AEV 370 JTRD

[PJZ]

I like how the lights turned out. Nice build!

Thank you sir! lots of extra light now when in reverse.

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[RoninJT]

Made some new awning brackets today. Sold the OVS awning that is posted earlier in this thread - too big and heavy. Had this Rhino Rack Batwing from my JK. You have to deploy legs with it, but it is better sized for a jeep. Brackets sit on top the cross bars. Wanted it out and a little lower.

Awesome build. We have similar ways of thinking from reading through this. I have a JTRD on order that I’m patiently waiting for. I’m doing an AEV a la carte build. Have most of it sitting in my garage already. Also have the Smartcap sitting in the garage assembled. Which load bars are you running? I have the batwing that I used on my JL and was figuring out how to install it on load bars. I like your idea. Bonus points for taking a recovery class. I took a few classes with Barlow Adventures and I always say “recovery before light bars”. ??

 

[PJZ]

Awesome, you are going to love it I am sure. I did an AEV build la carte on my JK and wanted to go a little faster this time. Will check out Barlow Adventures.

Using the Front Runner bars. They are good, but had a minor issue with the hardware. The DIY brackets are better than the regular ones, but not sure if it is worth the effort over the normal awning brackets for the small difference in the end.

Smartcap has been fantastic. Was about to order a SuperPacific camper, but have decided to sit tight on that expense for a little while. Might get a clamshell tent with the permitter channel to attach the awning and misc stuff too. Haven't decided for certain.

Reach out if you have any questions at all.

 

[RoninJT]

Awesome, you are going to love it I am sure. I did an AEV build la carte on my JK and wanted to go a little faster this time. Will check out Barlow Adventures.

Using the Front Runner bars. They are good, but had a minor issue with the hardware. The DIY brackets are better than the regular ones, but not sure if it is worth the effort over the normal awning brackets for the small difference in the end.

Smartcap has been fantastic. Was about to order a SuperPacific camper, but have decided to sit tight on that expense for a little while. Might get a clamshell tent with the permitter channel to attach the awning and misc stuff too. Haven't decided for certain.

Reach out if you have any questions at all.

Thanks I appreciate it. Im planning on running the same load bars. I found a company that sells a heavier duty bracket for the awning. I had the XP8100 on my JL, going to go with the RT5100 on the JT though. Which springs are you running? Deciding either standard or high capacity. It’s my daily, so I don’t want anything too rough for the road. It’s my family adventure vehicle, so I want the kids to enjoy the ride around town still.

 

[jeep1]

For all the AEV fans ... they make a set of HD springs for the JT so if you are carrying lots of overland gear they are an easy upgrade. Very stout... I swapped a set in recently and netted about 2" more in the back when unloaded. Definitely need to get some weight in there and see how it settles down.

 

[PJZ]

Thanks I appreciate it. Im planning on running the same load bars. I found a company that sells a heavier duty bracket for the awning. I had the XP8100 on my JL, going to go with the RT5100 on the JT though. Which springs are you running? Deciding either standard or high capacity. It’s my daily, so I don’t want anything too rough for the road. It’s my family adventure vehicle, so I want the kids to enjoy the ride around town still.

I have the regular springs. The HD springs came out a couple weeks after my build was done unfortunately. Would go HD for my use - going to hook up the travel trailer for the first time soon and expect will need the extra capacity. Also picked up an ultra swing and when you put all that weight out the back end it can hit the bump stops easily on the regular springs. If you aren't going to add extra weight out back would think about if they are needed.

@jeep1 - thanks! Were the springs an easy DIY install? Was thinking I can just do them myself.

 

[jeep1]

I have the regular springs. The HD springs came out a couple weeks after my build was done unfortunately. Would go HD for my use - going to hook up the travel trailer for the first time soon and expect will need the extra capacity. Also picked up an ultra swing and when you put all that weight out the back end it can hit the bump stops easily on the regular springs. If you aren't going to add extra weight out back would think about if they are needed.

@jeep1 - thanks! Were the springs an easy DIY install? Was thinking I can just do them myself.

It's pretty easy. Jack the jeep up high enough, put stands under the frame, remove the wheels, unbolt the shocks and sway bar links ... drop the axle so the springs droop enough to remove them, insert the new ones and bolt everything back up . If you can't drop the axle enough then there might be some fighting involved to pry the springs in or out .. or use a spring compressor (very carefully) . The spring perches are indexed so you just need to keep them lined up. Took me maybe 45 minutes and most of that was moving the jack stands around and re-torquing the bolts.

 

[PJZ]

It's pretty easy. Jack the jeep up high enough, put stands under the frame, remove the wheels, unbolt the shocks and sway bar links ... drop the axle so the springs droop enough to remove them, insert the new ones and bolt everything back up . If you can't drop the axle enough then there might be some fighting involved to pry the springs in or out .. or use a spring compressor (very carefully) . The spring perches are indexed so you just need to keep them lined up. Took me maybe 45 minutes and most of that was moving the jack stands around and re-torquing the bolts.

