[narphenal]

Well, I've decided to do a build thread on my 2013 JKR, as I am seemingly increasing the rate at which I am doing mods, and am getting a slew of questions regarding different aspects of my build in my inbox. It seems these build threads are extremely helpful to both get ideas for your own project as well as see some of the options out there, and will hopefully help a few people. As a little background, this is my first Jeep, purchased back late in 2012, and has not really undergone any major modifications until this August of 2013(Wish I would have started sooner). I am a complete novice to Off-Roading, and have only done it very mildly on personal land, but it is something I want to venture further into.

I'm going to try and summarize all the modifications that I have done up to the point of writing this thread, and hopefully provide more in depth looks at modifications done in the future. If there are any questions on any of the mods, feel free to post them in this thread or PM me, and I will do my best to answer them.

Starting Point/Basic Outline:

2013 Jeep Rubicon
6-Speed Manual Transmission with 4.10s
Cloth Seats
Hard Top
430N/Alpine System
Power Connivence Group
Tow Package

This picture was taken mid-summer 2013, pretty much stock with no modifications done to it.

Where it stands now:
-AntennaX 13"
-Rugged Ridge Locking Gas Cap(to be replaced with Mopar gas cap, currently awaiting delivery)
-Gorilla Lug Nuts
-Ace Engineering Pro Series Front Bumper Bull Bar, with 20" Rigid SR-20 Light Bar
-Teraflex Vacuum pump Relocation Kit
-Ace Engineering Rock Sliders
-Qudratec Ultimate Floor Liners
-J.W. Speaker 8700 Evolution w/ Headlight Revolution Anti-Flicker Harness

Pre 8700 Headlights

Post 8700 Headlights

What's Next/Priority:
-Recon LED Taillights/turn signals
-PolyPerformance Bolt Upgrade Kit
-Antec Front Axle Truss/C Gussets
-MetalCloak 2.5" ARB Lift(awaiting the arrival of 2.5" Springs for the 2doors)
-Synergy Ball Joints
-OME/MetalCloak Steering Stabilizer
-Mirror Relocation

Eventual Plans
-35" Shoes
-ACE Engineering Rear Bumper and Tire Carrier w/ 6" Rigid Light bars
-Warn 10S
-sPod
-Rigid E50 on Poison Spyder Mount
-Seat Covers
-Exhaust
-Dual Battery Tray
-OBA System
-Paint of some sort
And I am sure many more things to follow...

 

[narphenal]

AntennaX 13"
This was the first modification done to my jeep, and for obvious reasons. The stock antenna is just massive and unsightly. This is leaps and bounds better, and I didn't notice any dip in reception myself, although I mainly stick to streaming audio or Sirius.

Rugged Ridge Locking Gas Cap
I had ordered this along with the Antenna as the first modifications to my jeep. Personally, I do not like this product, as I have had problems with the locking mechanism coming loose despite using loctite, in addition to it not sitting flush against the body. Rather than replacing the factory gas sleeve, this simply screws into it. After having this product for awhile, I've ordered the Mopar Fuel Door instead.

Gorilla Lug Nuts
I ordered hese from Qudratec, for added security, predominately on the rear spare tire. You can never be too safe, and these blend in perfectly with the factory lugs.

ACE Front Bumper/Rigid SR20 Light Bar
Something about the ACE Bumper really attracted me. Maybe the slim profile, sleek inclusion of the SR20 Light Bar, or even the affordable price point. Whatever it was, I like this bumper even more in person. Many people who held their reservations on the bumper when I first ordered it quickly fell in love upon me installing it. Installation is fairly straightforward for anyone with a little mechanical inclination and isn't afraid to do a little cutting on their brand new vehicle. While the bumper did not come with any instructions, ACE has made an extremely helpful video to assist you in the installation. It comes down to cutting off the crash bar, trimming down the bumper brackets, rounding off the corners, and drilling two holes. Pretty easy, albeit time consuming. Both were purchased from Jason at Krawl-Offroad.

A few tips; work slowly. Don't get to ahead of yourself, and plan out what you are doing, but be very quick and determinant with your cuts. Hesitation or going to slow is what will cause you to walk, giving you nasty cuts. Make sure to mark the Holes you drill, and check it twice. I had one slightly askew, but was an easy fix. I just cut the connector off the provided switch harness for the Rigid, and spliced it into the factory fog harness temporarily until I can get an sPod hooked up(I suck with electricity, but I haven't had any problems since doing this. Need help removing the front bumper?

 

[narphenal]

Teraflex Vacuum Pump Relocation Kit
You will need this with most bumpers/winches on 2012+ models(not sure about 2014). Fairly easy install, with good instructions, and a good video to go along with it. Note: If you have the dual note horn, some modifications will have to be made to the bracket to relocate it; instructions are included with the kit, but not on the video. Purchased from Quadratec.

This is the factory location *not my picture*

Location after relocating *is my picture*

ACE Rock Sliders
Another easy install, with an awesome affordable product, that work well with the factory rubicon rails. Can also function as steps for the 'ol lady or other vertically challenged friends you might venture out with. Highly recommend these. Took about 5 minutes total to grind the washers on a bench grinder, 10 additional minutes for the install. Also purchased from Krawl-Offroad.

Quadratec Ultimate Floor Liners
Fairly Inexpensive, good quality. Only downside is the rear cargo liner makes it hard to seat the folding rear seat.

