Rotsam's 392 - Rock Crawling Daily

[Rotsam]

After a few false starts, I've finally taken the plunge and started building out a dream jeep. Starting with a black 2024 392, here's what I've done so far. Goal is to be able to drive this thing on the highway from Austin to San Juans and Moab, which is where we like to wheel. So far we've made the trip once, and she handles great at 85 on the highway, and absolutely ate up Hell's Gate and Mickey's Hot Tub on Hell's Revenge when we arrived. I'm bound to screw it up because that trip just added to my wish list.

Jeep Masters has been my local build shop for over 10 years - can't say enough about them, great people doing great work.


Jeep Masters in Austin installed:
MetalCloak
- Game-Changer 3.5” w/ RockSport Black
- Driveshaft
- Track Bar Relocation Bracket
- Aluminum Overland Fenders Front/Rear
- Aluminum Inner Fenders Front/Rear
- #2402 Front Bumper
- Crawler Narrow Rear Bumper
Rock Slide Engineering
- Steps
- Skid Plate
- Light Kit
- Door Delete Kit
Teraflex
- Alpha HD Hinged Tire Carrier w/ Adjustable Mount Kit
AWE
- Switchpath Cat-Back Exhaust
KC
- Gravity Pro6 50” Light Bar
Epic 4X4
- Kraken Tire Inflation System
- Pressure Control Upgrade
Warn
- Zeon 10-S Platinum
Method
- 704 Matte Black Wheels
BFG
- 37x12.5x17 KM3 Tires

Things I installed myself:
- Tazer Mini
- Threedom Fobs
- Door Pins
- Rockworkx Hardtop Replacement Bolts
- MetalCloak Dead Pedal
- 67 Designs Device Rail + Mounts
- Redline Pneumatic Hood Struts
- CMM Offroad Mirrors + Mounts
- Goose Gear Tailgate Table
- Midland MXT275 Radio
- High Speed Mounts Starlink Mini Cargo Mount
- 4x Crosby Shackles
- Factor 55 Ultrahook
- Pedal Monster
- Vector Cargo Shelf [Removed]
- Rhino Rack Jeep Overlanding Kit [Removed]

On Order:
- TrailRax

Under Serious Consideration:
- Beadlocks
- Brake Upgrade
- PSC Power Steering Upgrade

Less Serious but Tempted:
- Atlas Transfer Case
- 60/80 Axles
- Long-arm
- 40" Tires

I've been fortunate enough to have tried almost every flavor of 4-door except the diesel, and I think this is the sweet spot for me. We aren't shy about using the equipment, so I try to invest in high-quality, well-regarded products. This forum has been an incredible source of information for me, so happy to share my results.

I think I can get to through the brake upgrade without destroying the highway ride. I'm pretty sure once I do the power steering, it'll be relegated to a trailer. And I hate trailering anything, so we'll see how long I hold out.

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[Rotsam]

[RESERVED FOR FUTURE MISTAKES]

I don’t think I understood just how apt this reserve message would be, but here’s the the final phase of this build (everyone was ok):

The Jeep did its job and both occupants walked away with minor abrasions, but as you can see, she didn’t survive the impact. One door closes, another opens — picked up the replacement in Bikini, so back to the shop and off we go again.

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

After a few false starts, I've finally taken the plunge and started building out a dream jeep. Starting with a black 2024 392, here's what I've done so far. Goal is to be able to drive this thing on the highway from Austin to San Juans and Moab, which is where we like to wheel. So far we've made the trip once, and she handles great at 85 on the highway, and absolutely ate up Hell's Gate and Mickey's Hot Tub on Hell's Revenge when we arrived. I'm bound to screw it up because that trip just added to my wish list.

Jeep Masters has been my local build shop for over 10 years - can't say enough about them, great people doing great work.


Jeep Masters in Austin installed:
MetalCloak
- Game-Changer 3.5” w/ RockSport Black
- Driveshaft
- Track Bar Relocation Bracket
- Aluminum Overland Fenders Front/Rear
- Aluminum Inner Fenders Front/Rear
- #2402 Front Bumper
- Crawler Narrow Rear Bumper
Rock Slide Engineering
- Steps
- Skid Plate
- Light Kit
- Door Delete Kit
Teraflex
- Alpha HD Hinged Tire Carrier w/ Adjustable Mount Kit
AWE
- Switchpath Cat-Back Exhaust
KC
- Gravity Pro6 50” Light Bar
Epic 4X4
- Kraken Tire Inflation System
- Pressure Control Upgrade
Warn
- Zeon 10-S Platinum
Method
- 704 Matte Black Wheels
BFG
- 37x12.5x17 KM3 Tires

