RubiSc0tt's Big Orange Jeep build

[Longhair1957]

It's still sitting in my garage. I ordered some KC square pods w/ Flood beam from Explore Overland for that bumper as back up lights. They just got here on Thursday. Currently purging the garage of stuff we no longer use while waiting for my childcare (AKA: Mom and inlaws) to finish their COVID vaccines and clear protocol to have them come over and watch the kids while I pull a garage day for that and some other projects. I will post a write up with pictures when i get the chance.

I’ve put rigid industries
cubes in mine. Wired them to aux switch.

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[RubiSc0tt]

I’ve put rigid industries
cubes in mine. Wired them to aux switch.

I went with the KC's because I've always been a KC fan, and had a discount, so we'll see. I went back and forth but ultimately I decided I'm going to wire mine to the Aux as well. One of my other projects is to add a fused, secured, power source tied to an Aux switch, for my compressor. This way, I can put it in the back and not have to directly hook to the battery and watch it shake itself off my fender. This is in prep for doing a 4 tire air up system- mainly for convenience.

So far, my prep list:
- Fix Sun Visor
- Rerun Carplay2Air transmitter (so i can unplug/ power cycle it when it gets wonky)
- Inspect behind dash for heated seat hardware, and hook it up (if it's there, which I am 90% sure it is)
-Hook up OEM Fogs (waiting on brackets to come back from my buddy's fabricator at Explore Overland )
- Replace CB Cable (I have one with a 90 deg. bend that will fit better)
- Bumper and tire carrier/ Aux Reverse lights
- Compressor Hook up for rear
- Winter Damage assessment
- DIY better Plate light solution that mounts to tire carrier/ camera.

Once that gets mostly done, It'll be time to order more parts for the next phase. Getting there. Fingers crossed to be on 37's by June/ July.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Got some stuff done on the Jeep today: fixed my sun visor (temporarily until it’s sunny and I have the soft top on because I will have better access), relocated my Bluetooth Carplay transmitter. I had it installed behind the dash but it was technically “always on”. This was a problem because occasionally it would get wonky and not connect, and the Bluetooth is REALLY aggressive once you pair it so it would override USB and I couldn’t turn it off (always powered, remember?) to power cycle it, plus if someone who knew what they were doing really wanted to be a problem, they could. So I relocated it to the glove box where I can reach the power cables and easily unplug.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

A little update/ preview:
Body Armor 4x4 rear bumper installed.
It’s nice. Took me 30 mins to install. Tire carrier is next. But that's going to require another full day because it requires rerouting the back up cam wires. Pulling off the stock plastic one was an absolute NIGHTMARE. 4 hours of disconnecting little screws and bolts and all sorts of other nonsense. It was like a terrible maze. Finally I just shoved a breaker bar between the cross member and frame and hulked out. Flew off and I fell on my ass in a pile of cardboard.

Bumper is beefy as hell. Pretty happy with the design, fit, and construction. Plate light IS LED, despite several reviews floating around saying it wasn’t. I have KC floodlight pods for the rear but I'm waiting on one. I ordered 2. Explore Overland ordered 2. KC sent 1. My buddy is looking into it.

Also, if tracking info holds: my 37’s will be here tomorrow. Just fired off an email to my contacts at RK to make sure we are still on track for June for my kit.

I’ll have detailed photos and write ups/ reviews coming as it all gets installed. Also: summer wheeling/ road trip schedule is starting to take shape and it’s going to be good.
Stay tuned.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

BodyArmor 4x4 tire carrier is on, but sags. Needs some adjustment. Reached out to Body Armor on Friday Night for guidance. Definitely a swing arm issue as spindle and bumper are tight and squared. May need shims. Other than that, it’s fantastic and has a good price point. Uninstalling the stock JLUR stuff sucks and is a time consuming pain in the ass.

Also: little preview for the new setup coming soon: 37x12.50x17R Milestar Pats MT on Vision Nemesis in Gunmetal.

