fxceptioN's 2022 JLUR XR Build Log

[fxceptioN]

UPDATE: THIS JEEP WAS BOUGHT BACK BY FCA. ORDERED A 2024 JLUR XR. New Build/Journal thread linked below.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/fxceptions-2024-jlur-xr.126835/


Took delivery of my ordered jeep back in March 2022. Started ordering parts slowly just recently. Only mod on the vehicle so far right now are the LOD Signature Series rock sliders which I installed back in June, I'll post a pic of that tomorrow. I purchased a Next Venture Motorsports adventure series aluminum bumper this past weekend, which I'm waiting for shipping.

Jeep's got 17.2k miles mostly highway/city for now. I've been mainly waiting on hitting the trails until I get some sort of recovery gear, and body protection, I'd rather not take any chances.

Mods List:
LOD Signature Series Rock Sliders
Next Venture Motorsports Adventure Series Aluminum Bumper.
Next Venture Motorsports Featherweight Series Rear Bumper.
Baja Designs S2 Sport LED Wire Cornering, Flush Mount Reverse Kit.
Warn Zeon 12-S

I'll fix this post up later

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[fxceptioN]

Reserved

 

[Jeepster77]

The Next Venture Aluminum Adventure Series front bumper for a JL Wrangler is a GREAT bumper. I just put it on. It took a while though. Here are my install notes. Hopefully, you find this video helpful:

 

[fxceptioN]

The Next Venture Aluminum Adventure Series front bumper for a JL Wrangler is a GREAT bumper. I just put it on. It took a while though. Here are my install notes. Hopefully, you find this video helpful:

Awesome. I’ll definitely check it out.

Thanks!

 

[fxceptioN]

Bumpers finally arrived yesterday. Dropped them off at the powder coater this morning.

 

[fxceptioN]

Had my parts powder coated for almost 2 weeks now.

Decided yesterday was the day to start installing parts. Let me tell you, that front bumper was a pain in the ass to install. Instructions were meh to say the least. However managed to piece everything together. Took me nearly 12 hours on the front bumper. You have start somewhere but I did it!

The only thing I need to do right now is run the fog light wiring and zip tie them somewhere where they won't get nicked. Any suggestions? After that on to the rear bumper!

 

[fxceptioN]

So I just spent nearly 8 hours trying to install the Next Venture Motorsports Featherweight Series Rear Bumper. I thought the Mopar Rear Bumper Mounting Spacer got in the way so I removed it, tried aligning the bumper again still won't line up with the plates on both sides. I cant get both sides to align with the plate. It only aligns on side. I can't tell what is getting in the way when I try to push the bumper in to get both sides to align. I wish the instruction guide had more photos. @NextDan any suggestions?

 

[NextDan]

Abe, thanks for tagging me and asking! Our bumpers are designed to hug pretty tight (we don't like to lose clearance or departure) and are about as tight to the frame and body as they can be without having to do a frame chop or modification.

I've seen this before; and sometimes the rear crossmember is a bit further back then we would expect to see it -- usually due to vehicle to vehicle variance (just tolerance stack up from the frame vendor that Jeep uses) but occasionally due to impacts to the hitch making it drift (doesn't seem to be the case here based on how clean your JL appears to be.) The fix is usually pretty easy -- do you have the logo backing plate (small aluminum piece) bolted in place behind the rear bumper's tire recess behind the logo cut out? We have often seen the hardware hit the rear crossmember on that. If removing it helps, we may need a shorter bolt there. Let me know what you see there.

And the blue highlighted piece -- sounds like you already have that removed but I'd leave that out as well too.

We're in the shop today till 4pm if you need to give me or Tyler a call!

So I just spent nearly 8 hours trying to install the Next Venture Motorsports Featherweight Series Rear Bumper. I thought the Mopar Rear Bumper Mounting Spacer got in the way so I removed it, tried aligning the bumper again still won't line up with the plates on both sides. I cant get both sides to align with the plate. It only aligns on side. I can't tell what is getting in the way when I try to push the bumper in to get both sides to align. I wish the instruction guide had more photos. @NextDan any suggestions?

 

[fxceptioN]

Abe, thanks for tagging me and asking! Our bumpers are designed to hug pretty tight (we don't like to lose clearance or departure) and are about as tight to the frame and body as they can be without having to do a frame chop or modification.

I've seen this before; and sometimes the rear crossmember is a bit further back then we would expect to see it -- usually due to vehicle to vehicle variance (just tolerance stack up from the frame vendor that Jeep uses) but occasionally due to impacts to the hitch making it drift (doesn't seem to be the case here based on how clean your JL appears to be.) The fix is usually pretty easy -- do you have the logo backing plate (small aluminum piece) bolted in place behind the rear bumper's tire recess behind the logo cut out? We have often seen the hardware hit the rear crossmember on that. If removing it helps, we may need a shorter bolt there. Let me know what you see there.

And the blue highlighted piece -- sounds like you already have that removed but I'd leave that out as well too.

We're in the shop today till 4pm if you need to give me or Tyler a call!

I did try calling the shop about 15 minutes ago. Nobody answered I left a VM with my phone number.

 

[NextDan]

I did try calling the shop about 15 minutes ago. Nobody answered I left a VM with my phone number.

Sounds like Tyler got on a call with you earlier this afternoon. Have a Happy 4th of July!

 

[fxceptioN]

Sounds like Tyler got on a call with you earlier this afternoon. Have a Happy 4th of July!

Yep I managed to speak to him, i figured out the issue. However the plate on the passenger side did not line up with the bottom holes on the bumper. I had to use my Dremel to grind out the metal to get one of the bolts to actually screw in. I also noticed the drivers side hangs lower than the passenger side, the gap also wider on the drivers side than it is on the passenger side. Is this normal?

 

[MIKKY Slim]

Nice build keep up for more !

snaptube vidmate​

 

[fxceptioN]

@NextDan Here are some more photos showing the gap between the bumper and the frame, and the bumper and the body panel on the sides. I spoke to Tyler about this Earlier today and he said he would get back to me. Maybe you can show him these photos as well.

 

[fxceptioN]

Just picked up my Warn Zeon 12-S from 4WheelParts. Will be installing that this weekend.

 

[NextDan]

It sounded like Tyler got you squared away last week, but I wanted to follow up anyways! Usually we don't see that much of a gap between the vertical frame mounting plates inside the bumper and the frame; however there is some vehicle to vehicle variance from one frame to the next and our worst case scenario would be a bumper fitting too tight to the frame -- to the point where it won't position over the frame rails to install at all. For your case, (and Tyler may have mentioned this) we have seen this on 2 other vehicles where we recommended some laser cut shims to take up the gap. If the gap is closed entirely on one side (by tightening all of the bolts on just one frame rail first) it will result in the bumper mounting a bit offset. The shim kit is something we have on the shelf and we're happy to get one out to you if Tyler hasn't already suggested it. I'm just catching up over the weekend here otherwise he would be sitting next to me and I'd ask him right now; but let us know!

@NextDan Here are some more photos showing the gap between the bumper and the frame, and the bumper and the body panel on the sides. I spoke to Tyler about this Earlier today and he said he would get back to me. Maybe you can show him these photos as well.

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