[JKMigs]

Hey Everyone,

So it's been just over a year that I bought my very first Jeep Wrangler and although I've already started on my build I wanted to start this Build thread so that i can not only catch you up on what I've done to my Black JKU but you can see what I will continue to do with it. I mean really its never too late to start because we all know what Jeep stands for..
Just
Empty
Every
Pocket
:rofl: so, in this thread I intend to bring you up to date with what I have completed thus far and help in providing some insightful knowledge as well as answer any questions and hopefully spark some interest in modifications to your own rigs as many of the folks on here have done for me in the last year. Don't worry I won't throw everything in at once. I will do my updates a few times a week and look to get caught up before the new modifications begin.

To start I purchased my 2012 JKU on October 2012 from Fields JCDR in Sanford FL must say the sales and service department hands down amazing. My Jeep is my daily driver and in the past year I've managed to put 36k miles on it. Jeeps been as far south as Southern FL and as far North as New York and over to Chicago IL so lots of miles and exposure. (Always looking for new sponsors as I'm a traveling billboard)

Ive included a few pictures the day of purchase as well as some others after purchase before completing some simple modifications.

First thing I did a week after purchase was go to local hardware store and bought a can of rustoleum black, clear coat and some blue painters tape. I used some newspaper and taped off the key holes sanded them down a little and sprayed them with 4 coats black and then 2 coats of clear. Once they last coat was dry I took tape and newspaper off and no more silver key holes. I like it better than the plastidip. IMO

From there I swapped out the OEM antenna for AntennaX, can't talk about the reception as I use satelite radio or my iTunes. Love the look though. Got mine from Amazon had a good deal on these. Around the same time I had my Rugged Ridge Jeep grill, Volant Cold Air Intake and Dynomax exhaust come in. Ordered it all from BellOffroad.com give them a call they have great customer service.

Nice weekend project. had my dad help me out in installing the exhaust. He was happy to help and gave us some father son time.

** That's it for now will update again soon so its not to much at once. Pictures below, feel free to ask questions.

 

[carlojp]

Nice looking JKU! I like what you did on the key holes. It's a simple project yet made a big difference.

 

[JKMigs]

Nice looking JKU! I like what you did on the key holes. It's a simple project yet made a big difference.

Thank you. Your right so simple yet and good looking. The first time around I didn't sand the key hole or add clear coat and it came off after a month. Second time it's still on after 8 months.

 

[JKMigs]

Here's another view of the exhaust. It's nice not to loud but still mean

 

[JKMigs]

On to the next modifications. Roughly a month after purchase I completed some bigger modifications. I Called the guys at Teraflex and ordered a 2.5" lift with 9550 shocks and coils. (Since its my DD i went with a simple lift for now) I also have the TF 4" lift quick Discos. The tide is amazing and better than OEM. I Also ordered a Warn Elite front bumper and Warn M8000 Winch from Warnfactoryoutlet.com give them a call they have great prices and lots of items at discount.

Since I live in an apartment and no garage I had the guys at Fields do the install on everything. At the same time I got the OEM rims wrapped with 35" BFG KM2's lastly I changed out the OEM headlights for the JW Speaker LED headlights. Love these things. Due to the bigger tire I contacted the guys at TeraFlex again and got the Teraflex HD hinged tire carrier. This thing is solid and I love that its a single action to open tailgate. I'm an insurance adjuster so I'm in and out of the back often. Working on getting the CB and Rotopax accessory mount from TF once it's in stock.

 

[JKMigs]

Next items on the build. After a long search and countless searches I decided to ordered the ACE Engineering rock rails. It was an extremely easy swap. About a week later I got the Bushwhacker Flat Flares. Word of advice read the instructions and start in the front. Project JK has a good write up. Here's the link

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-ups/bushwacker-jk-flat-fender-installation-write-up.

This project takes a out 3-4hrs just make sure you use 1 set of instructions and read them Ive included some photos at Rausch Creek Off road park in Tremont PA for the weekend with the Maryland Rock Raiders president testing out the new ACE rails

 

[JKMigs]

Few more pics and finally went topless. All the traveling had me married to the top.

 

[JKMigs]

Forgot to include photo of the TF tire carrier.

