Back Again With the Wrangler

[PistolPete91]

Happy Friday Everyone!

Been meaning to do this for awhile but work has been crazy. I picked up a 2021 Rubicon last September in Sarge Green after searching forever for that color or Gobi. I got a great deal and after moving from Boise, ID to Scottsdale, AZ i found one the 2nd day into my move.

I traded in a 2020 (i think) Grand Cherokee High Altitude, which by the way might be the perfect car. I loved it, but i got the Wrangler bug again and couldn't shake it

Its my third Wrangler after having 2 JKs, and I absolutely love this thing.

This is it on the lot the day i got it. Love that the Sarge Green changes colors depending on the light
The first mods were mostly cosmetic, as there were some obvious signs of use from the previous owner.

Here is the list of mods so far
**AAL seat and door molle panels in matte black
**AAL M.A.S.S storage plate for the rear cargo area
** 2024 Wrangler Grille
** Wireless apple carplay adapter (this is a gamechanger that updates the Wrangler tech to where it should be)
** Smittybilt 9500lb winch with winch plate
** Removed the end caps to the stock front bumper
**AAL Fire extinguisher mount
** Short antennae
** CROW Molle System from Epic Adventure Outfitters
** NOVsight 3" and 6" lights for A pillar and bumper
** Teraflex Spare Tire carrier and tailgate reinforcement

I dont want to bore you with multiple post with these small upgrades so here is some photos of where it currently stands!

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[JPROCKS]

Looks great!

 

[PistolPete91]

thanks!

Had the guys over at Desert Rat in Tempe throw on a 2.5 AEV lift kit this week. My initial thoughts are it drives very similar to stock, but i did net a little taller than 2.5 in each corner. I don't have much weight on my jeep so im hoping that settles in after a few hundred miles.

** I chose this lift because i felt like for the money, it was what i needed to start taking this build to the next level. I badly wanted the adjustable Teraflex shocks and some of their components, but just didnt want to break the bank right out of the gate.

This is how it sits now, as cant for the life of me find the wheels that i want to throw on here. I like the Teraflex Nomad in bronze but they are out of stock everywhere.

 

[PistolPete91]

While I wait for any kind of rim & tire combo that I like, decided to upgrade the lighting from what I bought initially. While good parts are expensive, I really believe there is such an obvious difference in the quality. Got a set of flex ere 3s for the a pillars, as well as the flex era 4s for the bumper. im going to wire the amber backlights together on the same switch, and then the bright whites separately. I can’t decide if I’ll change out the amber covers that KC has.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

Try the mammoth cliffhanger. It looks pretty similar to the teraflex nomad. But looks like only black. Fuel also makes a wheel that looks like the nomad.

 

[Stetson]

Really nice Jeep! Happy trails!

 

[OffRoadMedic392]

While I wait for any kind of rim & tire combo that I like, decided to upgrade the lighting from what I bought initially. While good parts are expensive, I really believe there is such an obvious difference in the quality. Got a set of flex ere 3s for the a pillars, as well as the flex era 4s for the bumper. im going to wire the amber backlights together on the same switch, and then the bright whites separately. I can’t decide if I’ll change out the amber covers that KC has.

Post some photos of the completed look, I'm looking at doing the same thing on mine. Keeping the amber bezels to blend in with the 392 bronze.

 

[PistolPete91]

OK! Been a minute since ive hopped on here, and I have made a few modifications to the Jeep over the last couple of weeks. Its getting nice here in AZ so its time to put this thing to use on a few camping trips!

** Took it out north of Cave Creek, AZ to get some fresh air and drive around a bit. Post rainstorm (monsoon? im new here..). Drives great, and new AEV 2.5" lift is setting nicely. I was worried when it was first installed that it was too tall but it feels more planted and receptive now.

** Check out the little custom KC lights on the back of the Jeep, and idea i stole from a few people on Youtube. Its a subtle but functional mod and honestly a fun one to install. The front flex era 3s and 4s are working great, and even though ive only tested them a couple of times, THEY ARE BRIGHT.

 

[PistolPete91]

Got off work a little early today and installed some interior upgrades from Goose Gear. I had the American Adventure Lab rear cargo cover, but i wanted something different. No knock on AAL, as their products and customer service are top notch.

** Installed Goose Gear's rear cargo plate in preparation for their 60% seat delete. Super impressed with the quality and attention to detail with this product. Insanely easy to install, and really rounds out the back of the Jeep nicely, and it almost feels and looks stock. I have been leaving my windows down as the chemical that is on the plate system is fairly strong out of the box.

** Also installed their tailgate table after putting in my cart at least 15 different times. I have a bad habit of doing that. The quality once again was great, and the install while probably needing a second pair of hands can be done with a little determination and an impending social obligation.

Next stop... 37s.

 

[PistolPete91]

- Third post in one evening? whatever, I'm doing it. I found a set of (5) Teraflex Nomad wheels in bronze which I think will look great with the Sarge Green. They have just been staring at me in my office all day for the past few weeks.

- I am hesitant to get new tires before the winter time as I travel for work quite a bit in the winter and don't get to use the Jeep much. I have decided however after much deliberation that I am going to go with the Toyo Open Country RT Trails in a 37". From what I have read, they seem to be a little more friendly on road, which is a welcomed quality after having mud terrains on my old JK forever.

