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RTPG - 2014 Jeep JK build

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11K views 39 replies 7 participants last post by  Jim74656  
#1 ·
Gonna post here as I fix up my 1st Jeep JK.

About me: I consider myself an old school offroader. I have built/worked on/fixed up a few (older) rigs over the years. Most of them have been full sized Chevy/GMC K5 Blazer/Jimmy & FJ40 Land Cruisers. I also built up a pretty cool Jeep Cherokee a few years back for my wife but we sold it a few years ago when we moved.

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My daily driver for the last several years is/was a 2005 Chevy 2500HD Duramax crew cab 4X4. I LOVE this truck but it's almost as worn out as I am so I parked it and got this 2014 JK. I plan to fix up the Duramax as time and funds permit. If you have a Duramax please feel free to reach out to me as I love sharing info and learning more about my rigs.

I won't admit it... but I am beyond my prime. I spend more time these days 'wishing" I was wheeling than actually wheeling due to work and just plain ol' getting old. :(

With all that said: I want to get out and see the woods again. I want to put my rig into 4WD because I have to. I want to go where most people don't go. BUT: I don't want to have to fix my rig after each trip.

This new to me Jeep JK is meant to be my daily driver with the occasional easy to medium difficulty off road trip.

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#2 ·
1st Jeep JK mod = gas door

This is my 1st personal Jeep JK mod:

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It was easy to install. Cheap on Amazon.com - but you get what you pay for. I broke the plastic insert installing it but was able to get it all to line up so it fits and looks good.

$16.99 with Prime: Black Powder Coated Steel Gas Fuel Tank Gas Cap Cover
 
#7 ·
I added the foot rest mod as well. Not sure I like it since I am really tall and even though I set it all the way back... IMO: It's too close to the seat. I wish it went back a few more inches.

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#11 ·
Starting to work on CB install.

I got the antenna mounted today during a rain/snow storm. It's the middle of April and still snowing here? WTH?:banghead:

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I took tons of pics of this install. I will try to post more later. :)
 
#12 ·
I originally bought a CB antenna with the full size ends on both ends... but I quickly figured out it would be tough to run a full size end through the tailgate and all the plastic panels/carpet so... I bought this one due to the one end being small.

Wilson 305-830 18' Belden Coax Cable with PL-259/FME Connectors


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With the small end on one side I easily ran it through the rubber grommet and inside the tailgate:

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#13 ·
I got a little carried away and thought I had scored when I noticed the black spacers were taped to the antenna bracket. I just popped the bolts through "assuming" the spacers were on the correct side of the bracket, but I was wrong and I had to take the bracket off the tailgate, switch the spacers and reinstall the bracket. :banghead:

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In my defense that is how the spacers came packaged:

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#14 ·
A quick tightening of the antenna shaft mount and I was ready to install the Firestik antenna:

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I installed the Firestik antenna and thought oh crud it is crooked!

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I loosened the 2 bolts and viola' the antenna mount moved over so the antenna was straight. PHEW! :D

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#16 ·
After some research on wranglerforum.com and help from forum members I got my Cobra 75WXST installed with ease. I am so happy with how easy it was to install. I have TONS of pics so let me know if you would like to see more??

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#17 ·
Quick follow up to my CB install: It doesn't work. When I hook a SWR meter to it and CAL then test it stays far right in the red as if there is a bad ground on the antenna.

So much for a simple install. :banghead:

I am going to run a separate ground wire for the antenna as I have read online that the swinging tailgate on the Jeep doesn't offer a great ground?

Thoughts/suggestions are appreciated as I don't have much time to track down issues these days. :)
 
#22 ·
#23 ·
The Amazon seller I ordered my subwoofer & amp from sent me the wrong package so I didn't get to install bass this weekend...

BUT I did install a remote starter that uses the factory OEM key fob.

:iamhappy:

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D
#26 · (Edited)
You are rolling right along, I certainly appreciate build threadswith pics/details of additions and modifications. Thanks.

I'll be starting one as well shortly. I also built a FJ40 and miss it. Looking for another almost daily, while I work on my JKUR.

Oh, I resemble this remark..."I won't admit it... but I am beyond my prime. I spend more time these days 'wishing" I was wheeling than actually wheeling due to work"...cracked me up.

Good luck on your build.
 
#27 · (Edited)
I got a "high-lift" jack today. $59.99 with free shipping.

It's not a true high-lift jack and to be fair the packaging does says farm jack.

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Close up pic:
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It also matches my JK since it's silver. :lmao:
 
#28 ·
It's been a little while since I posted an update on my build.

Tonight I added the Bestop 42640-01 HighRock under seat safe. Note that I bought mine on Amazon with 2-day Prime but I have seen it for around $5 less on other sites with free shipping.

Was easy to install but there is a bracket that a wire attaches to under the seat that was a pain to get to with my big arms & hands. It had 2 small bolts holding it to the seat and it blocked the installation of the under seat safe.

I got it out and the safe went in easy afterwards. I forgot to take pics so I took this one from Google to show you what I added to my Jeep:

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