[Snowren24]

I've had this build thread on wranglerjlforum but this forum is really where my Jeep journey began 7 years ago so I felt like I should really have it over here.

The journey to a new Jeep started when I went into the dealer for a service on my 2013 JKU and a test drive on a new daily driver compass.
I walked out dreaming of the new JLUR on the sales floor and contemplating selling my Mini, JKU and CanAM to buy the new JL.

They quoted me a very generous offer on my JKU and a few weeks later in mid April I was placing an order for my new JLUR however it would be several months before I would drive that JL home.

 

[Snowren24]

First Mods started off easy.

Got my soft top installed, I cant say enough how much better the soft top is compared to the old JK design!

shorty antenna (not short enough!) Cool sticker (imo)

Then I moved on to the ACE Engineering Rock sliders. These were a pain. Getting the bolts out was way tougher than when I did this job on my JKU. I later found out that people had issues with these breaking off. Guess I got lucky, but I also didn't use a breaker bar to undo them. I used my ratchet and just worked on them with some PB Blaster to get them loose over multiple attempts.

(6 months later I am not happy with these, they are already rusting.)

Few weeks later I started the Maximus-3 Singer Install

I really liked this stinger and waited impatiently for it to be released for the JL! The install wasn't too tough, worst part was getting my clumsy hands into a couple tight spaces.

 

[Snowren24]

Here are a few pics of the Jeep in this mid way state. I guess I would call it stage 1.

The Galactica name started because I was rewatching BSG when I took delivery of my 2018 JLUR. I was sitting in my Jeep by a scenic bridge and river and had the thought the they Billet and red accents reminded me of BSG, so here she is, Galactica.

At this point I decided that i should get more organized about all of this and start a plan, aka "wish list"
I also wanted, and also didn't want to hold myself accountable to recognize how much all of this would cost.

I also picked up a "new" daily driver, as this Jeep would not stay in this form, and I both wanted to keep down the miles and make my daily commute a little easier on the fuel consumption.

A manual 2007 Acura TL-S purchased with 143,000 miles.

 

[Snowren24]

In November I got a 2" mopar lift. I know it takes some time to settle but its definitely higher than 2" for now anyway. Looked funny with those "little tires"


New tires and rims were also on the way. I went with AEV Borah 17" wheels. I really liked the look of the stock rims and wanted something similar but wider to run bigger tires.
I was disappointed to find out that the "hardware" when not running the bead locks was just plastic screw plugs. I will be finding something better in the future. I expected more for the price and from AEV.

I am considering adding the protection rings or the beadlock rings.

For the tires I went with 37" 1250 x 17 Copper STT Pros from Discount Tire in Macedonia Ohio.

Quite a transformation, and I found a JLUR that was close to my stock spec at the dealer.

 

[Snowren24]

In mid November it was time to support that extra spare tire weight and size. I wanted to wait for an AEV carreir. I always liked the one they did for the JK but I got tired of waiting for them to make one. Then the one they showed off at SEMA was only for their bumper and they havent fit one to a mopar steel bumper yet.

So I went with the mopar set up. I found it discounted on amazon. It was $707 for the reinforcement and the mod kit. Still not the cheapest solution I'm guessing but I like it and I'm glad I didn't have to pay full MSRP or $945.

I screwed up at first and didn't realize the carrier went over the hinges. I figured it out before i got anything secured.

Had to do some cutting. I was nervous even though the instructions tell you where to cut.

I also put the 37s up to my Acura TL-S for fun

 

[jastacio2019]

That rubicon is gorgeous

 

[Snowren24]

That rubicon is gorgeous

Thanks! Working on an update soon

 

[Snowren24]

In mid November I installed some Rigid lights and GoRhino cowl mounts.

Everything wiring wise was fairly simple and straight forward. I had ordered 2 rigid wiring harnesses. If you go with the way I installed them, you would only "need' one. You really don't need any pre set up harness if you have the auxiliary switch option on your Jeep, you would just need the wiring, connectors, a sleeve to wrap around it all, and some zip ties. I used one of the harnesses I purchased because it was what I had on hand but I ended up cutting out half of it.

Basically just wire all of the white wires (the switch wire for the red color) together and run it to one 15 amp aux wire under the hood, and do the same for the red wire and hook it up to the other 15 amp wire lead. Then ground the black wire. I sent my red wires to the Aux 3 lead and the white wires to the aux 4 lead. So if the 3 switch is on, I get the bright white, if the aux 4 switch is on, I get the red accent light, and if they are both on I get both lights.

I decided to use the go rhino mounting hardware instead of the brackets that came with the rigid lights. The rigid mounting solution looked more functional and easier to adjust on the fly, but I was with form over function for these. I used some spare washers and hardware to make it work though it wasn't easy. Rigid clearly wants you to use their internal mounting solution.

