Time for my build thread. I did not have one dedicated to my last JK, just posting up whenever I had mods done. Ill keep my mods to this thread dedicated to my new JKU. As always, appreciate your ideas and input.
So technically, my build actually started with my 2012 JK. Here is the day that I picked her up.
Trail ride
topless
bye JK, first jeep love
Hello JKU in love again
Mods so far
1. Window tint 18% to match the rear
2. Smittybilt XRC Side Armor
3. Quadratec Grab Handles
4. Euro Tail covers
5. Premium Soft top (2013, new in box)
6. Mopar fuel door
Mods waiting to be put on
1. MB Razor wheels
2. HID retrofit (stay tuned...)
3. Aurora LED spot lights
Mods in the hunt
1. Sahara fenders / flat fenders
2. Nitto Trail Grappler 315/70/17
3. Stock Rubicon Suspension
4. 50 in LED light bar
I will certainly document. I'm taking pictures along the way. I went with morimoto mini H1 kit. I have taken my spare headlights apart and housing has been painted black. I'm off Wednesday, and plan on test fitting my setup by then. Wish me luck!
I will post DIY for those interested once I have a working setup.
Awesome. I have a set of evox-r's that have been calling my name to retrofit into the jeep. I have only ever retrofitted into previous projector based headlights so these will be an adventure. Good luck!
This just a sneak peak. I havent completed yet, but have taken a few pics. Ill post my write up witb pics once they are up and running.
Id like to paint over the chrome on the shroud. Probably going to go with a satin grey shroud against a satin black housing. I chose not to go with any halos to give it a cleaner look.
Looks great. I agree with painting the shroud. Also, whats that little hole in the housing? What housings did you end up using? Before you seal the light, tape it just so that everything holds, MOUNT the housing on the jeep, and make sure the projector is perfectly indexed (straight.) If it isn't, nows the time to fix it, its a PITA to do it after the light is sealed. Right before sealing, put on rubber gloves and wipe everything down inside the light, maybe even blow some compressed air to make sure its dust free. It will bug the hell out of you if you leave a speck of dust in there.
Thanks Dave. I went with OEM housings that I purchased from ebay. They were a tough mudder to take apart. The hole is stock, although not sure what for. Maybe condensation release? The projector isn't seated yet. I will try to get them installed Saturday.
I probably will not finish the project this weekend. But I will try to get a test fit going.
I have to hook up the harness, ballasts, and bulbs. Waiting on my shrouds to dry. I ended up painting them in Satin Nickel while eating dinner tonight. I wanted some contrast in the black housing.
^ thanks Don. No plan to lift yet. I plan to go nitto grapplers 315/70/17 in a few weeks. I'd like to see how the jku performs with that on a stock set up. I would like to go with AEV 2.5 set up next spring.
I wasn't able to get a test fit tonight, as I saw Nick Foles tie for a NFL TD record. Next weekend.
waiting for the steel stick to cure... I finished up my test fit tonight. Its dark out and I havent tucked in the wires yet. Ill probably save that for next weekend. Once it cures up, Ill take the new lights off and table them until then.
This is my first attempt. I learned a heck of a lot. Probably could do it in half the time, if I had to do it again.
I reviewed the before and after pictures and disassembled the setup today because the cut off isn't as good as I want it to be. Will reattempt this weekend. I will tuck in the wires as well for a clean install.
Props for doing HID's right. So many people just put the bulbs in factory housings but you went the extra mile(s) and spend the extra money to do it right. Your lights look great and I'm sure they'll be even better when you make some adjustments and get the cutoff where you want it.
Cutoff looks perfect, great job. To those that asked about cutting, if you want to save $100 and use OEM housings, you're gonna need to slice and dice. If you get the Depo housings, you will not have to cut as they are a little deeper. Pick your poison. For $100, I'd personally get the depo lights. Gotta love HIDs when they are done right.
Cutoff looks perfect, great job. To those that asked about cutting, if you want to save $100 and use OEM housings, you're gonna need to slice and dice. If you get the Depo housings, you will not have to cut as they are a little deeper. Pick your poison. For $100, I'd personally get the depo lights. Gotta love HIDs when they are done right.
Update:
1. Had an issue with the HID kit wiring, so it has been sent back for review. Thank you Retrofitsource, amazing customer service. I spent extra knowing that they stand behind their product. So that project is on hold for now.
2. Nitto Trail Grappler 315/70/17 ordered today. Thank you Discount Tire Direct. Gave me 5 replacement certificates for price of 4 in addition to the other applicable discounts. Hopefully have these mounted by the weekend!
I had the rims purchased before delivery. I wasnt planning on doing the tires for a while. Worked a deal out with the wife and I was able to get them sooner than planned.
Discount Tire came through with an awesome deal. They even threw in a free replacement certificate after I purchased 4 from them plus another 90 in discounts currently available. Not to forget free shipping. Ordered Wed and here Friday.
I had the rims purchased before delivery. I wasnt planning on doing the tires for a while. Worked a deal out with the wife and I was able to get them sooner than planned.
Discount Tire came through with an awesome deal. They even threw in a free replacement certificate after I purchased 4 from them plus another 90 in discounts currently available. Not to forget free shipping. Ordered Wed and here Friday.
Fellow Anvil here…gotta luv it! Nice change with the new wheels and tires. Tires are my next upgrade and am leaning heavily to DuraTracs but haven't pulled the trigger quite yet. See a lot of folks with Nittos and those are the two I've been wondering between. What swayed you to the Nittos? Have you run with those before?
Lol rubadub dub going on for sure. Im watching your thread closely regarding the aev lift. Waiting until you have yours dialed in and then I copy the specs In the mean time, I will be removing the air dam.
My AEV lift is 100% dialed in now, drives like a dream. Add a set of OEM rear sway links (for the front) a teraflex monster trackbar, rancho drop brackets, northridge bolt kit, rancho 9000s, and a set of toxic braided brake lines and you are 100% complete....plus professional alignment when everything is installed. Go with that or Metalcloak and you'll be very happy.
No need for PM, I bought everything from northridge and amazon. Shocks were $87 a piece. AEV lift was $959 (same everywhere), bolt kit was $40 if I remember correctly, rancho brackets were $140 (but you can get them for $120 if you shop around), teraflex bar was $253 I believe, OEM sway links were $20 a pop on qtec, brake lines are $110 from baseline4x4 (check the vendors section, their thread on the toxic brake lines is in there.) Alignment was $125 at my Jeep dealer. Installation all me. Oh, and the AFE Y pipe (which I highly recommend) is $280 from Amazon.
need to level the aim, but waiting for it to get dark tonight.
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