JK's 2010 JKU Rubicon Build

[JohnK]

Bought a mostly stock 2010 Rubicon Unlimited back in June, had an AEV Premium Front Winch Bumper, Warn 9.5 Ti, SRC Side Armor and a Rancho Rear Tire Carrier/Bumper.

My desire is an expedition style rig, no plan for 35" tires or to regear, and no plan to lift beyond 3". This is my daily driver so it needs to be functional, reliable and have decent drivability.

As I picked it up in Dayton OH and then drive it 3 days back to San Diego



Transferred the Hi-Lift from my WJ to the Rancho Rear Carrier


Installed Midland 40 channel CB with a 4' Firestick and Flex Base




Installed a Bestop Mesh Shade that I roll up but leave installed when the Freedom Tops go back on


Added Tailgate Organizer


Installed Teraflex 2.5" Lift and 1.5" Spacers
Before


After


Installed RIGID style A-Pillar lights and Rugged Ridge A-Pillar Switch Panel





Upgraded the stock style and size BFG MT KM's to Firestone Destination M/T2 315/70R17
Before


After


Replaced Hawse with Roller Style Fairlead for Wire Rope


Organized my tools and recovery gear




Still to come, Flowmaster American Thunder catback exhaust, auxiliary fuel (probably rotopax style on the front side of Rancho Tire Carrier), Rugged Ridge Hurricane Fenders, new wheels (Rubicon to replace the Moab's), and maybe a soft top (Renegade Trailview is current favorite).

Love this thing, so much fun to drive.

JK

 

[WJCO]

Looks good. :thumb:

 

[AZ Explorer]

Great job. looks like you're getting it just the way you wanted.

 

[BaddestCross]

Nice! The best thing about our Jeeps is that we can build them to suit our needs.

Just don't put a caveman grill on it.

--
Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407

 

[wayoflife]

Nice! Being that it came from back east, how's the rust on it?

 

[Mike_JK_Houston_711]

Sweet man. I love that tailgate organizer. I have the same exact one and use it all the time.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[JohnK]

Nice! Being that it came from back east, how's the rust on it?

Truth be told Eddie it has a bit, most on the AEV bumper. I'll eventually strip/blast the effected parts and POR15 or similar.

JK

 

[Saharaunlmtd]

Looks Great! Congrats on the build.


Not sure if you knew this, or even care, but you can get those switch covers with the text horizontal. I have the same switch panel.

 

[MSJKU11]

Congrats on the build, looks great so far! Thinking about switching to those tires next year, how do you like them so far?

 

[JohnK]

Congrats on the build, looks great so far! Thinking about switching to those tires next year, how do you like them so far?

Very happy with them. Very quiet on the road, especially the highway (~700 miles on them now). Just did first offroad with them, ~2 hours on a mild fire trail in Big Bear, didn't even bother to air down, great ride, good grip for fully inflated.

Trail was dry with 2-3" of that fine silt/dirt in spots, they wandered just a touch when I hit deeper patches but only initially, then they floated fine, again especially for not being aired down.

They do seem a little heavy but overall I am extremely satisfied with them. I am not much of a mudder type but apparently they self-clean really well due to the channel design - I really wanted something that was not quite 35", these measured out at 34.1" tall inflated with full weight of the Jeep on them. We'll see how they wear but I ran the Destination A/T on my WJ and they were very long life tires.

I recommend them based on my so far limited exposure.

JK

 

[JohnK]

Forgot that I installed a set of the Rugged Ridge hood latches - no more moment of terror on 2-lanes when a semi passes close going the opposite direction and the hood moves due to the old rubber latches - plus I like how they look and feel. The ability to easily and relatively affordably customize these to your individual preference is truly the best.





'Gimp