"Stock" OEM+ 2018 JLR 2.0

[AnnDee4444]

Documenting my Ocean Blue 2018 JL Rubicon. I like things to appear stock but function well, and realize that sometimes aftermarket parts are not an upgrade.

OEM & Mopar parts listed first, then aftermarket in alphabetical order.

Brand	Part	Part #	Notes & Thread Link
OEM	JLUR front springs		Removed for more height & spring rate
OEM	Xtreme Recon Springs	68605689 front 68622389 rear	Gained about 1.5" in the rear, needed 1.5" spacer in the front to level with winch
OEM	392 Fox Shocks	68481296 front 68481297 rear	Bronze sticker, required +1" bump stops
OEM	Xtreme Recon Sway Bar End Links	68480860 front 68480859 rear	Not necessary, but "correct" lengths for the +1" bump stop. Plus they're stainless steel
OEM	19mm rear sway bar	68247954	Sway reduction at high speeds in crosswind, no loss of flex
OEM	Steel replacement steering box		Warranty: still needs occasional adjustment, not sure if better than aluminum box
OEM	Passenger side "Trail Rated" badge	68309634AC	Antenna delete
OEM	Passive Entry Door Handles	PSVENTRY18DPT	Used Jscan to enable
OEM	Gladiator Grill Inserts	6QN21RXFAC 6QN22RXFAC 6QN23RXFAC	Better cooling?
OEM	Class 2 Tow Hitch	82215209	Used take-off parts
Mopar	Trailer Tow Wiring Harness	82216359	See post # 20 for install notes
Mopar	Auxiliary Switch Bank	82215798	To be installed, planning on Aux 1: future compressor Aux 2: winch on/off Aux 3: winch out Aux 4: winch in
Mopar	Fairlead Adapter Plate Centered	82215528AB	Needed to be bent to bumper's curve, finish is a perfect match
Mopar	Door Sill Guards	82215393	Could be better, but better than nothing
Mopar	Cargo Net	82215413	Not very useful with no back seat
Mopar Performance	Lower Control Arms	68322798AA	Around 6 degrees of caster at stock-ish heights
Jeep Performance Parts	Rock Rails	82215129AB	Wider than OEM Rubicon, can be used as a step. Also blocks road debris.
American Adventure Lab	Fire Extinguisher Mount	JL-1695-3	They actually made it, so I had to buy it.
Artec Industries	Rear Axle LCA Bolt-on Skids	JL4599	Minimal added bulk, more of a reinforcement
Asfir	Engine skid plate	547459	Removed: bent, poor oil drain plug hole location
Baja Customs	Aluminum heater hose & coolant tank fittings		Not installed yet
Banks Power	Ram-Air Intake	97700	Removed: not happy with fitment, negligible performance gains, odd throttle behavior. Discontinued?
BF Goodrich	315/70R17 KO2	08884	"35s"
Centerline	Wastegate Rod	TL449	Fixed turbo rattle
Dynatrac	Ball Joints	DT BJK-JL
Factor55	Hawse Fairlead 1.0"	00016	Matches the Rubicon gunmetal color
Factor55	Loop Guard	00450-06	I'm not a fan of the winch hooks
Fishbone Offroad	Tub Rail Tie Downs	FB25241	Instructions want you to drill into the body because they didn't put an extra hole for 2-door compatibility. Should be longer.
Fumoto	Oil Drain Valve	F106N	Easier oil changes with skid plates
Interstate Battery	Group H7 AGM	MTX-94R/H7	Costco
Innovativeat Products	Winch Cover	IJKP-13	Spray painted matte black
Jscan	Link		Used for: Passive Entry Doors​ Speedometer Correction​ Enabling fog lights with high beams​
Maximus-3	Winch Mount Plate	JL1012WM	12,000 pound rating for OEM steel bumper
Maximus-3	Winch Filler Trim Plates	JL1017FZ	I don't route the conduit through the provided hole, I find it rubs on the grill. Update: still not using the hole with the relocated control pack.
Maximus-3	Front Tow Loops	JL1026TL	HD version sold now
Maximus-3	Closed Rear Tow Loops	JL1028RT	Winch points & bumper protection
Maximus-3	Front Differential Drain Plug Skid	JL5022DS	Minimalist protection
Metalcloak	Front Track Bar Reinforcement Bracket	7688*	Removed: wasn't able to sufficiently tighten track bar
Metalcloak	Front Sector Shaft Brace	7690	Never installed. Was sold as fitting stock height, which it doesn't
Metalcloak	DuroSpring Bump Stops	7218	Adds 1" of bump stop necessary for the 392 shocks
Metalcloak	Rear Bumper Reinforcement	R75048	See this thread
Mishimoto	Intercooler Pipe	MMICP-JLH-18WBK	Used OEM couplers & hose clamps. Throttle feels a little more immediate and accurate
Mountain Off Road	Oil Pan / Transmission Skid Plate	KJLOPSP2.0T.BLK	Never installed: didn't fit with 2018 2-door gas tank
Mountain Off Road	Fire Extinguisher Bracket	KJLFIREB2DDS.BLK KJLFIREB2DPS.BLK	Removed: elastic wears out and they never held securely
Next Venture	Engine/Trans skid		Product has been updated to 7000 series since purchase
Next Venture	Rear Diff Skid & Pinion Guard	NV-JLT-RDS220 NV-JLT-M220-Spacer	Needed slight clearancing near the eTorque battery skid
Redline Tuning	Hood Struts	21-20003-02	Works like a stock part
Teraflex	1" Front Spacer + 0.5" Front Spacer	1155100 1155110	Compensates for winch weight with the Xtreme Recon springs
Terra Acoustics	Soundstage Speaker Upgrade Kit		Company is now Audio Uprising
Under Cover Fab	Inner Tire Carrier Reinforcement Bracket	UCF652	Replaced & painted some hardware for more OEM appearance
Warn	Zeon 10S Winch	89611
Warn	78" Control Pack Relocation Kit	89960	See posts below
Warn	Molle Storage Bag	102648	Fits good on the Rubicon seat backs
Z Automotive	SGW Extension Cable	Z_SGW_EXT	Makes plugging in the programming cable much easier

