Chocolate Thunder’s Most Excellent Build Thread!

[SABLE RHINO]

So I’ve been a gear head forever and done builds but never really documented them in detail. This is my first Jeep. So I’ve decided to do just that this go round.

I don’t have nearly the deep technical knowledge of some of the many OG Jeepers here in this forum, so it’s not intended to be a repository of expert knowledge. This is a journal for myself as well as to possibly inspire others with ideas or maybe just entertain. Enjoy.

Also, right now I just happened to be watching Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure for the first time in 25 years, hence the title. Lol.


Window sticker

This is it as I walked up to the dealership.

First time freedom panels off. 67 degrees in January in Texas.

Throwing caution to the wind and driving like Mario Andretti during break in. I’m a crazy man!!!

First 4LO full flex!

Delivered to me with 16 miles on the odometer. Road trip from Houston to New Orleans for Saints playoff game on second day. 800 miles in the first 36 hours of ownership. Who Dat!!!

1/19/2019 1,086 miles
Today in installed my first “real” mod. Added the Fox steering stabilizer PN 985-24-173. Easy swap out, took maybe 10 or 15 minutes. Skill level 2 of 10 required. 2 18mm bolts to remove, replace the part, reinstall the bolts, torque to 59 ft/lbs. Easy peasy. I’ll see if the steering feels different/better on a 350 mile highway drive later this afternoon

Note: I don't suffer from any of the really bad steering problems many 2018 have faced, this was a planned change whether the steering was bad or not. More steering mods to come later.

Before

After

I also put in another minor mod that I had sitting around waiting for Rubi to get here. GPCA tie down anchors. Tooless easy to grip handles to fastener the hard top as well as D plates that serve as multi-purpose anchors. Relatively inexpensive, fast and easy to install.

Thanks for posting your build, what are the GPCA tie downs made off (the T Part)? Do you also have the GPCA cargo cover to go with your set up?

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[Chocolate Thunder]

Thanks for posting your build, what are the GPCA tie downs made off (the T Part)? Do you also have the GPCA cargo cover to go with your set up?

No cargo cover. The T handles are a hard plastic.

 

[SABLE RHINO]

No cargo cover. The T handles are a hard plastic.

Thank you

 

[pangmaster]

Nice build! I noticed you found some filler plates for behind the fog lights on the steel bumper. I have the plates from Maximus 3 for the frame rails around the winch, but I haven’t seen the plates for behind the fogs. Are those custom fabs or have I just missed who makes these? I’d like to cover mine as well.

Thanks!!!!

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Nice build! I noticed you found some filler plates for behind the fog lights on the steel bumper. I have the plates from Maximus 3 for the frame rails around the winch, but I haven’t seen the plates for behind the fogs. Are those custom fabs or have I just missed who makes these? I’d like to cover mine as well.

Thanks!!!!

A forum member 3D printed some for himself and posted them. I asked if he’d make a pair for me and he graciously did.

 

[pangmaster]

A forum member 3D printed some for himself and posted them. I asked if he’d make a pair for me and he graciously did.

Very nice. 3D printers are really cool, and something I don’t really think about because it still kind of blows my mind that we have this tech...

I’ll look for those files. Thanks!

 

[Maximus-3]

Very nice. 3D printers are really cool, and something I don’t really think about because it still kind of blows my mind that we have this tech...

I’ll look for those files. Thanks!

We are working on a prototype part for this as well! Just like our JK line, we are trying to duplicate these for our JL friends.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

10/12/2919 13,893 miles

I had a chance to get a little work done today in magnificent weather. I started installing my ARB twin compressor under the passenger seat using the Innovative JK bracket. Other than a few hiccups from working in tight spaces with big hands it was pretty straightforward. Got the wife to actually help me in a useful way getting her smaller hands under the seat track. Got it mounted and all of the plumbing put in. Next up is wiring it up to power.

EDIT: Before drilling the fastener holes in the seat brackets for the mounting plates, be sure to put down something to protect the carpet from the metal shavings. They’re really difficult to sweep/vacuum after they’re embedded in the carpet fibers.

 

[Army68F20]

Got mine installed two weeks ago and used it this past weekend, awesome product. Innovative JK Products ARB kit was easy to install, looks great and makes airing up and down quick and easy. You will love it.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Got mine installed two weeks ago and used it this past weekend, awesome product. Innovative JK Products ARB kit was easy to install, looks great and makes airing up and down quick and easy. You will love it.

Did you by chance take any photos of the electrical wiring of your installation?

 

[Army68F20]

Did you by chance take any photos of the electrical wiring of your installation?

A few but nothing detailed...the wiring was pretty straight forward. I ran the power cable thru the drain plug grommet in the passenger floor board and then up to the battery as suggested in the instructions. The control cable I ran to the passenger footwell, I did not build the connector or use the cable that plugs into said connector...I only used the purple wire. Attaching the ARB purple wire to the blue/pink wire of my AUX4 switch using a female spade in the footwell. And that was it, done, changed the AUX4 button from ignition to battery and bam good to go.

 

[Brian0128]

Are you worried about going through the grommet with wiring? I’m worried about water intrusion from water crossings.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

I haven’t really examined it and decided how I’m going to wire it. I think maybe underneath the rocker panel trim, under the glove box, and through the firewall somewhere. I’ll waterproof any opening through a grommet by using some silicone.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I haven’t really examined it and decided how I’m going to wire it. I think maybe underneath the rocker panel trim, under the glove box, and through the firewall somewhere. I’ll waterproof any opening through a grommet by using some silicone.

Save your self some trouble and pull the inner fender liner down out of the way. Doesn’t have to be completely removed but pull the 10mm nuts and Christmas trees so you can pull it back. I had to run a controller cable thru that passenger side grommet and it was the worst part of the build.

Brett

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

2/5/2020 17,899 miles

Been a while since I made an entry. Today I had a couple of things arrive from @Northridge4x4. Quick shipping as always, thanks.

Since it was almost dark when I got hone and cold outside, I just did one quick install. A new @ROCK HARD 4X4 winch guard/light mount bar. Super simple install. Remove 6 OEM bumper bolts, put it in place, added some blue Loctite, and replaced the bolts. That’s it.

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