[steve578]

I have been looking at the JKU's for the last couple of years. I have a 2006 LJ that I use for wheeling, but it is a little tight for the wife, two kids, and me. Back in December I decided it was time to sell our family wagon, a 2009 3/4 Suburban. We placed an order for a 2013 JKU Rubicon. The JKU came in last week.

This will truly be a mall crawler with occasional trail use for now. However, I never seem to stick with the plan and usually go overboard. Lets see how long the mall crawler status will hold.

The 2013.

 

[steve578]

Here is my wheeling rig.

Pritchett Canyon - Rocker Knocker

Rusty Nail

Golden Spike

Clayton

 

[steve578]

My plans for the JKU is to do minor things to set it up for future hard wheeling. That way it keeps it street manors for now, but can go in a different direction later without redoing mods.

I'll focus on bumper, skids, and drivetrain upgrades so I can wheel it on mild trails with the stock suspension for now. This way it will be ready for lift and larger tires in the future.

 

[steve578]

I installed the sPod and Aeroforce gauge. This will be the base for CB power, future OBA power, and to power the lights.

 

[steve578]

To keep with the mall crawler theme, I installed the Hothead Headliner to help with noise during family road trips as well as the Houston heat. I think you can even see part of car seat in one of the pictures.

 

[steve578]

I started the CB install this morning by installing the Cooltech license plate antenna mount. I'm thinking about switching out the 4' antenna for a 3' antenna to clear the garage door and other parking garages. Also installed the Cooltech Versamount2. The Cobra 75 will hang nicely on this bracket. I have something similar in my LJ.

 

[steve578]

I ordered front and rear (without tire carrier) Poison Spyder bumpers. A Warn Zeon 10 winch is also on the way. I have a Viking line and thimble to go with the winch.

The front bumper showed up on Friday. The winch and rear bumper should be here on Wednesday evening.

 

[steve578]

That is the start of the build. Not bad for the first week of having the Jeep.

I'll focus on underside armor next. I like the new Nemesis skids, but will have to wait as they are $$$. I have the Savvy aluminum skids on my LJ and have worked great. I am a converted believer in aluminum with the weight savings.

I am also looking at the Nemesis billy rocker kit to replace the Rubicon sliders.

I'm sure RCV's, an Artec truss, and Ten factory rears will be in the near future.

 

[Asmmns]

Nice ...

Nice LJ - and good start to the build. You will like that long wheelbase if your a LJ guy !

 

[redneck ron]

Nice new JK. Also digging the LJ. Was that Green Mamba Extension in Clayton?

 

[Thisguyhasadd42]

Good start to the build big fan of the color. The LJ looks nice too.

 

[steve578]

Nice new JK. Also digging the LJ. Was that Green Mamba Extension in Clayton?

Thanks! I think the pictures come from several of the trails, but we did run Green Mamba Extension.

 

[TEXASKEV]

Dang, you are off to a great start! And that's a sweet LJ

 

[tiltz]

I don't forsee your mall crawler plans working out
1. Your LJ is awesome.
2. You bought a Rubicon, so you figured there was some vallue in the 4-1 T case and lockers
3. And letz be real, its a Jeep

 

[steve578]

Brown Santa delivered the rear bumper and winch today. I dropped the rear bumper off at the powder coater this afternoon.

 

[steve578]

Installed the front bumper and winch tonight. I have a few minor things to finish up before it's complete. Will finish it up over the weekend.

 

[steve578]

Put the winch line on the winch this afternoon and came up with a "custom" license plate mount.

 

[steve578]

When installing the winch line, I received a call from the powder coater. The rear bumper is ready so I started by pulling the factory rear bumper. I'll pick it up tomorrow morning.

 

[rdlynch2]

Looking good.

BTW, someone needs to come out with some Hyline style fenders for the JK. I love the look on Tjs, would be even better on JK

 

[jeepfish]

Nice build! You should be more than capable to do all the mall crawling one could hope for!