The Bumble Build

m4j2t · Jan 24, 2015

I finally own a Rubicon... (short pause to bask in the joy)

And I've gotten much help from the forum with the beginning of the build. Here is our journey.

This bright white JKUR, named Bumble after the Yeti in my avatar, is to be an understated daily driver capable of hauling my awesome wifey and two really great kids anywhere we would choose to camp, hunt, or picknik in the Rocky Mountains of Colorful Colorado. It is not my intention to rock crawl, but I will have a vehicle capable of conquering the obstacles that are encountered while exploring here. It will also be comfortable enough to drive my wifey to dinner in her little black dress.

The family enjoyment aspect of this rig is more important than anything else. It is a vehicle for transportation, but more importantly for creating memories.

And so we've begun.

Meet Bumble:

m4j2t · Jan 24, 2015

Our first round of mods:

Bushwacker Trail Armor Hood and Tail
Weathertec floor-mats and Mopar cargo mat
10A bumpers front and rear with an AEV rear tire carrier
Maximus 3 winch plate and Front hoop
Maximus 3 winch hook anchor and license plate bracket
Smitty built X2O 10K synthetic.
Rock Krawer 1.5" springs.
Rancho 9000XL Shocks (29's and 30's)
Ultra Crusher 17X8 et 10 wheels (4.88 backspacing)
315/70R17 Goodyear Duratrac tires

Most of this stuff is already installed. I'm looking to do the winch and front bumper assembly this coming week.

I'll also install the Terraflex rear track bar relocation bracket for 2" lifts
I'm trying to decide between the JKS or Terraflex front track bar.

StarBrite · Jan 25, 2015

Congratulations! Nice jeep!

Just for comparison, here is a picture of the TeraFlex (blue), stock (black) and JKS (gold) side by side. You can see the difference between them for yourself. Holding them each, there is an AMAZING amount of difference between the TF and the JKS. The TF Monster Trackbar is significantly heavier than the JKS.

We love the TF. Our friend who bought the JKS told us the day we installed them on our jeeps said if he'd known how much more stout the TF was, he would have bought it instead.

Just thought this might help you decide. Good luck with your mods this week! :thumb:

flyfishnevada · Jan 25, 2015

StarBrite said:
Congratulations! Nice jeep!

Just for comparison, here is a picture of the TeraFlex (blue), stock (black) and JKS (gold) side by side. You can see the difference between them for yourself. Holding them each, there is an AMAZING amount of difference between the TF and the JKS. The TF Monster Trackbar is significantly heavier than the JKS.

We love the TF. Our friend who bought the JKS told us the day we installed them on our jeeps said if he'd known how much more stout the TF was, he would have bought it instead.

Just thought this might help you decide. Good luck with your mods this week! :thumb:

Picture? What picture?

Nice Jeep. Love the color

Av8tor2 · Jan 25, 2015

Good looking JEEP! I miss my white one.

I can vouch for the Teraflex Trackbar. That is a monster compared to the stock one, I have both the front and rear Teraflex ones installed on my Jeep.

m4j2t · Jan 25, 2015

Thank you!

I picked up the Terraflex Monster track bar and the Teraflex relocation bracket yesterday. Hoping to get the alignment (home) done today. I'm pretty sure I'll go with the Teraflex Monster front LCA's in the near future; mostly because of the tire clearance, but also to get the caster up to 4.5*.

Sliders should be arriving this week!

Anvil4Life · Jan 26, 2015

Great start. More pics, more pics.

m4j2t · Jan 26, 2015

I installed the TF Montster, perfect name for it, and centered the axle and steering wheel. Going onto the alignment rack tomorrow to check the numbers.

I also got the TF rear bracket relocation bracket in place. The rear axle is .125" out to the left (driver side). That's going to have to wait for more funds to come in. Winch arrives today. Tub protection in transit! I'm excited to get it all on to check the net lift from the Rock Crawler 1.5" springs. Right now the rear is netting 1.625"

Pics to follow the winch install. It's 70*F in Denver for two days!!! Going to take the Family to dinner topless! KIDS HAVE BEEN BEGGING! (wish I had the lava jackets)

m4j2t · Jan 28, 2015

Last night I installed the winch and bumper assembly along with the Maximus 3 accessories. More importantly, we took off the top and went for a drive up Deer Creek Canyon. The temp was 74* at home and it hit 41* in the canyon! Everyone was a trooper, so we stopped for a warm chai in Connifer, CO.

