2023 JTRD Build Thread - "Blue Jeep"

[ericw.]

Amazon knock-off of the Mopar bed rails installed.

I sourced shell clamps that tied into the track from GCi. These are currently unreleased but they were kind enough to sell me a set when I called.

At the other end, I kept the standard shell clamps because by doing so, I have easier access to add and adjust tie downs in the tracks.

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[ericw.]

It's been a while since I've been on any forums really. Life got busy, landed a new job, kids growing, and a few new additions to the Jeep.

1. I ordered a Tune M1 camper last week, estimated delivery in August. SO excited for that, I ordered it essentially "fully loaded" in my mind... Heat, blackout, sunblocker, insulation, etc etc etc..

With that, i'll be selling my decked drawers and bed shell when it arrives.

2. My son hung out with me to help me install some molle panels from JCR offroad so we can do some organization.

3. We hit a local trail last week to scope out one of our local spots and see how the trail has changed this year.

Pics below, the camper picture is AI generated from a photo I took just to roughly show what it will look like installed.

The camper is AI generated in this photo:

 

[ericw.]

Yesterday I installed the EcoFlow alternator charger.

In the process, I realized how much space Decked drawers were wasting so I fully removed them.

They need to go eventually for the camper build-out anyway, and now I don't need to reinstall them.

 

[MSFTMatt]

How was the Apex steering boost install?

 

[ericw.]

How was the Apex steering boost install?

I paid a shop to install it when they did the gears and other work so I can't speak to the difficulty level.

 

[ericw.]

Artec skids and Tune M1 install day! We are SO close to "completion"...

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Artec skids and Tune M1 install day! We are SO close to "completion"...

Ooooh, fancy. That looks cool. Never seen one of these before. Build is really coming together now. Looks like your son is excited too

 

[ericw.]

Ooooh, fancy. That looks cool. Never seen one of these before. Build is really coming together now. Looks like your son is excited too

Thanks!

The Tune M1 is really coming up. I preferred it over the 4 wheel camper because of the king size bed and options for heat + hest mattress. They're really well built and customer service is top notch. I've been texting them for like 2 years with questions and they were never annoyed. lol

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Thanks!

The Tune M1 is really coming up. I preferred it over the 4 wheel camper because of the king size bed and options for heat + hest mattress. They're really well built and customer service is top notch. I've been texting them for like 2 years with questions and they were never annoyed. lol

Hell yeah. This might be in your thread here already, but what coil springs are you using for this setup?

 

[ericw.]

Hell yeah. This might be in your thread here already, but what coil springs are you using for this setup?

I'm using Metal Cloak's 3.5" dual rate coils. So far they look fine with the camper on but I actually didn't gain any weight after I removed the decked drawers, ARE topper and rhino roof rack.. It almost balances out because the Tune M1 weighs almost 400lbs and Metal Cloak designed their rear springs for an additional 600lbs.

I'm having a custom interior built though so I may need to upgrade to a 4.5" spring in the rear.

It rides comfortable like a normal car would.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

You found me my next set of wheels. Thanks!!! Been looking for something in a bead grip/lock/hold whatever with an impact ring in a style I liked. Wasn’t aware Method had an impact ring. Fell in love with impact rings running the M/T Classics. The old school ones that had the bead protector. Coat of bedliner on a set of the Raws and those 709’s are just what I was looking for.

 

[ericw.]

You found me my next set of wheels. Thanks!!! Been looking for something in a bead grip/lock/hold whatever with an impact ring in a style I liked. Wasn’t aware Method had an impact ring. Fell in love with impact rings running the M/T Classics. The old school ones that had the bead protector. Coat of bedliner on a set of the Raws and those 709’s are just what I was looking for.

Glad to be of assistance.

I love them. I haven't gone below 12PSI yet but there's been zero issues aside from a warranty claim when I got 2 wheels with over-torqued impact ring bolts. Method sent out new wheels and paid for the mount/balance, no problems.

 

[ericw.]

Custom interior by Terra Quest Offroad. I'm in the process now of "moving in". Also installed 400w of solar on the roof.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Custom interior by Terra Quest Offroad. I'm in the process now of "moving in". Also installed 400w of solar on the roof.

I know you haven't really used it yet, but any initial thoughts on the layout? I've been racking my brain trying to come up with a bed interior setup now that I have a pass-through RTT. Right now I have drawers with a slideout on top of them, I can easily access everything right from the tailgate. I'm really struggling with losing that ease of access in order to have the ability to stand up inside.

 

[ericw.]

I know you haven't really used it yet, but any initial thoughts on the layout? I've been racking my brain trying to come up with a bed interior setup now that I have a pass-through RTT. Right now I have drawers with a slideout on top of them, I can easily access everything right from the tailgate. I'm really struggling with losing that ease of access in order to have the ability to stand up inside.

Yeah so most of my build I can't access from the tailgate. I think the biggest impact for me will be the refrigerator (drinks), and I may still switch the door so it opens on the tailgate side. That will make it a bit difficult to access on the inside but just a slight inconvenience. Other than the refrigerator, I usually setup camp outside anyways and I'll cover it with the awning. I don't use kitchen slides, I use a roll top table and a Jet Boil Gensis Half Gen stove, or a regular jetboil rocket style stove if I'm being more minimal.

Overall I love the interior configuration. Is it tight? Yes but it's a 5ft bed so that is the expectation when you build a gladiator like this. lol


I've spent a lot of time minimalizing my gear in the last week or two so I can fit 4kwh of battery, allowing me to hopefully survive off-grid for a 3 day weekend without solar or dc-dc charging (planning for fall/winter camping).

The investment in this system had to solve nearly ALL my complaints to be worth it so that's basically where I focused.. Minimal setup, minimal effort camping.

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