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The Rube Goldberg Machine

59K views 439 replies 58 participants last post by  OVRLND 
#1 · (Edited)
Hey folks. I just picked up my first Jeep, a new 2015 JKURHR in Baja Yellow. Given the color is more of a gold than a yellow, and given the "Rubicon" trim, I've christened it the "The Rube Goldberg Machine" or Rube Goldberg for short.

In case you are a youngster that did not get a proper education in the subject of history, a Rube Goldberg Machine is a contraption, invention, device or apparatus that is deliberately over-engineered to perform a simple task in a complicated fashion. I feel it will be an appropriate name for this vehicle once done.

This thread is going to go pretty slowly at first, but I hope it will at least go steadily. I'm not going to get into the lift and tires until last, as I think it's better practice to learn to "wheel it stock" and then upgrade the suspension and tires for the type of wheeling I prefer.

Vehicle Information and Specs:
  • 2015 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock
  • Customer Preferred Package 23J (basically the Hard Rock package with 6-speed manual transmission and premium black Sunrider soft top)
  • Max Tow Package
  • Supplemental Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
  • Air Conditioning with Automatic Temperature Control
  • Engine Block Heater
  • Uconnect 730N

My "To Do" list so far is as follows:
  • JW Speaker 8700 Evolution J LED Headlights
  • JW Speaker 6145 J Series LED Fog Lights (considering)
  • Mopar soft top boot
  • Stubby Antenna
  • Mopar cargo area slush mat
  • Mopar hood lock
  • Wheel locks (mainly for spare on back)
  • Grille insert (Rugged Ridge or JWM)
  • Maximus-3 bumper hoop (undecided between 10A style and Stinger)
  • WARN 9.5CTI-S Winch
  • TeraFlex or Maximus-3 tire carrier (leaning toward TeraFlex)
  • MetalCloak Game Changer RockSport Edition 3.5" Suspension Lift
  • Heavy duty ball joints and c-gussets
  • 315/70R17 Goodyear Duratracs on stock Rubicon wheels with 1.5" Spidertrax wheel spacers
  • License plate delete and relocation to center of spare
  • Full skids (Off-Road Evolution, etc. to add to or replace factory skids)
  • Steering modifications as necessary (high-steer setup with flipped draglink, steering stabilizer, steering attenuator, etc. - all of this is TBD after the lift)

Today I checked the first item off that list... The JWS 8700 Evo J LED Headlights. Picked them up at a local distributor for a good deal and will be installing later today.

I'll put up some "before" pics in a bit, and then some more when I finish the headlight install.

Stay tuned, sorry for the snail's pace!
 
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#5 ·
Modification 1: JW Speaker Model 8700 Evolution J LED Headlight Install

First Mod: JW Speaker Model 8700 Evolution J LED Headlights. Safety first! These things seriously made SUCH a difference driving at night. I wish I had them on my 4 hour night drive back home from the dealership.

For the Atlanta area folks out there... Picked these up from the guys at The Retrofit Source for a pretty good deal. They got me out the door lower than Quadratec (Quadratec would have been $720 OTD... Free shipping, no sales tax to GA).

I cannot say enough about how much of an improvement these headlights are over stock. Are they the best things out there? No. But, for the money... definitely the best value, in my opinion.

A few pics of the lights before the install...




Step 1: Open the hood...


Step 2: Do everything else...






I was planning on taking more detailed photos during the install process to show the step-by-step, but the girlfriend came out and started distracting me.

But, honestly, the install of the Evo Js couldn't be any easier... open the hood, pull back the grill, undo the retention rings and pull out the factory lights, plug the Evo Js into the factory harness (no anti-flicker harness required), screw in the retention rings, pop the grill back in and aim them. Might be easier to aim with the grill still loose though for easier access.
 
#320 ·
First Mod: JW Speaker Model 8700 Evolution J LED Headlights. Safety first! These things seriously made SUCH a difference driving at night. I wish I had them on my 4 hour night drive back home from the dealership.



For the Atlanta area folks out there... Picked these up from the guys at The Retrofit Source for a pretty good deal. They got me out the door lower than Quadratec (Quadratec would have been $720 OTD... Free shipping, no sales tax to GA).



I cannot say enough about how much of an improvement these headlights are over stock. Are they the best things out there? No. But, for the money... definitely the best value, in my opinion.



A few pics of the lights before the install...









Step 1: Open the hood...





Step 2: Do everything else...













I was planning on taking more detailed photos during the install process to show the step-by-step, but the girlfriend came out and started distracting me.



But, honestly, the install of the Evo Js couldn't be any easier... open the hood, pull back the grill, undo the retention rings and pull out the factory lights, plug the Evo Js into the factory harness (no anti-flicker harness required), screw in the retention rings, pop the grill back in and aim them. Might be easier to aim with the grill still loose though for easier access.


Nice, but how do they function as DRL? Does the halo go on by it's self during the day?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
#6 ·
Mod 2: Stubby Antenna from AntennaX!

I wanted to get rid of the factory antenna and go with something shorter, and blacker.

