'22 JLR 2.0T build progress/wheeling thread

[Philly_]

I hit them only once on 16. Not sure how hard the hit was as the spot where they got tagged was also the spot where the bumper got beat on, so there was just a lot of crunching and banging going on in the back and it was hard to differentiate what was what. I will say the hit didn't get all the way through the powder coat to the metal, so I don't believe it was a super hard hit.

Loved how high and tight they were out there - was not worried about them hindering forward momentum. Did not love how hard it was to use them to get in and out of the Jeep with muddy shoes - it wasn't horrible, but required forethought. Couple that with the fact that I'm limby and gangly (6'3"ish, lots of limb slinging around) and I slipped a few times. Overall, still happy with them, need to work them more though to figure out how happy.

Oh man I'm the opposite at a towering 5'6" on a good hair day! ?

If I went with them, I wasn't planning to use them as a step. I have the jump/swing into the Jeep thing down after years of lifted Jeeps and short legs.

I'm mostly interested in how they hold up in the rocks as they aren't mounted to the frame at all. I really like them and how high they tuck, so even if they're not the strongest, I still may go this route as they're less likely to make contact in general.

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[Remorseless]

Oh man I'm the opposite at a towering 5'6" on a good hair day! ?

If I went with them, I wasn't planning to use them as a step. I have the jump/swing into the Jeep thing down after years of lifted Jeeps and short legs.

I'm mostly interested in how they hold up in the rocks as they aren't mounted to the frame at all. I really like them and how high they tuck, so even if they're not the strongest, I still may go this route as they're less likely to make contact in general.

I do think their height is one of their biggest strengths - avoids issues if you never hit the dang thing. The fact that they're pretty much flat plate under the tub, the sheer number of bolts that hold them on, and the volume of gusseting in the overlines are their other plusses IMO.

General feel I have them for them thus far really is that they're significantly better than OEM and I'm anticipating them holding up fine.

 

[Philly_]

I do think their height is one of their biggest strengths - avoids issues if you never hit the dang thing. The fact that they're pretty much flat plate under the tub, the sheer number of bolts that hold them on, and the volume of gusseting in the overlines are their other plusses IMO.

General feel I have them for them thus far really is that they're significantly better than OEM and I'm anticipating them holding up fine.

Good to know! I don’t beat on my sliders, but would like to know they’re up to the task if I slip on a rock or do something else stupid. Sounds like these will do!

 

[GATORB8]

I'll give you another TLDR then - there's some folks from Tampa (think that's what they said anyway) who were there. They did you Floridians dirty on the representation front lol

I guess I'm still really a Floridian (was there from 6-26), and I'm kind of proud they were sober.

 

[blnewt]

Sounds like you did a great job out there, much better than the dude that was lecturing the others and just sending it
Had to lol a bit about wanting a bunch to help w/ righting the Jeep when there was plenty of winch availability.
Hope that group was taking notes from you!

 

[Remorseless]

I guess I'm still really a Floridian (was there from 6-26), and I'm kind of proud they were sober.

Will say, the dude behind us running tail gunner was a nice guy. Looked the unsober Florida part - missing tooth, adidas sandals, two cranky toddlers in the Jeep - but a nice guy nonetheless lol. Some sleuthing on my part netted me a few pics he took of my buddy's predicaments as well.

Crossed up on the last hill:

Diff'd out on a rut:

 

[Remorseless]

Slapped the Windrock dash cam vids I did manage to get into a playlist.

Windrock - 2 door JL 2.0T on 37s - YouTube

 

[blnewt]

Slapped the Windrock dash cam vids I did manage to get into a playlist.

Windrock - 2 door JL 2.0T on 37s - YouTube

Lots of cool footage to go through, good thing I've got some time later, thanks for posting those.

 

[Remorseless]

Snuck in a last trip to Uwharrie before the baby comes, made some work for myself over the off season and beginning of next year. Took @yokramer up the front side of Daniel for his first time, was a good trip, but ran into some challenges.

First ledge fought me and I ended up doing a lot of bouncing and losing traction, was getting nervous about rear axle shafts but ended up making it up right after saying I was only going to try a couple times. Nailed my license plate bracket, muffler, and trailer hitch pretty good while failing on the ledge for the first little while. Traction was surprisingly poor given how dry it was, we believe due to how dusty it got out there given our long dry spell.

I forgot to take camera stuff, so just a cell phone pic and some after action damage pics:

After that, at the second "ledge" I nailed my mirror on the embankment where it used to be a v-notch. Tire poke helped here as unfortunately @yokramer lost a fender to the embankment (the v-notch used to be V shaped, but now the notch is now more shaped like \|, making it really difficult to straddle the gap unless you have a ton of flex and enough wheelbase to put the passenger front tire on top of the vertical section and the driver's front tire down in the valley, with the rear tires down in the valley. With a stock suspension I had to just try and keep him on the angled part of the notch a couple inches away from the vertical wall, but the Jeep slipped over):

After this, I decided the JL was built up enough to take the harder line at the top of Daniel (far right) and ended up putting the MC rock rails to good use. Ended up in a spot where I basically needed to slightly pivot around a big rock on the slider so I could get my driver rear tire on it to go down the line I wanted. Pushed the Jeep down the rock on the slider without issue - no crazy flex of the slider or anything - but did end up tagging the rear flare with the rock pretty good:

Flare just kind of folded out the way, the rock eventually hit the rear tire, and she climbed up and pushed me over where I needed to be.

