2019 Mojito! JLUR - Stock to ...?

[shane h.]

Starting this thread to track the changes over time.

Back in March, 2019, I was in a built TJ and had no plans of looking at the new Wrangler JLs. Then a couple of things happened. Grandson #1 came along and I got to thinking a back seat in a more dependable vehicle was going to be nice. Then my buddy texted me telling me he had just ordered a new JLUR. That got the wheels turning.

I worked with the dealer to order my build. Just two options on a stock JLUR: hard top and automatic transmission. Really didn't want any of the other available options.

I sold the TJ for a lot more than I paid for it, and put that money towards the new JLUR. Picked up the new Jeep on June 21, 2019.

First pic of the new JLUR at home (June, 2019):

Current pic (September, 2025):

I already had the LOD Destoyer rock slider/steps ordered and waiting at the house. I put them on on July 4.

My next additions were the Trailgater fold-down table and a Brawlee light kit for the rear glass. Put these in in March, 2022, in preparation of a trip to Big Bend.

The Jeep pretty much has stayed that way. I added some XG Cargo bags and a fire extinguisher to the kit in 2023. The naked Jeep was Barli approved.

As a side note... I talked the wife into getting rid of her JK and getting into a 2021 JLUR since her color was available Picked this one up in May, 2021.

The Jeep has made a bunch of fun trips: San Juan Mountains multiple times, Big Bend National Park multiple times, eastern Oklahoma, and others. Here are just a few of the good shots.

Build: (will edit as things change)

• 2019 JLU Rubicon - 3.6V6 - 8spd Auto (Picked up new June 21, 2019)
• Ceramic window tint - 30% front doors, 15% rear doors and top, IR shield on windshield(June, 2019)
• LOD Destroyer rock rails/steps (July, 2019)
• Bartact front and rear seat covers (July, 2019)
• JTops USA sunshade (July, 2019)
• Brawlee lift gate light bar (March, 2022)
• Outback Adventures Trailgater tailgate table (March, 2022)
• Auxiliary battery removed - hot to main battery, ground disconnected (April, 2022)
• H7 AGM main battery (April, 2022)
• Tazer JL Mini (April, 2022)
• Audio (April 2022):
  • Stock 7" UConnect system
  • PAC AmpPro amp interface
  • JL Audio JD400 amp
  • JBL Club 322F dash speakers
  • JBL Club 622 kick panel and sound bar speakers
  • Kicker 10" powered sub under passenger seat
• Midland MXT275 GMRS radio (April 2023)
• XG Cargo Gamma gear bags (October, 2023)
• MetalCloak 2.5" Game Changer lift (October, 2024)
• MetalCloak Rocksport Red shocks (October, 2024)
• Adams 1310 front drive shaft (October, 2024)
• American Iron Offroad ball joint deletes (October, 2024)
• Motobilt Hammer front bumper and skid (October, 2024)
• Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT 35x12.5R17 tires (October, 2024)
• MetalCloak sector shaft brace (November, 2024)
• MetalCloak steering stabilizer and relocation brackets (November, 2024)
• Revolution 4.88 gears (December, 2024)
• CavFab Elite tire carrier (January, 2025)
• CavFab Crawler full width rear bumper (February, 2025)
• Warn Zeon 12-S winch with Motobilt fairlead mount (February, 2025)
• Method Racing MR703 wheels (February, 2025)
• RPM Extreme fan controller module (May, 2025)
• H7 AGM battery (May, 2025)
• Powerwerx 65w/45w dual USB C fast charger in dash cubby under Ram mount (July 2025)
• LasFit Auxillary Switches (August, 2025)
• Baja Designs LP6 lights on fairlead mount (August, 2025)
• Wi-fi front trail camera (August, 2025)
• Asfir engine & transmission skid (December, 2025)
• CavFab 2.5 ton steering - tie rod and drag link (December, 2025)
• Fox Factory ATS 2.0 steering stabilizer on Apex Chassis 2" clamp (December, 2025)
• Baja Designs Squadron Sport wide cornering pods on Motobilt A-pillar mounts for ditch lights (January, 2026)

Common Maintenance:

• Oil and oil filter change every 3K-4K miles. Switched to 5w30 as soon as warranty mileage passed. Engine is much quieter.
• Differential fluid every year and anytime the Jeep is in deep water.
• Transfer case fluid every year.
• Automatic transmission dump & fill x3 starting at 55k miles.
• 5 tire rotation every 4k miles.

