RKKRAWL Hydro Blue Build

[RKKRAWL]

Picking it up at 4:00 PM today!!!!! Already have 37s on beadlock wheels waiting, front and rear Anti-Rocks, AAL rear inner fender liners, black Rubicon fenders, Teraflex HD aluminum tailgate re-inforcement for 40" tires, Apex power steering boost valve and cooler. Let the project begin. Probably going RK 4.5 Adventure lift, Fox shocks with Dynatrac Pro Elite 60/80 axles.

 

[byhumba]

Welcome. Can't wait to see this build.

 

[YukonCornelius]

Pics please!

welcome!

 

[RKKRAWL]

Starting on the mods, Currie Anti-Rock, AAL inner fender liners and Yokohama G003 37x12.5x17 on Dirty Life Beadlocks.

 

[RKKRAWL]

Starting on the spare tire carrier and wiring the cb and ham radios

 

[RKKRAWL]

Got the spare tire carrier mostly done, got to finish running the ham and cb antenna wires to the front - oh joy! While it was apart decided to install the Tailgater, very well built.

 

[RKKRAWL]

This showed up yesterday so 1 more thing on the list.

 

[cgrosen324]

Lookin’ good! Have fun with your build. Good luck with that hardtop contraption. I can’t remember the name of the company or what it’s called, but I had one a few years back and it was garbage. Hope you have a better time with it than I did!

 

[RKKRAWL]

It's a TopLiftPro, so far seems to do the job. Don't think that I would be rolling it down the street though.

 

[RKKRAWL]

One more item off the list. Got the front anti-rock instaledl and the electronic sway bar is up for sale. Ride seems to be much smoother than before, will have to see about high speed corners

 

[cgrosen324]

Curious - How do you like the hydro blue color? I almost went with it but ended up ordering mine in sting gray. I’m at least a month before production starts so I’ve been tempted to see if I could change the color to HB. My wife thinks that would be a huge mistake.

 

[RKKRAWL]

I like it, my TJ is painted Intense Blue Pearl. Both are stand out colors and you get lots of compliments on either. When I first got the TJ Rubicon it was black and I didn't have a choice in color as I bought the first one available from the LA Auto Show in 02 but always wanted the blue but thought that it would be too bright but finally had it painted and regretted not buying it that color from the start. If you like the color go for it!

 

[RKKRAWL]

Started on the Apex Steering Boost kit today, slightly different than the instructions on the 392, should be done tomorrow.

 

[cgrosen324]

How is the steering on the 392? I’m guessing the same as any other Wrangler - awful. The steering on my 16 JK was just terrible.

 

[RKKRAWL]

Steering on the 392 is fine, has the cast iron box and seems fine. The Apex is for the 37" tires.

 

[cgrosen324]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ve been a bit worried about the steering. It seems like some people say it’s the same as standard Wrangler (loose, too much dead space) while others say it seems Jeep did a better job on the 392 trim.

 

[RKKRAWL]

Got the Apex steering boost installed and it brought the steering back to better than with the 33s. Very easy to turn without a 4k cost for PSC which isn't available yet anyway. Will go there later when I switch to 40s but for now this works great.

 

[dgerb]

Started on the Apex Steering Boost kit today, slightly different than the instructions on the 392, should be done tomorrow.

How was the install of this? It looks like the boost valve is more accessible in the 392 than the JL, is that correct? How about winch clearance to the cooler?

 

[RKKRAWL]

It was easier to take out the whole pump to install the boost valve and run the return line to the cooler than fight it in place. More accessible is kind of a point of view, the valve is in between and behind some hoses but you can still get to it for adjustment. Don't know about the winch clearance yet as haven't gotten to that yet but looks like plenty of room.

 

[RKKRAWL]

Next project, color matched dash panels.