Here's the winch finally spooled up. I really like the Maximus 3 hook keeper.

m4j2t · Jan 28, 2015

Here's the whole front bumper. I bought a full 10A set with the Maximus 3 winch setup on craigslist.

m4j2t · Feb 16, 2015

Next phase complete. Today I assembled the TNT Adventure Step sliders. I chose these for several reasons.

1. Frame Mounted
2. They have boatside panels that can be purchased later.
3. Reasonable price
4. Excellent step

I'm not ready to drill into my tub to attach armor, nor do I want to install nutserts, so I purchased the Bushwhacker stick-on tub armor to protect the body from little feet. I was really impressed with the fit and application of the BW hood armor, but I'm still undecided about the rocker armor. I paid $180.00 delivered for the Bushwhacker tub pieces. Even at that price I might have over paid. I'll decide in a few months.

The TNT adventure steps are solid and bolt to the frame at the body mounts. There are twelve bolts total in each step. Six of them require drilling into the frame rail. They are supplied with 1/2 13 thread-cutting bolts, but I opted to tap the threads into the frame rail; I did use the included zinc 1/2-13 bolts for mounting them.

The steps are screwed into the slider rails with included stainless cap screws with nylon locking nuts and zinc plated thread cutter bolts. As you are required to drill into the square rail for the thread cutter bolt locations, I decided to drill and tap the holes and replace the thread cutter bolts with a cleaner black zinc cap screw. That was an 15 dollar upgrade.

This install required a lot if drilling. I was surprised that I had to drill into the slider itself to attach the step platform. That process took about an hour for drilling and tapping both steps. It was 20 holes. The assembly of the step platform to the slider rail was a great way to get the 9 and 6 year old involved in modding the "Bumble Buggy."

I finished just after dark, and it started to snow, so here are the only pictures I have as of yet.

These weigh 50lbs each. Adding to the 147lbs front bumper assy and the 180lbs rear bumper/carrier assy.

I'm confident I could drop or pivot on these with no problem, and they make a perfect step for the little one and my wifey. Eventually I will add the boat-side panels.

I have some Teraflex Monster front Lower Control arms coming in next week to get the axle caster back up to 4.5°, and then I'm going to do the sound system mods...

Also ordered my Off Road Heros fastback top in January. Looking forward to that arriving in the spring!

StarBrite · Feb 16, 2015

Never heard of this steps before. Looks cool! :thumb:

m4j2t · Mar 6, 2015

During my alignment my caster was measuring 2º, so I ordered up some Teraflex adjustable LCA's. Installing them I brought my caster back up to 4º. The jeep handles much better. Even my wifey commented on the improvement.

After that, I upgraded my battery to an Odyssey Extreme 34R PC1500. It dropped right in. 850CCA!!! (the OEM is 600CCA)

This is going to be all for awhile. I'm changing jobs, and the transition is going to take most of my time for the next couple months. I'm looking forward to my Off Road Hero's fastback top arriving this spring!

2014RubiX · Mar 6, 2015

Sweet build! im thinking of the exact same winch. How do you like it, any issues with install on the Maximus mount?

m4j2t · Mar 6, 2015

Thanks, I'm having a great time with it!

Zero issues with the smittybuilt and maximus-3 fitment. You do have to notch out the plate because this is perfectly centered, but if you have a drill and sawzall/cutting disk or something it takes about 15 minutes. I've read good thing about the winch, and I'm spending a lot of $$$ on this build, so a zeon is a few years away...

timbits588 · Mar 6, 2015

Build looks great so far! Can't wait to see the Off Road Hero's soft top installed!!

2014RubiX · Mar 6, 2015

I know you ordered the ORH fastback top but had you bought the Cargo top, here's what it would look like on your jeep. We have very similar builds. I also have the Maximus 3 hoop (mine is LP), just not mounted in this pic.

stevecanada · Apr 22, 2015

It's funny how many people end up with two Jeeps in the family! Starbrite too! Anyhow, we also have the Maximus hoop and are looking at a few options mentioned here. Love how you guys are so detailed with your builds. I'll have to get a post together to show you home of the things in our Jeep build the post my son made about his Rubicon just scratches the surface.

m4j2t · Mar 6, 2015

Your rig is awesome. The ORH Cargo is my favorite top hands down. Better looking than anything else out there. I showed it to my wife and she loved it too, and then I pointed out the loss of the cargo hauling space, and she said: "nope-no way." We trucked two kids and a 70lb standard poodle around for three years in a 2 door tj... Cargo space was the main angle for getting the jku... 😏

I'm not sure I really even like the fastback look, but a frame soft top isn't any better for what I'm hoping to achieve (only imo. I like the square back look, but hate the frame). I want to have the flexibility to uncover the rear seats only for my kids; they would rather get rained on than put the top up. I'm going to put cargo nets under the orh fastback so I can take it off and still haul coolers and stuff on top of my tuffy lid.