After a failed attempt at installing an antenna from AllSales Manufacturing (the correct adapter is not included), I returned the AllSales Manufacturing antenna in favor of one "The Shorty" from Antenna X in the 21" length.

Honestly, this mod was more for aesthetics and less for function. I barely (if ever) listen to AM/FM radio (I either stream Bluetooth from my iPhone or use SAT), and I haven't tested the AM/FM reception since the installation a few days ago, so I can't comment on reception (and honestly, I don't really care because I haven't listened to AM/FM in years in my own vehicle).

The shorter, more rigid antenna should also keep it from whipping around into the windshield. I like the looks, and the height, but if I find it gets in the way on the trail, I'll probably opt for the shorter, flexible 13" option that AntennaX offers.


 
#7 ·
Build Sheet Updates

I think I'm going to add the Rugged Ridge Hurricane Flat Fender Flares to the build sheet, and I am leaning toward the WARN 9.5CTI-S because I've read that it will drop into the HR bumper without having to relocate the vacuum pump and without having to cut the bumper.

I was looking at the Zeon series, but unless someone can give me a compelling argument in favor of the Zeon series over the 9.5CTI-S that makes it worth relocating the vacuum pump and cutting the bumper, I think I'll stick with the 9.5CTI-S.
 
#9 ·
Looks good!! I'd be interested to see how the Evo J's throw on a wall or out on the road. Considering these as one of my first few upgrades once I find my JKUR.
They don't throw much different from the Evolutions. Do a search on the forum and you'll find what you're looking for. Beam pattern for regular Evos here: http://www.jkowners.com/tech/lights/

I'll try to get a shot of mine this weekend if I can
 
#12 ·
Took care of a couple of easy "mods" this weekend

Picked up the Mopar soft top boot, the rear cargo area slush mat (to match the slush mats up front) and some Mopar door sills at the dealer this weekend when I was having the transmission fluid level checked (it was low, with only 500 miles on the Jeep... check your fluids from the factory people)...

Threw the cargo mat in the back, and put the soft top boot on for the weekend since it was nice and I had the top laid back all weekend.

Doing a thorough detail this coming weekend (weather permitting)... Want to get it washed, clayed, waxed before the winter gets here (and it also hasn't been cleaned since my 4 hour night drive from Savannah to Atlanta on which I pressed a whole phylum of insects to the windshield.

Once I have a clean surface, I'm going to put the door sills on as well as maybe some other decals. and I'll remove the HR bumper end caps as well.
 
#14 ·
Picked up the Mopar soft top boot, the rear cargo area slush mat (to match the slush mats up front) and some Mopar door sills at the dealer this weekend when I was having the transmission fluid level checked (it was low, with only 500 miles on the Jeep... check your fluids from the factory people)... Threw the cargo mat in the back, and put the soft top boot on for the weekend since it was nice and I had the top laid back all weekend. Doing a thorough detail this coming weekend (weather permitting)... Want to get it washed, clayed, waxed before the winter gets here (and it also hasn't been cleaned since my 4 hour night drive from Savannah to Atlanta on which I pressed a whole phylum of insects to the windshield. Once I have a clean surface, I'm going to put the door sills on as well as maybe some other decals. and I'll remove the HR bumper end caps as well.
Picture of the soft top boot. Man that was a pain to get on the first time around.
 

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#15 ·
The newest mod have arrived!

Welp folks, the newest mods have arrived!

What are they, you ask?

A 3.5" MetalCloak Game Changer suspension lift?!?!?!? Nope :(

315/70R17 Duratracs?!?!?!?! Nope :(

Spidertrax 1.5" wheel spacers?!?!?!?!?! Nope :(

CAR WASH SUPPLIES!

Yes, I know. It's a cardinal sin to wash your Jeep. Hell, some of you out there might not even know what "wash your Jeep" means. Well, for those of you out there that don't... Think of it as a shower, but for your Jeep.

Now... I went a little overboard ordering off of AutoGeek.net, and I went a little high end... but, I want to build a good base to protect my paint because I'm plan to have this Jeep for a long time.

Here's what I got:
  • CarPro Wool Wash Mitt
  • Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo
  • Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay & Clay Lubricant
  • Pinnacle Liquid Gloss Rinseless Wash (for interior paint, like the lip around the cargo area, inside the doors, etc. where I don't want to spray a hose)
  • Klasse All In One polish
  • Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze paint sealent
  • Pinnacle Souverän Paste Wax
  • Mothers Leather Cleaner
  • Mothers Leather Conditioner
  • 303 Aerospace Protectant (for exterior plastics)
  • 303 Fabric Convertible Top Kit - Includes cleaner and fabric guard (for cleaning, protecting and restoring water resistance to soft top)
  • RaggTopp Natural Horse Hair Brush (for cleaning soft top and applying fabric guard)
  • Plexus Plastic Cleaner (for soft top windows - testing against Novus)
  • Novus Plastic Polish Kit / 1,2,3 system (for soft top windows - testing against Plexus)
  • 8 Gold Plush Jr. Microfiber Towels
  • Cobra Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave Microfiber Towel

Other products that I use include:
  • Synthetic Chamois (Water Sprite and Absorber)
  • Simple Green
  • California Water Blade
  • Rain-X

I figured I would post this up in case anyone is looking for supplies to either clean their Jeep or even clean the soft top.

