Outside - JLUR Xtreme Recon Build Thread

[cornercanyon]

She arrived a few days ago. Our third Wrangler, first new Wrangler.

Slow first 60 mile break in completed yesterday.

20 miles off road looking for a camp. The best spots have no rangers or neighbors nearby—

<ditto>

We love camping, backpacking and just being outside. Over the years our jeeps have been primarily purchased to deliver us where we can then exit for an incredible hike or backpack trip. Now that we are a bit older we hope to do more boon docking than backpacking. This spring we will add a simple Hiker Trailer Extreme Off-Road.

So, our goal is to maintain daily drivability with a very capable platform for boon docking in the more rugged and primitive locations we seek out on our trips. We ordered the Extreme Recon for the 6,100# GVWR, heavier duty undercarriage components, and daily drivability.

Factory order—
2021 JLUR;
XR;
V6 eTorque;
8 auto;
white: freedom top and fenders; headliner;
rock sliders;
tow and HD;
gorilla glass;
dark saddle leather;
8.4" premium sound;
proximity;
Mopar grab handles;

Planned additions/mods—
installed:
Dirty Dog Full Divider;
XG Cargo JL Gama;
MPS Molle platforms;
Peak Designs Capture;
67 Designs Rail System;
CMM grab bar and freedom top ball mounts;
Oracle Lighting flush mount led tail lights, (awaiting the Mopar led headlights and flash);
ARB Bondi Deluxe front bumper;
Yaesu FT-65R (a pair) to share on trail;
Midland MXT275; BTech UV-50x3
Sahara dash panels (replaced damaged plastic with stitched leather matching dash board and additional trim);
portable air compressor, Moreflat hoses;
Spiderwebshade, jl4d 2;
Wyeth rachet puller, Amsteel Blue recovery ropes, Terraflex recovery strap, soft shackles, and snatch rings;


from previous jeeps:
Garmin Inreach Mini;

received awaiting installation:
=(

awaiting delivery:
Mopar LED headlights, (ordered Jan22, expected Mar22, updated Aug22, updated Oct 22, updated Jan 23; asked to cancel awaiting Mopar approval; cancelled);

on the lookout for:
electric winch;
mounted compressor;
recovery gear;
differential skids;

maybe:
a-pillar mirror mounts;
skid plates;

Sponsored

 

[mikem20]

Congrats

 

[cornercanyon]

Slowly, installing the easy and functional items:
Dirty Dog Full Divider;
XG Cargo JL Gama;
MPS Molle platforms;
Peak Designs Capture;
67 Designs Rail System;
CMM grab bar and freedom top ball mounts—

 

[cornercanyon]

Down to just the Jeep stickers; debating should they stay or should they go? She looks so good smooth and shiny—

 

[cornercanyon]

Added the Oracle rear flush mount lights. Really like the look and back up light brightness; looking forward to seeing what happens when the Mopar LED headlights come in and we do the flash–

 

[cornercanyon]

We really like the ARB Bondi deluxe bumper. Finally I can drive to work at odark thirty less concerned about the white tail population here in the hill country—

 

[cornercanyon]

Attached the Yaesu FT-65R to the front MPS molle platform. Hoping the 15" whip antenna will work better for GMRS trail use—

 

[cornercanyon]

Replaced the instrument cluster and passenger side air bag panels. When we picked up our MY2021 JLURXR in January the passenger side air bag panel was damaged. It is a small nick, though I see it everyday. Our dealer offered to replace it and we negotiated a deal to upgrade to the Sahara trim level to match our dash and the white stitched dark saddle leather seats.

Since then we have been waiting for the panels to come in and a little more as the first two sets were broken, or two passenger pieces with no driver side. Finally, the third set to arrive was complete and looked right. We also ordered some clips in case we broke some, though apparently there are several types?

Maybe it is just the color that changes? We noticed on the video we watched to lead us through the steps that their colored clips didn't necessarily match the locations our colored clips were placed. Fortunately we didn't break or lose any, they all went back in.

Everything went smoothly and opening up the dash added ideas for some other thoughts we have for ours to power dash mounted devices and adding a mounted GMRS radio and antenna run.

The new panels look so much nicer than the plastic ones and match the dashboard and additional trim pieces well. Having a relationship with a solid local dealer and a kick ass salesperson makes such a difference—

 

[TylerDurden7]

2021 JLURXR (v6 automatic loaded)
Bumper & Winch
Amazon.com: EAG Front Bumper Rock Crawler with Fog Light Housing and Winch Plate Fit for 18-22 Wrangler JL : Automotive
Amazon.com: EAG Front Bumper Lower Skid Plate Steel Black Fit for EAG Front Bumper Part# JJLFB015 Only : Automotive
Amazon.com: WARN 103253 VR EVO 10-S Electric 12V DC Winch with Synthetic Rope: 3/8" Diameter x 90' Length, 5 Ton (10,000 lb) Pulling Capacity : Automotive

Rack
ARB BASE RACK (arbusa.com)
ARB Jeep Wrangler BASE Rack with Mount Kit and Deflector; 61-Inch x 51-Inch BASE264 (18-22 Jeep Wrangler JL) - Free Shipping (extremeterrain.com)

 

[cornercanyon]

