Jcoke90
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Hey all, I am going to start posting some things that I have learned from building my JLU Sport. There are quite a few things that I wish I had known coming in- and maybe if I was part of these forums back then I could have found out! I considered which Jeep to buy and decided on the JL Sport a little over a year ago and this is what I have to say to those considering buying a Jeep. Feel free to add on or ask questions. This thread might be useful for someone trying to choose between trim levels as well.
Some things I wish I would've gotten as factory options:
The only 2 options my JL came with was a hard top and heated seats (heated seats are also a must in the cold climates)
1. Tow package and auxiliary lights.
I installed the Mopar auxiliary bank myself to go with my KC lights. That process was a MF nightmare.. the bank itself is expensive but I prefer the factory look with no drilling. The hard part was fishing the wires through the firewall which felt like it had two rubber grommets to get through. The video I saw for instructions also did not inform me that simply disconnecting the battery was not enough to stop power. This ended with sparks and a blown fuse in the line which was more of a pain. the process includes ripping out most of the dash and dealing with electronic pins which I am not good with. Save yourself the hassle/anxiety and 3-6 hours of messing around. Get it from the factory if you're going to do it.
Another note: The package comes with a better alternator and battery as well. My Halogen KC lights seem to be okay, but they can give me a battery warning with the ESS and an occasional flicker. I don't know if I would be able to run both a set of halogen spots and fogs at the same time without issues. LEDs would probably be fine though if you wanted to spend a little more. Also, you get a class 2 receiver, so it's definitely worth spending the money on.
2. Alpine stereo
Though it is not AS bad as many will tell you, the factory stereo is quiet and not very exciting. Having test driven a Rubicon with the alpine stereo, I can tell you it absolutely kicks ass. Much more full and buttery that the stock option. The only comparable option to the factory upgrade is alpine's "after the fact" version of the system. This involves putting the sub under the seat. This process is even worse than the auxiliary bank and leaves the system at potential water damage risk. It also costs the exact same as it does from the factory before the install. I couldn't find one with the exact options that I wanted and I went with less than more, knowing I could swap it out if I really wanted to.
Some things you might like that will come in higher priced models or need to be put on later:
1. LED lighting package. The halogen lights suck.. I swapped the headlights to the oracle full sized halo and projector beams. They weren't cheap but it's probably the best thing you can do for the safety of everyone around. Stock JL halogens do not fit with 90% of aftermarket bumpers which sucks too.
2. Big brakes- Big brake kits IMO are a must for those running 37s or over. I run 35s and I don't see an absolute necessity for it but I will eventually do it because even an increase of 10 feet on braking can be the difference between almost hitting something and absolutely destroying whatever is in front of you. I like to be in control of my vehicle.
3. Axels and lockers. If you are looking to go off road and do some serious stuff. Get the beefier axels. They come with lockers and they can handle a little more of everything, including tires, than the stock D30s. I am looking to get some rubi takeoff axels if I move somewhere after college that is more apt to crawling than the Iowa-SD-Nebraska line. You might be able to get away driving 37s in the city with these axels but you won't want to for other reasons I'll get to.
4. 4.10-5.13 Gears. If you are running anything bigger than the stock tire size you may want to regear or go with the axel swap. I am running 35s with 3.43 gears and I have noticed a tremendous difference in road manners. People with the automatics say that they are okay, so if you don't want to axel swap or have to regear, you might be better off with an auto if you are looking to runn 35s or (god forbid) 37s on stock axels and gears. I have the 6 speed manual and when it was windy I literally couldn't keep my jeep going any faster than 70 on flat ground in 5th or 6th. It would not hold speed on any grade whatsoever. Without the wind, I can go 80 on flat ground on I-29 in 6th, but I keep it in 5th for the most part and drop it to 4th or even 3rd in the hills of NW Iowa. it feels really slow after 4th gear and taking off from a stop necessitates a little more clutch slip due to rolling resistance. If I don't get the rubicon axels I will be running 4.10 or 4.56 gears for my 35s so I can get a little pep back in her. 37s would not work...
5. speedometer adjustment
don't go to your crooked dealer to adjust your speedo or for anything but a recall. Get a tazer and do it yourself. I even found a hidden function with mine that turns the camera on when you turn, which is genius because you can't see anything with an oversized spare.
6. Tailgate
If you are doing some higher level trails, get a nice bumper mounted tire carrier. If you are running a 35, get the relocation plate for the tire carrier and if you are a worrier like me, a cheap reinforcement kit. Just allocate some into the budget, because I always heard you were able to fit a 35 with no problems, but there really are some.
7. Soft top upgrade
Hard tops are great for the winter, but I have upgraded to a Trektop for the spring and summer and I love it. I have heard from people that the twill tops are just as good as a hard top in about every measure. I'm a college student so I got the cheap one, but I'm gonna keep it on as long as I can because I love it. Maybe I'll get some aftermarket doors to make the full transformation that much faster and less space consuming. Soft tops are much better than they used to be.
Reflecting- I am glad I got a JL sport. I really didn't have the means to justify paying 50k for a new Rubicon anyway lol. There are a bunch of things that I wish mine had, but at the end of the day you can make your jeep into a rubicon or better from a sport. A sporticon, if you will. The cool thing about that is you can experience and decide exactly what you need. If you just want to run 35s with a 2.5 inch lift for daily driving and light to mild off roading, the sport will get you by, but you'll need to do some stuff where the rubicon is ready to play out of the box. My next Jeep will either be a rubicon or an older CJ for a second vehicle that I can beat the shit out of and not worry about the daily driving aspect.
