Treed's Rubicon XR Build

[Tyler225]

Figured I would start a build thread since I have a few upgrades coming in the next few weeks/months.

Backstory: Bought a 2022 Rubicon XR in March. Upgraded from a 2017 JK Sport. I loved that JK as it got me into Jeeps and it went on a ton of journeys with me. From roadtripping NY to Alabama to start my career and on a 6300 mile/30 day cross country road trip from Boston to SLC (never again in a 2 door). But with the way the used car market was and the below invoice dealers on here I was able to trade it in and upgrade to a JLUR. The extra space was much needed. Especially since we added a puppy to the family and he is now 80lbs.

Ordered with the Cold Weather, XR Package, Hard Top, Aux Switches and it came with the premium audio/8.4 inch screen.
I went with the XR package because I convinced myself it had everything I needed from the factory and I wouldn't need a lift or bigger tires.

Goals with my Jeep: Keep a comfortable on road ride while being able to handle any moderate level off road trails. To be completely honest the XR probably could have done this without any upgrades but life is short and I've always wanted 37s

Trails/Trips on my bucket list.
Moab (Fins N Things/Hell's Revenge/Poison Spyder/Top of the World, countless more)
Sedona, AZ
Colorado BOH Trip (Blackbear, Ophir, Imogene etc)
Mojave Trail
Rubicon Trail (The big one I hope to do before moving back to East Coast in 2-3 years)

Mods on my To Do list
Bumper/Winch - Done
KC Light install - Have parts need to get installed
37" Tires
2.5 Inch Lift
Upgraded Tie Rod/Drag Link
Upgraded Rock Sliders
Full Skid Plate System


Some pictures of my old Jeep and the new one the day it arrived on the lot.

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[Tyler225]

1st Mod - Rugged Ridge Arcus Bumper with Overrider Bar and Smittybilt X20 Gen 3 10k Winch

Had the parts waiting in the garage for the jeep and installed this bumper/winch about a month after the jeep arrived. I am mechanically challenged but wanted to start doing a lot of my own work and learn more about the jeep so did this myself. It took a lot longer than I wanted but in the end I got it done and am happy I did it myself. I wish I wrote down my before bumper measurements but the front did sag somewhere around .5 - .75 inches after bumper/winch install.

Have had the bumper/winch on for about 5 months now and if I were to start over with a new jeep I would go with this exact set up again. Very pleased with this set up

 

[mikem20]

Looks good. ?? Any plans for LED headlights?

 

[Tyler225]

Looks good. ?? Any plans for LED headlights?

Yeah I definitely want to get some LED headlights at some point. Haven't begun researching them yet though so if anyone has any recommendations I'm open to them

 

[Tyler225]

Getting my lift installed today. Went with the 2.5 inch RK adventure series w/ fox shocks. Debated between the adventure series and the X-factor no limits but I wanted maintenance free control arms.
Plan is to upgrade to the ultimate adventure down the road. Shout out again to @River City Offroad for the deal and help answering my questions


Also some measurements I took before the lift. Not sure if they will be of any use to anyone especially since they were taken after the front bumper/winch install.

Height ground to XR fender lip (front) - 40 Inches
Height ground to XR fender lip (back) - 41.5 inches

Not sure how to describe this one but height of front spring? (the spot you're supposed to measure to get actual lift gained) - 11.75ish inches. I think stock Rubicon is 11.5 inches in this spot so the front bumper/winch definitely sagged the XR suspension an inch or so.

 

[Tyler225]

Picked up my Jeep today after it had the RK kit installed. I need to crawl back underneath it again tomorrow as I have a few questions. Only gained .5 inch of height in the back and I feel like they gave me too much bump stop up front. Looks like I have less space before the bump stop tower hits the pad than I did before...

Does the front normally measure taller after a lift? I feel like its always opposite and people add spacers to gain some height in the front. I'm sure everything will settle in a few hundred miles but the way it sits once I add all my camping gear in the back its going to look like its squatting

Measurements
Height ground to XR fender lip (front) - 42.5 Inches (Gain of 2.5 inches in front)
Height ground to XR fender lip (back) - 42 inches (gain of .5 inches in back??)

Not sure how to describe this one but height of front spring? (the spot you're supposed to measure to get actual lift gained) - 14 inches inches. (Gain of 2-2.25 inches)

 

[Tyler225]

Not sure how I can test if I need to remove some of the bump stop?
Also need to call the shop on Monday because they didnt give me any of my old suspension components like I asked and didn't give me any of the left over bump stop parts from the kit I bought. So if I do remove one of the 1 inch pucks I don't have a bolt short enough to screw it back in.

 

[Tyler225]

Another upgrade installed. 37' Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T on Icon Rebound Pro wheels. Really liked the "beadlock" technology in these wheels.

Cant wait to try out the new suspension and larger tires next month in Moab. Planning on doing Hell's Revenge and Poison Spyder. Maybe another easier trail like Gemini Bridges too if we have the time.

 

[mikem20]

Nice wheels. I might be a little biased tho.?

 

[Tyler225]

Nice wheels. I might be a little biased tho.?

Such a good looking wheel! Love that bronze color

 

[Maverick909]

beautiful XR. Cant wait to see the MOAB pictures

 

[Tyler225]

Installed some @KC HiLiTES Apollo Pro 6 in spread beam on the bumper today. First time ever doing anything like this and it was a super easy install, once I realized I could cut away 90% of the wiring harness since I have the aux switches. Probably going to add the Apollo Pro in a spot beam to the A-Pillar to complete my lighting set up for now.

Eventual plan is LED headlights with a Gravity Pro 6 light bar but that’s a few years down the road as it’s pretty low on the priority list. The Halogens will be manageable for now

 

[KC HiLiTES]

Installed some @KC HiLiTES Apollo Pro 6 in spread beam on the bumper today. First time ever doing anything like this and it was a super easy install, once I realized I could cut away 90% of the wiring harness since I have the aux switches. Probably going to add the Apollo Pro in a spot beam to the A-Pillar to complete my lighting set up for now.

Eventual plan is LED headlights with a Gravity Pro 6 light bar but that’s a few years down the road as it’s pretty low on the priority list. The Halogens will be manageable for now

Looks great!

 

[blnewt]

Nice buildup, looks like quality choices throughout.
FWIW Been happy w/ my Rough Country 9" LED lights, they have a razor sharp cutoff and w/ the high beams it really blows up the road! These are the same basic components as the Oracle Oculus (have the same housing, same main projector) only real difference is the DRL display, the RCs have a lit cross w/ mini markers, the Oracles have a ring DRL. These have pretty easy height adjusters, takes some trial & error to get the cutoff just the right height.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/just-got-the-rough-country-9-led-headlight-set.84526/

 

[Tyler225]

Nice buildup, looks like quality choices throughout.
FWIW Been happy w/ my Rough Country 9" LED lights, they have a razor sharp cutoff and w/ the high beams it really blows up the road! These are the same basic components as the Oracle Oculus (have the same housing, same main projector) only real difference is the DRL display, the RCs have a lit cross w/ mini markers, the Oracles have a ring DRL. These have pretty easy height adjusters, takes some trial & error to get the cutoff just the right height.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/just-got-the-rough-country-9-led-headlight-set.84526/

Awesome appreciate the feedback on those lights. Definitely will keep them in mind when it comes time to upgrade my headlights. Especially if I can find a deal like you did.

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