White Rhino a 2014 EcoDiesel on 35's and Air Springs

robthebuilderer

robthebuilderer

New member
Thought I'd post up our process since there's positive response to what we did...

Summary:

  • 2014 WK2 Limited 4x4 EcoDiesel
  • Nitto Terra Grappler G2 295/70/R18 - 34.41" diameter (for the purist)
  • ATX Cornice AX195
  • Mopar Air Struts, Bags and Tank
  • Accuair e-Level Suspension Management
  • Bodywork/Fabrication and Custom Flares
  • Modified Mopar Rock Rails
  • Modified RRO Winch Cradle
  • Smittybilt X20 10,000lb w/Wireless Remote
  • SRT8 Headlights
  • LED Driving Light Conversion
  • Matte Black Vinyl Wrap Accents
  • Brass Monkey Paint Accents (wheels, grille, etc.)

Phase II (because we're never finished):
  • Differentials...SRT8 or something...still researching options
  • Green Diesel Engineering EcoTune
  • Gobi Roof Rack (maybe)
  • More...:thumb:

 
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The name “White Rhino” came from a National Geographic show I was watching on endangered species…apparently there are only 3 white rhinos left in existence. As far as I know there are only 3 companies that have built a WK2 on 35’s…
Jeep built WK2 concept vehicles over the last few years



AEV threw some 35's on a first gen WK2


and Bulletproof Suspensions built one that showed at SEMA last year (photo courtesy of Wayalife)...


I really like the clean look that Detroit pulled off so we went that route.
 
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I have a few projects under my belt, from my first car (67 VW bus) to the XJ we finished a few years ago (see my JeepForum Garage)...but this would be the first 'new' car I wanted to cut up. So I did some asking around and found a local fabrication shop...


When I first approached Mark about this project he scratched his head...they do mostly resto-mods, restorations, etc. They hadn't worked on a Jeep yet. I was persistent and showed up once a week with more information and a deadline...Jeep Beach 2016. He finally agreed to help me. :grin2:
 
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We started with a completely stock low-mileage USED 2014 Limited 4x4 EcoDiesel that I picked up at a local Ford dealer in August of 2015...with the intention of towing the XJ to events.


 
This one started out like most builds do...progressive. Was fine driving a luxury vehicle with vented seats and great fuel mileage. Then it was...let's see what 20" rims and 32" tires looks like...



Then it was...let's see what a 2.5" lift looks like...should add some Mopar Rock Rails while we're at it (those things are a PIA to install, 8 hours later)!

 
Seeing what Jeep did with the concept vehicles I knew it was possible...cutting sheetmetal was always part of the plan. The suspension however was originally going to be steel spring with spacers or OME.

The back-story on the air suspension...we had been taking my 91yo grandmother to breakfast about once a week, at least until the 2.5" lift and rock rails went on...the Jeep was just too big for her after that. So my girlfriend suggested air suspension so we could lower the Jeep and gramma could get in. Well, that just opened up Pandora's box and off I went...

I knew GC's came with Quadra-Lift so I started researching parts. First thing I bought was the tank (ebay) because it fits cleanly under/behind the rear seats...



Next was the front struts and rear bags which I purchased new from a friend at a local Jeep dealer. So far, everything I've purchased is factory Mopar parts and direct bolt on. :thumbsup:

You may notice the RRO upper control arms...



We considered using some kind of spacer in the rear but the bags didn't need it.

 
Next was air management...QL systems are closed loop and use nitrogen to maintain pressures inside (at least) the front struts. I chose Accuair e-Level package with Touch Pad for a few reasons, the main one being ride height control...the system uses sensors at each wheel and a computer to track and correct preset ride heights. We have (3) preset ride heights with infinite manual adjustment between the full range of the air springs. Ride height at start means every time I start the Jeep it automatically raises to normal ride height (NRH) and I'm ready to go.



Our system uses (2) Viair compressors, VU4 solenoid unit, 3/8 Poly and copper hard lines (tire well) and push-to-connect fittings. It’s basically plug and play, we just had to figure out how to connect to the Mopar stuff but that wasn’t difficult.



Here you can see the wheel sensors, front struts...we're using an RRO 1.75" spacer on top of these.