So many plans, so little money

m4j2t · Mar 25, 2015

I've made a significant improvement to the sound system. If you haven't looked into the Stock Tweeter Mod, and the Subwoofer Mod, I highly recommend it.

Basically it's a $150-$250 mod that almost unbelievably improves the sound system.

$150-without an amp
$250-with an amp

I mounted my amplifier behind the glove compartment:

BlueBabySound · Apr 3, 2015

Jeep looks good!! :thumb:

m4j2t · Jun 12, 2015

It's been awhile since my last posting. We've added a few really great mods.

For starters Bartact Typhon seat covers. I LOVE these. I put them over my leather to preserve it from the Colorado high altitude sun, but it wont stop raining here...

m4j2t · Jun 12, 2015

I started this project planning to replace the rear bench with bucket seats. I'm not very comfortable jamming around open with the little crew in back on boosters with only seat belts to secure them. I was even talking to seat manufacturers about fabbing custom mounting brackets for us when I stumbled across a product that changed our lives. Check out these Ridesafer vests; they rule! Excellent security when compared to conventional booster platforms, and the kids love them. They are also EXCELLENT for traveling.

I added the Warpig rear seat recline kit to the rear, installed seat heaters, and the crew is much happier. We're going to have to mod up some Lava tubes though; it gets pretty chilly pretty quick in the Rockies after sunset.

Hoseman · Jun 12, 2015

Nice looking ride! Can you tell me, were the seat heater that you installed for the rear seats? If so how do you like them?

m4j2t · Jun 12, 2015

I've upgraded the headlights to Truck Lites because I got a super deal on them. I had to buy the horizontal adjustment screws to get them properly aimed, but it was worth it. I'm very happy with them now that they are aimed properly. I also replaced the fog and reverse bulbs with LED's lights. I plan on putting JW speaker fogs in when funds allow. I painted the tow hooks white, and I got around to replacing the third brake light I removed when I put on the AEV carrier. I put the brake light off too long, and I'm very happy I never got a ticket. :whistling:

m4j2t · Jun 12, 2015

Even though it won't stop raining here in Colorado, I've stored the hard top for the summer. I went with an Off Road Hero's Fast Back for several reasons.

1. I don't want to deal with a frame.
2. I want to be able to expose the front and rear cabs independently.
3. I didn't want to lose ALL the cargo space above my Tuffy Deck.

I'm very happy with the quality and fit of the ORH Fast Back. My one concern about this top was water leaking, but after tonight I'm no longer concerned. The crew loaded up and when out in a serious rainstorm to test the top and see the flooding. We found a puddle, and drenched the top at least six times. You Tube Video Here

The video is rough, but you get the idea. IF this top was going to leak, this would have been when. I'm very pleased with the top.

m4j2t · Jun 21, 2015

The build starts to come together with a trip to the Great National Sand Dunes.

Meatball_man · Jun 22, 2015

Great build so far love what you've done, what amp is that you installed I'm looking for a small one I like were you mounted it

m4j2t · Jun 22, 2015

Thanks!
I used the popular PPI from Amazon

There's a great thread on how to do it here.

m4j2t · Jun 22, 2015

We are looking toward the next round of Mods:

1. I may Raptor line the hardtop White

2. Fenders, Mopar Hightops perhaps? I'm not sure flatties are for me, but I need to do something...

3. Skid armor

4. Lighting (rear aux specifically)

5. (any suggestions?)

We are also looking for a camping trailer. I love the adventure tent trailers, but

they are expensive. I could probably buy a welder and fab an all aluminum adventure trailer myself for what those things cost... hmmm...
My limit on a trailer is 1000lbs empty; there has to be a solution that doesn't cost 8K...

Meatball_man · Jun 22, 2015

For rear lighting my freind uses two ridged duely cubes on his truck and its more then enough I was thinking about doing the same thing you can mount them under the bumper and there very low profile but put out enought light

The Bumble Build

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