The Jeep has yet to spend a day in the shop for any sort of mechanical issue. It has been one of the most reliable vehicles I've owned.

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[shane h.]

So... here we go...

The update to-do list so far:

• 2.5" Metalcloak Game Changer lift with Rocksport Red shocks - purchased and to be delivered this week
  (installed October 24, 2024)
• Adams front drive shaft - purchased and to be delivered this week
  (installed October 24, 2024)
• American Iron Offroad ball joint deletes
  (installed October 24, 2024)
• Motobilt Hammer front bumper (no hoop) and skid - sitting in my garage waiting for paint
  (installed October 21, 2024)
• CavFab Crawler rear full length bumper
  (installed February 1, 2025)
• CavFab Elite swing out tire carrier
  (installed January 24, 2025)
• 35x11.5R17 tires... I'm undecided on which tires to get at this time.
  (Ended up with 5x Mickey Thompson BBAT 35x12.5R11 tires. Installed October 23, 2024)
• Gears??? I'm going to get the build to this point and decide if I want more pep than the 4.10s will give. I LOVE the way the JLUR drives now. I want to maintain that with the upgrades and added weight.
  (4.88s installed December 18, 2024)

I'm keeping the stock wheels if at all possible. I know most get rid of them as quickly as possible, but I'm old and they remind me of the old Hotwheels cars I played with as a kid.

 

[shane h.]

I took delivery of the Motobilt Hammer front bumper and skid yesterday. It's been a few years since I built out the TJ and I must have forgotten just how heavy a well built steel bumper can get. I had a DirtWorx front bumper and the LOD bumper/tire carrier on the TJ. HEAVY. Well, this Hammer bumper/skid are the same.

The bumper is beefy. The welds are beautiful. I kinda hate to cover it up. I like the rough look of it, but I don't want rust, so...

The plan is to prime and paint the backside with some Rustoleum black, then do the outer skin with Steel-It black.

Here are some shots of the bumper after a quick clean up and a little sanding today. I did drill some mounting holes into the skid to hold the front license plate. I'll paint it next week if the weather allows.

 

[CloakedWillys]

Always love a good Mojito build.

 

[RockJeep98]

I took delivery of the Motobilt Hammer front bumper and skid yesterday. It's been a few years since I built out the TJ and I must have forgotten just how heavy a well built steel bumper can get. I had a DirtWorx front bumper and the LOD bumper/tire carrier on the TJ. HEAVY. Well, this Hammer bumper/skid are the same.

The bumper is beefy. The welds are beautiful. I kinda hate to cover it up. I like the rough look of it, but I don't want rust, so...

The plan is to prime and paint the backside with some Rustoleum black, then do the outer skin with Steel-It black.

Here are some shots of the bumper after a quick clean up and a little sanding today. I did drill some mounting holes into the skid to hold the front license plate. I'll paint it next week if the weather allows.

Heck yes that’s going to look great! I use 36 grit sand paper on an orbital sander to get the bigger areas roughed up before applying 2-3 coats of the steel-it.

 

[shane h.]

Did the interior side of the MB Hammer bumper and skid today. I didn't see a reason to cover the inside in $38/can Steel-it. Save that gold for the outside.

Prep:
Multiple hits with 40 grit on every surface I could get to.
Tack cloth x2 to every surface, nook, and cranny I could get to.
Acetone on shop towels x2 to every surface, nook, and cranny I could get to
(The outside is going to be infinitely easier to paint...)
1 coat of Rustoleum Clean Metal Primer - per instructions let dry just under an hour before next coat
3 coats of Rustoleum semi-gloss black enamel - per instructions let dry just under an hour between coats

Now I'm going to let the parts set for 4 or 5 hours before I move them back down to the floor for the next few days.

Steel-It to the exterior of both parts next week. Maybe we'll install it if the Jeep isn't in the shop for the lift and ball joint deletes.

 

[shane h.]

Yesterday (Sunday, October 20):
Spent the day finishing the Motobilt Hammer bumper and skid.