Thanks for reading all of this.. What did you wish you knew before driving your baby off the lot?
Some things I wish I would've gotten as factory options:
The only 2 options my JL came with was a hard top and heated seats (heated seats are also a must in the cold climates)
1. Tow package and auxiliary lights.
I installed the Mopar auxiliary bank myself to go with my KC lights. That process was a MF nightmare.. the bank itself is expensive but I prefer the factory look with no drilling. The hard part was fishing the wires through the firewall which felt like it had two rubber grommets to get through. The video I saw for instructions also did not inform me that simply disconnecting the battery was not enough to stop power. This ended with sparks and a blown fuse in the line which was more of a pain. the process includes ripping out most of the dash and dealing with electronic pins which I am not good with. Save yourself the hassle/anxiety and 3-6 hours of messing around. Get it from the factory if you're going to do it.
Another note: The package comes with a better alternator and battery as well. My Halogen KC lights seem to be okay, but they can give me a battery warning with the ESS and an occasional flicker. I don't know if I would be able to run both a set of halogen spots and fogs at the same time without issues. LEDs would probably be fine though if you wanted to spend a little more. Also, you get a class 2 receiver, so it's definitely worth spending the money on.
2. Alpine stereo
Though it is not AS bad as many will tell you, the factory stereo is quiet and not very exciting. Having test driven a Rubicon with the alpine stereo, I can tell you it absolutely kicks ass. Much more full and buttery that the stock option. The only comparable option to the factory upgrade is alpine's "after the fact" version of the system. This involves putting the sub under the seat. This process is even worse than the auxiliary bank and leaves the system at potential water damage risk. It also costs the exact same as it does from the factory before the install. I couldn't find one with the exact options that I wanted and I went with less than more, knowing I could swap it out if I really wanted to.
Some things you might like that will come in higher priced models or need to be put on later:
1. LED lighting package. The halogen lights suck.. I swapped the headlights to the oracle full sized halo and projector beams. They weren't cheap but it's probably the best thing you can do for the safety of everyone around. Stock JL halogens do not fit with 90% of aftermarket bumpers which sucks too.
2. Big brakes- Big brake kits IMO are a must for those running 37s or over. I run 35s and I don't see an absolute necessity for it but I will eventually do it because even an increase of 10 feet on braking can be the difference between almost hitting something and absolutely destroying whatever is in front of you. I like to be in control of my vehicle.
3. Axels and lockers. If you are looking to go off road and do some serious stuff. Get the beefier axels. They come with lockers and they can handle a little more of everything, including tires, than the stock D30s. I am looking to get some rubi takeoff axels if I move somewhere after college that is more apt to crawling than the Iowa-SD-Nebraska line. You might be able to get away driving 37s in the city with these axels but you won't want to for other reasons I'll get to.
4. 4.10-5.13 Gears. If you are running anything bigger than the stock tire size you may want to regear or go with the axel swap. I am running 35s with 3.43 gears and I have noticed a tremendous difference in road manners. People with the automatics say that they are okay, so if you don't want to axel swap or have to regear, you might be better off with an auto if you are looking to runn 35s or (god forbid) 37s on stock axels and gears. I have the 6 speed manual and when it was windy I literally couldn't keep my jeep going any faster than 70 on flat ground in 5th or 6th. It would not hold speed on any grade whatsoever. Without the wind, I can go 80 on flat ground on I-29 in 6th, but I keep it in 5th for the most part and drop it to 4th or even 3rd in the hills of NW Iowa. it feels really slow after 4th gear and taking off from a stop necessitates a little more clutch slip due to rolling resistance. If I don't get the rubicon axels I will be running 4.10 or 4.56 gears for my 35s so I can get a little pep back in her. 37s would not work...
5. speedometer adjustment
don't go to your crooked dealer to adjust your speedo or for anything but a recall. Get a tazer and do it yourself. I even found a hidden function with mine that turns the camera on when you turn, which is genius because you can't see anything with an oversized spare.
6. Tailgate
If you are doing some higher level trails, get a nice bumper mounted tire carrier. If you are running a 35, get the relocation plate for the tire carrier and if you are a worrier like me, a cheap reinforcement kit. Just allocate some into the budget, because I always heard you were able to fit a 35 with no problems, but there really are some.
7. Soft top upgrade
Hard tops are great for the winter, but I have upgraded to a Trektop for the spring and summer and I love it. I have heard from people that the twill tops are just as good as a hard top in about every measure. I'm a college student so I got the cheap one, but I'm gonna keep it on as long as I can because I love it. Maybe I'll get some aftermarket doors to make the full transformation that much faster and less space consuming. Soft tops are much better than they used to be.
Reflecting- I am glad I got a JL sport. I really didn't have the means to justify paying 50k for a new Rubicon anyway lol. There are a bunch of things that I wish mine had, but at the end of the day you can make your jeep into a rubicon or better from a sport. A sporticon, if you will. The cool thing about that is you can experience and decide exactly what you need. If you just want to run 35s with a 2.5 inch lift for daily driving and light to mild off roading, the sport will get you by, but you'll need to do some stuff where the rubicon is ready to play out of the box. My next Jeep will either be a rubicon or an older CJ for a second vehicle that I can beat the shit out of and not worry about the daily driving aspect.
Thanks for reading all of this.. What did you wish you knew before driving your baby off the lot?
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