The rear...switched out shocks for 6" travel Bilsteins...we're using the RRO lift kit shock spacer here.

 
Next was to open up wheel houses to fit 35” tires. The goal here was to have clearance at the lowest possible ride height so that in case of air suspension failure we could at least drive safely off the road and get help. This includes removing the stock plastic ‘flares’ and about 1.5” of sheet metal and plastic from bumpers.



Up front this includes removing the pinch weld seam and more.





 
The rear posed its’ own set of challenges, not so much to do with clearance but with unit-body structure (quarters and doors). This is where the professionals were worth their weight in gold.











 
Next up, flares to tie it all together. Now, I tried to contact Jeep through every social media platform I could think of…nothing, nada, no response. So, we made our own…but I really like what they did so we emulated their design while adding a little ‘flare’ (pun intended) of our own.







 
Week of JB16 we were installing the winch cradle...which I modified to fit horizontal center of the 'newer' front fascia ('14-current I believe)...



Behind there is a 10,000lb Smittybilt X20 with wireless remote...although to use the remote you have to toggle a switch on the solenoid, which is hidden behind the bumper...I'll be working on this...for now the controller is tucked in next to the master cylinder.



 
All that was left was finishing…and believe me when I tell you it came down to the last minute! This was like a SEMA or Overhaulin' build...we were programming the Accuair system in gate 70 of the Daytona International Speedway while registering for Jeep Beach 2016 (a week ago).







Lowest Ride Height..."All Down"



Setting 2 Normal Ride Height...



Setting 3 Maximum Ride Height...



A HUGE thank you to GodSpeed Rides for working with me on this!

 
As I already said, this is awesome. I am so glad that you posted a build for it as I was very curious with where you ended up mounting the sensors and everything else. Jeep nailed it tho with that air tank location and how it fits. That winch placement is also perfect.
 
Thank you all for the positive response. I realize this is not the typical Jeep build...it's not a hardcore wheeler but having flexible ride height and bigger tires sure does make getting groceries easier! Joking aside, we anticipate taking this to as many Jeep events as possible with EJS 2017 already on the radar.

hinrichs said:
As I already said, this is awesome. I am so glad that you posted a build for it as I was very curious with where you ended up mounting the sensors and everything else. Jeep nailed it tho with that air tank location and how it fits. That winch placement is also perfect.
Click to expand...

I'm very happy with being able to incorporate Mopar/Jeep parts as part of this build. And super happy with the user-friendly/intelligent Accuair management system. I wanted something clean and functional...having the winch was a must, just needed to modify an already great piece (thank you RRO).

Next on the list is differentials...we didn't get far with ECGS or ARB. SRT8 center sections will give me 3.70 and a rear electric locker (stock EcoDiesel is 3.45). Still researching though...keep you posted! :thumb:
 
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metalhead said:
Really looks awesome. How much lift do you get at setting #3?
Click to expand...

Following up on this...

Drove by a local Jeep dealership today...




Found a completely stock Limited 4x4 EcoDiesel and took some measurements...




Threw the Rhino in full height, setting 3 and took the same measurements...




Then did some math...
Stock tire size; 265/60/r18 is 30.52" diameter, 15.26" radius
My tire size; 295/70/r18 is 34.41" diameter, 17.21" radius
Subtracting the difference in tire height...1.95" (not accounting for squish)
Resulting lift height, using this method...
Front; 7" delta minus 1.95" tire height = 5.05" lift
Rear; 4" delta minus 1.95" tire height = 2.05" lift
Disclaimer: measurements are approximate and should be within .120" +/-

My girlfriend teaches math and likes to say, 'numbers don't lie'...well that'd be true, as long I did this correctly.

My thoughts...the Accuair system 'levels' the vehicle, so we lost all of the 'rake' that Jeep engineered into the susupension...which is why the front is so much bigger. Remember, we also used an RRO 1.75" (leveling kit) spacer atop the air struts. We could probably add a spacer to the rear bags and get similar lift height as the front but I like how 'leveled' looks and drives. The real benefit of this suspension is adjustability...dropping it on the tires to get in and out just doesn't get old. Normal ride height is perfect for around town and setting 1 drops it for smooth highway trips. In summary, this is probably something I would do even if I didn't open up the body for larger tires.
 
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