I will have full writeups and reviews posted whenever everything is adjusted properly and I have a chance to write it all up. There really wasn’t much info on this setup, and I wanted to do a video but I was trying to get it all done in one day by myself so, no video. Perhaps a walk around/ walk through in the future.
Also also: DIY plate solution coming in the future as well.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

So, the tire carrier still sags a bit. I had to pull it apart and use my hi-lift to boost it, adjust the spindle, and then tighten everything down again. It’s better than it was but still needs some tweaking.
Full write up with install and pics coming whenever I get a chance. I’m on day shift now so I’m spending way more time with my family, and more time doing things (including Jeep stuff) That’s good, but that means less time on the Internet for fun Jeep stuff.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

A few pics from our club run, and my son’s first off road trip! He was pumped, and despite the cold/ wet weather- he loved it.

"Dad, when you get those bad boy tires on your Jeep, you'll have a bad boy Jeep!"

Staging

"Dad, we need bigger rocks..,. and more puddles!"

Orange Rubi Boys doing Orange Rubi things w/ @imuni4fun

Lunch in the rain.

Recovery...

Who let the Toyota in??

just kidding. That Tundra is my buddy Will, who is part of Northeast Toyota Overlanders and is one of the fine gents that runs Explore Overland. It's a LEGIT build on 37's, 12k Warn Winch, a Decked system with all the gear, and a tent on the back. He also has ARB's and 5:29 gears waiting to go in that beast. If he had them, he would have made it despite sliding off the trail. This is what happens when your buddy goes full send but is a full size! haha. We gave him the appropriate amount of shit and all had a good laugh but after backing up and going for a different line, he made it no issues.

Sad news, though: this will likely be the last run on this trail for us. We were greeted at the opposite end by the Game Warden and Sheriff for the area. They explained that past the pond, is all ATV's only. They were super cool, respectful, and helpful, and saw we picked up some debris left by local idiots. They said they appreciated it and mentioned it's that kind of thing that would get the area opened to 4x4's in the future. We told them we would do whatever we could to help. they asked us to spread the word, so we made the rounds on the internet letting everyone know Sucker Pond is the official end of the trail. A few of us from my club plan to follow up with them to see if they have any more info on getting this route opened to 4x4's, and also any info on other legal trails/ raods up in that area.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Got asked to be a trail guide for ADK JP Invasion. This was the first year of the event at 1000 Acre Ranch in Stony Creek NY. It’s organized by Blinkerfluid Productions (the same people who do Smoky Mountain Jeep invasion, Etc). They’re hoping to do it again next year. It’s private property. Ran mostly green/blue trails, riding sweep. Saw some old friends, and made some new ones. Weather was perfect. It was a blast. I even got my son out on the trail for Fathers Day, and he loved it! Looking forward to next year.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Little preview- LOOK WHAT I PICKED UP YESTERDAY!

Simultaneously the Happiest and saddest photo.
For those wondering what I went with
- 2.5” @Rock Krawler Suspension Adventure Series kit w/ No Limit Swaybar links and shocks.
- 37x12.50xR17 Milestar Patagonia MT’s on 17x9 Vision Nemesis thanks to @Discount Tire
Now I just need some time to install.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Quick update: Got the software update for the Transmission recall. totally different feel. Makes the clutch throw and engagement much smoother when starting from a stop. No loss of power or torque (by my seat of the pants testing). I'm not sure of the technical spec but it feels like it smooths out the torque curve and adjust the "gap" (for lack of a better term) between engagement and disengagement. It feels closer to my TJ's, almost- if that makes sense. I basically don't have to feather the clutch as much and let it slip for a smooth shift. I highly recommend it if you haven't yet.

