Can't believe the difference these make. Even with the stock wheels/tires. I do like the rubicon rims and plan to keep them, but do want to move up to a 285/75 tire.
Doesnt really capture (and stupid me didn't take a before pic)
I wanted a clean switch install (well, I wanted the digital touchscreen SPOD ...but $$$). so for less than $200 I got the switches, relay, and tons of 12 gauge wire, wire looms, connectors, heat shrink tubing, etc.
Here are some in progress shots ..I went with the blue ...well because I am a Gator fan and I like blue.
Pro tip ....
Take off the front bolts first and strap the seats up to get access to the middle bolts. They are a PAIN if you don't (ask me how I know).
This was before DST so It was dark when I got done. I also am realizing I need to do a better job of taking in progress pictures. I did install it solo ...so you can do it. I did not make the wood contraption to hold the top up while you bolt it. I simply laid it on the soft top and bolted it up in place.
Since I had to take the bumper off anyway for the gobi rack. Decided to spend $40 and add a tow hitch for when we need to take bikes camping. (cant put them on the camper any more because the Jeep need the higher hitch to be towed from
...btw ...this was an EASY install with the bumper off. Fishing the nuts in if you dont remove the bumper is a PITA!
Somewhere lost in the shuffle I did put a terraflex 1.5 leveling kit in. Looks MUCH better. It is a temporary solution till I decide on a 2.5 lift. I am thinking the JKS one ...at least today
Starting to have to be aware of parking deck height even before tires :/
Now that the bumper was installed I could finally install the winch. I wnet with the smittybilt X20 Comp 10k winch. Seemed to be a good price for what you get. I am trying to stay made in USA ...but this one was too big a price delta for just getting started, and I needed a way to unstuck myself.
I see I also installed a light bar and grill inserts without telling anyone.
Now that the bumper was installed I could finally install the winch. I wnet with the smittybilt X20 Comp 10k winch. Seemed to be a good price for what you get. I am trying to stay made in USA ...but this one was too big a price delta for just getting started, and I needed a way to unstuck myself.
I see I also installed a light bar and grill inserts without telling anyone.
These beauties from CMM showed up and got installed. I also got the mirrors to attach when the doors come off. (not shown) They are rock solid to hold on to and look great. I also like the ball mount for a future camera purchase. The rear ones will definitely be on the wish list.
I will be in the same boat. 26 miles each way on the interstate. If I can't stand it(the wind noise) I will just take off the whole thing. Store it with the rest of my "bug out" supplies I guess
beware the amazon fuel door, the exposed screws are not stainless and they will rust. Took mine about 5 weeks before they started turning brown. If you can apply something to stop the oxidation.
After waiting a couple weeks UPS brought me a lot of heavy stuff. My sliders got to ride a train across country (which by the way looks like they are stuck somewhere way far away from you when you UPS track).
This may have been the easiest install yet. Remove 3 body bolts (with the Jeeps favorite 18mm socket), and put them right back in with the new slider attached. I used a couple bags of charcoal to prop up one side while I got the bolts started on the other side since I was solo. The look great with the rubi rails.
One thing that was high on my list was making a security enclosure so I could toss things in the "trunk" while I ran into a store or to dinner. So after buying 3/4 birch, hinges, various lengths and shapes of metal, carpet, black paint, etc ...I decided to be lazy and buy the tuffy. I wanted the 326 so it opened, but with the seat recline kit I didn't want to take the risk of it not fitting ...not to mention I also did not want to pay the $100+ more money for it. So Northridge 4x4 had it in stock in the southeast and could be at my house in 2 days (yay before I go to the beach).
This was not bad an install. Out of the box it is basically 3 pieces of metal. The top and front come hinged together. You need to bolt on the side pieces and pop on some rubber edging.
So far I like it. I just ordered some magnets (an idea for side window storage) and a cargo net for the top to see if I can extend its usefulness.
Here are some pics of the install. First pic is your friend for attaching to the tie down points on the jeep
Forgive the pollen #Georgiainmarch
The top is just the right side for the side windows. I am going to play with some magnets and some towels to see if I can come up with a storage solution under the top. You can also see the spacing behind the seat ...this is with the seat recline kit.
Since I have the full width bumper I wanted flat fenders but something that matched the lines. The Rock Slide Engineering full fenders were about the only decent option out there. Here are the RSE fenders and you can also see I upgraded the hinge to the terraflex and added the high lift jack and terrible excuse for a cover.
I guess I also forgot to mention that I also swapped out the TF leveling kit to a 2.5 lift with JKS springs. The tires are 285/75/17 (34x11.5) Nitto Ridge Grapplers.
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