Chocolate Thunder’s Most Excellent Build Thread!

[Chocolate Thunder]

7/27/2022 45,315 miles

I picked up my Jeep this afternoon from 249 Drivetrain after having Mopar gears, Reid knuckles, Teraflex ball joints, RCV axles and axle seals installed. Even though I’ve been told by several knowledgeable people (looking at you @chevymitchell) I don’t really need to heat cycle the new REM isotropic finished gears, I stopped after about 20 miles because I needed to run an errand anyway. I’ll lingered a bit to make sure they have a chance to cool before going another 15 miles then stopping for several more errands before driving the rest of the way home.

I discovered that @TeraFlex lower ball joint grease ports rub a little bit on the RCV axle boots. I called Teraflex and they’re aware of it. Wish I’d known prior to choosing these ball joints. Hopefully it’ll simple groove the boot surface slightly and clearance itself with no harm to either component. But for anyone reading this post, be aware of this going in. I’ll also need to get some low profile grease zerks.

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[blnewt]

7/27/2022 45,315 miles

I picked up my Jeep this afternoon from 249 Drivetrain after having Mopar gears, Reid knuckles, Teraflex ball joints, RCV axles and axle seals installed. Even though I’ve been told by several knowledgeable people (looking at you @chevymitchell) I don’t really need to heat cycle the new REM isotropic finished gears, I stopped after about 20 miles because I needed to run an errand anyway. I’ll lingered a bit to make sure they have a chance to cool before going another 15 miles then stopping for several more errands before driving the rest of the way home.

I discovered that @TeraFlex lower ball joint grease ports rub a little bit on the RCV axle boots. I called Teraflex and they’re aware of it. Wish I’d known prior to choosing these ball joints. Hopefully it’ll simple groove the boot surface slightly and clearance itself with no harm to either component. But for anyone reading this post, be aware of this going in. I’ll also need to get some low profile grease zerks.

How are you liking your new throttle response w/ the new gear sets? I doubt you were hard on it but I bet it's a great change

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

How are you liking your new throttle response w/ the new gear sets? I doubt you were hard on it but I bet it's a great change

Took it pretty easy all the way. I can’t tell yet.

 

[blnewt]

Took it pretty easy all the way. I can’t tell yet.

Yeah, I kinda figured baby steps for a while, really looking forward to seeing all the new stuff you've got going on!

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

7/27/2022 45,315 miles

I picked up my Jeep this afternoon from 249 Drivetrain after having Mopar gears, Reid knuckles, Teraflex ball joints, RCV axles and axle seals installed. Even though I’ve been told by several knowledgeable people (looking at you @chevymitchell) I don’t really need to heat cycle the new REM isotropic finished gears, I stopped after about 20 miles because I needed to run an errand anyway. I’ll lingered a bit to make sure they have a chance to cool before going another 15 miles then stopping for several more errands before driving the rest of the way home.

I discovered that @TeraFlex lower ball joint grease ports rub a little bit on the RCV axle boots. I called Teraflex and they’re aware of it. Wish I’d known prior to choosing these ball joints. Hopefully it’ll simple groove the boot surface slightly and clearance itself with no harm to either component. But for anyone reading this post, be aware of this going in. I’ll also need to get some low profile grease zerks.

Really nice upgrades Jeremy!

Spending the time and money selecting a bunch of great aftermarket parts is one thing, seeing if it all plays together well is another. I remember when I having my lift installed and full MC steering linkage going on my Jeep the lead tech at Dixie 4Wheel Drive said to me, 'now let's see if we can get it all to play together nicely'. He was referring to MC linkage, Falcon Nexus EF 2.2 SS an AVE diff cover, which was a group of parts he had not seen together before. Fortunately, we made it all work.

Keep posting the informative posts Amigo, really appreciate it! Knowledge is power.


-Steven

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

I got the rear bumper removed and a test fit of the new Icon bumper. It is really a PITA. Looks like it’s going to work. Run, don’t walk away from any bumper that has round 2 1/2” inset lights. They are never easy to get in and the choices of backup lights that produce any decent amount of illumination is almost zero.

 

[blnewt]

I got the rear bumper removed and a test fit of the new Icon bumper. It is really a PITA. Looks like it’s going to work. Run, don’t walk away from any bumper that has round 2 1/2” inset lights. They are never easy to get in and the choices of backup lights that produce any decent amount of illumination is almost zero.

Definitely looks like a well built, quality bumper, NICE!

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Here’s my impressions of the Icon rear bumper.

Solidly built. I like it. Pros and cons:
Really nice welds. Good powder coat with minimal issues. Dumb 2 1/2” round light openings instead of openings to accommodate common flush mount lights like Baja, Rigid, or KC. Piss poor written instructions, no video of install. Grade 8.8 hardware instead of 10.9. Great profile that perfectly aligns with rear end’s slightly curved profile. It looks like it’ll help prevent body damage at the rear corners. We’ll see. The provided backup sensor bezel locking clips don’t lock them snug enough to the bumper, too much play. I’ll use some black RTV but I shouldn’t have to.

I have the MetalCloak tow wiring skid plate and I’ll have to make a slight notch in the underside edge bumper to accommodate one of the attachment bolts. Not any fault of Icon at all, but a 3/8” semicircle notch on the edge of the underside would allow an additional attachment point even without the skid. More attachment points to the frame is better.

I fought with it longer than I anticipated. I’m tired, my elbow aches, and I’m about 5 whiskey sours into recovery. So far…. Hopefully I’ll be in shape to do more tomorrow.

 

[blnewt]

New Yokos looking great there Mr. J
Love the work on the fenders too, nice job!

 

[rohdawg]

I may have missed a post. Which lights did you end up with for the bumper?

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

I may have missed a post. Which lights did you end up with for the bumper?

Truck stop.

No seriously I got some 2.5” LED lights, grommets, and pigtail wires from a truck part store. They’re the only places that have them. But I’m not in love with them and they don’t fit great. I’ve reached out to Baja Designs to see I’m maybe the S1 will work. It might require some modifications to the flush mount bezel though.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Since I’m selling some OEM parts I opted to also upgrade some stuff. Ordered the Teraflex license plate relocation kit since I have no rear or front plate now, Baja Designs Squadron SAE fog light kit, and a new Smittybilt X20 Gen 3 10K winch. Should be here this week for installation by next weekend. Hopefully.

 

[Abramovich]

@Chocolate Thunder

Jeremy, Does Icon have any back-up lights they recommend for their rear bumper?

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

@Chocolate Thunder

Jeremy, Does Icon have any back-up lights they recommend for their rear bumper?

They sell some that are like the ones I bought. https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com...ries-25-rubber-grommet-led-reverse-light-kit/

 

[jeepingib]

Man it sucks that they chose an oddball size to use as a recessed grommet mount. If they used a more common size like 4" you would have been able to find a better cheap alternative.

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