Also getting the Steering box replaced under the TSB and the Driver side Visor fixed under warranty. They aren't sure about USB 2 but at least they were up front: "It could take a while to diagnose that issue, so that's best done on a day you can leave the Jeep with us". That's all I can ask.

this is with a different dealer than I bought it, mainly because they're closer to where I live. It was exhausting driving an hour one way, each time to go to the dealer I bought it from for service. This one is a little smaller, seem less flooded with work, and I had a couple good experiences there with other stuff, so I figured I would give them a shot. So far, so good.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

BIG Jeep update. Before and After.
Details:
- 2.5” Rock Krawler Suspension Adventure Series w/ twin tube shocks and No Limit Swaybar links
- 37x12.50xR17 Milestar Patagonia MT’s
- 17x9 Vision Nemesis

The ride is much more stable. Responsive but firm. Stock was bouncy and twitchy. This is solid, smooth, and stays planted in cornering at all (reasonable) speeds, and tracks pretty straight (without an alignment or correction).
Huge thanks to my homie Geoff for helping me get this done, and using his garage, tools, food, and time. Few loose ends to tie up- need to get the correct hardware from RK for my rear shocks, check and recheck torque specs, correct the slight tilt to the steering wheel, and do an oil change before our upcoming road trip.
I’m both impressed at the minimal changes and drastic improvements in performance, and excited to test it out on the trail.

Before. The wheels and tires look so little, despite being 32.5" or whatever.

3 Jeep garage. Geoff's well used 03 Rubi (3.5" RK XFactor short arm, 33" MTR's, with armor and my old Warn XD8000i- Still strong!), and his kids Jurassic Park Jeep

Front spring comparison. Stock looks TINY compared to the RK ones.

I opted for the hover package. (Really: we were just using the floor jack to cycle the suspension.

Carolina Squat.

All done.

ALL TIRE. Seriously, this thing looks like a combo of the real life version of the Stompers I used to play with as a kid, and a Hot Wheels car. We were looking at it in the driveway after and with the stance, the stubby bumper, and the 37's- they almost come out farther than the bumper, making approach to obstacles INSANE. I can't wait to get this thing out and test it out.

Heard this morning before my alarm even went off:
"MOM! LOOK! DAD PUT THE BIG TIRES ON THE JEEP! Can he take me to Daycare, please?!"
-My very excited 4 year old son. He was so proud he could still climb into the Jeep on his own.

 

[grandsrus]

Quick update: Got the software update for the Transmission recall. totally different feel. Makes the clutch throw and engagement much smoother when starting from a stop. No loss of power or torque (by my seat of the pants testing). I'm not sure of the technical spec but it feels like it smooths out the torque curve and adjust the "gap" (for lack of a better term) between engagement and disengagement. It feels closer to my TJ's, almost- if that makes sense. I basically don't have to feather the clutch as much and let it slip for a smooth shift. I highly recommend it if you haven't yet.

Also getting the Steering box replaced under the TSB and the Driver side Visor fixed under warranty. They aren't sure about USB 2 but at least they were up front: "It could take a while to diagnose that issue, so that's best done on a day you can leave the Jeep with us". That's all I can ask.

this is with a different dealer than I bought it, mainly because they're closer to where I live. It was exhausting driving an hour one way, each time to go to the dealer I bought it from for service. This one is a little smaller, seem less flooded with work, and I had a couple good experiences there with other stuff, so I figured I would give them a shot. So far, so good.

Can you PM me more on the transmission recall please?

 

[JeepCares]

Can you PM me more on the transmission recall please?

Hi grandsrus,
Please feel free to contact us via private message if you need any assistance regarding your recall.

Rob
Jeep Cares

 

[Roody]

Scott, the Jeep looks killer! Can't wait to see it on the trails this fall.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Few pics from Vacation back in August.
4 hours and roughly 500mi round trip to York Beach ME. Other than me not having the time to straighten out the steering wheel, the new setup drove pretty solid on the Highway.

TAILGATE OCEAN PIZZA!

Waiting for Fish and Chips with the wife and son in the background. Daughter is snoozing in her car seat.

Also, since then- I’ve had the steering box replaced under TSB. Tightens up the steering quite a bit- definitely needs some break in time because it is super stiff to turn during daily driving. It’s been a few weeks and it’s starting to even out.

Next up is putting on the hard top, and doing the rust protection.

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