[MxRubicon]

I bought a 2016 unlimited Rubicon july last year, I promissed myself I would keep it stock(ish) for a year before I started making any major mods.
The year is almost up so I´m getting ready to tear into it. Most of the mods I have done so far are cosmetic:

• Mopar JK hardtop headliner, this was a no brainer after getting into the Jeep after work in the 100°+ degree AZ weather and feeling the heat radiating to the top of my head.
• Rugged Ridge entry guards, honestly, I feel this is something that should be part of the Jeep from the factory, every other car has a door sill, but Jeep insist on leaving the entry bare.
• Rugged ridge all weather mats, again a no brainer if you expect to keep your Jeep´s carpet clean, my only complaint after a year is the emblems came off, other than that they are working good.
• Smittybilt neoprene seat covers, I used these on my TJ, the only complaint is the buckles, they broke after a couple months, and I had to replace them. Before I installed them I sprayed 303 fabric protectant on them. This made them completely water repellant.
• JWspeaker headlights, back in December I drove back to Guadalajara to visit friends and family, a 2100 miles round trip. The JK headlights are subpar, so I decide to make the change before I left. The JWspeaker headlights made a HUGE difference, I have 0 regrets spending $500+ plus dollar on this mod. This is one of those rare occasions where I feel I got more than what I paid for.
• Rugged Ridge mesh grill, to keep the bugs out of the radiator
• Rugged Ridge receiver hitch and wiring harness, about half of an OEM and it does the same job

And the one non-cosmetic mod I have done:

• Artec HD crossmember and underarmor, the only issue I have is if installing the underarmor with the stock suspension the front axle will hit the left support for the oil pan shield

 

[johncanfield]

Good upgrades. Mats were one of the first things I bought for my Rubi.

 

[MxRubicon]

During this time I managed to get a set of 17x9.5 trailready beadlocks, and a set of Poison Spyder rockcrusher fenders, which are waiting patiently for the suspension to be installed. Plans for the Jeep are:

• Aluminum front and rear bumpers
• Winch with synthetic line
• 37” tires
• Gears
• 3.5” suspension
• Front axle truss
• Hydraulic assist
• Driveshafts
• Body armor

My next modification on the list is the suspension, I´m pretty much settled on the MC gamechanger fox edition. But it will snowball several more things which need to be done at the same time: tires, wheels, gears, truss, balljoints, driveshaft, and fenders. This should keep me and my wallet busy for the next couple months

 

[MxRubicon]

After a long hiatus I am back on the build,
Last week I received the MetalCloack 3.5" GC suspension with Fox shocks
I sold the Poison Spider rock crusher fenders and bought the MC aluminum overland fenders, I was really surprised on the weight difference, it felt like I got empty boxes when I first picked them up. Along with the fenders I got their rocksliders and exoskins.

First up, the exoskins, Have to place them on the Jeep to mark where the holes go to install the nutserts:

Ok, maybe I should secure it a bit better before I start punching:

 

[MxRubicon]

Next were the rock rails and flip steps if you look carefully you can see where I punched the marks for the skins:

Next weekend I have to fit the fenders and then everything goes out to the paint shop.

 

[MxRubicon]

Don't know hat happened to the pirctures, so here they are again:

 

[johncanfield]

Looks good Art!

 

[MxRubicon]

Today I pulled the trigger on 5 37x12.50R17 BFG KM3, I was debating between these and the STT PRO for a while. I was even tempted by the low price of the Patagonia Milestar, which seems to be well regarded unlike some other Chinese made tires in the $200 price range, but at the end of the day I decided on a proven tire, specially since I plan on doing the Rubicon trail later this year.
Tires will be mounted on raceline beadlocks, since I sold the trail ready ones when I was planing to keep the TJ instead of this one. Yes, I'm kicking myself in the arse.
And now the great debate begins 4.88 or 5.13...
No pictures of the tires yet (have to wait for them), but here are the beadlocks:

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Looking good!!

FWIW I'm happy with 4.88 on our 2 door (37s) but wish I'd gone with 5.13 on the 4 door (37s)

 

[MxRubicon]

Looking good!!

FWIW I'm happy with 4.88 on our 2 door (37s) but wish I'd gone with 5.13 on the 4 door (37s)

Is it an auto or stick?

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Is it an auto or stick?

Both auto

 

[MxRubicon]

Last night I removed the plastic fenders to install the aluminum ones this morning:

I was concerned about being able to line up the fenders to the body, but the metacloack fenders use several of the original holes which only need to be enlarged, using those to bolt the fenders in place made it easy to drill the additional holes to complete the install, first fender wen on in about 30 minutes, the second one took half that:

 

[MxRubicon]

And here it is all done:

 

[MxRubicon]

Also now that I have to deal with the nutserts I found a way to quickly install them. Metalcloack provides you with a tool, which is a fancy name for a bolt a nut and a washer.
So the idea is to turn the bolt while holding the nut to compress the nutsert, it dawn on me to use the impact wrench instead of a combination wrench
Basically you take the bolt, then insert the oversize nut, then the washer and then the nutsert is screwed onto the bolt.
Last picture shows how it goes on, but I was missing a third hand to hold the camera and the impact at the same time.

 

[97heep]

While this is cheaper and easier maybe I picked up a nutset tool from amazon for like 30 bucks. It worked well. Just make sure they are fully set and square.

 

[rlenglish]

What are you going to do for inner fenders?

 

[MxRubicon]

While this is cheaper and easier maybe I picked up a nutset tool from amazon for like 30 bucks. It worked well. Just make sure they are fully set and square.

I have a nutsert tool, but I had to install 40+ nutserts today, so I got creative :grin2:

 

[MxRubicon]

What are you going to do for inner fenders?

For now I am using the stock fenders, instructions show how to trim them. But I plan on ordering aluminum inner fenders in the near future.

 

[johncanfield]

Also now that I have to deal with the nutserts I found a way to quickly install them. Metalcloack provides you with a tool, which is a fancy name for a bolt a nut and a washer.
So the idea is to turn the bolt while holding the nut to compress the nutsert, it dawn on me to use the impact wrench instead of a combination wrench
Basically you take the bolt, then insert the oversize nut, then the washer and then the nutsert is screwed onto the bolt.
Last picture shows how it goes on, but I was missing a third hand to hold the camera and the impact at the same time.

LOL, that's the same "tool" Rokman provides with their slider kit.

 

[MxRubicon]

Last pic with everything on, all parts are now at the body shop getting painted, I should have them back on Friday, just in time for the weekend.