Things I installed myself:
- Tazer Mini
- Threedom Fobs
- Door Pins
- Rockworkx Hardtop Replacement Bolts
- MetalCloak Dead Pedal
- 67 Designs Device Rail + Mounts
- Redline Pneumatic Hood Struts
- CMM Offroad Mirrors + Mounts
- Goose Gear Tailgate Table
- Midland MXT275 Radio
- High Speed Mounts Starlink Mini Cargo Mount
- 4x Crosby Shackles
- Factor 55 Ultrahook
- Pedal Monster
- Vector Cargo Shelf [Removed]
- Rhino Rack Jeep Overlanding Kit [Removed]

On Order:
- TrailRax

Under Serious Consideration:
- Beadlocks
- Brake Upgrade
- PSC Power Steering Upgrade

Less Serious but Tempted:
- Atlas Transfer Case
- 60/80 Axles
- Long-arm
- 40" Tires

I've been fortunate enough to have tried almost every flavor of 4-door except the diesel, and I think this is the sweet spot for me. We aren't shy about using the equipment, so I try to invest in high-quality, well-regarded products. This forum has been an incredible source of information for me, so happy to share my results.

I think I can get to through the brake upgrade without destroying the highway ride. I'm pretty sure once I do the power steering, it'll be relegated to a trailer. And I hate trailering anything, so we'll see how long I hold out.

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This is one heck of a nice build Jason. I recently got into a 392 and will slowly be building it up.

Share your thoughts on the new Rocksport Black shocks as well as how the stock steering is on the trail on 37's?

-Steven

 

[KimFN24]

Holy buckets of bolts! I wish I understood half of what you are talking about but I know it will be awe inspiring starting with one truly great jeep right out of the factory! Take your time, do it right, stay safe and have one hell of a great time.

 

[Rotsam]

Thanks Steven and I'm looking forward to seeing yours come together.

The shocks have really impressed me so far. My last build was a JK with the MetalCloak 6-Pack shocks and while they were at least as flexy, they did not ride well at all on the highway. The Black’s are adjustable, but I haven’t really played around with the settings yet. I’m not technical enough to know the nuances, but these ride great on the turns in the Texas hill country and flex like mad on the rocks. Very pleased so far, but I’ll report back as I tinker with the adjustments.

Stock steering is fine EXCEPT when you have front lockers engaged, and then it’s all but inoperable. It tormented me on my first trip to Moab as you have to maneuver while locked. It takes a lot of rocking back and forth to get the wheels turned and honestly feels like you are fighting the machine the whole time. I hated it enough to start really thinking about at PSC Hydro setup, but I am terrified that it’ll make it unmanageable at highway speeds.

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

Thanks Steven and I'm looking forward to seeing yours come together.

The shocks have really impressed me so far. My last build was a JK with the MetalCloak 6-Pack shocks and while they were at least as flexy, they did not ride well at all on the highway. The Black’s are adjustable, but I haven’t really played around with the settings yet. I’m not technical enough to know the nuances, but these ride great on the turns in the Texas hill country and flex like mad on the rocks. Very pleased so far, but I’ll report back as I tinker with the adjustments.

Stock steering is fine EXCEPT when you have front lockers engaged, and then it’s all but inoperable. It tormented me on my first trip to Moab as you have to maneuver while locked. It takes a lot of rocking back and forth to get the wheels turned and honestly feels like you are fighting the machine the whole time. I hated it enough to start really thinking about at PSC Hydro setup, but I am terrified that it’ll make it unmanageable at highway speeds.

Appreciate your thoughts on the Rocksport Blacks. I run MetalCloak lifts on my last 3 Jeeps and love them for their excellent on road manners and the amazing flex/articulation they provide offroad. I'm also a huge fan of adjustable shocks. I ran the Falcon 3.3's on my JK and 3.3 SP 2's on my 2020 Recon build and love them.

I like the idea of a manufacturer being able to tune their shock specifically for their spring, so I'm thinking the Rocksport Blacks should work well with the MC lifts.

Here's where I'm at with my 392 build. The 392 steers and handles better than any other stock Jeep I've been in. Not sure why, but the chassis engineers baked some magic into this one. So, having said that, I really don't want to mess up the dialed in steering feel and handling of the stock 392.

From what I take from what you've said, you're pretty much thinking the along the same lines. I'm running the Apex Designs Boost Kit on my 2020 Recon. It turns the 37's aired down and locked off-road and actually made the on road steering feel better in my opinion. I'm going reach to Apex and inquire about the 392. It might be a good option?

