Late start of my JT that started back in June 2019

[Blade1668]

Note: Long story leading to this vehicle project.
I had a buddy of mine that checked in ER not feeling good, I had been putting off a giving him a call all that week. He passed away that night. (Nothing to do with CV-19) The dealership's didn't want to order a non Rubicon JT that said I'd buy as soon as they could get it, "Sport S Max-Tow"
The actual buying and mods started on 25 Jan 2020. I had been waiting for the firm job offer for the overseas job. After waiting for over 3 weeks without anything back. I decided that if I didn't hear from back by 29th. I was going to get new JT my LJ had passed 250000 miles. That morning when dealership opened. I handed the salesman the list of my requirements and what to order. They found one that was almost exactly what I wanted just lacking the color seats I wanted. I picked it up that Friday game on. The next month I pulled the funds from my retirement account paid off Jeep. I figured out why just save for possible a day that might not come. During the last 6 months more than a few of my buddies had passed and one that was terminally ill from cancer. He died in Nov. last year. So on with the build. Mainly some photos.

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[Blade1668]

Overview of add on and first mods

 

[Blade1668]

Gobi decals and Rubicon rails.
12v power ports in bed.
Mopar cowl light mounts
Bumper and winch
Rear seat delete then fridge.
Low buck bed cargo rails.
Cascade 85w solar panel
The low cost mods..

 

[Rusty PW]

I did the same thing about pulling money out of the retirement fund to pay cash for the JTRD.

I feel your pain on friends passing. When you get to be in your 50's and up. Everytime you look in the obituaries. You wonder which one of your friends will be in it. I'm 66, and wonder how many of my friends are left.

 

[Blade1668]

Now some of the bigger ticket stuff. I started looking at toppers and called RSI, RLD, LEER, ect ect to find out details. When I got State side distributor in CA. They made me a great deal for a "Gen2" it turned out to be a first generation model end result best choice for me.

 

[Blade1668]

I did the same thing about pulling money out of the retirement fund to pay cash for the JTRD.

I feel your pain on friends passing. When you get to be in your 50's and up. Everytime you look in the obituaries. You wonder which one of your friends will be in it. I'm 66, and wonder how many of my friends are left.

Yep, I'm 53 my Dad passed in 2002 months before he started to get retirement pay. His funeral was on my last day as a Active Duty Army, 7 blanking years stuck in 3ID. and no chance to get out of that unit. I had to ETS go in Reserves to get away from 3ID.

 

[Blade1668]

So now for comms. and house batter solar.

 

[Blade1668]

So as of a few weeks back I decided to get a RTT getting to damn old to sleep in mud. If I don't have to and hammock or not in mood to sleep in my Tent-Cot not as comfortably in hot muggy weather. So I been price checking and started to import one at OK or good price.... made order payment went through company I ordered it from then started trying to double to shipping cost. Making the cost as much as top name USA model, no dice with me. Canceled order called Camping World spent time talking with their customers service rep. Made order Friday (25 March)before last it was to be delivered to my place on 3 April I called the shipping company as it made it to Decatur, AL. on the 30th.
Many many thanks to Helen (I got to get some photos of it in use to send her too.)
So I picked it up myself since no chance for actually home delivery to my place. I had planned on short camping/road trip that weekend well not that night after fighting them Dang bolts and nuts. To big hands on short 13mm wrench in a 2in gap of space. So at around 9:30ish pm I got it installed. Or as it ended up 10:15 pm after having to shift it forward about 6-8 inches to clear topper back glass almost. I popped open to vent out from being packed and a Dang barking dog.
Head out to local National Forrest camping site next day it's flat out packed full. So drive back home level up JT somewhat in my driveway, popup RTT throw in few blankets n sleeping bag crawl in to test out. Everything is going fine, then at about 0200 and at 0400 F@@@@@@ barking dogs.

 

[Blade1668]

In the background of last photo you can see the method I can install hardtop, RLD topper and RTT easily by myself. but I'd hate to have to buy the wood for it now.

 

[Blade1668]

LED lights in topper.

I've got to do some more wiring to different switches to break up when the different lights are on. As it is now the lights on gull doors can be turned on and off separate of inside white only lights.
The water tank I added still needs to be finished with water pump and filtering system. But it's usable as gravity flow now picture(s) to be added.

 

[Blade1668]

Reinstalled awning from left side to right side after bending up new brackets.

Went to friend's funeral last Friday then tested RTT out at a local Campground. Rained most of the time, plus some wind. No leaks.

 

[Blade1668]

So I've been slacking for a while, I finally hooked shell lights up to switches not just using 12 power plugs for them and have zip ties holding wiring better.
The lights on doors are separate switched from ones in top of shell and color changeable.
Next get off rear and install the 2 100w solar panels replacing single 100w panel. It will become a portable one or get mounted on RV or my LJ.

As it is I'm having another hard change in careers and life or whatever again. So tentatively planning on possibly going on extended road trip.
Depending I may piss off many or not with my point of view and actions.
I'm thinking of starting a U-tube channel if so it will probably be crap. I don't know as of now what. To steal lines from better than myself "I have a face for radio, voice for newspaper" and spelling for a actor so I will suck at all and probably piss off everyone. The latter I have added.
My first platoon Sgt (PSG) told me that my problem is I have no tact. I say what I know and see, I don't suger coat s### what I see I say. Over the years I've tried to tempor that but it has made me worse. My 4th PSG. said he wished the Army had not done away with SPC5,6,7 so he could get me promoted but being the way I was and that I was screwed. Being I was blunt and said the truth with out a filter. During my active duty service more than 3 of my Company and Bn. Commanders have made General Officer one of them as of a few months ago told me in person it was the soldiers me and other like me that made it possible for them to become General he retired as a LTG.
I've posted on a few of the forums I'm on that depending on what and when I can talk or write about my past I may. Today I had to sign another N. D. Statement on my past. I'm soon to leave government service again after 33 years and 8 months. No I was not a SF, Ranger or super soldier... just a grunt then a M.P. and Army CIV.
So it's time to move on. Ranting and rambling on n off I'm a few extra shots in the bag right now.

 

[Florida Mojave]

Nice build, thanks for sharing...awesome jeep.......and thank you very much for your service, Sir.

 

[Blade1668]

Nice build, thanks for sharing...awesome jeep.......and thank you very much for your service, Sir.

Thanks

 

[RudeJeepin]

Reinstalled awning from left side to right side after bending up new brackets.

Went to friend's funeral last Friday then tested RTT out at a local Campground. Rained most of the time, plus some wind. No leaks.

Nice looking setup you got going. Can you tell me what brand your tent is?

And thank you for your service.

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