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20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser

zrickety

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Hi all. Would like to document my adventures with this 2020 2 door. Trying to keep it light and agile but add capability and value.
My first Jeep was an 88 YJ, and I'd still have it but the wife wanted something safer for the kids. So she told me to look, and July of 2020 I plugged my criteria into Autotrader. It had to be a 2 door, manual trans, V6, Rubicon. Beyond that, I was flexible. I found 25 total in the country, 2 nearly identical for $38k, in gray and green. I put a deposit down over the phone and drove 8 hours that Friday to pick it up. Westgate CJDR in Raleigh, NC made me really happy and I left with the Jeep in about an hour.

I keep the top down quite often in the south. First mod was replacing the factory rock rails with Barricade steps/rails for the wife and kids. +10 lbs.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20210429_110603701_HDR


No tow package, so I added a Draw Tite hitch and Curt 4 pin harness. +12 lbs?
Next up was the Arctec spare tire delete, I swapped back briefly but this is how it sits. -82 lbs.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser jeep spare delete

Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20201104_101535640_HDR


Then it was time to ditch the muffler for a Dynomax bypass so I could hear that V6 growl. I love it. Factory muffler is listed 26 lbs online, it feels heavier. Let's say -24 lbs.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20210528_121323544


Wanted to add some contrast and got a Willys grille. Good time to add the Beamtech bulbs.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20210708_145306875_HDR


Beach fun and Saris bike rack.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_4600


I get it dirty.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20210713_203220350


Added a Tazer mini...no pics but I like the features. I also added the Z Auto bypass harnesses so when I need the lockers there's no worries.

I recently added the K&N Blackhawk intake, which adds another element to the soundtrack.
And then I bought another soft top from a member to trade a different member for his hard top. Win win win for everybody, now I have dual top.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20211114_145946943_HDR

Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20211114_161557581


Used it to get rid of my Mini Cooper project...the lesson here is Peugot motors are junk, and the 2 door is tow rated at 3300 lbs outside the US.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20211215_130737703_HDR


And lastly the new visor fix clips, needed those in a bad way! I will be adding to this thread...
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zrickety

zrickety

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Thank you.

So even though remote start is not offered on the manual, I just discovered I can walk away with the engine running and lock the doors. This is 90% of what I would need it for, great feature.
 
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zrickety

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Since my last post, I've installed the Mopar lift control arms...a significant improvement in caster and steering. You'll need 2 of part #68322798AA. I paid $86 last year and they sat on the shelf until now. Stock ones go in my spare parts pile.
I also updated the tazer today.
And a pic of the Jeep before the rain came.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20220122_142544582

Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20220119_155258862
 

Mabar

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Since my last post, I've installed the Mopar lift control arms...a significant improvement in caster and steering. You'll need 2 of part #68322798AA. I paid $86 last year and they sat on the shelf until now. Stock ones go in my spare parts pile.
I also updated the tazer today.
And a pic of the Jeep before the rain came.
Just to be clear: You have a 2-door Rubicon, with stock tires and no lift? You recently added the Mopar # 68322798AA (1/4" longer) lower control arms.

I have a 2021 stock 2-door Rubicon with stock tires and no lift also. I was considering adding those Mopar lower control arms to help correct the slight wandering steering.

What has your personal experience been? Did the longer lower control arms help with the steering? Does your Jeep drive and steer better now?

Thanks
 

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mikem20

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I did the longer arms on my stock 4 door. The caster change was enough to make my Jeep drive like it should off the lot. Much better. IMO, all Rubicon’s should have the longer arms from the factory.
You won’t regret it.
 

Mabar

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I did the longer arms on my stock 4 door. The caster change was enough to make my Jeep drive like it should off the lot. Much better. IMO, all Rubicon’s should have the longer arms from the factory.
You won’t regret it.
Thanks for the info on the 4-door. Hopefully it will work as well on a stock 2-door.
 
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zrickety

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Just to be clear: You have a 2-door Rubicon, with stock tires and no lift? You recently added the Mopar # 68322798AA (1/4" longer) lower control arms.

I have a 2021 stock 2-door Rubicon with stock tires and no lift also. I was considering adding those Mopar lower control arms to help correct the slight wandering steering.

What has your personal experience been? Did the longer lower control arms help with the steering? Does your Jeep drive and steer better now?

Thanks
You are correct on all accounts. I have no other suspension mods...and the wandering has drastically improved. It used to take my full attention to keep it in the lane, not anymore.
 
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Mabar

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You are correct on all accounts. I have no other suspension mods...and the wandering has drastically improved. It used to take my full attention to keep it in the lane, not anymore.
Thanks for the info!
 
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I've got a message out to Arctec asking them how strong the aluminum delete is...I want to mount the CB antenna to it. Was thinking a backing plate will be enough.
Edit- Arctec will neither confirm nor deny an antenna mount works, so I'll be reinforcing it.
 
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I've sold the hard top to a friend. I knew someone would want it.
Bought a billet silver Gladiator grille on ebay, took it apart and painted to match the Jeep.
Added cooling and a little muscle. Not quite as clean as the Willys though.

Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20220510_105511896_HDR


Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20220514_123542718_HDR
 
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I went back to the Willys grille with Gladiator inserts to save a couple pounds. I also need to touch up the green surround on the other grille.
Have ordered a new bumper, should arrive later this week. Made in the USA, have only seen a couple pics of it mounted, but I'm excited.
I rescued a stuck car at the beach last month, bystander said she was looking at Broncos and Jeeps but I made up her mind that day! Kinetic rope FTW.
Washed it yesterday, it's top down weather this week!!
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20221004_110220205_HDR

Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20221004_110312241_HDR


It's namesake.
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20221004_142713338_HDR
 
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Had to install this Rockslide Engineering bumper... Thought I would want the green grille but I might change it back. Bumper weighs 82 lbs, it's 46 lbs heavier than the stock 'plastic' bumper, half of that (23 lbs) is the bull bar. I was able to reattach the small skid by drilling a couple new holes.

Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20221022_133411027_HDR
Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20221022_160923286_HDR


Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20221022_165113865_HDR


Jeep Wrangler JL 20 JLR Sarge Green - Bowser IMG_20221022_172710505_HDR
 
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Still liking the Dynomax? How much louder than stock is it? Any highway drone?
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