AEV 370 JTRD

PJZ · May 12, 2024

That is a good move. No issues with mine yet but I think I read they bend pretty easy. Metalcloak has some quality products.

PJZ · Dec 22, 2024

Been a while since posting. I added the 41.22 Kill Switch. Maybe avoid having it stolen one day as long as you remember to set it. Very easy install.
https://41twentytwo.com/product/vehicle-kill-switch/

Also added some S&B hood scoops. Realize they don't make any difference but they look nice and you can plug the vents with the silicone inserts when needed. Not too much rain in SoCal - rarely need to plug them up. Simple install - had already cut out the Rubicon vents. Some additional trimming on the edges of the hood shield and it was good to go.

PJZ · Apr 10, 2025

Posted this in the diesel cooling thread, but adding to the build thread:

Took me a little while to find time, but finished up the install of the larger cooler that @Primer Gray built. As noted the quality is excellent. I had to do some trimming and massaging of the AEV winch plate brackets that come down along the frame horns. Once that was done everything fit perfectly. Added a couple holes on the sides to mount up the remote shock resovoirs.

Been driving the JT to work all week. Coolant temps are much lower. in the morning it is hovering around 200*. Today it was mid to high 80's and I didnt see oil temps over 225 even when pushing up over 80mph and 1100* exhaust temps for shorter bursts. Prior to the cooler add the high exhaust temps would mirror quickly climbing oil temps. Going to tow next weekend on a route we have taken before. In the past we had to throttle down a lot on the hills to keep temps reasonable. Will be able to do a decent stress test to see how it performs.

So far, this is a very solid cooling upgrade.
Big thank you to @Primer Gray! Great guy who also provide real time tech support when I was working on this.

PJZ · Apr 10, 2025

One of my goals is to slowly replace all the stock suspension bits with Metalcloak pieces. First on the list was the drag link support, track bar bracket and new track bar.

Drag link support was easy. Stock draglink nut was very tight. Had WD40d it a couple days before and still took some work to remove.

Track bar bracket and track bar take some effort. The lower part of the bar requires you to grind out the axle bracket. Takes a lot more grinding than you think and a little tough to get in there. Ordered some heavy duty Dremel bits off amazon and that worked.

The track bar bracket brace did not fit that well - not sure if the frame on the diesel is a little different, but the bolt holes were off about 1/8 and the rearward facing bottom bracket had at least a 1/8 gap when the front portion was flush with the frame. Cleaned up some of the welds where needed.

Getting in there to drill the 11/16 holes was challenging. Again, the rear most hole does not give you enough room to get that big drill bit under there. Jacked up the side of the jeep and drilled some smaller holes, used the Dremel again to work the hole larger but keep it aligned. Massaged all the other bolt holes and got it done. Prepare to be patient and take your time.

Steering does feel tighter and some of the wander on the freeway is gone.