.

Here is the 40" curved bar mounted - also, a handful of 18 watt LED pods for perimeter lighting.



We're going to save the wiring for next weekend. The plan is to strip the interior, Raptor-line it, and install the wiring harness, pillar switches, and install and tune the CB antenna. May also look at mounting options for the Hi-Lift - but it sits under the bench just fine now.
 
#25 ·
We're still building our ride... and exploring new territory on the weekends. 15,000 miles and... the Jeep really can do everything we need.



Finished the Raptorliner job, came out great despite plenty of user error. More photos to follow. Been happily occupied with work and newly-wed life.
 
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