 

[Snowren24]

I picked up a Tazer JL right before Christmas. Install was tricky because of my big clumsy hands but I got it going without too much trouble.

I don't like that it assumed I wanted things like the turn signal camera enabled and the auto shut off and traction control disabled from the jump. I got everything installed and set up how I wanted though in less than a half hour.

After about 250 miles so far my MPG isnt quite where I thought it would be and the shift patterns dont feel quite right. I've read that gets better with some more miles but we shall see. I'll update as time goes on but right now if I'm going about 75 it sits in 6th gear and it feels like it should be in 7th or 8th. I'm averaging 14.3 mpg.

Still running the stock 4.10 gearing.

I also got a rear cargo mat from weather tech as a Christmas gift from my team at work.

Also got out and played in the snow a few times.

 

[Snowren24]

Made the name official.

So say we all!

 

[mfflannery]

Made the name official.



So say we all!

Yes!! Great build so far

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[Snowren24]

swapped out the stock lugs for spline drive ones from quadratech. Something I should have done when I got the new wheels.

I also trued adding a third brake light but I wasn't able to trouble shoot it yet to get it to work, something is wrong with the connection.

Then I changed back to my first shirty antenna, I was not a fan of how the black rubber one was holding up.
Another cosmetic mod but I added small red jeep stickers to the rims, something that I really liked about the stock rims. I went with the Borahs because they reminded me of the stick look.

 

[Scoody]

My Sahara is the same color as your Rubicon except mine has the body color fenders. Love the name of your name. Mine is named Gypsy Danger.

 

[mfflannery]

swapped out the stock lugs for spline drive ones from quadratech. Something I should have done when I got the new wheels.



I also trued adding a third brake light but I wasn't able to trouble shoot it yet to get it to work, something is wrong with the connection.



Then I changed back to my first shirty antenna, I was not a fan of how the black rubber one was holding up.

Another cosmetic mod but I added small red jeep stickers to the rims, something that I really liked about the stock rims. I went with the Borahs because they reminded me of the stick look.

What antenna?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[Snowren24]

My Sahara is the same color as your Rubicon except mine has the body color fenders. Love the name of your name. Mine is named Gypsy Danger.

Its a great color! I was originally going to get white like my 13 JK but after seeing the Billet and the way it highlighted the lines of the Jeep I had to change it up.

What antenna?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I've had the antenna X 21" shorty and a Rydon Air 13". I liked the look of the Rydon one at first but its not weather resistant let along weather proof.

I switched to the Rydon originally because i didn't care for the nub at the top of the AntennaX one but its grown on me. Sorry but the 21" AntennaX isnt on Amazon anymore.

I also realized I forgot to add a pic of the Jeep stickers

 

[cyoung9799]

Then I moved on to the ACE Engineering Rock sliders. These were a pain. Getting the bolts out was way tougher than when I did this job on my JKU. I later found out that people had issues with these breaking off. Guess I got lucky, but I also didn't use a breaker bar to undo them. I used my ratchet and just worked on them with some PB Blaster to get them loose over multiple attempts.

(6 months later I am not happy with these, they are already rusting.).

I learned my lesson the hard way on my previous JKUR. Failed to loosen one of the bolts enough before prying it out and stripped it. The bolts on my JLUR were DEFINITELY a pain to get out. Just made sure they spun freely before coaxing them out.


I love the ACE rails. Had them on my JKUR for 3+ years with no rust, but I'm in TX, so we don't have a lot of salt on the roads in the winter, etc.


BTW, very nice ride!!

 

[Snowren24]

Finally got some decent off roading in. Went to Southington Offroad park over the weekend and snapped a few pics. Got into some deep mud but the Jeep powered through it without any struggle. Had a blast.

the rear tires rubbed a bit on the wheel well. Gotta look into that. Once I get the winch on maybe the extra weight up front will level it out some.

 

[Jeepin_Donnie]

Finally got some decent off roading in. Went to Southington Offroad park over the weekend and snapped a few pics. Got into some deep mud but the Jeep powered through it without any struggle. Had a blast.

the rear tires rubbed a bit on the wheel well. Gotta look into that. Once I get the winch on maybe the extra weight up front will level it out some.

Hey, if you look in your rear fender well, the part that is rubbing is the plastic towards the rear that sticks out towards the tire. Heat it up with a heat gun and mold it so it doesn't stick out toward the tire. :drinks:

 

[Snowren24]

Hey, if you look in your rear fender well, the part that is rubbing is the plastic towards the rear that sticks out towards the tire. Heat it up with a heat gun and mold it so it doesn't stick out toward the tire. :drinks:

Thanks I'll check try that out!

 

[Jeepin_Donnie]

Thanks I'll check try that out!

You're welcome!