2018 JKU Golden Eagle

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GetLost

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Traveler I

Good call on the tires/lift. When you start struggling to climb over obstacles, then come back to these.

The rack may be optional depending on what kind / how much gear you carry. I got by for years without a rack, also with a family of 4. You can pack a surprising amount of gear in the back of that JK.

We don't use a RTT either and probably never will. Not practical with my family and takes up all of your roof rack space.
 

Michael G.

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

1,338
New Orleans, Louisiana
First Name
Michael
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Gauthreaux
Member #

12591

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W5AZA
Good call on the tires/lift. When you start struggling to climb over obstacles, then come back to these.

The rack may be optional depending on what kind / how much gear you carry. I got by for years without a rack, also with a family of 4. You can pack a surprising amount of gear in the back of that JK.

We don't use a RTT either and probably never will. Not practical with my family and takes up all of your roof rack space.
Good to know because i had been debating about a rack for a while now, also with a family of 4 here, 7 if you count the dogs.
 

GetLost

Rank 0

Traveler I

Good to know because i had been debating about a rack for a while now, also with a family of 4 here, 7 if you count the dogs.
Yikes, with the dogs you may want the rack sooner rather than later after all. One of the reasons we got our rack was so that our one dog can come with us on trips. With the cargo area loaded to the max and the kiddos in the back seat, you won't have much room for the dogs.
 

Seppy

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Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,191
Cambon Avenue, Saint James, NY, USA
First Name
Joseph
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Cosentino
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12370

I've done a lot of research on LED lights. KC and all those big names are SUPER expensive. I bought a set of nilight headlights and fog lights ($136) from amazon, dropped them in and so far ok. This is only a week old. I still have some adjustments to make on aiming them, but so far, they're pretty good. They have a lot of positive reviews.

I also bought a set of nilight spots and fog lights. They were CHEAP and if you really look at the construction of these lights and the rigid and the KC.. they're all very close.. and the problem is, if these $15 lights fail, I can replace them 10x compared to the $150 brand names. You can take a little time to better waterproof these off-brands. In the end, I'm sure all the LED's are sourced overseas anyway.



If they all stink, and I end up "getting what you pay for", then I'm out a minimal investment. Worth the shot.
 
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Michael G.

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

1,338
New Orleans, Louisiana
First Name
Michael
Last Name
Gauthreaux
Member #

12591

Ham/GMRS Callsign
W5AZA
Yikes, with the dogs you may want the rack sooner rather than later after all. One of the reasons we got our rack was so that our one dog can come with us on trips. With the cargo area loaded to the max and the kiddos in the back seat, you won't have much room for the dogs.
Family and dogs will be rare trips for a while they dont like camping much and have yet to be able to introduce Overlanding idea to them.
 

Michael G.

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

1,338
New Orleans, Louisiana
First Name
Michael
Last Name
Gauthreaux
Member #

12591

Ham/GMRS Callsign
W5AZA
I've done a lot of research on LED lights. KC and all those big names are SUPER expensive. I bought a set of nilight headlights and fog lights ($136) from amazon, dropped them in and so far ok. This is only a week old. I still have some adjustments to make on aiming them, but so far, they're pretty good. They have a lot of positive reviews.

I also bought a set of nilight spots and fog lights. They were CHEAP and if you really look at the construction of these lights and the rigid and the KC.. they're all very close.. and the problem is, if these $15 lights fail, I can replace them 10x compared to the $150 brand names. You can take a little time to better waterproof these off-brands. In the end, I'm sure all the LED's are sourced overseas anyway.



If they all stink, and I end up "getting what you pay for", then I'm out a minimal investment. Worth the shot.
Let me know how they turn out. i will be adding them to my list too so i dont forget.
 
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Phildirt

Rank IV
Launch Member

Advocate II

I've done a lot of research on LED lights. KC and all those big names are SUPER expensive. I bought a set of nilight headlights and fog lights ($136) from amazon, dropped them in and so far ok. This is only a week old. I still have some adjustments to make on aiming them, but so far, they're pretty good. They have a lot of positive reviews.

I also bought a set of nilight spots and fog lights. They were CHEAP and if you really look at the construction of these lights and the rigid and the KC.. they're all very close.. and the problem is, if these $15 lights fail, I can replace them 10x compared to the $150 brand names. You can take a little time to better waterproof these off-brands. In the end, I'm sure all the LED's are sourced overseas anyway.



If they all stink, and I end up "getting what you pay for", then I'm out a minimal investment. Worth the shot.
I used this brand on my Burb, been on there for years, no issues. I am a big fan of cheap if safety isn't involved.
 

Phildirt

Rank IV
Launch Member

Advocate II

Good call on the tires/lift. When you start struggling to climb over obstacles, then come back to these.

The rack may be optional depending on what kind / how much gear you carry. I got by for years without a rack, also with a family of 4. You can pack a surprising amount of gear in the back of that JK.

We don't use a RTT either and probably never will. Not practical with my family and takes up all of your roof rack space.
With you on the RTT thing. They are neat but sleeping on the ground works for me and I can't justify the cost.
 

