Sponsored

Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build

OP
OP
Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
16
Messages
566
Reaction score
1,537
Location
Hickory, NC
Vehicle(s)
CJ-7, 2020 JLR
Build Thread
Link
Now that Diezel had finished the work on the JL, time to take the Jeep home.
One small problem.
On the tag-a-long trailer, the distance between the wheels is 82."
The distance from outer edge to outer edge of the tires is 84."

IMG_9897.jpg
IMG_9898.jpg
IMG_9899.jpg


Kind of like in Jaws when they realized they brought too small of a boat. I brought too small of a trailer.
Unlike in Jaws, there was time to get a bigger trailer.

IMG_9772.jpg


Good to have the Jeep home.
Sponsored

 
OP
OP
Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
16
Messages
566
Reaction score
1,537
Location
Hickory, NC
Vehicle(s)
CJ-7, 2020 JLR
Build Thread
Link
My wife and son liked the Jeep, but really did not understand the flex thing.
Idea... why not make a home made flex ramp?
Figured the ramp on the trailer would work well.

IMG_9776.jpg
IMG_9780.jpg
IMG_9777.jpg
IMG_9779.jpg


On thing I that became apparent, on the front side that was compressed.

IMG_9778.jpg


There was some rubbing of the passenger front tire to the OEM bumper and inner fender liner.

IMG_9781.jpg


Now its time for aftermarket fender liners and a front bumper.
 
Last edited:

mikem20

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Dec 29, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
426
Reaction score
379
Location
Rocklin, Ca
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLUR
Build Thread
Link
Again, nice build!! That bikini is looking better and better the more I see it.
How does it handle on the road? Is it your dd?
 
OP
OP
Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
16
Messages
566
Reaction score
1,537
Location
Hickory, NC
Vehicle(s)
CJ-7, 2020 JLR
Build Thread
Link
Mikem20,

Thx!
The JL will see some DD duties.
For a Jeep, it drives really well.
Cruising at 70 MPH, no problem.
Really like driving the Jeep, especially, since it reminds me to go slow and enjoy the moment.
The other day, I took the Jeep out on a bike ride.

IMG_9864.jpg
IMG_9865.jpg
IMG_9866.jpg
 

mikem20

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Dec 29, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
426
Reaction score
379
Location
Rocklin, Ca
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLUR
Build Thread
Link
Nice!! It’s been a long time since I’ve had 37’s on a 2 door. Looks good dude!
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
16
Messages
566
Reaction score
1,537
Location
Hickory, NC
Vehicle(s)
CJ-7, 2020 JLR
Build Thread
Link
Mikem20 and Jeepdude101,

Thx!

The Jeep has been a blast to drive.
The guys out at Stacked Off Road did a great job installing the lift.

The rock sliders/steps to get into the Jeep were removed during the lift install.
The rock sliders were removed to facilitate the installing of the rear long arms.
There was a question of whether they could be reused since the rock sliders mount to the body bolts and may interfere with the travel of the long arms.
After the Jeep was, home, an idea...
To reduce the chances of interference issues, modified the rock sliders by removing some of the metal from the brackets.
On the drivers side, more was cut away, but reinforcement was welded to the the top side.
IMG_9916 (1).jpg


On the passenger side, less metal was cut away.

IMG_9917.jpg


Need to flex the Jeep again to see if there are any clearance issues with the long arm and the brackets for the rock sliders.
If there is clearance issues, there's a couple of more mods that can be done to the brackets.
 

Aenima

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
15
Reaction score
30
Location
Colorado (for now)
Vehicle(s)
JL Ruby
Question - did you previously build a JK?

I've been through the build process more than a few times and I have to say, I think your build choices are absolutely spot-on. It's a solid community and there are a lot of great choices, but in my experience RK is on another level in comparison to everyone else. Great choice. It's almost like you were in my head or vice versa! Hell, you even ride a Ti roadie like I do. :rock: I entertained an RK LA kit for my own 2-door Rubi, but pretty much immediately came to the conclusion that it is not a good candidate for an LCG build - too many clearance issues. So mid-arm for me, but I will probably try to 3-link the front. So many choices.

