2016 JKU Rubicon hard rock build

[cody_roberts]

Well I suppose I should start a build thread. If anything it is a good way to keep track of the progress. The base is a 2016 jku Rubicon hard rock in Mojave sand. After searching for quite some time I found it in Tyson's corner Virginia. I bought my 90$ plane ticket to Baltimore and I was off. It just so happened the hotel we picked was directly across the street from the dealer and to top it off I could see the Jeep from the room. If you look closely you can see the outline of it through the trees. View attachment 63938View attachment 63939

 

[cody_roberts]

After spending the day waiting on the defective aftermarket headlight to be replaced with the Mopar LED's (at the dealers cost), we were on our way back to Texas. Needless to say I was super excited. After 17 hours of straight driving I finally had it parked in the driveway, and as you all know my pockets were free to begin emptying into the Jeep. View attachment 63940View attachment 63941View attachment 63942

 

[cody_roberts]

The first mods on the list.
1. Roof rack
2. RTT
3. Lift
These mods came in the fashion ofFront runner Slimline 2 full rack.
Tepui Kukenam sky
Teraflex 2.5 spring lift, with rancho 9000xl'sView attachment 63943View attachment 63944

 

[cody_roberts]

The roof rack was the first to go on , man was it brutal. 16 7/8" holes in my new hardtop. [emoji25]. The finished product was worth every hole. Super happy with the way it turned out. I also got the axe and shovel mount , along with a 16 gal water tank for our cross country trips. View attachment 63945View attachment 63946View attachment 63947View attachment 63948View attachment 63949

 

[GrnRubi]

Just wanting to know your thoughts on the front runner rack...Im thinking about getting the half rack for my RTT. One question, how high off the hardtop does it sit?

 

[cody_roberts]

Just wanting to know your thoughts on the front runner rack...Im thinking about getting the half rack for my RTT. One question, how high off the hardtop does it sit?

It's high enough that you can get the freedom panels off. Please don't let anyone tell you that they pop off as it the rack isn't there. I can take some measurements for you. I would say roughly 2.5 inches at the edges and probably 3.5 or so in the center. Also just a side note if you like taking off the hard top , I would look for other options , this rack is absolutely great , if you leave the top on. It would take effort to remove the rack and remove the top. The only way I could see doing that would be if it was going to be off for "summer" or something. Removing and reinstall for a weekend top off , forget it.

 

[GrnRubi]

Ya I agree with the top coming off part, its a pain...I take my panels off once in a while but not all that often. My uses will be for a very very extended "living" out of the Jeep so space is at a premium, not sure the panels will be a luxury that might not get to happen. I just like the low profile racks more than the racks that sit really high on the top

 

[cody_roberts]

Ya I agree with the top coming off part, its a pain...I take my panels off once in a while but not all that often. My uses will be for a very very extended "living" out of the Jeep so space is at a premium, not sure the panels will be a luxury that might not get to happen. I just like the low profile racks more than the racks that sit really high on the top

I agree , I can still take them off and do occasionally. Texas heat doesn't ask for it much though. The rack has been absolutely great for my needs and do not regret this paltform , the quality and customer service from front runner and exploration outfitters is excellent.

 

[cody_roberts]

Next install was the Teraflex 2.5" lift , full spring set , LCA and rancho 9000XL's. The lift went on easily , the absolute worst part being the right front shock nut. The battery box is just low enough to allow zero clearance. Unfortunately the only picture I got was after the front was installed. Overall after about 15K miles on this lift I have been satisfied. The only complaint is sag under weight , this is not the fault of terelflex by any means. It is excellent handling and riding in normal configuration. I will changing the rear to the outback springs shortly. View attachment 64125

 

[cody_roberts]

While very impatiently waiting for my Tepui to show up I added a few small things. I added my streamlight to the rear roll bar next to the 12 volt and installed a dual battery tray. I have yet to add a second battery. The original reason for the install was to add space to fit the synergy heat exchanger (failed miserably). View attachment 64126View attachment 64127

 

[cody_roberts]

The tent finally showed up on a semi via XPO logistics. Didn't get pictures of packaging , I think I was too excited to think of that. I got it installed using the low mount tent kit from front runner , this kit is easy to install and has very good build quality. Speaking on the tent , the construction is excellent and everything works as advertised. Having speant roughly 14 nights in the tent so far , I have been very happy with the purchase. View attachment 64128View attachment 64129View attachment 64130

 

[cody_roberts]

After these additions , it was time to take the maiden voyage. I trip would cover the entirety of the north east over 10 days. This trip was also a large milestone for my girlfriend and I because it would cross off the remaining states we needed to have seen all 48 contiguous by way of vehicle. We would start in Texas and travel all the way to Maine visiting while visiting everything in between. (Map attached) View attachment 64131

 

[cody_roberts]

Our first stop in Kansas City was brief , merely the launching point of what we were really interested in. We did visit the WWI Museum, after this we hit the road for the far north. This was the view from the tower on site and a replica crater (5ft girlfriend for scale). View attachment 64132View attachment 64133View attachment 64134

 

[cody_roberts]

Next overnight stop would be at a very nice state park in Iowa , first real test of our whole setup. Everything worked out great. View attachment 64135

 

[cody_roberts]

A couple more nights in random stops , Wisconsin being the most notable , we made it to one of the most anticipated stops of our journey , the UP. We were warned before traveling north that they had just received 100" of snow ,all was well. We had a great time hiking down snow shoe trails to visit tahquamenon falls. Absolutely beautiful. ( I will add pictures later) . After a day and a half , we were off to Maine . View attachment 64136View attachment 64137View attachment 64138View attachment 64139View attachment 64140

 

[cody_roberts]

We stopped to see niagra falls on the way, really wasn't impressed. We finally made it to Maine. All I can say about Maine , if you haven't been you need to go. Everything down to smell of the air is amazing. What had to be the craziest thing to me was the lack of litter on the sides of the highway. After a day it was time to head back for home. View attachment 64141View attachment 64142View attachment 64143

 

[GrnRubi]

Looks like a great time, I wanted to ask you about opening the tent towards the rear of the Jeep...This seems so logical to me, you get to use the tent base as a covering over where you are most likey cooking food. The odd part is I see very few people doing it that way, have you seen any downside to doing this? Do you plan on keeping it this way?

Thanks

 

[cody_roberts]

Looks like a great time, I wanted to ask you about opening the tent towards the rear of the Jeep...This seems so logical to me, you get to use the tent base as a covering over where you are most likey cooking food. The odd part is I see very few people doing it that way, have you seen any downside to doing this? Do you plan on keeping it this way?

Thanks

I got this idea from another overlander on YouTube , it also seemed stupid logical to me so thats the way I mounted it. I have had zero issues with this mounting method , it works great. One added bonus when your at camp the rear glass holds the tent cover up out of the way. If you open to the side it blocks access to your rear door, additionally, you can access things on the front of the roof rack from the other tent entrance when in the tent. The only reason I would move to side opening is if I get a 270° awning, otherwise it is staying to the rear. If you look at this picture you can see what I mean. View attachment 64152

 

[TheRubiconLife]

Outstanding trip and great looking rig. We are just getting into overland and I look forward to the mods and the trips. Thanks for the post.

 

[cody_roberts]

Outstanding trip and great looking rig. We are just getting into overland and I look forward to the mods and the trips. Thanks for the post.

Thank you , more to come! Winter camping trip in Colorado or Utah coming soon !