Willys Edition JL Club Thread

[Dubv09]

Picked up my 2021 Willys in December. I am really happy with it. To me, it is the package with the best overall value. I’ve done some minor modifications that I thought I’d share with this community.

Sound System
The stereo install was the biggest investment. The stock system was just completely lacking. I also had issues with CarPlay frequently disconnecting. My first upgrade was to the OEM 8.4” Uconnect system. I found a like-new one on eBay for $1,100. That install took about 30 minutes and within a few hours, it had synced up with my Jeep and everything worked great. I did lose the center console USB port, which is a known issue with upgrading to the 8.4”. I was able to sell my 7” for about $500 to offset the cost of the upgrade.

Infinity Reference Tweeters (these are plug and play for the front dash and roll bar tweeters).
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R3032CM/Infinity-Reference-REF-3032cfx.html

Kicker 300W mono amp
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-B5eglsc3yWR/p_206CXA3001/Kicker-43CXA300-1.html

JL Audio amp rack (makes it so you can seamlessly mount the amp under the passenger seat)
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13699837/JL-Audio-SBA-J-JLU-UAR.html

JL Audio Stealthbox (crazy expensive, but the only subwoofer I could find with great sound that also kept a very clean look)
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13694666/JL-Audio-Stealthbox-2-ohm-Passenger-Side.html

Kicker Line Input Converter (I tapped into the rear speaker wires in the B Pillar)
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646KISL/Kicker-46KISL.html

Metra speaker wire adapters (these make the swapping out of the tweeters very simple)
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120727902/Metra-72-7902-Speaker-Wiring-Adapters.html

Amp install kit
https://www.amazon.com/BOSS-Audio-Amplifier-Installation-Wiring/dp/B000FKP7TY/

Appearance

I removed the Willys stickers from the hood and the 4WD sticker from the back. I just wasn’t a fan of the stock badging. I added a fender vent decal I found on Etsy since I’ve always loved Jeep’s patriotic history. I also had the dealer tint the front windows, which they did for $75.

Decal
https://www.etsy.com/listing/820160614/american-flag-side-fender-vent-decal?ref=hp_rv-1&frs=1

Fuel door
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078828JZ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rough Country Nerf Steps
https://www.roughcountry.com/rc-jeep-wheel-to-wheel-nerf-steps-rcj1866.html

Lighting
I took off the factory 3rd brake light that sits above the spare tire and added this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082MDGRRZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Raxiom Horizon LED Tail Lights
https://www.extremeterrain.com/raxiom-jeep-wrangler-horizon-led-tail-lights-j133625-jl.html

Diode Dynamics LED sidemarkers
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/marker-lights/dd5068-diode-dynamics-sidemarkers

Oracle Switchback Signal/DRL LEDs
https://www.morris4x4center.com/oracle-7443ck-led-light-bulbs-amber-and-white-pair.html

Interior
Dock lock covers
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QZ445XD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Center console organizer
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SDNFKN4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Roll bar grab handles
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HHWGLM2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Door sill guards
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LG1NS41/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Grab handle storage
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VLL84F3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hard top quick removal bolts
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075M4HH7Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Jeep cargo mat (I didn’t like any of the other options and this offered decent coverage for a low price)
https://www.extremeterrain.com/alterum-jeep-logo-cargo-floor-mat-black-8718-jeep-yj-tj-jk-jl.html

question on the switchbacks and fender lights. Did you have to install a resister? I’m a first time Jeep owner and not particularly handy. I’m working up the confidence to take on more and more little mods. Just did the gas cap and that was fun. Thinking of doing the fender lights, most videos I’ve seen talk about installing a resister and I’m not sure if that’s something I want to tackle just yet. I clicked on the lights you bought and it looks like they call out the fact you don’t need to do a resister, just wanted to confirm if that was the case.

Advertisement

 

[nonebeter99]

question on the switchbacks and fender lights. Did you have to install a resister? I’m a first time Jeep owner and not particularly handy. I’m working up the confidence to take on more and more little mods. Just did the gas cap and that was fun. Thinking of doing the fender lights, most videos I’ve seen talk about installing a resister and I’m not sure if that’s something I want to tackle just yet. I clicked on the lights you bought and it looks like they call out the fact you don’t need to do a resister, just wanted to confirm if that was the case.

Correct. For the lights I linked, no resistor is needed. Incredibly easy install. Maybe 5-10 minutes for each side.

 

[zouch]

do the gas Willys not come with a fuel door? my Diesel Willys did,...
probably because the DEF cap and the bright green Diesel fuel cap would be too weird for some people to look at?

FWIW, i also yanked the "4WD" sticker off the tailgate (i mean, who cares? isn't that what J**ps are supposed to be anyway?), but yanked the "Wrangler" and "Unlimited" stickers leaving only the JEEP sticker on the sides.
i had planned to yank the "WILLYS" stickers off of the hood, but they've kinda' grown on me a bit,.. though i might still replace them with the 'distressed' version from previous years models.