 

[JKMigs]

Well Santa came early and dropped off my Rigid Industries 50" LED light bar with sPod. I have to hand it to the sPod guys for coming up with this amazing idea, This is an easy install and very clean. I have a hardtop and it works great and is out of the way and honestly looks like it is OEM and belongs.

To start you basically have the switch panel that you install on the front header and a source box that goes in the engine bay with the wiring harness. The source box includes 6 relays and fuses for each switch.

first start off with mounting the sPod in the engine bay. your going to unscrew two bolts to slip the source box in, then tighten the bolts back once the box is installed.

next step is to remove the header molding, you'll want to loosen the visors and remove the center latch bracket. The center bracket is where you will connect the switch panel. You will want to do a few trial runs when trimming the header section. I didnt want to take to much off so i went a little at a time till it fit just perfect.

I chose to run the cable towards the driver side along the footman loop. Be careful if you have a mic not to mess it up. Oh yeah you will also want to loosen the two A Pillar bolts on the inside so that you can run the cables down to the side driver panel, Take your time fishing the wire through here. (The driver panel just pops off by the way) I used a zip tie to tighten the cable and then fished it through the firewall. If you go into the engine bay and push a screwdriver through it will make it easier to find on the other side. I then Routed the cable to the source box from underneath. Make sure to inspect the connector though as i got some of the black goop on the ends of the connector when fishing through the firewall. i suggest putting some tape over them to prevent this on your install. Run the pos and neg to the battery along the back of the engine bay. I also zip tied these so they are tight and not just laying around.

Again a very clean and easy install and you are ready to connect your accessories. Since you have the sPod with the relay and fuses when installing the LED light bar i just removed the relay and only used the positive and negative wires and connected them to the source. Make sure to change out the fuse as the sPod doesnt have a 40amp. I have included the photos below.

Feel free to ask me questions.

 

[JKMigs]

Here are a few photos. Not sure how to do on computer yet

 

[JKMigs]

Here's the Rigid Industries light bar.

 

[KPapsmear]

I hope no one already asked you this..but where did you pick up your shortened antenna? Also who makes it/model/etc.

Thanks!

-Kyle

 

[EricsRubi]

I hope no one already asked you this..but where did you pick up your shortened antenna? Also who makes it/model/etc.

Thanks!

-Kyle

Read his first few posts...

 

[JKMigs]

I hope no one already asked you this..but where did you pick up your shortened antenna? Also who makes it/model/etc.

Thanks!

-Kyle

Hi Kyle,

I got the antenna off Amazon it's the 13" AntennaX they go for $17 off the AntennaX site. I actually tried using this past week and reception isn't all that great but it was first time using in a year. It's more looks for me since I use my iTunes and XM

 

[JKMigs]

Made it Chicago to visit family and dropped off my hardtop at my brothers. We made a custom lift and had the Best top TrekTop NX installed just in time for the PA Jeep Club All Breeds Jeep event. Just after getting back from Chicago the Brown santa showed up with my Body Armor doors and got them bad boys installed too.

Now i'm just waiting on my Rigid Industries Dually D2's for the windshield to arrive along with my Teraflex HD tire carrier accessory mount with the Rotopax mounts so I can install my CB. Got the Uniden 510 pro XL with a black 4' Firestick antenna. Also sent out my application for a sponsorship. Crossing my fingers on that.

 

[KPapsmear]

Hi Miguel,

Thanks for all the info! I actually just put the order for one in today. I'm going more for the looks as well. As I already have a VHF radio antenna and a little cell booster antenna on my jeep. But your writeup is awesome! Sorry I skipped through it before i made that first post. But now I read it all. Be happy knowing that I might loosely use some of your ideas to help build my jeep! Be happy knowing you're helping a guy up here in Canada.

Cheers

 

[JKMigs]

Hi Miguel,

Thanks for all the info! I actually just put the order for one in today. I'm going more for the looks as well. As I already have a VHF radio antenna and a little cell booster antenna on my jeep. But your writeup is awesome! Sorry I skipped through it before i made that first post. But now I read it all. Be happy knowing that I might loosely use some of your ideas to help build my jeep! Be happy knowing you're helping a guy up here in Canada.

Cheers

No worries man, glad I can be of help. 😃

 

[JonCO]

Damn!! That is NICE!

 

[JKMigs]

Damn!! That is NICE!

Thank you 😃

 

[JKMigs]

Just a photo from yesterday's trip