2023 JTRD Build Thread - "Blue Jeep"

[ericw.]

A bit of troubles in paradise to report on the wheel/tire setup, but mostly good.

1. The Method 709HD lip bolts were WAY over torqued from the factory. When trying to pull them off (to install the rock guard rings), I broke a few on 2 of the wheels.

Method is aware of this problem and are shipping me 2 replacement wheels as well as covering the mount and balance.

2. The Metal Cloak Game Changer lift and rocksport black shock combo...

While road manners are awesome, feels planted, power with the 4.56 gears feels unchanged... it also feels a bit stiffer than stock even on the softest setting. A slight increase in bumpiness was noticeable with the old tires and more noticeable with the new 38" Nitto tires. I know Nitto has a pretty hard (durable) sidewall so I'm experimenting with tire pressure to see if I can soften it up a bit more. I really like a soft ride. So far I'm at 34PSI and will probably test 32PSI next.

3. Bumpers are probably still 4 weeks out. Just talked to the fabrication shop.

4. Ordered Artec's aluminum skids so that's the next and probably final major part of the build for a while.. Lots of little things to do still. I have a lot of pieces sitting in my garage that came off my old Jeep.. I'm mostly just struggling to find the motivation and time to run electrical. lol

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[ericw.]

Today is our first heavy rain day in my area and I got my first check engine light. It also appears to have fixed itself after sitting in the parking lot, leading me to believe that it's related to the water intrusion. That means it will probably be a hard one to figure out. lol

U0074 - Network Communication
P2209 - NOx Sensor Heater Sensor Circuit Range
P22A7 - No Description

The CEL has cleared by itself and only the U0074 code remains at this point. I have a warranty, so I don't need to think too hard on this.

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

38 x 13.5 R17 Trail Grapplers on Method 709HD

Ooooooooo shiny! Looks good. I think I saw your comment somewhere else that you ordered Relentless Fab front and rear bumpers? I was just admiring their rear bumper today on the website. Not currently ordering, but if you’re getting one I’m excited to see it. I’ve yet to install my Artec Bantam high clearance front bumper. I might be working up the nerve to cut my frame.

 

[nanook12]

Now you need to delete that poor diesel, so it can breathe. I did my 23JTRD right after it turned 9K. No more check engine lights over smog crap

 

[ericw.]

Ooooooooo shiny! Looks good. I think I saw your comment somewhere else that you ordered Relentless Fab front and rear bumpers? I was just admiring their rear bumper today on the website. Not currently ordering, but if you’re getting one I’m excited to see it. I’ve yet to install my Artec Bantam high clearance front bumper. I might be working up the nerve to cut my frame.

Thanks! Yep I ordered them a few weeks ago, and there's probably still 2-3 weeks remaining on the fabrication. I opted for pickup so they'll have them powder coated locally. I live a couple hours from their shop, although with the weather lately, it might end up being a snow run to get them.

You're living dangerously with the frame chop. I liked that Artec bumper also but I just don't want to do that type of permanent cutting yet. Looking forward to seeing it finished on yours though.

Now you need to delete that poor diesel, so it can breathe. I did my 23JTRD right after it turned 9K. No more check engine lights over smog crap

I live in a smog state so it's a bit more difficult. I have a 6 year/60k aftermarket warranty so I'm not too worried about it.

I'll figure out how to get around the smog laws, either if problems become persistent OR when the warranty gets close to ending. I did it with my other modified cars but the diesel is something else.

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Thanks! Yep I ordered them a few weeks ago, and there's probably still 2-3 weeks remaining on the fabrication. I opted for pickup so they'll have them powder coated locally. I only live a couple hours from their shop, although with the weather lately, it might end up being a snow run to get them.

You're living dangerously with the frame chop. I liked that Artec bumper also but I just don't want to do that type of permanent cutting yet. Looking forward to seeing it finished on yours though.


I live in a smog state so it's a bit more difficult. I have a 6 year/60k aftermarket warranty so I'm not too worried about it.

I'll figure out how to get around the smog laws, either if problems become persistent OR when the warranty gets close to ending. I did it with my other modified cars but the diesel is something else.

Sounds like the lead times on your bumpers is way better than the 12-14 weeks stated on their website. I am particularly interested in seeing that rear bumper. Good plan getting them powder coated because let me tell you, painting that front bumper in my garage was a real chore (and I used to be a professional painter). I’ll have some sliders showing up raw and I’ll probably end up spraying them in my garage, though.

As for the frame chop, it won’t be the first or the last vehicle I’ll cut. It’s just that I’ll definitely be limited in my options moving forward if I want to change bumpers. The only thing I don’t like about the front bumper I chose is the lack of provisions for any lights. I could always mount some lights in the middle using a winch-located bracket and I’d like to put some there eventually.

My local county did away with emissions testing, but my truck still has all the emissions equipment for now. I believe it’s only a matter of time before it doesn’t, but the cost isn’t within my short term plan. The other consideration was interference with warranty. My powertrain warranty expires in Feb, but I have an extended warranty for 4 more years w unlimited miles. I didn’t want to cause any problems with making a claim, but I recently learned there is some sort of mandated emissions warranty imposed onto manufacturers. Seems like our diesel emissions should be covered by this. I don’t know all the details.

 

[ericw.]

Sounds like the lead times on your bumpers is way better than the 12-14 weeks stated on their website. I am particularly interested in seeing that rear bumper. Good plan getting them powder coated because let me tell you, painting that front bumper in my garage was a real chore (and I used to be a professional painter). I’ll have some sliders showing up raw and I’ll probably end up spraying them in my garage, though.