A few accessories that I don't think go in the list above:

• Christmas tree bag that fits the 2-door back seat when removed
• MaxxHaul 70107 Hitch Cargo Carrier fits flush with the tire cutout in the rear bumper
• Bolt 7032293 hitch pin uses your key to unlock
• Four Rothco MOLLE Bottle Carriers can fit on the seat back
• Sun Visor Repair Kit that I'm using before they break
• Tailgate latch stop bumper works fine, might remove for softer closing
• USB-C cable that fits underneath the "Media" door
• JeepNeeds Hi-Lift Jack Adapter works on the front tow hooks and D-ring mounts

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[AnnDee4444]

Video from when it was fairly stock (suspension/tires/etc.)

 

[AnnDee4444]

For a few years I've been thinking about relocating the winch solenoid to under the hood. Today I purchased the missing piece that I wanted to source before starting this project: A cover for the hole left in the top of the winch after moving the solenoid box from Innovative Products.

Some photos from https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...er-control-pack-relocation.46150/#post-745241

And inspiration for future from https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...s-control-pack-relocation.42575/#post-1270681

Edit: looking at using something like this: https://813fabrication.com/products/jeep-jl-gladiator-underhood-electrical-accessory-plate-large or the smaller version: https://813fabrication.com/products...y-plate?contact_posted=true#ask-question-form

Not a JL, but good install video:

 

[Remorseless]

That Factor 55 loop guard is pretty neat. What's your experience been like using the winch line with just the eyelet? Did you pull the metal guard on it or leave it in place?

 

[AnnDee4444]

That Factor 55 loop guard is pretty neat. What's your experience been like using the winch line with just the eyelet? Did you pull the metal guard on it or leave it in place?

I leave it in place, and it hasn't deformed. I've really only had to winch a few times, so maybe it's not enough for the more hardcore Jeepers. Might be worth noting that I use soft shackles everywhere except for the D-rings directly on the Maximus-3 tow loops (you can see in the snow photos above).

 

[Remorseless]

I leave it in place, and it hasn't deformed. I've really only had to winch a few times, so maybe it's not enough for the more hardcore Jeepers. Might be worth noting that I use soft shackles everywhere except for the D-rings directly on the Maximus-3 tow loops (you can see in the snow photos above).

Yeah I'd only ever use it with soft shackles. But good to know it hasn't failed or gotten torn up over the years. I've been thinking about how to set up a 12k lb winch for the truck to be metal free (or near as can be) and it's a few hundred bucks on top of the winch for a bespoke metal free winch line. But being able to use the stock line is something I hadn't considered for whatever reason. Neato.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Yeah I'd only ever use it with soft shackles. But good to know it hasn't failed or gotten torn up over the years. I've been thinking about how to set up a 12k lb winch for the truck to be metal free (or near as can be) and it's a few hundred bucks on top of the winch for a bespoke metal free winch line. But being able to use the stock line is something I hadn't considered for whatever reason. Neato.

