2023 JTRD Build Thread - "Blue Jeep"

[ericw.]

My son just calls it the "Blue Jeep" so that's the build nickname. I don't really name my vehicles otherwise.

He just turned 4 and really helped push this deal through with my wife. lol, not that I needed approval but it helps.

I found the rig while laying in my rooftop tent in Colorado. I contacted the dealership the next morning and locked in a deal that afternoon while above 12,000 foot elevation at Lake Como, after finishing Poughkeepsie Gulch. (thanks to my Starlink Mini)


The day after we arrived home from our trip, I planted a few seeds to drive my son's excitement and get us to the dealership. (lol) Test drive checked out, 1 owner, clean title, no crazy frequent repairs, recalls all done, everything looks great. I signed papers and drove it home.

It came with 35" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss tires, a paint matched ARE camper shell, gen 1 Decked drawers (locks but no keys), and Rockslide Engineering 3.0 steps.

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[ericw.]

I don't really want to talk much about what I plan to do since plans change, mostly I'll just log the things I've done so far for historic purposes.

I didn't do this with my last jeep and now I've done so much that I can't even remember everything that it has. lol

The things I've accomplished so far...

1. Tazer Mini
2. Changed the locks on the Decked drawers so I have keys. -Removed the decked drawers.
3. Hooke Road tailgate panel thing
4. Blue Ridge Overland attic
5. Epic Adventure Outfitters Crow Molle panel
6. Redline Stainless Hood Struts
7. Hothead Headliners
8. Seatjackers
9. Duralast Platinum Elite H7 94R and Aux battery delete
10. Lasfit aux switches
11. Rockslide Engineering step skid plates
12. Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform on top of the ARE camper shell

13. Metal Cloak 3.5" Game Changer lift
14. MC Rocksport black adjustable shocks
15. MC HD sway bar links
16. MC front driveshaft
17. MC front track bar reinforcement bracket
18. MC front axle disconnect skid
19. JE Reel rear driveshaft
20. MC Tie Rod
21. MC drag link
22. MC Sector Shaft Brace
23. Fox ATS Steering stabilizer
24. APEX Steering Boost kit
25. MC rear upper control arm brackets
26. MC rear sway bar reinforcement brackets
27. MC rear lower control arm skid plates
28. MC front lower control arm (weld on) skid plates
29. MC rear track bar relocation kit
30. Spicer 4.56 gears
31. Spicer diff covers

32. Nitto Trail Grapplers 38 x 13.5 R17
33. Method 709HD Bead Grip wheels

34. Relentless Fabrication Front Bumper

34.1. Baja Designs JL/JT Fog Lights​

34.2. Baja Designs S1 Flush Mount Lights​

35. Relentless Fabrication Rear Bumper

35.1. Baja Designs S2 Flush Mount Lights​

36. Yaesu FTM-300dr 50watt MARS modded HAM/GMRS radio.
37. Banks iDash Pro
38. ZEROXCLUB Rear View dual camera monitoring system.
39. Counterfeit Mopar Bed Rails (Amazon)
40. JCR Rear window molle panels
41. EcoFlow Alternator Charger


Read below posts for anything specific. I also welcome advice and criticism.


Current picture:

 

[ericw.]

Maybe I'm being picky but the Hothead Headliners advertise about how these things are velcro compatible.. They are, but barely. My patches keep falling down so they probably won't stay here.

I'm not afraid to drill my jeep but I ended up using 3m double side adhesive trim tape on the Crow Molle because it made sense, IMO. It sticks really well to clean coated surfaces.

I had a molle panel in my last jeep for my radio and rear view camera system which I plan to move into this jeep as soon as it makes sense.


Blue Ridge Overland attic:

I had this in my last Jeep and it was great for shoving extra jackets, hats, blankets, pillows, a roll of paper towels, or whatever I don't want floating around.

Oh and the velcro handles were added because I had them in my last Jeep and my son enjoys holding onto them. lol I don't think they're necessary in the JT, but they don't do any harm and it makes him happy to have input.

 

[ericw.]

Redline Hood Struts... Stainless because I felt like being extra but I really like not having to use the hood prop. These install super easily, no drilling required.

Hooke Road tailgate panel:

I went cheap on this. I feel like it doesn't matter but I didn't drill the 2 additional holes so if I find a compelling reason to upgrade, no harm done.