Winter is coming, as the Starks say, and some of you need some paint protection!

With my BMW 335i that I traded for the Jeep, I always used Turtle Wax products (Zip Wax Wash Shampoo, Carnauba Wax), but being that the Jeep is brand new and I want to baby it for a bit and start it out right, I figured I would go a little more high end.

I may eventually switch to try some other products that also are well rated (Chemical Guys JetSeal and Wax, etc.). Maybe I'll even switch back to Turtle Wax... Not sure.

If anyone has any questions about any of the products I've listed above, feel free to ask! I'll try to get back to you once I have a chance to use them!
 
#21 ·
When I first encountered a post suggesting the use of Pledge on the soft top windows, I thought "these people can't be serious." Then I uncovered so many more posts revealing approximately 47.3% of this forum's soft top owners are using Pledge on their windows, and my jaw just dropped.

The full Pledge wipe down is making me dizzy.
 
#25 ·
Following your build. Waiting on my 2016 Hard Rock to be delivered and just ordered all JW replacements (headlights, tail lights and fogs). Any instructions or tips on aiming the new lights after install?
Mine are nearly perfectly aimed without actually doing an aiming yet. I'm waiting to aim them until I have time to pick up the horizontal aiming screw over the holidays.
 
#111 ·
Replaced the stock decals
Do you know if the highlight color on those decals is red or dark red?

The decal maker I found, says that the Rubicon hood decal from the factory comes in either of those two shades of red depending on body color. IMHO, it doesn't; Jeep uses only one common decal for all 10A/X/Hard Rock hoods.

Regardless, yours looks like the correct shade of red.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Decal removal procedure:
  • Apply low heat to the decal being removed throughout removal process (heat gun on lowest setting or hair dryer on low, do not overdo it with the heat, you can damage your clear coat and / or your paint. If you're new at applying heat to paint, I would strongly recommend you use a hair dryer on the low setting)
  • Find a corner that can be pulled up using a finger nail to get the removal started, and slowly work that corner until you can grasp it between your thumb and index finger
  • SLOWLY pull the decal off the paint, still applying low heat

Decal application procedure:
  • Once the decal is off, clean and prep your surface by removing any dirt and debris that built up around the edges of the decal or any adhesive that was left behind by the decal (for me, one side came off pretty clean, and all that was needed was a a clay bar, the passenger side came off mostly clean, but left a little adhesive in spots, which I removed with Turtle Wax Bug & Tar and a microfiber cloth, and then followed up with a clay bar)
  • Once the surface has been thoroughly cleaned and all dirt, debris and left over adhesive is completely and totally gone, prep the area with alcohol (70-90% isopropyl alcohol should do fine)
  • Apply the new decal based on your own decal application preferences (I'm not going into detail here because everyone has a different method for doing this that works for them, some do dry applications, some do wet applications, if you don't know what either of those terms mean, well my friend Google can tell you about them, all you have to do is ask - whatever method you take don't :censored: up or you'll have air bubbles under your decals)
 
#30 ·
Did a full was and wax yesterday, and all I can say is WOW. This wax is absolutely incredible (expensive too, so it should be). I didn't even apply the paint sealant as originally planned (the days are becoming shorter, and I don't have 24/7 access to a garage that has a hose nearby - I have to drive 40 minutes or so to my parents' house north of the city to wash the Jeep). I clayed the Jeep last weekend, and it sat in my condo building garage all week, so it was ready for wax.

Even without the sealant, my paint is like a mirror now.

I also cleaned the soft top last weekend and this weekend I applied 303 Fabric Guard to it, so it should be extra water resistant now.

I also applied 303 Aerospace Protectant to all exterior plastics, and did my normal Plexus applications (headlights, tail lights, soft top windows).



Land vehicle Vehicle Car Jeep Automotive tire
 
#31 ·
Hoping this picture does a little justice as to just how great the finish of the wax is... I could see the colors of the sunset reflected accurately on my hood. When I passed under interstate signs going home, they looked like they were being reflected in a mirror (even the color of the signs in the reflection was spot on).



Vehicle Luxury vehicle Car Yellow Automotive exterior
 
#34 ·
Tinted the fronts to match the rear (glass).

Tint is 20% to match the privacy glass in the rear. In case anyone is wondering, I had the tint shop meter the soft top Windows and they were 13%
Privacy glass in the rear is 20% so that's what went on the front.

Personally, I wouldn't go any darker than 20% - I've found that any darker than that is just inconvenient at night.

Also, 20% is less likely to draw the eye of law enforcement.

Solar Works in Alpharetta / Roswell area did the tint in case anyone in the metro Atlanta area is looking to have this done. They're the best shop in the metro area, and the only shop I trust my vehicles to.



Land vehicle Vehicle Car Motor vehicle Jeep wrangler
 
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