Michael G.

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

1,338
New Orleans, Louisiana
First Name
Michael
Last Name
Gauthreaux
Member #

12591

Ham/GMRS Callsign
W5AZA
With you on the RTT thing. They are neat but sleeping on the ground works for me and I can't justify the cost.
Thats where i am at, i can sleep on the ground cheaper and save that money on other fun things that i can use.
 

Jay61

Rank III
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

646
Leesburg Georgia
First Name
Jay
Last Name
Brimberry
Member #

18468

The problem with JKUs is that you never finish with the mods. I have a 2018 JKUR and the more I add to it, the more I want to add to it. Oddly enough, I knew I was going to build an overlanding vehicle out of it so the very first modification I did was the Genesis Offroad Dual Battery System with Odyssey PCS1500 batteries. Then I went with the Old Man Emu 2 1/2 inch lift with Fox 2.0 shocks. I then added the Smittybilt XRC front bumper with a Warn Zeon 10S with synthetic cable. For my rear bumper and tire carrier I went with the Smittybilt XRC system with the dual jerry can carriers and hi-lift jack carrier (with the cans and jack). Then I added the ARB differential breather tube lift kit and raised my diff breather tubes and transmission/transfer case breather tube (I have the manual transmission so only three tubes to raise). Next came an AEV snorkel with the pre-filter option for when I get in really dusty areas. I then added the Vector Mount Bar with a box load of various Ram Mounting systems and installed 5 extra USB outlets and 3 more DC outlets. I have also added ARB diff covers "just in case". I am sure I am forgetting some items. I also have a few snatch blocks, tree savers, tow straps, maxtrax (two sets, waiting on the spare tire mount). ARB tire repair kit, an ARB CKMTP12 air compressor kit, an ARB deflater kit and lots of other small items one would need when you are out and about. I am looking at the Goose Gear kit for the JKUs and then a slide and an ARB 50qt fridge/freezer. This is how she looks right now. Oddly enough, I have not gotten bigger tires yet, they will be one of the last items I get. I am wanting to see how she handles fully loaded before I go that route, though I was at a jeep rally last month and developed a severe case of "tire envy". DSC01990.JPG
 
Last edited:

CMJeep

Rank III
Launch Member

Enthusiast II

509
Minnesota
Member #

12543

....I am looking at the Goose Gear kit for the JKUs and then a slide and an ARB 50qt fridge/freezer. . View attachment 58763
Waiting on my Goose Gear set up. Communication on their part is lacking at best. They must be using the GOBI rack model of not returning calls or emails. I'm sure the product is great but their up front customer service has much to be desired.
 
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Michael G.

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

1,338
New Orleans, Louisiana
First Name
Michael
Last Name
Gauthreaux
Member #

12591

Ham/GMRS Callsign
W5AZA
The problem with JKUs is that you never finish with the mods. I have a 2018 JKUR and the more I add to it, the more I want to add to it. Oddly enough, I knew I was going to build an overlanding vehicle out of it so the very first modification I did was the Genesis Offroad Dual Battery System with Odyssey PCS1500 batteries. Then I went with the Old Man Emu 2 1/2 inch lift with Fox 2.0 shocks. I then added the Smittybilt XRC front bumper with a Warn Zeon 10S with synthetic cable. For my rear bumper and tire carrier I went with the Smittybilt XRC system with the dual jerry can carriers and hi-lift jack carrier (with the cans and jack). Then I added the ARB differential breather tube lift kit and raised my diff breather tubes and transmission/transfer case breather tube (I have the manual transmission so only three tubes to raise). Next came an AEV snorkel with the pre-filter option for when I get in really dusty areas. I then added the Vector Mount Bar with a box load of various Ram Mounting systems and installed 5 extra USB outlets and 3 more DC outlets. I have also added ARB diff covers "just in case". I am sure I am forgetting some items. I also have a few snatch blocks, tree savers, tow straps, maxtrax (two sets, waiting on the spare tire mount). ARB tire repair kit, an ARB CKMTP12 air compressor kit, an ARB deflater kit and lots of other small items one would need when you are out and about. I am looking at the Goose Gear kit for the JKUs and then a slide and an ARB 50qt fridge/freezer. This is how she looks right now. Oddly enough, I have not gotten bigger tires yet, they will be one of the last items I get. I am wanting to see how she handles fully loaded before I go that route, though I was at a jeep rally last month and developed a severe case of "tire envy". View attachment 58763
Beautiful Rig man, Im taking my mods nice and slow so my wife wont kill me. I did look at the Genesis Dual Battery Kit but waiting to see what i do if i will need it or not. I am in the South East so will be long drives for me to start Overlanding.
 

Michael G.

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

1,338
New Orleans, Louisiana
First Name
Michael
Last Name
Gauthreaux
Member #

12591

Ham/GMRS Callsign
W5AZA
Waiting on my Goose Gear set up. Communication on their part is lacking at best. They must be using the GOBI rack model of not returning calls or emails. I'm sure the product is great but their up front customer service has much to be desired.
I have been debating on Goose Gear / TrekBox / or DIY Box.