Some photos

 

[Remorseless]

Some photos

Wow, that eyelet is thicker metal than I thought. Appreciated!

 

[AnnDee4444]

Still have some wiring changes I want to do, but the solenoid relocation is now functional. I ended up spraying the Innovative Products winch cover with some matte black paint to try and hide their laser-etched logo better. The Warn wire cover box is a little loose, probably needs a piece of rubber underneath. Also need to cover the wires with something UV-proof.

 

[AnnDee4444]

And inspiration for future from https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...s-control-pack-relocation.42575/#post-1270681

@Adventure Lab (Team) could you build something like this?

 

[AnnDee4444]

Still adjusting things, but this is the general idea of where I think want things located. Bracket is temporary, has some extra holes from where I didn't plan well. I'll need to shorten some wires, get a positive battery cable, and I'll route that tiny ground somewhere else (there's an existing ground lug under the solenoid).

I'd like to control the winch from the aux buttons (that I don't have yet). My plan is to cut up a remote socket (Warn 98348). This would also allow quickly changing to a standard remote for those times I want to operate the winch from the front of the vehicle.

 

[Cips]

I admire your build. Nothing over the top, but subtle improvements that fill what you're missing.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Worked on the winch wiring some today. I was having trouble re-fitting the airbox and getting the wires routed the way that I was happy with. Ended up removing a headlight which made things much easier. Also the grill does come off with the winch installed, but I do have the two middle clips removed from the uncut grill.


Wiring under the power steering bracket, above fender liner:

Routed towards the rear, just on top of the fender liner and under all other wiring/brackets, then under the battery box. Side note: what does this vent cool? It's fed from the grill opening, but doesn't go into the airbox and isn't pointed at equipment. Could it be to get fresh air to the power steering pump or just airflow in the engine bay?

There's a nice gap to bring all the wires up, roughly center of the battery. I think mine might have excess wiring here due to eTorque.

It's pretty easy to tuck these wires back in, and I don't mind being able to remove the solenoid from the engine bay without actually disconnecting it, so these will stay the unmodified 78" length . I still don't have a positive cable, and I'm running original #2 ground to the winch even thought the kit doesn't say it's necessary. Note the factory airbox installed like stock, with no wires anywhere in the airpath.

I think something like this might be a better location for the solenoid, as it allows a little clearance around everything (rag is for mock-up purposes). This location will likely interfere with other aftermarket accessory mounting brackets like the ones from 813 Fabrication, but I think it will work for me. Also noticed a threaded hole next to the leftmost painted fender bolt in the photo. I might use this for a shorter bracket.

Edit: small update, didn't want to bump. Added some sleeving to the exposed wires.

 

[Roky]

Worked on the winch wiring some today. I was having trouble re-fitting the airbox and getting the wires routed the way that I was happy with. Ended up removing a headlight which made things much easier. Also the grill does come off with the winch installed, but I do have the two middle clips removed from the uncut grill.


Wiring under the power steering bracket, above fender liner:

Routed towards the rear, just on top of the fender liner and under all other wiring/brackets, then under the battery box. Side note: what does this vent cool? It's fed from the grill opening, but doesn't go into the airbox and isn't pointed at equipment. Could it be to get fresh air to the power steering pump or just airflow in the engine bay?

There's a nice gap to bring all the wires up, roughly center of the battery. I think mine might have excess wiring here due to eTorque.

It's pretty easy to tuck these wires back in, and I don't mind being able to remove the solenoid from the engine bay without actually disconnecting it, so these will stay the unmodified 78" length . I still don't have a positive cable, and I'm running original #2 ground to the winch even thought the kit doesn't say it's necessary. Note the factory airbox installed like stock, with no wires anywhere in the airpath.

I think something like this might be a better location for the solenoid, as it allows a little clearance around everything (rag is for mock-up purposes). This location will likely interfere with other aftermarket accessory mounting brackets like the ones from 813 Fabrication, but I think it will work for me. Also noticed a threaded hole next to the leftmost painted fender bolt in the photo. I might use this for a shorter bracket.

That’s where mine is, and got it wired to aux switch….. did this because my winch has on/off switch on the winch itself, to easy for shenanigans ……took a minute to remember to turn on switch “before “ I got out though

 

[Bad66GT]

Looks great and a great list to share with everyone. Thank you!!

I already ordered the lower control arms for a Jeep that isnt in my driveway lol

Chris

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