Coal Fire, JLUR build

[Biohazard]

Someone asked me about my set up. Here's my reply after 3 months on the icon stage 8.


I have yet to do serious off roading with it, though I've climbed some obstacles, done some trails with varying terrain, and am thrilled with the performance. Floats down rough trails, especially with the front sway bar disconnected; flexes like crazy both front and back; and the road ride is both tighter (less steering wander), and more comfortable than stock.

The added bonus of the adjustable shocks is worth the extra cash. Being able to change the tuning of the shocks in the back for heavy loads of firewood or four deer's worth of meat and hunting gear by twisting a dial, or having the front dialed tighter for a heavy winch and bumper when the rear is empty makes for a great rig all around.

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[Biohazard]

Took off the rubicon stickers, have a custom decal from @pixeldecals , but kinda like the clean hood. We shall see....

 

[Biohazard]

Saturday morning musings:


This is my third jeep build. First one was an XJ, started with a spacer lift and slowly added bumper/winch, roof rack, etc. . Took all the stuff except the spacer lift off and bought another XJ and did 4.5 inches of lift and 32's.

Current build: 2018 JLUR on icon stage 8 2.5 inch lift, 37's, Winch/roof rack.

Building with goals of functionality, quality, and community, I think are the most important things I've learned.

Functionality: if it is just for looks, it's a waste. My lift gave me room for 37 inch tires and 30% more travel up front, 20% rear, adjustable dampening for variable loads, and minimal fade for speed off road.

Quality: save up for the option that works and is reliable. All three builds (and multiple pieces of adventure gear) have seen me buy a cheap something in an attempt to save a buck, then have to go and buy the high quality one later anyway. If you can't afford it, just wait and save. Will save you money and time in the long run.

Community: I have a wife and 3 kids. This thing is built to take them with me. Everything from stickers helping us remember our adventures to tactical baby gear for daily needs keeps them happy and at ease in "Daddy's Jeep." Talking with others about getting out and seeing God's world, noting His design in everything, and engaging in fun technical (and non-technical) conversation, and enjoyment of good food and drink is what this is all about

 

[Biohazard]

Picked a name for the jeep, @pixeldecals provided a custom decal.

Reason for the name (if Christian theology isn’t your thing, skip this part): I preached a sermon a few months ago on John 21, where Peter is restored from his sin of denying Jesus. Turns out that John uses a few literary devices to link Peter’s sin with his restoration. First, Peter denied Jesus three times, and Jesus then asks Peter three times "do you love me?". Second, and where the Jeep name comes from, the only two places in the New Testament where the word "anthrakia" or "coal fire" is used is Peter warming himself by a fire of coals around his denial episodes, and in John 21 where Jesus gathers Peter and a few others around for a meal and the restoration chat.

Life has seen me make a lot of mistakes, and I've been given a lot of second chances. "Coal Fire" reminds me of the forgiveness I've received, that I ought to give others, and those burning coals give me strength to pursue serving others.

And "Anthrakion" looked too much like "Anthrax" and I thought would be a little weird.

 

[Biohazard]

Added some noise canceling lining under the carpet. Photo is part way through the install. Review pending driving around for a bit...

 

[Biohazard]

Driver's side done.

Review: Noico makes a good product, this is their 80mil stuff. One package was enough to cover 90% of surfaces under the driver's, passenger's, and rear seat sheet metal. I put a little in the back under the center section just behind the rear seat, but have plans to possibly route some air compressor stuff on the sides at some point, so left all that untouched

Noico Black 80 Mil 36 Sq Ft Car Sound Deadening, butyl automotive deadener restoration mat and Noise dampening insulation https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BKKZ1AM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NvcBEbKAVJE9A

Takes a little doing, but this stuff is awesome. When I first started driving, I thought the engine wasn't on, then I thought I had a hearing issue. Around town, 45mph or so, markedly quieter. Conversations are easier, music better, feels much more vault like.

However, add a lift, 37 inch km3's, and highway speeds, noise is back , mostly wind noise and tire drone. But that's expected, As this vehicle has the aerodynamics of a brick with 3 kites and a windmill attached.

 

[Rubi-Zero]

Nice build. I have that 80mil black Noico product in my amazon cart now just waiting for it to warm up to purchase and tackle the process.

 

[Biohazard]

Nice build. I have that 80mil black Noico product in my amazon cart now just waiting for it to warm up to purchase and tackle the process.

My wife took coal fire for a drive this afternoon. Direct quote: "oh yeah. Noise still there, but like it's down a long tunnel."

Definite improvement, and pretty easy to apply.

 

[Biohazard]

Added a couple pieces of sound deadening to the freedom top panels. Slowly turning coal fire into a Lexus

small gains here. Slightly more insulated, wind noise and rain noise down a bit. Easy to do. Best way is to press a sound insulation piece into the freedom panel, then trim. Once trimmed perfect, then roll it up a bit and slowly peel back the adhesive covering.

 

[Biohazard]

A little springtime photography from upstate NY. Good time for social distancing...in the woods.

 

[Rubi-Zero]

Nice shots.

 

[Biohazard]

Well, I'm back in the Jeep world after a 4 year hiatus. Spent four years exploring with a 2020 Tacoma, and after 5.29 gears, tuning, and lots of mods, became increasingly frustrated with the lack of engine power, the frustrating transmission, and how hard I'd have to work to get 35's to fit and then still have even more power and gear hunting problems.

Decided to get back in a 2019 JLUR. 54k miles, 2.5 inch lift, 35's (not a huge fan of the 20 inch wheels, but their days are numbered...). Also has the 2.0 turbo, which is my first time with this engine.
Looking forward to hanging out with you all again.

 

[Biohazard]

First mod: rugged ridge door sill guards.

Warn stubby elite bumper and smittybilt winch in the garage waiting for a free afternoon to install.

 

[Biohazard]

Stubby antennae came in. Was a favorite mood on my last Jeep, no need to worry about the tall one being bent or knocked off.

 

[Biohazard]

Warn stubby elite bumper added. This is my fourth vehicle with a smittybilt x20 10,000 lb winch. Never had a problem with them, and less than half the cost for a similar warn winch.

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