JW Speaker 8700s
Unlike most installs, these truly were plug and play. All it takes is the removal of the front grille, than using a torx wrench to remove the screws on the headlight housing, removing the old headlight, then plugging in the new ones, and reversing the previous steps. The headlights, in my situation, remained perfectly aimed. Using the Anti-Flicker Harness from Headlight Revolution, I did not notice any flicker whatsoever.

Normally, I would think spending that much on a pair of headlights is ridiculous, but with the 8700s, the function is just as good as the form. It is amazing how much wider and brighter the beam is. A good read on the different available options for headlights is here.

 

[505jeeper]

Nice clean Jeep. I like the light bar recessed in the bumper

 

[narphenal]

I took some comparison shots of the lighting(in a pitch black allyway with no ambient lighting :hide, none of which do it justice, specifically the Rigid lightbar.

These shots don't capture how high the beam is actually projected, or the crispness of the light(kept same focus point for comparison). There is also a lot more fill light from the lightbar that the camera didn't really pick up.
All these were converted straight from RAW to JPG with no post, 50mm focal length, 1/40, ISO 1250, f/4.0

No lights

JW Speakers, Low beam

JW Speakers, High Beam

20" Rigid light bar

2" Rigid light bar + High Beams

 

[narphenal]

Nice clean Jeep. I like the light bar recessed in the bumper

I think it's ingenious, I absolutely love the look, and it really helps with keeping wires tucked away

 

[Gunner]

Nice..

 

[505jeeper]

Thanks for posting those pics of the differences in lighting. My night vision is terrible, so a little help would be nice.

 

[TizzaRubi]

Looking forward to watching your build/fun

 

[narphenal]

Thanks for posting those pics of the differences in lighting. My night vision is terrible, so a little help would be nice.

It is simply amazing how much more light they put out, and how much wider of a pattern it has. Well worth the money depending on how much night driving you do. I wish I would have had these all the times I was driving to San Antonio across state at 3AM.

 

[narphenal]

Looking forward to watching your build/fun

It ought to be similar to watching a man slip into insanity and addiction, slowly selling everything I own to keep up this jeep "habit"... Started off this weekend telling myself I wasn't going to spend any money, and now I have a new fuel door, spider shade, and exhaust all en route... So yes, fun, lol.

 

[JKjingle]

Looks awesome man!

 

[TizzaRubi]

It ought to be similar to watching a man slip into insanity and addiction, slowly selling everything I own to keep up this jeep "habit"... Started off this weekend telling myself I wasn't going to spend any money, and now I have a new fuel door, spider shade, and exhaust all en route... So yes, fun, lol.

Ha Ha I hear ya! Seems like I am lost if I don't at least have one mod going on during the week. Spod, CAI in route for me right now:thumb:

Mod on my friendunk:

 

[narphenal]

Ha Ha I hear ya! Seems like I am lost if I don't at least have one mod going on during the week. Spod, CAI in route for me right now:thumb:

Mod on my friendunk:

Good luck with your mods. I look forward to seeing your build because I am not so secretly envious of the Anvil 10A's with that gorgeous interior.

 

[ErickS]

Love the bumper and lights on your build, I too am going with that bumper and can't get enough overtime to pay for my new habit! Thank you for the pics and confirming my next purchase :thumb:

Erick

 

[narphenal]

Love the bumper and lights on your build, I too am going with that bumper and can't get enough overtime to pay for my new habit! Thank you for the pics and confirming my next purchase :thumb:

Erick

No problem, and I feel your pain on that one. My biggest conflict is always wanting to leave work early to go install stuff, or go test my new toysullinghair:

Got my OEM Mopar Fuel door today, and looking forward to an easy install. Now I'm just waiting on my Dynomax Exhaust system and SpiderWebShade.

 

[narphenal]

Got two more items installed. The Mopar Fuel door and the SpiderWebShade.

MOPAR Fuel Door

The Mopar fuel door is a simple replacement for the stock housing; extremely simple install, just pop off the rear taillight, and slide it in. Slightly disappointed in the fit, there is a little slack in it, but once my CNC Router up at work is up and running again, I will just cut out a gasket to help shim it.

SpiderWebShade 2d Jkini

Exactly how you think it would be, really helps block out the sun while maintaining the cool feeling of having the top off. Very durable feeling material. Well worth the money. The hardest decision was deciding which color/style to go with.

Now I am just waiting on my Dynomax Exhaust and my Teraflex Leveling kit(a temporary fix to remove the rake until I can get a lift kit installed.)

 

[TizzaRubi]

looking forward to your write up on the leveling kit. I installed the spod today. Its like it came from the factory as a option. Awesome fit and fairly easy install.

 

[narphenal]

looking forward to your write up on the leveling kit. I installed the spod today. Its like it came from the factory as a option. Awesome fit and fairly easy install.

I'm jealous. Spod for me soon as well. I decided if I can get a leveling kit to remove the rake for now, I can buy other things such as the spod and the lights I'm wanting first, and hold me over(plus I can just sell it to get some of my money back after I get a suspension lift). Did you get an sPod with the Air Gauge?

I'll bring my camera for the installation, and be sure to get a slew of measurements and before and after pictures. Luckily, I have access to a Rotary lift up at work, just had to order some high jack stands for the axles, hopefully those will show up this week as well.

 

[TizzaRubi]

That will be great to see your pics and measurements etc. I did get the air gauge version. I am working on a Viair oba system here and there as well. (still not complete).