Remorseless
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So, after about a decade of wheeling my 2012 JKR, I've sold it and picked up a 2022 JLR and am looking forward to starting a new project/build. My intent with this build is to go slower than I did with the JKR and take more time to figure out what mods I need for the wheeling I do, in what order I need to do them, and what kind of balance do I need to strike. In line with this, I intend to spend most of the first year or so with the Jeep wheeling stock to get a feel for what's good and what can be improved. I'm anticipating ending up with a 3-4.5" lift and 37s on beadlocks given my experience with the JKR, but I don't want to rush into it without validating my assumptions.
So, here's the old:
And the new as it sat in 2022 off the lot:
And how it sits currently:
So, what comes first on the mod list? Given that I want to keep stock suspension, and specified MTs from factory, all I am looking to do first is get the Jeep to 500+ miles to do a preliminary fluid change and toss on some skids, and then off to Uwharrie we go!
Obtained Mods
Here I intend to provide a list of mods as I buy them, my thoughts on why I bought them, as well as any install tips/tricks that might pop up for other folks interested in them
Potential/Planned Mods
These are things I know are likely to be warranted sooner rather than later before too much evaluation of the stock Jeep is performed.
So, here's the old:
And the new as it sat in 2022 off the lot:
And how it sits currently:
So, what comes first on the mod list? Given that I want to keep stock suspension, and specified MTs from factory, all I am looking to do first is get the Jeep to 500+ miles to do a preliminary fluid change and toss on some skids, and then off to Uwharrie we go!
Obtained Mods
Here I intend to provide a list of mods as I buy them, my thoughts on why I bought them, as well as any install tips/tricks that might pop up for other folks interested in them
- Skids:
- Rancho rear LCA/shock skid
- One of the few things I broke on my JKR was the passenger side shock mount tabs in the LCA/shock bracket. Put my bolt in wrong way around (stud facing middle of the Jeep and not towards tire) and didn't catch the mistake, but a rock sure caught it and ripped the bolt right through the bracket. The LCA bracket tended to be a rock magnet, and I intend to protect it better this go.
- Installation post here
- Rusty's frame-side rear LCA skids
- As with the Rancho skid, this one comes from experience with the JKR. I caught on my rear frame-side LCA bracket a fair amount when I was running 35s, and even with 37s when I'd run harder trails. I intend for these to be sacrificial and protect the stock bracket.
- Installation post here
- M.O.R.E. skid system
- 2.0T 2 door oil pan/trans skid
- 2 door transfer case skid
- 2 door gas tank skid
- The engine oil pan and the trans oil pan are extremely exposed, in my opinion, on the JL and given that I plan to wheel stock, this needed protection. The stock transfer case skid looked strong enough, but didn't cover as much space as I'd like. I also like that M.O.R.E.'s gas stank skid bolts over the stock gas tank skid. My experience with the JKR was that the gas tank skid takes a beating, and while the stock one holds up OK, I'd prefer something thicker. I like that it bolts over the existing skid because honestly I'm too lazy to drop the gas tank or deal with ratchet strapping it in place to get a new skid on. The M.O.R.E. skid is simple bolt on, and I like that.
- Installation post here
- Rancho rear diff skid
- Buddy of mine has been running these on his JK and seems to like them, giving them a go on the JL in lieu of aftermarket diff covers. We'll see if I like them.
- Not much to this install, but pics of the install are here
- Rancho front diff skid
- This unit is just released for the late '21 and up JL/JT without the drain plug on the front axle.
- Pretty much the same as the rear, install post here
- Metalcloak Overline Rock Rails
- Messing around with the Mopar "heavy duty" sliders I am seeing that they flex enough to probably make body contact if you drop the Jeep on them. I've also been finding in my research that a ton of JL frame-mounted sliders still exhibit a lot of flex. The most plausible explanation I've seen is that the JL frame material is thin, so bolt on sliders that mount to the frame simply pull it/push it out of shape, as the JL's frame strength comes from being boxed and not from flat out material strength. So, going with a body mount slider that's strong enough but maintains ground clearance so I'll stay out of them as much as possible.
- Installation post here
- Rancho rear LCA/shock skid
- Suspension/Steering/Axles
- Knuckles/Ball joints
- Knuckles
- 68477358AA - Front Knuckle, Right
68477359AA - Front Knuckle, Left- Installed the Mopar steel knuckles as I'm preparing to lift. Is some peace of mind over the aluminum knuckles, which turned out to be rather soft.