Looking great, and great thread!
 

KPersCO

Well-Known Member
First Name
KP
Joined
May 20, 2019
Threads
4
Messages
45
Reaction score
62
Location
Denver
Vehicle(s)
'19 Rubicon, '13 WRX Wagon
Occupation
Engineer
Just wanted to stop by and say I appreciate this build on another level because I couldn't resist the bikini either. I actually haven't seen another in person yet. You really peaked my interest when you mentioned Carnage Canyon, I thought you were in CO.

Looks like your checking all the right boxes with the build so far!
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
16
Messages
566
Reaction score
1,537
Location
Hickory, NC
Vehicle(s)
CJ-7, 2020 JLR
Build Thread
Link
Aenima,

Thx!

No JK for me. However, I am building a CJ7.

IMG_8696.JPG

The CJ7 has a custom cage, Dana 44's from a Scout, Ox Lockers, 304 AMC, etc.

As far as which components to install, Diezel at Stacked Off Road really knows his stuff.
He helps me pick out the best stuff for my application.
In my humble opinion, RK makes some of the best stuff out there.

And I am with you on the Ti Bike. There is nothing like a Ti Bike.
 

Aenima

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
15
Reaction score
30
Location
Colorado (for now)
Vehicle(s)
JL Ruby
Nice CJ! Those OX lockers are indestructible. Good call on the Scout axles too. I had a buddy who was into the Scout thing, and his was all but unstoppable. Always liked them. That CJ looks like the right candidate for Carnage. Maybe even for Patriot and Liberty. Maybe. :beer:
 
OP
OP
Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
16
Messages
566
Reaction score
1,537
Location
Hickory, NC
Vehicle(s)
CJ-7, 2020 JLR
Build Thread
Link
Just a simple project today.
Removed the "WRANGLER" stickers
10 Seconds with a heat gun per side.

IMG_9922.jpg


Grabbed a corner and sticker came off with ease.
A bit of wax, and all is good.

IMG_9923.jpg
 
OP
OP
Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
16
Messages
566
Reaction score
1,537
Location
Hickory, NC
Vehicle(s)
CJ-7, 2020 JLR
Build Thread
Link
Next project was the tire carrier.
There are so many options out there.
Some great; some, not so great.
Diezel pointed me to Rusty's
After reviewing the tire carriers made by Rusty's, a couple of features were really cool.
The use a paint primer dipping process call E-Coating that puts a protective coating the interior and exterior parts of the steel. This process is much better when just the exterior is powder coated. After the E-Coating, the exterior of the carrier is powder coated.
The quality of the hinges

The instructions were great. Here is a couple of pointers.

Tire Install 1.jpg

Tire Install 2.jpg
Tire Install 3_Page_1.jpg
Tire Install 3_Page_2.jpg


Just took my time and the results:
60747341874__91F3F4E4-BFCA-46D2-BB27-5012E61C283F.JPG


One of the things I like is that the third brake light is behind the tires that way it does not get in the way when one needs to remove the tire.
Though behind the tire, the brake light can still be seen when the brakes are pressed. And really looks good at night
 
OP
OP
Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
16
Messages
566
Reaction score
1,537
Location
Hickory, NC
Vehicle(s)
CJ-7, 2020 JLR
Build Thread
Link
Been driving JL some and adjusting the tire pressures.
Started out at 30 PSI cold which when heated during driving, raised to about 33 PSI.
Everything seemed OK, but not enough data.
Kept increasing the pressures and the drive kept getting better (e.g., more stable, less wondering, etc.)
Yesterday, adjusted the pressure up to 34 PSI cold all the way around (ambient was about 55 F)
Today (ambient about 70 F). Drove the Jeep and wow what a difference! The heated tire pressure was 37 PSI.
The Jeep drove really nice. Had to remind myself that this was a Jeep.

Also, once the pressure got above 36 PSI, the TPMS under inflate alarm went out :D
Think I'm going to stay with 37 PSI warm.
Sponsored

 
 



Top