Fuel door
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078828JZ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Keating]

Front fit fine. I would not waste my time trying to pop out the retention pins. Drill them. The rears do not fit perfectly. I went to Weather Tech, Bolingbrook is not far from me. They took pictures are are supposed to be redesigning them. If you do install the rears take a long flat head screw driver to hold the clip as you start the screw. Snug it up. If you over tighten or opt not to use the long flat head the clip will snap. Don’t ask how I know. but it took longer than expected. Probably an hour. Maybe a little less. Not the 10 minutes it says.

LOL, Bolingbrook, IL. Heck I lived there from 1971 until 2015 until Arizona called my name LOL. I did a lot of projects when the first Weathertech was built. Now they have 6 buildings there including the corporate office. That guy starting selling floor mats from Europe out of the trunk of his car, going dealership to dealership. Now he has all of that, funds a race team for his son, takes a chopper to work somedays, and has one hell of a massive Porsche collection. And the '59 Austin Healey in there was in a James Bond movie. CRazy life, and he definitely lives the American Dream.

 

[azulwavesJL]

So I just did a build via the Jeep website since hydro blue has officially been added to the colors for the Willys and I noticed that the grill is showing in hydro blue color instead of the gloss black grill. Hopefully this is just an error with the builder as I prefer the look of the gloss black grill.

Notice my updated profile pic that shows this.

 

[Namakan]

So I just did a build via the Jeep website since hydro blue has officially been added to the colors for the Willys and I noticed that the grill is showing in hydro blue color instead of the gloss black grill. Hopefully this is just an error with the builder as I prefer the look of the gloss black grill.

Notice my updated profile pic that shows this.

The Snazzberry did the same on their website but it is black and I’m sure this would be the same for Hydro. I don’t remember the Willys code but the black grill is part of the package.

 

[ratherbskiing]

I just added WeatherTech front mud flaps on our 2020 WIllys. They fit great, no drilling req'd.

Did you have to order the "Rubicon" version of the mud flaps to fit with the rock rails? Do they will align to the Willy Fender well, considering the rubicon fenders are a bit different?

 

[dmc1068]

Did you have to order the "Rubicon" version of the mud flaps to fit with the rock rails? Do they will align to the Willy Fender well, considering the rubicon fenders are a bit different?

Just order for the Willys. Why would you order for a Rubicon? The back ones are not completely proper but work.

 

[Landog]

Have been waiting a month to bring him home. Finally!

Cheers!
Landog

 

[The_Armed_Gardener]

I like your jeep. Nice. I grew up in Lakewood on Steilacoom lake , my wife grew up on 38th and Tacoma Ave. I've changed a lot of stuff already in a short time on my Willys. I can't decide if I should get a new steel back bumper or dual exhaust next. Just pick one for me. I'm just being fun. Pick one. BTW, do you know/met Kathy at Tacoma Jeep, LOL?

 

[Landog]

I like your jeep. Nice. I grew up in Lakewood on Steilacoom lake , my wife grew up on 38th and Tacoma Ave. I've changed a lot of stuff already in a short time on my Willys. I can't decide if I should get a new steel back bumper or dual exhaust next. Just pick one for me. I'm just being fun. Pick one. BTW, do you know/met Kathy at Tacoma Jeep, LOL?

I don't know Kathy from Tacoma Jeep. I bought from Bud Clary up in Auburn.
I know what you mean about mods!. I've got a shorty antenna and a fuel door ready to go on!

Cheers!
Landog

 

[elminer91]

Picked up my first Wrangler about two weeks ago and couldn't be happier! Been trying for a few months to pull the trigger on buying one. But, right when I was about to do a deal back in November, I lost my job and had to put things on hold... But, here we are!
As it's my first off-roader, I'm wondering if anybody can point me in the direction for some good beginner trails to her get her dirty (I'm in the Washington DC area). Thanks and stoked to be a part of the Willys fam!

 

[The Last Cowboy]

FWIW, i also yanked the "4WD" sticker off the tailgate (i mean, who cares? isn't that what J**ps are supposed to be anyway?)

The reason that sticker is there is because on the original Willys Overland and Kaiser Willys CJs, they almost always had that graphic stenciled on the tailgate.

 

[PECoach]

When my Willys sport Unlimited build comes in, I’m ready to put on 35’s and rims on it. Do you guys have an idea of what could get $$ for the stock tires and rims to offset the cost of new ones? Thanks!

 

[Civil_Willy]

Finally joined the forum after lurking and reading for a while.

I picked my Firecracker up back at the end of July. Loving every minute.

Only little mods so far - stubby antennae and door sill guards (how are these not included!)

This is my first Jeep and I'm thrilled with it.