- 68477358AA - Front Knuckle, Right
- Ball Joints:
- Dynatrac HD ball joints
- Ran the JK version of these for 70k+ miles without needing a rebuild, whereas the factory style ones would go out within just a few wheeling trips. Will run these again on the JL when I go to bigger tires or when the factory joints fail on the stock tires, whichever comes first.
- Dynatrac HD ball joints
- Install post here
- Knuckles
- JKS 3" J-Konnect lift for 2-door
- I have an affinity for Fox shocks after running them on my JK for many years. Since JKS is owned by Fox, I figured their springs and the shocks (2.5s with DSC adjusters) would be a good combination. There's really only one size of non-coilover lift they offer and at 3" (2.5" 4-door spring really) it's in a good spot for what I want - low-ish, but not so low I can't adeptly clear 37s. I also tend to like fixed LCAs since I'm a driveway installer and just let the lift manufacturer worry about setting proper geometry. I'm not worried about having the absolute flexiest Jeep out there, just more height and tire than stock.
- Install posts here, here, and here
- JKS HD springs
- I found the SD springs only netted 2-2.5" of lift, with the rear springs struggling more than the front springs. @JKS Manufacturing does warn on their site that the SD springs are not intended for aftermarket bumpers/full size spares, so I knew going in I might have to swap out the SD springs if I wasn't lucky with the OE bumpers. I decided to swap out to the HD springs to get closer to my desired 3" of lift. Springs are approximately the same free length, so just likely a slightly uprated spring rate. Springs still feel nice and comfortable just like the SD version.
- Install here
- Knuckles/Ball joints
- Body
- Teraflex Adjustable Tire Carrier
- Ran the JK version of this as well (their whole hinged carrier kit) and liked it. This one seems solid, but the install hardware for the lugs could definitely use some improvement.
- Install post here
- Rancho E-brake Relocation Bracket
- More positive way to relocate the e-brake lines for a lift
- Install post here
- Mopar Winch Plate and Warn M8000 with Bubba Winch Line
- I chose to run the Mopar winch plate because it doesn't space the bumper out any further - which is an important consideration given that I'm running the stock steel bumper which already sits fairly far out. The winch I chose was the Warn M8000 due to its smaller size and lower weight, and the Bubba winch line was chosen due to its metal-free system it offered.
- Install posts here, here, here, and here
- Metalcloak/ARS OEM steel bumper reinforcement
- Teraflex Adjustable Tire Carrier
- Wheels/Tires
- KMC Riot Beadlocks and 37x12.50R17 General Grabber X3 tires
- I like a traditional looking hole-spoke wheel, and they're going to get beat up so I don't particularly want pained wheels. These fit the bill perfectly. Went with 17x9 in -12 offset, ~4.5" backspacing.
- I generally run BFGs but was looking for another MT option, these don't have a ton of people using them but General is a good quality tire company. Decided to give them a go.
- Install posts here and here
- KMC Riot Beadlocks and 37x12.50R17 General Grabber X3 tires
Potential/Planned Mods
These are things I know are likely to be warranted sooner rather than later before too much evaluation of the stock Jeep is performed.
- Doors:
- Mopar Tube Doors
- CMM Mirror Kit
- One of the things I loved/hated about my JK were the half doors. The factory half doors were great on nice days, but horrible on wet days. I was constantly fighting water intrusion into the cabin. However, they were great off road. So, I figure I'll just run tube doors on days I wheel. The Mopar tube doors are stupid expensive, but they seem to be about the best quality tube door you can get in terms of fitment. I'll probably just eat the cost and get the Mopar doors.
- Exhaust:
- Magnaflow "Rock Crawler" cat back
- The stock exhaust in the JKs and JLs simply hangs low, especially the muffler. Willing to run the stock system for a while, but I'm fairly certain (judging by its similar location and size to the JK exhaust) that I'm going to beat the hell out of the muffler on the trail. A nice high tuck system seems to be the direction I'll head.
- Magnaflow "Rock Crawler" cat back
- Heat Reduction:
- Poison Spyder Rubicon hood louver
- I had the AEV vented hood on my JK and found it to be an awesome thing for heat reduction while on the trail. Since the 2.0T runs pretty warm in the JL, figuring these will be a nice option for venting the stock Rubicon hood.
- OTB Fab Hood Vents
- Another option I've run across
- Poison Spyder Rubicon hood louver
- Steering Linkages
- Artec Aluminum Linkages
- Aluminum for lighter weight for the diameter and plenty of thickness, and easily replaceable - and more importantly - DECENT rod ends
- Artec Aluminum Linkages
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