AEV 370 JTRD

[PJZ]

Asfir 4x4 Skid plates installed. They are aluminum. Found them via thread here and on the Wrangler forum. Not for hard core rock crawlers of course. Fit was good. The motor mount bolts are a major PITA to remove. They come out, but you can hardly get any swing on the wrench and are tight as hell.

Transfer Case skid plate (541171), Engine & Gear skid plate (547555)
The transfer case skid also covers the fuel filter for the diesel.

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[PJZ]

Metalcloak rear diff skid installed. Had this on my JK and ordered it for the JT.
Turns out that the AEV lift brackets interfere with the left side mount.

Was going to sell it and get a differnet style but decided to go the hero or zero route. Cut it down and welded it back together to fit around the bracket. My welds aren't the prettiest, but it should be more than strong enough.

 

[The Embalmer]

Congrats, you will love it when it is done!! Shocks are great. Had the Teraflex Falcons on my JK and these feel way better. Limited use so far, but did well on some washboard and big ruts this week. No true test as of yet.

I just pick up my JT370 today and had a wonderful 450 mile drive home from AEV. I am really impressed with the ride. Feels like a totally different vehicle than I dropped off. Here is a photo of my JT370. I will be starting a post in a few weeks on the JT370 and by build. Just need to find the time.

I am getting my ARE topper put on next week. Did you notice that when you put your topper on it took out some of the rake in your JT370?

 

[PJZ]

I just pick up my JT370 today and had a wonderful 450 mile drive home from AEV. I am really impressed with the ride. Feels like a totally different vehicle than I dropped off. Here is a photo of my JT370. I will be starting a post in a few weeks on the JT370 and by build. Just need to find the time.

I am getting my ARE topper put on next week. Did you notice that when you put your topper on it took out some of the rake in your JT370?

Congrats, looks AMAZING! I didn't notice much difference when the topper went on. Didnt measure before / after. Still a lot of rake, How did you like the regear? Never drove mine before it went to AEV.

 

[The Embalmer]

Congrats, looks AMAZING! I didn't notice much difference when the topper went on. Didnt measure before / after. Still a lot of rake, How did you like the regear? Never drove mine before it went to AEV.

I think the factory gearing was fine for 33” or 35” tires but was pushing it for the 37” tires. . I am glad I did the 4.56 gears. It drive and feels just like the JT did on the factory gears. Able to cruise interstate in 8th with no problems. I averaged 22.3 mpg on my 450 mile trip back home “very impressed “!

 

[Biff Happy]

Ironman Raid Series Sliders install
Ended up getting these sliders/steps. So many choices it can be info overload.
Not a hard core rock crawler and didn't need some of the over the top sliders.
Really wish LOD had the destroyer sliders for the JT - would have been the number one choice.
https://ironman4x4america.com/raid-series-rock-rails-side-steps-suited-for-jeep-gladiator-jt/

These are frame mount. One thread said they were frame and body, that is not accurate.
You use the frame mount for the body, but don't attach anything to the body itself.
I would say these are comparable to any of the other budget sliders out there. Finish does look a bit better than some of the smittybilt stuff I have seen.

Good:

• Were on sale for 30% for MOAB week.
• Shipping is flat rate of $100, but the bill of lading was much more than that so it was a bargain.
• Look good and mounted up rock solid (will test that soon and find out)
• Finish is well done.
• They don't hang low.

Challenges:

• Instructions are comically insufficient and weren't in the box! Had to download
  • The exploded parts view is the most useful part.
• Instructions and video for JL online say to loosen the center body mount bolt.
  • this was sketchy and I didn't like it all when doing the passenger side.
  • that bolt is only loosened to make room to get the slider into the bracket mount.
  • Was able to mount the drivers side without loosening it at all, was tight but it worked.
  • Try to do it without loosening that bolt.
• On the drivers side you should loosen/lower the gas tank skid.
  • not in any instructions and is a challenge solo.
  • you can do it, use all appendages and a pry bar to lower the edge of the skid and slide the slider underneath. If you feel like a monkey fing a football you are doing it right!
  • They honestly should use this as the rearmost lower bolt on the mount.
• On both the passenger and driver side there is a bolt that hangs down - see pics.
  • so dumb and will surely get sheared off one day.
  • Will try to make up some solution to that or just let it get smashed, plenty of other bolts to sacrifice this one.

Didn't take long to install these especially if you skip the body bolt loosening and already know to loosen the gas tank

Thanks for tip on not loosening body bolts, confirm that it’s not needed on either side, and body bolt washer gives you something to hang slider on while you reattach the nuts on the side of the mount.
They really need to address the rear mounting.
No where in the directions or video does it tell you to mount the low hanging bolt in the frame BEFORE mounting the slider or you will have to take it all off again, to avoid that (and a solution to the low hanging bolt) I ran a carriage bolt instead.
Also did not have to lower gas tank skid, just bolted over the top of it.

 

[PJZ]

Good call on the carriage bolt. The directions are almost no help. Ended up getting a couple Rock Hard tapered washers then cut the bolt off. Should be good enough to get by. The finish seems to be holding up well. Going out next weekend and will see if they land on anything.

 

[PJZ]

Havent updated for a bit. A few little things done and a Big Bear trip with the family and the dog. Was able to use the winch to pull out a Taco high centered when he should have taken the bypass. My friend taking his JL through the spot where the taco was stuck. Interestingly the group he was with all had winches, hi lifts and jeeps, but didnt seem comfortable using the gear. Good reminder to practice when you can. I took a hands on class on winching and was some of the best money I have ever spent.

 

[PJZ]

Maximus3 rear steps. There are cheaper options but I really liked these. Solid and easy to install over the factory slider. Makes it easy to reach the roof.

 

[PJZ]

Xtreme Rubicon fender flares. Was a snafu with Mopar Genuine Parts and they sent me two front rights and no front left. Finally got the left and put the fronts on. Decided to add fronts on the rear for more coverage and ordered an additional front left. Will install and post some pics when the rears are done. WIll need to have the length trimmed, but the rears are pretty short since they are designed for the JL. A set of front Rockblox mud flaps on there now too. Those are easy to remove and do a good job.

Front flairs added to the rear. Pretty easy overall.

 

[PJZ]

Made a Rotopax mount for in the bed. Had the Rotopax, mount and piece of aluminum flatbar in the garage. Just need a couple track bolts to mount. Will fill it up and give it a test in a few weeks on the next trip.

 

[PJZ]

Last one. Posted a few details in the Mopar Performance wiper thread. Seem to work really well. Will test on the next trip. Work great at the mall!

 

[PJZ]

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.

 

[PJZ]

Added Vision X reverse light kit. These were down to $158 on Amazon recently. Decided they would be better than the Oracle reverse lights.

Connected them to my back up lights using a Curt plug in adapter and 5 flat wire harness. Can easily add them to a switch if needed.

Vision X makes very nice lights. Have some up front. Also comes with a quality harness, switch and relay. Just used the end of the harness and the 2 Deutsch connectors. Lights are bolted on both sides (unlike the cheap eBay brackets that fit in the bumper) and can be adjusted for angle as well.

You can probably do this without lowering the tire, but dropped it down just to make it easier to get up inside there. Curt harness plugs right into the OEM harness and has a 5 flat coming off of it. 30-45 mins max to install. It was just under $200 before tax for everything.

Parts:
Vision X lights (price goes up and down - were $158 recently for a couple days)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088NJ71HB?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Curt harness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EA6WQU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
5 flat harness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EOWPS6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[redline61]

I like how the lights turned out. Nice build!

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