It seems fine for what it's intended to do. The only thing that bugs me is the tailgate mounting screws. I like things that I can torque down and these felt flimsy so I left them just slightly snug to avoid stripping. Also used the remaining blue loctite from the SeatJackers. lol

 

[Lmtz1633]

Man, that’s a good looking Jeep! I was looking for that color for a while, I settled with stingray

 

[ericw.]

Man, that’s a good looking Jeep! I was looking for that color for a while, I settled with stingray

Thanks! Hopefully it still looks good when I'm done. lol

Blue wasn't my first choice but it really has grown on me. I always buy cars used and my only color requirement was that it couldn't be black this time.

 

[Lmtz1633]

Well if you ever get tired of her let me know

 

[jlbeck]

I have a 2022 JTRD and I didn’t know it has a fuel cap until seeing your picture. I bought mine used and it doesn’t have a cap. Is that an issue?

 

[ericw.]

I have a 2022 JTRD and I didn’t know it has a fuel cap until seeing your picture. I bought mine used and it doesn’t have a cap. Is that an issue?

I have a lot to learn about diesel specifically but usually, yes you would need a fuel cap to maintain the pressurized fuel system. Also keeps contaminates out and fumes in.

Usually in a gas vehicle, you'll eventually get a CEL without a fuel cap.

This might not apply to the eco diesel since you haven't noticed an error.?

 

[ericw.]

Took a bit of time to delete the aux battery and replace the H6 Mopar battery with a H7 94R Duralast AGM "Platinum Elite".

I've had great luck with the Duralast Platinum AGM batteries. They tend to last longer than my ownership of a car.

The "elite" adds an additional year to the warranty and advertises some other benefits that are probably gimmicks, however for only 30 bucks more than the original "platinum" for a 5 year warranty at any Auto Zone nationwide, it's whatever.

I deleted the aux battery by pulling the fuse and wrapping/tucking the negative terminal for the aux battery. Made sure to fully remove the aux battery (weight reduction) but I left all the wires in the aux battery box.

One more step completed. Now I can work towards switches and wiring when I have more spare time.

I also ordered bumpers but the timeline for fabrication is a bit long.

Skid plates for the rockslide engineering steps are taking up about 6 feet of space in my entry as well.

 

[brsnow2585]

I have a 2022 JTRD and I didn’t know it has a fuel cap until seeing your picture. I bought mine used and it doesn’t have a cap. Is that an issue?

Gas engines use a low pressure fuel system that relies on keeping a certain pressure in the fuel tank, the diesel runs on really high pressure on the fuel feed, it's the fuel pump that makes it work.

 

[ericw.]

I was kind of dreading this part of the project but I needed the switches before I could wire any other accessories.

It ended up being a lot easier than expected, only taking about 2 hours. Good way to use a warm overcast day. No sweat, just a little bloodshed.

I just realized that the picture makes it look like the brushed silver doesn't match, but they do in person. Maybe it just needs some more skin oil on it to reflect light the same. lol

I'm also not a big fan of roman numerals but I preferred this install over retrofitting OEM switches.

 

[ericw.]

Since the Jeep came with rockslide engineering steps, I decided to just add the skid plates so I can confidently use them as actual rocksliders.

Thought about selling them off and getting some traditional rock sliders but after doing research and talking to a lot of people who have these and wheel hard trails, I'm confident these will do what I want them to do.

I did find some wires loose and hanging so I cleaned that up, so they don't get snagged on the trail.

They advertise this as a 30 minute installation which is a little bit ambitious. Multiply that by 4 if you're doing it by yourself. Carriage bolts with nuts that you can only do a 20 degree turn make it annoying, but not hard. You won't fit your electric ratchet on the middle carriage bolt.

 

[nbennettksu]

I was kind of dreading this part of the project but I needed the switches before I could wire any other accessories.

It ended up being a lot easier than expected, only taking about 2 hours. Good way to use a warm overcast day. No sweat, just a little bloodshed.

I just realized that the picture makes it look like the brushed silver doesn't match, but they do in person. Maybe it just needs some more skin oil on it to reflect light the same. lol

I'm also not a big fan of roman numerals but I preferred this install over retrofitting OEM switches.

I almost went with that switch panel! I didnt because I like to put my wallet there when I drive lol. So i ended up getting the grab handle one.

 

[ericw.]

I almost went with that switch panel! I didnt because I like to put my wallet there when I drive lol. So i ended up getting the grab handle one.

lol losing my altoid holder was definitely a concern I had also but I decided that the trade off was worth it.

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