Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build

[Creeker]

Now that the RDS was installed, time to head trails.
A local club had an outing to Potts Mnt in VA.

Side note: Potts Mnt & I have a bit of history.
Two years ago, my son and I took the CJ out.
We maybe got a 1/4 mile in, and lost the rear drive shaft.
Decided to turn around and make it back to camp using FWD.
Then we broke a front axle shaft.
Limped off the trail on one wheel drive and a winch.
My son and I had a great time...

Anyway, time for the JLR to step up and challenge Potts Mnt.
Let me say that Potts Mnt is tuff.
And the obstacles are even tuffer.

Here's a few shots.

To be honest, I went around most of the obstacles...
Next time...

And Potts Mnt has some amazing views.

Potts Mnt was a great test of the Jeep and all its upgrades.
The Rock Krawler suspension and bump stops were amazing.
If there was one mod that really worked overtime on Potts Mnt, it was the RDS.

A little rattle can, and the RDS will be as good as new.

Conclusion, Potts Mnt is an amazing place to go wheeling.

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[e-pill]

im really liking the bikini color more n more every time I see your rig.

 

[Creeker]

After wheeling at Potts Mnt, a borrowed CO2 tank system was used to air-up up the tires.
Since the CO2 system worked well, thought it would be time to check out what's available.
There is one company that sells a CO2 system with overseas parts. The price is decent (~$350, but the quality is questionable).
There is one company that sells a high end CO2 system, but is very price (can be over $700).

Being the engineer, it should be possible to build a great system for less than $300.
Went online and bought a 10 Lb CO2 tank, with the regulator and the guard for around $150.
Most CO2 systems have 1/4" pneumatic fittings, so I figured a 3/8" fittings and hose would be more better :D

P-Type 3/8" fittings were used as well as a good quality 3/8" hybrid hose for around $35
The gauge assembly is made by JACO and its amazing for around $25.

So for around $250, a really great CO2 system was put together.



Well, with that part of the project done, on to installing the CO2 system into the JLR.

With the tank system built, it was time to figure out how to mount it.
The high end CO2 tank company had advertised what I thought was a good bracket system.
This is what they advertised was their system for around $90.

Looking at the pictures, thought this system would work well for the JLR.

The bracket arrived and what was in the box was some fasteners and this bracket:

So I called the factory and they said, yep that's all you get. The fine print in their add states you have to buy their "super bracket" separate for another $80 plus shipping.
If I would have known what I was buying, I would have made that bracket for around $5.

Having felt miss led by their description, I wasn't going to buy their "super bracket".
Especially for $80 for an item that appears to be built with some cheap rivets.

Another CO2 tank holding bracket was procured for around $45

Drilled some holes and bolted the two brackets together and then installed the system into the JLR.

Besides not reading the fine print, I am very happy with this system and saved a bunch of $$ sourcing the parts.

 

[oceanblue2019]

Nice setup but be careful with those Flexilla lines. I had several of them burst at well under 150psi and those that did not burst show bulges. They are very cheap and and not up to the psi they are rated.

Replaced them with Goodyear and happy, but a bit heavier and thicker.

 

[e-pill]

what are you using to keep your rear seat folded, so it doesnt flop around while driving? it looks like simple bungee cord, if so, where is it anchored to? I honestly am just thinking to remove the back seat altogether as now with covid and living in Florida, no one is getting in my rig, but would like a viable option. thx and always love the ideation and build of your rig.

 

[Krondor]

what are you using to keep your rear seat folded, so it doesnt flop around while driving? it looks like simple bungee cord, if so, where is it anchored to? I honestly am just thinking to remove the back seat altogether as now with covid and living in Florida, no one is getting in my rig, but would like a viable option. thx and always love the ideation and build of your rig.

When you fold your back seat up, you will see two long straps to either side with velcro holding them to the seat. Use those to go through the silver hoops just below the b-pillars and fold back to velcro in place.

Easy peasy.

 

[Creeker]

E-pill,

Thank you for the kind words.
What I did was the redneck way of doing things... a Bungee Cord.

Of course Krondor's method is the correct way.

 

[e-pill]

When you fold your back seat up, you will see two long straps to either side with velcro holding them to the seat. Use those to go through the silver hoops just below the b-pillars and fold back to velcro in place.

Easy peasy.

thank you!! I never knew what those were for.

 

[UrbanCowboyAZ]

I love your bumpers! It looks like the fogs are pretty recessed. Have you noticed if the light output is affected by being so far recessed?

 

[Creeker]

UrbanCowboy,

Thanks for the kind words, and I like you TJ and JLURD.
I have not noticed any difference in the fog lights, but I didn't put a lot of focus on the before and after effectiveness. The flog lights seem to work well in the Artec bumper.

 

[UrbanCowboyAZ]

UrbanCowboy,

Thanks for the kind words, and I like you TJ and JLURD.
I have not noticed any difference in the fog lights, but I didn't put a lot of focus on the before and after effectiveness. The flog lights seem to work well in the Artec bumper.

Thanks! Good enough for me. I think I’m going to pick up a set of these! I hadn’t seen them til your build, but I love em. Your build looks great and bikini is the best color! Thanks for the insight.

 

[e-pill]

seats are folded and velcro straps are functional!! thx for this tip Krondor and Creeker!!!

 

[RubiSc0tt]

alright, I'll ask here: @ChattVol and @Creeker : How do you guys like the DirtyLife wheels? Are the rings removable?

Just curious. I was looking at several other wheels when a buddy at work suggested these. He runs an off road company focused on Toyotas and overlanding and said he might be able to get me a discount on them.

 

[Creeker]

The DiftyLifte wheels are great. You can run them just as a traditional wheel with a faux bead lock ring or you can run them as a true bead lock by purchasing the aluminum outer bead lock ring.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

The DiftyLifte wheels are great. You can run them just as a traditional wheel with a faux bead lock ring or you can run them as a true bead lock by purchasing the aluminum outer bead lock ring.

I really like those ones. They're similar to the wheels on the 392 concept which, admittedly, are growing on me the more I look at them. Are those the DT-1's? I also like the Theory's because they're reminiscent of the Walker Evans beadlocks. Roadkill's are nice as well.

The thing that has me seriously looking at these are the removable rings. One trip to Rausch Creek, and my OEM wheel lips are all chewed up. Normally I don't care too much about that, but these are still pretty new and I'm thinking long term: I don't want to be dragging the edge over rocks and having it get all chewed up and thus compromising the bead/ seal, and also I'd like to keep my rig looking as clean as possible. Most of the other wheels I looked at, this would be a problem. But with removeable rings I could touch up/ replace as needed.

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