As for the frame chop, it won’t be the first or the last vehicle I’ll cut. It’s just that I’ll definitely be limited in my options moving forward if I want to change bumpers. The only thing I don’t like about the front bumper I chose is the lack of provisions for any lights. I could always mount some lights in the middle using a winch-located bracket and I’d like to put some there eventually.

My local county did away with emissions testing, but my truck still has all the emissions equipment for now. I believe it’s only a matter of time before it doesn’t, but the cost isn’t within my short term plan. The other consideration was interference with warranty. My powertrain warranty expires in Feb, but I have an extended warranty for 4 more years w unlimited miles. I didn’t want to cause any problems with making a claim, but I recently learned there is some sort of mandated emissions warranty imposed onto manufacturers. Seems like our diesel emissions should be covered by this. I don’t know all the details.

I got lucky on lead times. When I ordered, they were just starting a batch of bumpers so I barely snuck into their fabrication process when it was beginning.

Light mounting was another reason that I moved away from the Artec bumper. I was looking for something that could fit OEM fogs and had some mounting options for aftermarket lights. Also, recessed winch was a necessity. I'd probably pay someone to cut my frame if I was doing it. Just so I don't have to deal with the risk. lol


Good to know on the warranty, so I have about another 20k miles covered by the manufacturer also.

 

[jeramie964]

I love the machine finished look. Thanks for posting pics. That’s the exact wheel I’m likely ordering (but in an 18”x9).

Quick question everyone. How do the machine finished wheels due over time with fading or showing scratches?

 

[ericw.]

I love the machine finished look. Thanks for posting pics. That’s the exact wheel I’m likely ordering (but in an 18”x9).

Quick question everyone. How do the machine finished wheels due over time with fading or showing scratches?

The finish doesn't fade because it's just a clear over aluminum.

It's probably the best option for scratching because scratches just expose the same aluminum underneath. When you have a painted wheel, scratches show silver under the paint.

 

[ericw.]

Relentless Fabrication front & rear bumpers obtained and installed!

Made the drive over Donner Pass at the beginning of the recent storm system that hit the west coast. That also gave me an opportunity to try out snow driving with the Nitto Trail Grapplers and happy to say, zero issues. There were 3 cars that spun out, one hitting the center divider. The gladiator had no issues with traction at all. Just drive like you should when you're driving in the snow.

Relentless Fabrication has a pretty cool shop. It's big, with a lot of nice equipment. The entire shop is run by the owner and his wife. His wife was welding up the next batch of bumpers while he was cutting steel on the plasma cutter. So if anyone is wondering why the lead times are what they are, this is why. The entire operation is run by 2 people, which is honestly amazing if you ask me.

The owner helped me load the bumpers and we were both surprised that they were able to fit with the tail gate and shell window closed, after some creative use of ratchet straps.

The weekend after Christmas while I still had family at my house, I employed a strong nephew to help me get everything mounted up before he went home. I did all the electrical the following day.

I love the result and couldn't be happier.

For anyone wondering, the Badland Apex 12k winch fits VERY snug... but it fits. We had to mount the bumper up loosely with 1 bolt and then drop the winch in. Mount the winch and then tighten up the bumper.

Also, Loc-tite all the things because I don't want to do it again. lol

 

[Jaxmax]

My favorite rear bumper high and tight and no cutting the body, looks great.
Eric did measure for me, only 13” from spare support rod to the front of the rear hitch, damn another dream crushed…..then again perhaps pushing my 33.3” spare front a bit letting a lot of air out , only need to find 3.5-4 inches , might be something to brainstorm while laying under my Jeep.
Again Jeep looks great!……..Jack

 

[ericw.]

My favorite rear bumper high and tight and no cutting the body, looks great.
Eric did measure for me, only 13” from spare support rod to the front of the rear hitch, damn another dream crushed…..then again perhaps pushing my 33.3” spare front a bit letting a lot of air out , only need to find 3.5-4 inches , might be something to brainstorm while laying under my Jeep.
Again Jeep looks great!……..Jack

Thanks buddy! Yeah, sorry it doesn't look like there's much space for a spare tire in the factory location.

 

[ericw.]

Yesterday was one of my rare free days so I wired in my rear-view camera screen, my HAM/GMRS radio, and the Banks iDash Pro.

I'm just so glad that this is done and I only have 1 more irritating electrical job to do (IIRC). lol

The radio is my trusty Yeasu FTM-300dr that I took out of my wrangler. It's been MARS modded to open up capabilities in HAM and GMRS on one 50w radio. While I'm licensed for both, I don't really use HAM and have never transmitted on HAM frequencies. Everybody I know uses GMRS for comms.

In the electrical category, I still need to wire in power to the bed (12v and EcoFlow Alternator Charger) and install the rear view camera which should be easy once power is in the bed.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

How tall does the Hooke Road tailgate panel thing sit? I've been wanting to find something that sits at about the same height as that stupid little bump a the bottom edge of the tailgate. I have to prop my bed drawers up slightly to clear that stupid bump.

 

[ericw.]

How tall does the Hooke Road tailgate panel thing sit? I've been wanting to find something that sits at about the same height as that stupid little bump a the bottom edge of the tailgate. I have to prop my bed drawers up slightly to clear that stupid bump.

It's a bit taller maybe 1/8-1/4 of an inch.

The decked drawers have wheels on the end but they don't contact the tailgate at this point.

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