3rd Jeep JKU build (Bought another JKUR)

[Hillbilly Sportscar]

Hello All,

I have posted a couple different threads and vehicle builds on here. I sold a 2017 Jeep Rubicon for a Ram 1500 which was cool and fun to camp in but not nearly as capable so I sold it and bought a 2016 Jeep Rubicon. This Jeep will be fairly basic. I have learned over the years that keeping Jeeps light is KING, so I won't be adding Gobi racks, sliders, or additional bumpers. I will try to keep it light and capable, while consistently camping out of it. Anyways here are the starting pics of the Jeep. Also, I am a high school teacher and the students knew me as "The Jeep Teacher" they were pretty disappointed when I sold my Jeeps.

 

[Hillbilly Sportscar]

Here is what the Jeep looked like when I took it home. I planned on mostly using parts that I had laying around from past builds. It needed new tires so the next step was a teraflex leveling kit and 285's. I will say that gas prices in California have kept me from going with 35's. It is literally $4.25+ a gallon for 87 octane.

 

[Hillbilly Sportscar]

I started tinkering with the Jeep right when I got home. I had to wait on the springs to come in so I installed a set of rugged ridge switches and my old waterproof fuse and relay box. I had run these switches and my relay box on previous Jeeps. Now you can buy nice sets for less than what I had in this equipment, but my plan is to reuse whatever I can.

 

[Hillbilly Sportscar]

Here is a video of the install:

 

[Hillbilly Sportscar]

Next I installed my Smittybilt Winch and Smittybilt Classic Winch Bumper. I watched a video stating this bumper was bolt on so I bought it for $185. It turned out that this bumper requires you to grind 1/4" off the lower cross member. I love the look of it and the coverage it offers, also this the winch sits below the grill which I think is essential for keeping a jeep's temps down. I also had to rewire my old Smittybilt winch, and give it new grade 8 hardware.


You can see here that one of my cables got burned from resting on a transline. This time around I put protective wire shielding on everything. I also, ran the wires in a different location. The funny thing is on my 2015 JK I ran the wires in the same location as my 2017 with zero issue, but they most have found a way to move around on me. I bought pre crimped 2 gauge wire from harbor freight for much cheaper than anywhere else...hopefully it pans out.




I found all the grade 8 hardware necessary at Lowe's. They sell it for way cheaper than anywhere else I could find.


Here is the packaging the bumper showed up in. THIS BUMPER DOES REQUIRE GRINDING. Overall I am please with the finished look, but not happy that I did have to grind to make it fit.

 

[Hillbilly Sportscar]

Here is a video of the bumper install:

 

[Hillbilly Sportscar]

Next I was able to put on a set of Teraflex leveling springs. These equate to a 1 inch lift overall and allow you to run 285's with no rubbing or any issues.

overall the springs were pretty easy to install. It took a while due to the fact that I did it all by myself and had issues with a stripped lug nut and lower sway bar end link bolt.

Here you can see a comparison between the sets of springs.

 

[Eckroll]

Nice build!

 

[Hillbilly Sportscar]

Here is a video of the Teraflex install:

 

[Hillbilly Sportscar]

I was able to take my niece and nephew out over spring break. This is exactly why I bought the Jeep.



Here is a vlog of a fun spring break with the family:

 

[Marman]

Nice Jeep and great write-ups, looking forward to more as I work on mine.