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Project RubiCoug - another white JKU Rubi

5K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by  jeepmob 
#1 ·
Time to kick off a build thread. I special ordered a '17 Rubicon. Only options I got were auto, connectivity, heated seats, and the color matched hard top & fenders. The wife wanted color match - so you gotta keep her happy!

Ordered holiday season, and it hit the dealer's lot about 6 weeks later. Due to other obligations, I won't be able to pick her up for a couple weeks - which is dangerous since they have a very good parts & accessory group for doing Jeep builds.

Goal is to get outside more - particularly with the kids. Overlander, and weekend warrior at best. Not a daily driver. Sun's-out-fun's-out kind of mall crawler.

Why did I get a Rubi? Thanks to Jeep's demo at the yearly car show. They had a test track with that gearbox, and took us on a little drive with some obstacles. That gearing made me squeal like a school girl. And, my son loved it. At least in the Pac NW, I felt like the very small difference in price (thanks to a great deal) is well worth the resale benefit should I fall in love with the new JL series once it gets through a few years of new-generation-hiccups.

Here is she is, fresh of the truck - waiting to get into PDI at the dealer. From this point forward, it's all about the mods and adventures.
 

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#2 · (Edited)
Here's a breakdown of of my build as we go:

Wheels & Tires:
1) Pro Comp Series 40 Vertigo 20" wheels (seriously couldn't pass these up. Price was really, really low)

Exterior Mods:
1) Mopar fuel door

Interior Mods:
1) Grabar Black handles w/ Red grips
2) Mopar door sill protectors

Audio build out:
1) Pioneer 4200NEX
2) Full Maestro integration and harnesses for satellite radio, steering wheel, etc
3) AntennaX stubby
 
#5 ·
Finally took delivery. I ended up with a 2nd set of the same wheels - this time in a matte gray, that I had the guys use.

So, she is now home with me.

3.5 AEV Dualsport Lift
AEV front and rear bumpers, skidplate, and tire carrier
Mopar Power Dome hood
Pro Comp Series 40 20" with Nitto Ridge Grappler 295/65's.

Not a bad start for a project...

I had a 450 mile drive home, and it's amazing how she handled at 70mph most of the way.
 

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#7 ·
I've got a bunch of odds and ends to install over the next couple days -- Grabars, door sill protectors, mopar fuel door, 3rd brake light, etc.

I'm toying with window tint, and some xpel wrap on the fenders for some protection.

Then, we'll put a little electronics upgrade into the mix - with a HU upgrade to the Pioneer 4200 w/ Maestro, some cameras, etc.

And then maybe a softtop for summer

And then maybe a winch

And then maybe some lighting

And then... wow, this list never ends. It really is a disease.
 
#8 ·
Probably overdue a bit on an update. Have been working on a few additions recently.

So far:

Exterior Updates:
13" Stubby AntennaX
Mopar Door Sill protectors
Mopar Fuel door



But I'm really happy with the update for the head unit -- I ordered the 130 Radio knowing I'd go a little crazy here... I call this phase 1 of my audio upgrade --

I installed:

Pioneer 4200 w/ Carplay
Brandmotion Rear Camera (relocated the third brakelight as well)
Boyo front camera
Satellite Radio
Maestro adapter for Integration
USB adapter to the center console storage for the USB2 (Android Auto)
Removed the 12v cigarette and put in a combo USB1 and HDMI input into the 4200

Compustar remote start that I pulled from an old vehicle I had. A simple software update, and a new harness - and I have remote start with 3 presses of the factory key lock button.
 
#9 ·
Here's a pic of my rear camera setup. I have the AEV tire carrier, which doesn't have much of a 3rd brake light story if you don't have AEV wheels.

I ordered the Brandmotion 8848 which has the adjustable mount to work with my Pro Comp wheels.

My third brake light goal was to use the Teraflex bracket that mounts offset to spare tire studs. It was tight, and you really have to disassemble the light if you need to change a tire (couple torx screws) -- but I'm happy with how it turned out.

It's not for everyone, but the added safety of having a very visible 3rd brake light is invaluable to me these days.
 

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#10 ·
Been a while since I have updated... Alot keeps evolving. Have about 2500 miles on her so far. Recent upgrades now include:

-- 4.56 Nitro gears. These made a huge difference.
-- AEV Rear Corner Guards
-- Teraflex rear cargo rack
-- Alienshade cover for Summer
-- 20% matching tint on the front windows
-- XPEL Wrap on the hood and front fenders
-- Satin black insert on the hood
-- Quadratec Tow Package
-- Smittybilt Beaver step/recovery point
-- Opar dead pedal for the driver
 

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