P.S. Yes to adding beadlocks to your build.

-Steven

 

[4xFUN]

Very nice! Looks like a really fun project!

 

[Brad Hearing]

After a few false starts, I've finally taken the plunge and started building out a dream jeep. Starting with a black 2024 392, here's what I've done so far. Goal is to be able to drive this thing on the highway from Austin to San Juans and Moab, which is where we like to wheel. So far we've made the trip once, and she handles great at 85 on the highway, and absolutely ate up Hell's Gate and Mickey's Hot Tub on Hell's Revenge when we arrived. I'm bound to screw it up because that trip just added to my wish list.

Jeep Masters has been my local build shop for over 10 years - can't say enough about them, great people doing great work.


Jeep Masters in Austin installed:
MetalCloak
- Game-Changer 3.5” w/ RockSport Black
- Driveshaft
- Track Bar Relocation Bracket
- Aluminum Overland Fenders Front/Rear
- Aluminum Inner Fenders Front/Rear
- #2402 Front Bumper
- Crawler Narrow Rear Bumper
Rock Slide Engineering
- Steps
- Skid Plate
- Light Kit
- Door Delete Kit
Teraflex
- Alpha HD Hinged Tire Carrier w/ Adjustable Mount Kit
AWE
- Switchpath Cat-Back Exhaust
KC
- Gravity Pro6 50” Light Bar
Epic 4X4
- Kraken Tire Inflation System
- Pressure Control Upgrade
Warn
- Zeon 10-S Platinum
Method
- 704 Matte Black Wheels
BFG
- 37x12.5x17 KM3 Tires

Things I installed myself:
- Tazer Mini
- Threedom Fobs
- Door Pins
- Rockworkx Hardtop Replacement Bolts
- MetalCloak Dead Pedal
- 67 Designs Device Rail + Mounts
- Redline Pneumatic Hood Struts
- CMM Offroad Mirrors + Mounts
- Goose Gear Tailgate Table
- Midland MXT275 Radio
- High Speed Mounts Starlink Mini Cargo Mount
- 4x Crosby Shackles
- Factor 55 Ultrahook
- Pedal Monster
- Vector Cargo Shelf [Removed]
- Rhino Rack Jeep Overlanding Kit [Removed]

On Order:
- TrailRax

Under Serious Consideration:
- Beadlocks
- Brake Upgrade
- PSC Power Steering Upgrade

Less Serious but Tempted:
- Atlas Transfer Case
- 60/80 Axles
- Long-arm
- 40" Tires

I've been fortunate enough to have tried almost every flavor of 4-door except the diesel, and I think this is the sweet spot for me. We aren't shy about using the equipment, so I try to invest in high-quality, well-regarded products. This forum has been an incredible source of information for me, so happy to share my results.

I think I can get to through the brake upgrade without destroying the highway ride. I'm pretty sure once I do the power steering, it'll be relegated to a trailer. And I hate trailering anything, so we'll see how long I hold out.

ReplyForward Add reaction

Hate to break it to you mister but where you are going there are no roads

 

[learysd]

What is the noise level like inside when the ARB is running. My wife and son go with me wheeling and stay in the rig when I'm airing up.

 

[Ratbert]

What is the noise level like inside when the ARB is running. My wife and son go with me wheeling and stay in the rig when I'm airing up.

It's not enough to bother us in the least, but everyone has different thresholds of what's "too loud".

 

[UTME]

Very cool. What is the backspace for the Method - 704 Matte Black Wheels?

 

[Rotsam]

So this build hit the end of the line last week — I updated the second post with a pic. She’s being reborn in Bikini Pearl — should have a build thread up shortly, but here‘s a pic of our starting point:

 

[R4NS0M]

So this build hit the end of the line last week — I updated the second post with a pic. She’s being reborn in Bikini Pearl — should have a build thread up shortly, but here‘s a pic of our starting point:

I like your Jeep

 

[Bonsai Elephant]

[RESERVED FOR FUTURE MISTAKES]

I don’t think I understood just how apt this reserve message would be, but here’s the the final phase of this build (everyone was ok):

The Jeep did its job and both occupants walked away with minor abrasions, but as you can see, she didn’t survive the impact. One door closes, another opens — picked up the replacement in Bikini, so back to the shop and off we go again.

Holy crap!

What happened?

 

[R4NS0M]

To be honest, it was a ‘one of us jigged when the other one jagged’ sort of situation.

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