Destroyed MBZ Sprinter = JLU Rubicon 4xe build

[my_jeep_sucks]

Just saw the what did you get for Xmas thread and figured I might as well document this build. Due to a psychotic driveway in Tahoe I rolled my Sprinter which resulted in a new 4xe Rubicon.

Thankfully my Sprinter was able to donate a few parts; Warn Zeon 12-S Platinum winch, Baja Design LP9Pro lights, KC Gravity Pro 6 lightbar, and an ARB twin compressor.

The day after I got home I installed the BD LP9’s

I have them set to the aux 1 switch that triggers the low beams. This runs through a relay, so when you trigger the main high beams it also goes to high beam on the lp9’s.

A few days after that I tackled the winch. Getting the winch in there sucked. The 12-S is so damn big it was virtually impossible to get to the inner bumper bolts. I couldn’t get a socket to fit. I had to unbolt the winch from the plate so I could shift it from side to side while tightening up the bumper. Was more than a pain in the ass than I wanted it to be.

I ordered a Grimm fender mount kit for the ARB compressor. Hopefully it wil stop raining long enough for me to get this installed.

Suspension, wheels/tires, and a few other items are also in the near future.

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[my_jeep_sucks]

Thinkgs are happening. Patagonia M/T-02 in 38x13.5r17 just showed up. Feelt kinda bad for the tiny Fedex girl who dropped them off. Gonna be hard to wait for the Metalcloak Gamechanger lift kit and Accutune Fox DSC’s. Anyway these will fit under stock suspension?

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

Damn, didn’t realize mounting beadlocks was such a pain. The internet makes it look so easy. The hardest part was getting the tire bead to sit down into the front groove to accept the lock ring. I’ve done three so far and I’m beat.

I’m giving these Apex quick deflate valve stems a try. I’ll report back once I have a chance to put them into action.

None the less, I can’t help but wonder if these will fit under stock suspension ? It’s going to be really hard to wait for everything else to show up. Rear shocks are en routebut that’s about it.

Still putting the Jeep to good use. Was able to rescue a 26’ flatbed truck stuck in the snow the other day. I guess that’s the benefit of using a winch intended for a Sprinter.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Kinda curious to see how those MT02s perform and last compared to the originals.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

The issue with them fitting stock isn't so much the diameter but the width. You can stuff them under, they will definitely rub if you're offroading.
You will also very likely rub when turning as well.

Here is another thread on 38s no lift.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/38-w-o-lift.11787/

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

Kinda curious to see how those MT02s perform and last compared to the originals.

Will report back when I get some miles on them. I figured I'd give them a go, but can't seem to find any differences between 02's and the originals.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

They look very similar. Has to be a new rubber compound, as the originals would wear exceptionally fast. But the originals were/are great on the rocks, just terrible on the pavement.

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

One of the first modifcation I made was the addition of a JCR Off-road short roof rack. Lead time wasn’t too bad, and I got the rack in about 2 weeks. On opening the package I was pretty impressed at how well the rack was packaged. After unpacking things I found no instructions and a massive bag of hardware. I couldn’t really locate instructions online and ended up watching JCR’s install video. Overall it wasn’t rocket science and I didn’t really have any issues. The lack of instructions and the extra hardware on completion did add some confusion.

Here’s the installed rack with ski/snowboard clamshells.

The main reason I’m posting this is that I started hearing a clicking sound coming from the roof about a week after the install. Today I went around and tightened all the fasteners. It helped with the sound around town but I’m still hearing it on the freeway. What really surprised me was the hardware for the feet that attaches the rack to the roof rails was starting to rust. However, none of the crossbar fasteners were rusting. I’d think all the hardware would be stainless steel, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I’ll be reaching out to JCR for a resolution.

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

Couldn’t wait, but kinda wishing I had.

I ended up running out to Harbor Freight and picked up a Badlands off-road jack and decided to tackle a premature wheel instal. I’m new to the off road world, other than the Sprinter stuff I’ve done, and didn’t realize how hard it would be to get wheels on. I struggled with getting a 120lb wheel up a few inches onto a front stud that kept spinning. I did finally get them on after rolling around on the ground for about 30 minutes. I goat soaked from the wet roadway and the sweat from the effort. Man, I really wish I had a garage ?

Well, I can say that it drives….

And it rubs (as pretty much everyone knew it would)

On a plus note suspension parts are starting to show up. Hopefully it will be driveable in a month or so.

 

[OrneryBear]

Couldn’t wait, but kinda wishing I had.

I ended up running out to Harbor Freight and picked up a Badlands off-road jack and decided to tackle a premature wheel instal. I’m new to the off road world, other than the Sprinter stuff I’ve done, and didn’t realize how hard it would be to get wheels on. I struggled with getting a 120lb wheel up a few inches onto a front stud that kept spinning. I did finally get them on after rolling around on the ground for about 30 minutes. I goat soaked from the wet roadway and the sweat from the effort. Man, I really wish I had a garage ?

Well, I can say that it drives….

And it rubs (as pretty much everyone knew it would)

On a plus note suspension parts are starting to show up. Hopefully it will be driveable in a month or so.

Next time use a long pry bar under the tire and use the leverage to lift it and your other hand to guide it onto the studs.

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

Next time use a long pry bar under the tire and use the leverage to lift it and your other hand to guide it onto the studs.

Great tip. Thanks!

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

Finally got started on the Metalcloak Game Changer 3.5” suspension install. Had to get a bit creative as my front shocks have not arrived yet, and won’t until May. I’m using a Teraflex extension on the lower shock mount in the interim. I got through most of the front today. I‘m going to have to stop by harbor freight tomorrow to get a grinder to radius the window on the axle side track bar mount.

I was a bit surprised to see some rust on the oe track bar bushings on a car that only has 4k miles. Another thing I couldn’t get over was a fairly strong fuel smell under the Jeep.

Just a wee bit of a fender gap. I wish I had taken some before measurements. Also, I’m going to stick with the Blizzaks until ski season is over and then move over to the MTs.

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

Installed a Fox ATS steering stabilizer and wrapped up the rear. Looks super funny on the snow tires. Also, need to straighten the steering wheel.

Only hicup was trying to get the MC DB3 drop links installed. The instructions showed a bolt going through an existing hole that wasn’t there. Will have to give them a call in the am.

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

Just a quick rant. I hope the Teraflex reinforced tire package isn't as bad as their simple 2" extension. The instructions provided for the extension were for some sort of wiring related to Falcon shocks and had nothing to do with the extension. Instructions were found online and the second bolt I touched when torqueing stripped out. Not a good experience. This should have been the simplest part of the install!!!

Really looking forward to getting my Fox fronts so I can get rid of the extensions and the stock shocks. The front is super floaty where the rear feels nice and planted. I'm not sure where the stock shocks sit in their travel at OE ride height. But this minor change has really put the Jeep in a funky section of the dampening and rebound profile.

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

On a side note, with Blizzak's, this thing is a beast on icy roads and my driveway. I don't think there are many other vehicles without chains on that could make it up to this spot. It was pretty funny to watch my buddy in his JK on MTs slip and slide trying to get to the top (he never made it).

Will likely change to the Nokian Hakkapeliitta's in a 34.5" configuration when the Blizzak's wear out. Or, if anyone knows of any other studless snow/ice tires that are 35" or larger that would be appreciated? The Nokians are the biggest I've found.

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