Awesome, thank you! I have some tall jack stands and should be able to get enough drop. Going to order them up and see if I can do the swap before our next camping trip in December. Sold our Ram and going to put the JT to the test. Our Lance TT is only 5500 GVW so it shouldn't be an issue at least when not in the mountains.

 

[RoninJT]

Awesome, thank you! I have some tall jack stands and should be able to get enough drop. Going to order them up and see if I can do the swap before our next camping trip in December. Sold our Ram and going to put the JT to the test. Our Lance TT is only 5500 GVW so it shouldn't be an issue at least when not in the mountains.

Are you in SoCal? Whenever you do it, I’d love to see how it looks compared to the standard capacity springs.

 

[PJZ]

LOD Destroyer sliders installed - replaced Ironman 4x sliders.
The Ironmans were good. Took a beating on the trail and no issues other than dents in the lower tubing. Wanted something a little stronger and also with a step. The Destroyers are out and what I preferred over the LOD aluminum sliders.

Install was easy. Did it solo.

Added some Led lights to each step. Going to get one of those Hopkins diodes and set it up for both courtesy and running lights. Will update when I get that done.

Some tips:

• There are eight mounting tabs with 2 carriage bolts on eachside. Used painters tape to hold each bolt in place.
• Before mounting the slider used a large zip tie to hold the mounting tabs tight to the slider. Makes it easier to do by yourself with all the tabs and bolts already in the slider.
• Jack stand on one end was a huge help.
• Tilted the bottom of the slider to align the bottom bolts, started the nuts, then tilted it up to align the top bolts and start the nuts.
• After starting the nuts cut off the zip ties.
• Passenger side rear had to use a spacer - slider was too close to the body. Same with the Ironman sliders - much closer on the passenger side for my JT.
• The optional self tapping bolt didnt work too well for me. Going to pull it out and put a nutsert in eventually. Its in there but started to strip before it was even tight.
• I found getting the frame brackets tight before adding the slider was easier.
• On the driver side had to loosen the body mount bolt as the washer was pinned too far inward and wouldn't allow the middle bracket up into the frame. No issue on the passenger side.

 

[PJZ]

Hidden wires for phones and Bulletpoint mic holder.

I had the mic holder that mounted behind the grab rail area. It was fine but every time you put the mic back it turns the radio channel. Was a little annoying. The Bulletpoint mount is to the front and can be rotated in many positions. Like that you can remove it as well when not in use.

Since I was in there taking out the old mic holder decided to see if I could hide all the wires for the phone charging. Had my wires running up the passenger side of the display and held in place with a cord holder. Looked messy. Pulled the trim and head unit. Lots of space so drilled two holes in the upper tray. Ran two charging cords, the Weboost antenna cable and an extra wire so I can add a charge point up top for accessories. Ran the antenna and power wire down to the floor. Have 90* cords coming out of the media port to keep it a little more flush. There is enough room to squeeze the two charging wires under the center bezel. I am sure many people have done this already, but happy to have it all cleaned up.

 

[PJZ]

Added some courtesy lights to the newly installed LOD sliders. Found the correct wire to tap on the JL forum (sort of). It is the yellow/purple stripe wire on the under dash light. They come on when I unlock then fade out when locked or door closes.

 

[PJZ]

Had to have the AEV tailgate wrap replaced under warranty (sort of). All the edges were immediately coming off when I took delivery. They said they had a bad batch of decals. Finally got the new set - major hassle as they shipped to the dealer to repair and the dealers dont do this work. If it happens to you have them ship it to your house. Submitted my receipts for reimbursement and expect it shouldn't be an issue as that is what we agreed to.

At the same time and some vinyl wrap on the RSI Smartcap doors done. Adventure Life Decals cut me some sheets to use. Black on black topo. Very subtle even though the pics make it look more overt.

 

[PJZ]

AEV high capacity springs installed. Had the shop put them in - glad I did as they said it was a bit of work especially passenger rear. Fronts looked tough too. Gained 1/4" up front and a full 1.5" in the rear. Ride is firm but certainly not harsh. Have a trip up to the mountains coming over New Years and will get a good full road test then.

Replaced the AEV front bump stops with Metalcloak bumps stops at the same time. should be significantly better and hopefully a little less likely to bottom out with these springs.

Tried to get these springs when the truck was at AEV - they came out about a week after my truck was done and shipped.

UPDATE: The MetalCloak bump stops up front dont work with these springs/lift. They are too long. AEV has an upper spacer that is 2.75" and not adjustable. The stops are hitting on mild speed bumps and dont compress enough. less than 2"of gap between the bottom and bump stop with 3/4" of compression according to Metalcloak. I cut off about 1/2" so far which is much better. Might cut off a little more. Metalcloak said these are not designed to be trimmed, but not going to pull the springs just to swap a bump stop. Other lifts have the adjustable bump plates/pucks at the bottom - not the case with the AEV lift.

 

[Thejonchacon]

Great looking JT370.. Can't wait to get mine.

I know when driving a jeep on 37s MPG is not a priority but wonder what you are seeing for fuel efficiency with the current mods. (I'll be doing a very similar build with mine)

Also, do you have a instagram?

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