narph's 2013 2-Door Rubicon Build Thread

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?

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.

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

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.)