• About an hour with the sander (40 grit pads), multiple tack cloths, and about a pint of acetone to prep the surface for paint.
• 4 coats of Steel-It black spray paint at manufacturer's required intervals.
• Last coat went on around 4pm yesterday.
• Pieces laid out in clean environment to dry

Today (Monday, October 21), so far:

• Front stock plastic bumper removal (I'll take things that should be easier than they are for $1000 Alex...)
• Front stock bumper destruction to get the fogs and fog light harness out
• Install fogs and harness in Hammer bumper
• Reposition wiring harness on frame of Jeep (from outside the frame mount to inside the frame mount). This has to be done to allow for narrower fogs than stock bumper.
• Solo install of the bumper (When your wife has a 20/24/30 plyo-box you don't need a second pair of hands)

I got to the point of attaching my front license plate to the skid before skid install and found out I need bigger washers to hold the license plate to the skid, so I'm finishing up this conference call and then I'll make a run over to Ace for washers.​

​

I love the look of this bumper. I'll get better (non-glare) pics when I get the skid attached. Haven't figured out that install solo yet. We'll see...​

 

[RockJeep98]

Yesterday (Sunday, October 20):
Spent the day finishing the Motobilt Hammer bumper and skid.

• About an hour with the sander (40 grit pads), multiple tack cloths, and about a pint of acetone to prep the surface for paint.
• 4 coats of Steel-It black spray paint at manufacturer's required intervals.
• Last coat went on around 4pm yesterday.
• Pieces laid out in clean environment to dry

Today (Monday, October 21), so far:

• Front stock plastic bumper removal (I'll take things that should be easier than they are for $1000 Alex...)
• Front stock bumper destruction to get the fogs and fog light harness out
• Install fogs and harness in Hammer bumper
• Reposition wiring harness on frame of Jeep (from outside the frame mount to inside the frame mount). This has to be done to allow for narrower fogs than stock bumper.
• Solo install of the bumper (When your wife has a 20/24/30 plyo-box you don't need a second pair of hands)

I got to the point of attaching my front license plate to the skid before skid install and found out I need bigger washers to hold the license plate to the skid, so I'm finishing up this conference call and then I'll make a run over to Ace for washers.​

​

I love the look of this bumper. I'll get better (non-glare) pics when I get the skid attached. Haven't figured out that install solo yet. We'll see...​

Looking killer for sure.

 

[shane h.]

So, the skid is on. Did it solo. I'd not do that again, though. I've got big hands and a permanently bent finger, so getting into tight spots isn't fun. That was not fun.

If I were going to do this over, I'd attach the skid to the bumper using the two bolt/nut pairs and then slide the bumper onto the frame.

All that said, I love it. I spent a couple weeks paring down front bumpers and this one always came out on top.

The Adams front driveshaft and the MetalCloak Game Changer 2.5 lift are in the back of the Jeep. The American Iron Offroad ball joint deletes will be here Wednesday. The Jeep goes to Trendsetters Thursday for lift, driveshaft, and ball joint deletes. Hopefully I'll get to test it out at Merus in a couple weeks.

 

[shane h.]

Tire Day! (Wednesday, October 23)

I was set on getting a set (5) of the Falken Wildpeak AT4Ws in size 35x11.50R17 at some point in the not too distant future after the lift was done. Wanted to try to keep the tires covered as much as possible. I plan on using the Jeep, but I sure like that Mojito! paint job.

Then my buddy says "Hey, let's go to Merus in a couple weeks," and the entire upgrade schedule took a hit. Tires now.

Yesterday, I scoured the web and hit up my local Discount Tire to see if I could get a set of the Falkens. Well, wouldn't you know it. Nationwide one to three month backorder. I'm not waiting.

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs were my 2nd choice. D rated. Wider. But about the same weight as the Falkens. They were in stock, and Discount Tire undercut the cheapest price I could find onlne without blinking. So, for $150 more than the Falkens, I got probably better tires. Not a bad compromise.

Jeep on stock 33s:

At the shop... new 35s:

MT BB AT 35s mounted on the Jeep:

Lift, front drive shaft, and ball joint deletes in the next few days.

I was going to wait on the CavFab tire carrier for a bit. I'll see how the 35 sits on the stock carrier at Merus. May need to accelerate my tire carrier purchase.

