2023 JTR build...(Poison) Ivy

[MSFTMatt]

I'm pleased to present my newly purchased JTR. I picked it up 5 days ago now. I'm coming from a 2016 F150 XLT that was built out for overlanding. I felt that I had gone as far, literally and figuratively, as I could with that truck and needed something to take me to the next level. I learned a lot from my building out my last truck and plan to apply that knowledge to Ivy. I've named her Ivy because I know she will give me the bug to buy more and more for her.
Deets...
2023 JTR in Sarge Green 3.6L with premium sound, max tow package and spray in bedliner
Plans in rough order of build...
Stubby antennae-DONE
Debadge-DONE
Stubby up the OEM bumper-DONE
Bulletpoint dash system
Icom 5100A HAM radio install
Lasfit AUX switches
Dashcam install
Dead pedal
Seatjackers
Badlands Apex 12k winch (when I get my next 'we've missed you 25% off coupon' from HF)
Alu-Cab Explorer Canopy
Alu-Cab fridge slide (have from last truck)
ICECO 45L dual-zone (have from last truck)
Redarc 1225 BCDC solar controller with Lithio and solar (have from last truck)
Viair 10007 constant duty compressor with 2.5gall tank (have from last build. May switch to something like ARB dual compressor if I cannot find a good place under truck to mount)
Figure the arraignment for truck bed with whatever I decide.
3" or 3.5" suspension lift (still researching)
37" wheels and tires. Probably go Nitto Ridge Grapplers again but not 100% sure yet.
Expedition One dual swing out rear bumper
Rock sliders
full skid plates
I'm sure things will move around slightly, and I still have a lot to research, but it is beginning. The first few minutes after bringing her home...

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[MSFTMatt]

Couple shots of the first "mods"

 

[MSFTMatt]

Small update, windows tinted. Just did a light tint with UV protection to windshield and matched fronts to factory rear though it looks darker in the pictures.

 

[MSFTMatt]

Rain let up a bit today and was able to get a little work done. Got some A-pillar light mounts from DV8 and put some Lasfit floods on them. Pretty straightforward install with good instructions from DV8 online. Also mounted my HAM antenna bracket from CoolTech. Nothing wired in yet but it’s all plumbed into engine bay and ready.

 

[redline61]

Love the direction that you are going with the build! Still one of the best colors for the Gladiator.

 

[Brandon Glads]

Looks nice !

192.168.100.1 192.168.1.1​

 

[MSFTMatt]

Been slowly plugging away at this thing. Ivy did not come with the factory AUX switches so I got the kit from Lasfit and could not be happier with the product. Using the supplied firewall replacement grommet, I was able to run the AUX wiring as well as the ham radio antennae wire and base power cable. I just ran the antennae wire/radio power along the same path as the AUX wiring.

This is looking down at the drivers side firewall and the new grommet wire run.

I had mounted the A-pillar lights but didn't get to power and check them out till I installed the switches. Seem to be plenty bright. We don't typically do much night driving off-road but the few times we have in the Big Sur area it was super nice to have the front sides really illuminated with the steepness of the drop-offs so wanted to make sure which ever mounts I bought would allow me to angle the lights to the desired areas.

Bottom photo is with no headlights on.
Finally, I got around to doing some cardboard aided design to get my Icom 5100A installed. I plagiarized from another member by fabricating a mounting plate. I mounted the radio to the plate then took rear driver seat bolts out, slid the plate under and rebolted the seat down with the bolts going through the holes I drilled in the plate. I'm pretty happy with the finished product.

I just tucked the wires under the door sill.

I purchased the Rubigrid dash mount and used the Ram mounts I has left over from my last truck to hold the face piece and my Ipad when out and about. I didn't take pictures, but I drilled a hole in top of dash and ran the face plate wiring and secondary speaker through it with a grommet to protect the wires. The Rubigrid completely conceals the hole, so it looks pretty clean IMO. The mic is barely visible by grab handle on lower right of picture. It's just a universal adhesive mic holder from Lido products. Wiring was tucked into the center console and then fished through the center console in the rear to come out under driver seat.

I have the Badlands Apex 12K winch, Bulldog winch plate, Warn mid-height bull bar and a couple 5" round amber lights to install on the front bumper in about a week or so.

 

[MSFTMatt]

Made a little more progress over the past few days. Got my Badlands Apex 12K winch installed into the OEM steel bumper. I used a Bulldog winch plate. It is a very sturdy plate. I bought a couple 3/8' steal spacers from svc707 but ended up not needing them. Rerouted the power cable to the side and there is plenty of room between the grill and winch. I chose to mount the winch switch at the power steering reservoir. I drilled a hole in bottom of switch plate and used the bolt that holds the reservoir to secure the switch housing. Installed a Warn midheight bull bar as well as a couple 5" amber driving lights.