 

[AZ Hella]

OK! Been a minute since ive hopped on here, and I have made a few modifications to the Jeep over the last couple of weeks. Its getting nice here in AZ so its time to put this thing to use on a few camping trips!

** Took it out north of Cave Creek, AZ to get some fresh air and drive around a bit. Post rainstorm (monsoon? im new here..). Drives great, and new AEV 2.5" lift is setting nicely. I was worried when it was first installed that it was too tall but it feels more planted and receptive now.

** Check out the little custom KC lights on the back of the Jeep, and idea i stole from a few people on Youtube. Its a subtle but functional mod and honestly a fun one to install. The front flex era 3s and 4s are working great, and even though ive only tested them a couple of times, THEY ARE BRIGHT.

I love the seven springs area! lot's to explore out there.

 

[wibornz]

Happy Friday Everyone!

Been meaning to do this for awhile but work has been crazy. I picked up a 2021 Rubicon last September in Sarge Green after searching forever for that color or Gobi. I got a great deal and after moving from Boise, ID to Scottsdale, AZ i found one the 2nd day into my move.

I traded in a 2020 (i think) Grand Cherokee High Altitude, which by the way might be the perfect car. I loved it, but i got the Wrangler bug again and couldn't shake it

Its my third Wrangler after having 2 JKs, and I absolutely love this thing.

This is it on the lot the day i got it. Love that the Sarge Green changes colors depending on the light
The first mods were mostly cosmetic, as there were some obvious signs of use from the previous owner.

Here is the list of mods so far
**AAL seat and door molle panels in matte black
**AAL M.A.S.S storage plate for the rear cargo area
** 2024 Wrangler Grille
** Wireless apple carplay adapter (this is a gamechanger that updates the Wrangler tech to where it should be)
** Smittybilt 9500lb winch with winch plate
** Removed the end caps to the stock front bumper
**AAL Fire extinguisher mount
** Short antennae
** CROW Molle System from Epic Adventure Outfitters
** NOVsight 3" and 6" lights for A pillar and bumper
** Teraflex Spare Tire carrier and tailgate reinforcement

I dont want to bore you with multiple post with these small upgrades so here is some photos of where it currently stands!

Sweet and you are by some awesome wheeling.

 

[PistolPete91]

I bought this 2021 used, with about 30k miles on it. The more i dove into it post purchase this thing was used pretty hard by the owner before me. I took it to a shop and they said everything was working perfectly, so i just fixed all of the cosmetic blemishes myself. One thing i wanted to do after seeing some videos is paint the hard top interior black. The white was showing some wear and was just generally dirty. AEV does this for their vehicles leaving their shop and honestly this should be an option for every Wrangler that makes it off the assembly line. It looks so much cleaner and functional.

I used a Krylon blend, that had a primer element to it already. I cleaned the freedom panels with some rubbing alcohol, and then scrubbed it with a super brittle towel. Took 3 coats, and it did it in about 3 hours while I was working, so i waited about 30 mins in between each application. here are the results! I need to do the back still, but i can do that in the garage this winter. I love the look with the Crow Molle system!

 

[PistolPete91]

** Had the best week of Facebook marketplace luck here in Scottsdale maybe ever! I found the 60% seat delete from Goose Gear from someone who was switching out vehicles and managed to get it for a steal. It was already in my cart on their website, but i was hesitant to purchase because of the price and long order process. Found along the install that I was missing a few small pieces of hardware, which was easily remedied by a quick trip to Lowes. It is in basically perfect shape which is great. I will say the install just takes a little while, its not complicated by any means but lining up all of the bolts can be a little cumbersome.

** While we are on the subject, i also found the fridge slider from someone selling on FB marketplace. Still got a deal on this and this was more of a want than a need, but it was great not having to wait the 10 weeks again from Goose Gear. Bolts right up and the quality of this thing is actually pretty insane. Their stuff really is top tier.

** I really like the look of the interior now, and I rarely drive with more than one other person in the car. I am going to add some little LED lights inside of the storage cubbies and hook it up to a little toggle switch. I think the entire project cost like $18 and it will give me something to do this week after work. (I love a cheap creature comfort mod that while simple, actually proves to be a nice upgrade.)

** One small issue I am dealing with is the rear of the Jeep interior squeaks and creaks, which i have to say is very very annoying. I think that I have diagnosed it, and believe that my Teraflex alpha tire carrier could use a reinstall of sorts. I am going to pay the shop here in town to look at it, and then torque down all of the bolts to spec. When the top is off, there are no rattles or noises, which is confusing. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them!

 

[PistolPete91]

Went camping at Edge of the World near Flagstaff and Sedona this last weekend. Was nice to pack up the Jeep and head out of town. Next mod i NEED is a system to air up my tires. I have a battery powered one right now that works decently, but when I put my 37s on at the end of the month it will be too much work for them. I want to get something like the new ARB compressor, but its quite the investment. I loved all of the new Goose Gear stuff i installed last week, and it was so nice to not have the rear seats in the Jeep for some extra room.

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