 

[Biohazard]

Very nice build.
Might I suggest teraflex's alpha HD tailgate mount. Just installed on mine and very happy. No need for an extra pull out, just opens like the current rear tailgate.

 

[shane h.]

Two days ago vs. today - added 35's and a MetalCloak 2.5" Game Changer lift today.

 

[shane h.]

Today, Kevin and the guys at Trendsetters Customs out in Weatherford installed the MetalCloak Game Changer 2.5" lift with new Rocksport Red shocks, the Adams 1310 front driveshaft, and a set of American Iron Offroad ball joint deletes.

First thoughts:

• It took a whole day with the 35s for them to look small on the Jeep.
• I had the tires way over-inflated. Driving the 50 miles home, the tire pressures got up to 36/37 and the Jeep really wanted to wander. The strong south wind didn't help any.
• I expected the steering to be much tighter than it was. Not sure if I had the wrong expectations out of the ball joint deletes, or if the high tire pressure just over-rode any control that the deletes were bringing to the table.
• I took the tires down to 29psi when I got home and did a little more highway driving and saw an immediate improvement in control. I will chalk test them tomorrow after getting them up to running temp.
• I love the ride of the lift and the the action of the shocks on the highway. It felt like the stock suspension and shocks were just starting to get mushy and now it feels like a new Jeep again.
• The Jeep feels "heavier." I'm not sure that is the right word. It feels more connected to the road surface.
• I have all but lost 8th gear. I have reset the tire size on the Tazer, and have checked both the speed and odometer against phone apps and am confident I have the correct setting in the Tazer. The shift points still seem off a little. Maybe it takes more than a day and 60-70 miles to completely re-calibrate after the size re-set. (Yes, I did a Tazer full reboot and two sleep cycles, and then I re-checked the setting to make sure it was locked in.) I really don't want to re-gear. I spent three or four hours today while the Jeep was at the shop researching 4.56 vs 4.88 gears and I cannot make a decision. 4.56 will be the closest I can get to to stock tires and 4.10 gears. But 4.88s will be better when the Jeep is loaded down. That is a decision for another day.
• I parked my Jeep next to the wife's Jeep in the garage and measured each from bottom of the front fender flare to the ground. The only difference in the two Jeeps are that her's is a 2021 (mine 2019) and she has eTorque. My Jeep is now 5 inches taller than hers. My Jeep doesn't have the hard top on, so that could be a little of the gain. But if the Jeep keeps this tall stature, the Jeep probably won't fit under the garage door opening with 37s. It's pretty close now getting in. I may be locked into 35s.
• All that MetalCloak gold goodness looks really good underneath. I wish it was more visible.

If you are in the DFW area or points west and need a really, really good Jeep shop, give Kevin at Trendsetters a try. He and his family are hard core Jeepers/Crawlers. He built out my old TJ (I wish I still had that thing) and did great work today on the JLUR.

 

[grandsrus]

Nice to meet you.
Few things, i have been running 35s since i bought my JLUR. Strange you are not seeing 8th gear.....
What is castor at? Try to get close to 6*. Toe sb be close to zero. I have played with mine quite a bit and landed on this.
also i got teh steel steering box which helped.
Looks good. Always tweaking it seems. Out at the LM factory so i am close to wthrfrd.
Always willing to help out.

 

[shane h.]

I've put about 300 miles on the Jeep since lifting and installing the ball joint deletes last week. Mostly in-town driving but some highway. The steering issue was really bugging me so today I drove back out to Weatherford to have Kevin look at the deletes and alignment to see if we could tweak anything.

I had talked with Josh at American Iron (He is so ready to help his customer out. Great customer service.) and he suggested checking the torque on the deletes to make sure they were in spec. He said my symptoms sounded like the deletes were over-tightened. We did that and all were in spec.

Caster angle is right at 6* as it should be.

Toe-in was all out of whack though. Way too much. A couple of turns on the tie rod and a quick drive around the shop and all is well. The steering on the 50 mile drive home was like driving the Jeep before the lift. Everything is right in the world.

I do see 8th gear if I'm doing 70+ and am not going up-hill, but I still can see gears in my future. This first tank of gas netted me 13.8mpg which is down from around 17mpg for in town driving.

Heading out to Merus Adventure Park tomorrow for a weekend of wheeling in the "new" Jeep. Really looking forward to seeing what she rides like with the mods.

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