Tires had some funny stuff this trip too with both my X3s and yokramer's KO2's chunking pretty good - it was a hot one, ~97-100F with intense sun and so we think some of the sharp rocks were hot and the tires were softer than normal from the heat and so they got cut up.

Overall a good trip and was happy with the Jeep's performance, but there's definitely some changes that're coming for the Jeep next year. I smacked the steering again and I'm going to have to upgrade the linkages and relocate the stabilizer finally. Currently thinking the 1.75" Artec aluminum kit, the Synergy trackbar stabilizer bolt, and the Apex Chassis 1.75" ATS clamp to accomplish the steering update and relocation.

Rear bumper has to go as well. Not feeling like constantly fixing it. Aiming to do the Metalcloak narrow width rear bumper and Teraflex license plate relocation kit for squaring this away.

I'll also use the crinkled up tailpipe as an excuse to get rid of the gigantic factory muffler and drop in a high and tight Magnaflow exhaust for clearance and weight, provided I can slip this one past the wife lol.

Not sure if this one will happen but have been contemplating swapping out the steel MORE skids for their aluminum skids, since it's a direct swap, to save weight.

 

[GATORB8]

YMMV, but I trashed the synergy TB bolt after a couple tries and went with the MC. The MC puts the stabilizer up at an angle though, so may not play nice with the Apex TR clamp.

I stripped the synergy screw the first time, probably user error, and then a few months later it's replacement was backing out on me. Never an issue with the bolt section, just the screw.

That TF LP mount looks slick, I don't remember seeing it when I settled for the RC, but looks like it eliminates all the issues I have with ours. I'll have to look at swapping them out this winter.

 

[Remorseless]

YMMV, but I trashed the synergy TB bolt after a couple tries and went with the MC. The MC puts the stabilizer up at an angle though, so may not play nice with the Apex TR clamp.

I stripped the synergy screw the first time, probably user error, and then a few months later it's replacement was backing out on me. Never an issue with the bolt section, just the screw.

That TF LP mount looks slick, I don't remember seeing it when I settled for the RC, but looks like it eliminates all the issues I have with ours. I'll have to look at swapping them out this winter.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll line up a backup option in case the Synergy gives me trouble - or maybe I'll find a better bolt to thread into the end.

@gek has been running that Teraflex LP mount and his experience sold me on it. Little bit of a hassle to pull the spare it seems like, but overall less trouble than dealing with the OE bumper's jank.

 

[GATORB8]

@gek has been running that Teraflex LP mount and his experience sold me on it. Little bit of a hassle to pull the spare it seems like, but overall less trouble than dealing with the OE bumper's jank.

Yeah, but it's loads better than the rough country (to pull the spare, I have to use a hex and two different sockets). The friction fit is interesting, first look I thought you'd have to pull the plate. Reasonable price, too.

 

[Remorseless]

Yeah, but it's loads better than the rough country (to pull the spare, I have to use a hex and two different sockets). The friction fit is interesting, first look I thought you'd have to pull the plate. Reasonable price, too.

The price is right and the light extension harness is what I'm really looking forward to. No cutting or splicing.

 

[Remorseless]

Hmm, looks like Fox's JK bolt might work as well according to Northridge: FOX Racing Track Bar Bolt - Jeep Rubicon 2007-2018 | 803-02-028|Northridge4x4

Might pick up both the Synergy and Fox bolts since they're both like 20 some odd bucks, can figure out which one I like better once they're both in my hands.

 

[gek]

The price and the light extension harness are what I'm looking forward to. No cutting or splicing.

I like the friction fit more than I thought I would. I do wish the light extension wire was an inch longer ... actually I wish it was about 10-12 inches longer because I don't care for running it through the rear vent but it works I just have to unplug it first when removing the holder because there is not really any slack at all. I might have to look and see if I can run it any different to gain some length.

I initially thought about running it behind the hinge. There is a small hole on the inside center of them. I did run it that way but then realized that I would still need to run it to the inside of the rear gate and then it would be visible and interfere with the weatherstrip. Then I thought about poking a hole in the cover for the hinge bolts and running it through there but didn't. If I ever switch out to a new mount that replaces the hinges that cable is getting rerouted for sure though.

Routing it how they have it you need to cut a small hole in a grommet. I did that but made the hole tight and ended up lubing the wire a bit so it went through easier. I wanted as few extra space for dust to get in as possible ... then I drive with the windows down and the roof open.

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