Coal Fire, JLUR build

[Biohazard]

After driving a 2016 toyota tacoma for two years, 20k miles, I stopped in a Jeep dealership to check out the new JL, thinking ahead about purchasing either it or the gladiator in the future.

When they offered me $4000 less than I bought the tacoma for new in 2016, and discounted a JLUR $3000, couldn't turn it down.

Hope you all enjoy yet another jeep story, which I'll be chronicling here for your reading pleasure.

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[Biohazard]

Had some good times in fall 2018 wheeling at Uwharrie with the new JLUR. My kids are simple. The tacoma was "Daddy's truck," and the jeep is "Daddy's Jeep."

Uwharrie was, as expected, a piece of cake. Only issue was low breakover, but Jeep's factory skid plates did the trick. The Daniel Boone and Rocky Mountain Trail were easy-peazy in the rubicon. Played with the lockers, but honestly didn't need them to get by anything but purposely harder lines.

Drove back home 75mph in air-conditioned comfort, enjoying some good tunes with a sound system that rivaled my wife's lexus GX.

 

[Biohazard]

Moved to Albany, NY, and subsequently started exploring the Adirondacks. Not many trails, but lots of beautiful scenery to see.

I've owned a few Jeeps, always felt like the JKs were held together with paperclips. My two XJ's unibodies couldn't stop creaking. And the grand cherokees all had electrical, drivetrain, and transmission issues.

My delight has been exceedingly great, as I drive a responsive engine mated to a well designed 8-speed transmission, with a comfortable suspension as at home climbing on rocks, fording 2ft water crossings, tooling around the icy northeast, or blazing down the highway. This thing has the torque of my v8 4runner, the comfort of my wife's GX, and the off-road ability to go just about anywhere.

 

[aros-can]

Looks awesome. Which engine did you go for?

 

[Biohazard]

Then the winter came in full force, and I kept exploring. Got stuck 5 miles down a snowmobile trail, pulled out 7 hours by a good buddy. Next mod...roof rack! and then a winch. Need the roof rack to haul kayaks and hunting gear, waited for a month for maximus to send the winch mount.

I'm very happy with the maximus-3 roof rack mount system. Solid as a rock, ladder is my kids' new playground, no problems with leaks or creak.

And their winch mount system is also outstanding. No drilling, solid as a rock, mounts easily and looks clean with the Jeep steel bumper.

View attachment 220748

 

[Biohazard]

Looks awesome. Which engine did you go for?

V6. I'm a 30th percentile adopter. need to have something out and about a bit prior to jumping.

 

[Biohazard]

Now I've ordered a stage 8 icon 2.5 inch lift to be installed this November, have some spidertrax spacers already installed (like the stock rims), and will be upgrading the tire carrier with the Spartacus reinforcement and teraflex's tire mount prior to 37inch KM3's.

 

[Biohazard]

Prep for the icon st 8:

Just installed Teraflex's nexus steering stabilizer. Easy install, took me about an hour with hand tools.

With the rubicon stock, even at "soft," the dampening over potholes and bumps in the road is noticeably better. The little brief shimmies are gone. With it on "firm," the highway ride is exponentially better. I estimate about 40-50% less steering input is needed to keep the jeep tracking center.

I'm driving around town with the middle setting, but I suspect will go to firm all the time when I get 37's installed.

 

[Biohazard]

Teraflex alpha HD tire carrier installed for the upcoming 37's. 4 weeks to go.

Easy install. Planning on doing whatever hinge/tailgate upgrades when teraflex develops and brings them to market.

 

[blessidsoul12]

I read thru this whole thread... Cariothoracic Park...?

 

[Biohazard]

I'm a CT surgeon. My nerdy attempt at a catchy title.

 

[Biohazard]

Warn's mid level bull bar added. I'm hoping it adds some protection in the event of a deer impact. Lots of those running around upstate NY (and TN where I'm headed).

 

[Tiderian]

Then the winter came in full force, and I kept exploring. Got stuck 5 miles down a snowmobile trail, pulled out 7 hours by a good buddy. Next mod...roof rack! and then a winch. Need the roof rack to haul kayaks and hunting gear, waited for a month for maximus to send the winch mount.

I'm very happy with the maximus-3 roof rack mount system. Solid as a rock, ladder is my kids' new playground, no problems with leaks or creak.

And their winch mount system is also outstanding. No drilling, solid as a rock, mounts easily and looks clean with the Jeep steel bumper.

View attachment 220748

That winch looks sharp! I really like it.

 

[Biohazard]

Icon stage 8, installation ongoing....

 

[Tritonman]

Moved to Albany, NY, and subsequently started exploring the Adirondacks. Not many trails, but lots of beautiful scenery to see.

I've owned a few Jeeps, always felt like the JKs were held together with paperclips. My two XJ's unibodies couldn't stop creaking. And the grand cherokees all had electrical, drivetrain, and transmission issues.

My delight has been exceedingly great, as I drive a responsive engine mated to a well designed 8-speed transmission, with a comfortable suspension as at home climbing on rocks, fording 2ft water crossings, tooling around the icy northeast, or blazing down the highway. This thing has the torque of my v8 4runner, the comfort of my wife's GX, and the off-road ability to go just about anywhere.

Welcome to Albany. I live in Saratoga, not far from you at all.

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