2021 JLURXR (v6 automatic loaded)
Bumper & Winch
Amazon.com: EAG Front Bumper Rock Crawler with Fog Light Housing and Winch Plate Fit for 18-22 Wrangler JL : Automotive
Amazon.com: EAG Front Bumper Lower Skid Plate Steel Black Fit for EAG Front Bumper Part# JJLFB015 Only : Automotive
Amazon.com: WARN 103253 VR EVO 10-S Electric 12V DC Winch with Synthetic Rope: 3/8" Diameter x 90' Length, 5 Ton (10,000 lb) Pulling Capacity : Automotive

Rack
ARB BASE RACK (arbusa.com)
ARB Jeep Wrangler BASE Rack with Mount Kit and Deflector; 61-Inch x 51-Inch BASE264 (18-22 Jeep Wrangler JL) - Free Shipping (extremeterrain.com)

James that is a cool build. Thank you for sharing. You are ahead of me and my build—

 

[cornercanyon]

Added a Midland MXT275 under the passenger seat. We cut slits in the carpet and zip tied the mounting platform to the HVAC vent below.

(With a temporary antenna attached for testing)

Brought power off the Aux 4 switch in the passenger footwell using the kit Jeep provided.

You can see the tape bound leads as they came from the factory in the passenger footwell high on the left side above the hot radio lead. We trimmed out the Midland fuse since Aux 4 is fused as well. Here is a photo of the kit that came with the JLURXR...

...and the finish for now.

Routed a microphone extension up the "B" pillar and through the sound bar so the microphone will be on the MPS molle platform and hang while in use, (photos prior to clipping off the wire ties).

When we bought this as a kit we had planned to mount the included 3db ghost antenna on the hood or cowl. In the end we routed the antenna, to the rear tire carrier. I am assuming the ghost antenna may not be best there; looking for 1/2 wave antenna to replace the ghost. Perhaps a Larsen? Suggestions welcome. Routed the cabling under the passenger side rear door sill, behind the rear cargo and sub woofer panel, to the tailgate, and out through the passenger side grommet. I meant to take photos of the 'yarn skein' excess cable length though got distracted. You have to trust me it is behind the cargo panel and subwoofer.

Behind the tailgate panel and the rear passenger cargo panel we wire tied the cable to the factory path in the photo below. On our JKUR we ran our wiring inside the factory canvas sleeve. Apparently I am older, lazier, and busier these days. Again, I failed to photograph though you can see the cable along side the canvas sleeve here.

Using my Junior HS level shop skills we made an antenna mount from some old sailboat stainless steel and stainless hardware we had about. You can see the antenna cable exiting the passenger side tailgate grommet, rounding the tire stobber, and heading up to my JRHS shop work.

 

[jbcrane]

2021 JLURXR (v6 automatic loaded)
Bumper & Winch
Amazon.com: EAG Front Bumper Rock Crawler with Fog Light Housing and Winch Plate Fit for 18-22 Wrangler JL : Automotive
Amazon.com: EAG Front Bumper Lower Skid Plate Steel Black Fit for EAG Front Bumper Part# JJLFB015 Only : Automotive
Amazon.com: WARN 103253 VR EVO 10-S Electric 12V DC Winch with Synthetic Rope: 3/8" Diameter x 90' Length, 5 Ton (10,000 lb) Pulling Capacity : Automotive

Rack
ARB BASE RACK (arbusa.com)
ARB Jeep Wrangler BASE Rack with Mount Kit and Deflector; 61-Inch x 51-Inch BASE264 (18-22 Jeep Wrangler JL) - Free Shipping (extremeterrain.com)

How do you like that EAG front bumper? I’m looking at it closely as upgrade from my plastic stock to mount a winch. Looks like they make a few different versions in either steel alloy (25# less) and ABS/steel which is heavier and more expensive. The weight and price are attractive especially the steel alloy… seems to check all the boxes. Any feedback to can share would be most appreciated.

 

[TylerDurden7]

How do you like that EAG front bumper? I’m looking at it closely as upgrade from my plastic stock to mount a winch. Looks like they make a few different versions in either steel alloy (25# less) and ABS/steel which is heavier and more expensive. The weight and price are attractive especially the steel alloy… seems to check all the boxes. Any feedback to can share would be most appreciated.

I looked at many bumpers and this was the best looking one imo and it was a great price too. All in all I still really like it, and it looks boss. I had it now for the better part of a year, it's held up great so far, and I've done a good bit of off roading with it.

I went with the steel alloy version. The install went smoothly for the most part the skid plate was a bit off hassle but not too bad, and the factory fogs fit new bumper perfectly. The only real downside is that it doesn't have recessed winch plate to protect the winch better which would have been nice, but for the looks and cost it's a tough one to beat.

Good luck!

 

[jbcrane]

I looked at many bumpers and this was the best looking one imo and it was a great price too. All in all I still really like it, and it looks boss. I had it now for the better part of a year, it's held up great so far, and I've done a good bit of off roading with it.

I went with the steel alloy version. The install went smoothly for the most part the skid plate was a bit off hassle but not too bad, and the factory fogs fit new bumper perfectly. The only real downside is that it doesn't have recessed winch plate to protect the winch better which would have been nice, but for the looks and cost it's a tough one to beat.

Good luck!

Thank you for the feedback. So far I think it’s my front runner. Glad to hear you’re liking it a year after installing-that’s always a good indicator . Thanks again.

 

[cornercanyon]

Added a Spiderwebshade (jl46 2). The fit is nice and it goes down the road smooth, with some flutter at freeway speeds—

Sponsored