 

[MSFTMatt]

I’ve been hung up on physical activity restrictions post surgery so haven’t been able to work on Ivy for a bit. Finally changed that today.
I was looking for a way to mount my Rotopax, solar panel and scene lights. I wanted to be able to still remove my front panels as well. My search led me to half roof racks and I decided to try the one from Hooke Road off Amazon. I did not have high expectations due to the multiple poor reviews out there but there were just as many good ones so I figured that if it didn’t work out I’d just send it back to Amazon.
The item arrived well packaged with no damage. All the hardware was included and actually fit the way it was supposed to. Install was not difficult. Hardest part was actually attaching to the roof but not too bad. No drill is a huge plus.
Once my Alucab Contour Canopy arrives I’ll be able to build the electrical system in the bed and I’ll install the solar and lights.

 

[MSFTMatt]

Suns been out and I was able to get some mods done I’ve been waiting to do. My rig came with the Mopar headliners which are nice but all the white up front drove me crazy(er). Plus my patches wouldn’t stick to it! I got some wide loop Velcro sheeting off the internet and used 3M adhesive spray to apply the Velcro over the existing headliners and they came out pretty good, 2nd one was better than first.
I’m only doing the front panels since the rear headliner gets rid of the majority of the white plus I don’t sit back there so it doesn’t bother me near as much. I removed the hardware which was straight forward, mostly. There are 4 T25 bolts that hold each clasp on per panel and dear god are they a b$&:ch to get out. I had one strip, which I was able to remove with vice grips, and on the other panel one would not come out no matter what. I tried heat, lube, nothing worked. I eventually cut the head off to be able to remove the hardware. There is blue loctite on all the bolts but I think that one was cross threaded. I would have worked around it and left it but it was backed out far enough to make it impossible to go in or out. Deal with that some other time if it causes issue.
For prep I lightly scuffed the panels with green pad and cleaned really well with rubbing alcohol. I taped off everything that didn’t have that texture pattern that is visible. The smooth parts are what I believe are unseen and contact other surfaces. For paint I used Rustoleum flat black enamel. As I’ve read on other posts the tops do suck up the paint. I used a bottle for each side.
I had a bunch of Kilmat sound deadening material from another project so I used that for the areas under the headliner. I built up the recessed areas a bit with a few layers of the stuff. Next was Alien tape to attach the headliners again, that stuff is quite strong and I do not foresee an issue.
Put the tops back on and jumped on the highway. I do think the sound has been reduced. It’s not quiet but hey? I think I need to loosen the bolts holding the side latches on tho as I hear a creaking noise from that area. They weren’t that tight when I removed them so may have tightened them too much. Overall I’m happy with the results.

 

[MSFTMatt]

Loosened those bolts 1/4 turn and no noise. Rain expected this weekend so should be a good test of my work?

 

[MSFTMatt]

Spent all last week on my back in my driveway installing my Clayton Overland 2.5” Plus with Falcon SP2 shocks and 3/4” Daystar front spacer. Put on Metalcloak rear sway bar reinforcement brackets as well as Rancho rear lower shock mount skids. I’ve got the shocks set on soft/cold and am in process of finding my happy spot. Thanks to lots of help from members on this forum I got it all done and nothing has fallen off?. Wheels/tires went on Monday. @Discount Tire really helped out. Yokohama GOO3 MT 37’s and Fifteen52 Traverse HD

 

[Discount Tire]

Spent all last week on my back in my driveway installing my Clayton Overland 2.5” Plus with Falcon SP2 shocks and 3/4” Daystar front spacer. Put on Metalcloak rear sway bar reinforcement brackets as well as Rancho rear lower shock mount skids. I’ve got the shocks set on soft/cold and am in process of finding my happy spot. Thanks to lots of help from members on this forum I got it all done and nothing has fallen off?. Wheels/tires went on Monday. @Discount Tire really helped out. Yokohama GOO3 MT 37’s and Fifteen52 Traverse HD

Glad to see that everything came together! Looks amazing!

 

[MSFTMatt]

Thank you for your help sir!

 

[D57]

Hard to beat the green w black top, especially with 2.5” Clayton and 37’s! I know what it’s like to lay in the driveway and put on the lift. I did the RR 2.5... A good 12-13 hours solo. I hadnt been that sore in decades!

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