The Rogue 2.0 Build

[Rogue]

Hello Everyone,

Its been a long time coming - I’d like to introduce the Rogue 392 build… again!

We’ll call this thread Rogue 2.0 - a new car needs its own thread, and we make sure any bad juju is left in the past.

This has been a long road for me to get back into a W392, but well worth the wait. Its been 1.5-ish years since I totaled my ’22 W392 in the dunes. I picked up my 24 Wrangler 392 from the Jeep showroom yesterday and couldn’t be more excited. Sent it straight for PPF, so will be a few days before I break her in.

I specifically waited for the 2024 because of the updates in the gearing, full float axle, and some interior updates, but also because 2023 was a rough year personally. For my family and I, it’s a milestone for a fresh start for some great new adventures

I have all the old parts, so you will see some similar updates as in the previous Thread, but there will be some new ones too. You can find the old thread here - https://www.jeep392.com/threads/rogue-392-build.1683/

Enough blabber - here she is!

The chucky cheese smile says it all!

 

[Winston]

Woohoo! So excited for this. Congratulations. Here's to a fresh start.

 

[AUSTX]

Enjoy and great color!

 

[Ted392]

Congrats!

 

[Warped]

Congratulations. Looking forward to more of the same or different from your previous thread as I build my own twin to yours.

 

[Rogue]

Thank you @Winston , @AUSTX ,@Ted392 and @Warped - looking forward to sharing the build and adventures the same way I have followed some of your builds.

 

[restockflip]

sweet ride man, that blue is killer!

 

[Rogue]

And so, it begins...

I passed by the shop today to look at the progress on the PPF Install. I decided to go with Xpel PPF. They have a PPF that is thicker, 10mm, which should help the car avoid scratches etc offroad. They seem to have the best name on the market. (Reading Forums). Not many here in the UAE work with Xpel, and It's not cheap, but it's worth it for me to protect the original paint and get the job done properly.

The process is fascinating. I've botched up many stickers so watching these guys put PPF all over the car is an art form. It's a laborious process that requires a lot of patience and know-how.

The other part of this process is how your car is completely stripped to the body panels. Looking at a brand new W392 in pieces is not easy on the eyes, but it's for a good cause and these guys have been careful not to damage anything.

Pics-for-clicks... Is this still a thing?

 

[Rogue]

Finally got to pick up the car from the PPF install and Ceramic Coating last night. Super thrilled to finally drive the car again.

I worked with a shop in Dubai called Max Wax - one of the owners that I worked with, Roger, was just awesome. Sent a few updates a day, explaining each step in videos, knowledgeable, asked questions, flexible to work with and super helpful. The team was professional and could easily mold the Xpel Plastic around all the surfaces required, even the tough ones. Much better experience than the previous garage I worked with.

If your in Dubai and looking for a PPF installer, Ceramic Coating, or some detail work Max Wax are the guys to work with.

 

[Rogue]

The first drive this morning was just bliss. The roar of the engine, the open streets, and the break-in rpm limit of 2.5-3k.

Looking forward to hitting the first 200km's (124 miles) so I can open up to 5k rpm.


I stopped in a little "Private Road" to get some pics. This is where I shout out to @Underground Graphics for their awesome graphic work. Greg and Michelle helped out again and shipped the graphics back to me in time for Max Wax to do the install. Great work as usual from the team at @Underground Graphics in Houston, TX.

I went with something a little different this time, to change it up. Used the @Underground Graphics Final Edition kit combined with a brushed metal topographic lines recommended by Greg. Came out stellar!

Also went with their key whole covers as that shiny silver keyhole was not right, and the keyhole covers stick on and make it look almost original.

 

[Riad]

Kudos on the new rig! Looking forward to watching your build

Does the '24 come with the plastic rear bumper too? Had to get an aftermarket steel one for my '22

 

[Rogue]

Kudos on the new rig! Looking forward to watching your build

Does the '24 come with the plastic rear bumper too? Had to get an aftermarket steel one for my '22

Hi @Riad , Unfortunately all the JL's come out with the plastic bumpers in the UAE. I'm ok with it as I'd like to upgrade to a bumper that has better/stronger/closed recovery points, as the hook as pretty as it is, does not have the strength for some of the recoveries we do out here.

Lovely colour on your W392, Silver Zynith was one of my options if I could not get my hands on a Hydro Blue.

 

[Riad]

Haven't had any issues so far with the hook thankfully. Though I tend to use the winch for trickier recoveries and kinetic rope only if it's an easy small tug that's needed

Yeah, I actually wanted white, grey or sarge green but was impatient and got the silver since that was the only one available at the time . It's grown on me though

 

[BL Beast]

Hi @Riad , Unfortunately all the JL's come out with the plastic bumpers. I'm ok with it as I'd like to upgrade to a bumper that has better/stronger/closed recovery points, as the hook as pretty as it is, does not have the strength for some of the recoveries we do out here.

Lovely colour on your W392, Silver Zynith was one of my options if I could not get my hands on a HydrIf

Kudos on the new rig! Looking forward to watching your build

Does the '24 come with the plastic rear bumper too? Had to get an aftermarket steel one for my '22

If you buy a Rubicon JL with the Recon package, the steel bumpers are standard...................

 

[Riad]

In the US, yes. In Dubai we're stuck with the plastic ones

 

[Rogue]

This weekend I was super motivated to change the factory installed winch with my Warn Evo 12 Winch, install the Warn Grill Guard, the BD LP6 Pros, American Brother Designs Catch Can, Redline Tuning Hood Struts, and a few other things that I have laying around from the previous build.

Less than 30 minutes into starting the work, my motivation was kicked in the butt when I could not break 2 of 4 bolts holding the winch to the winch plate. I tried a few tricks by nothing seemed to work.

Its funny how something so small can be so frustrating. I had to use the impact wrench on full for the first 2, but the remaining 2 bolts sit just inside the bumper, so I cannot get to them with the impact wrench. I didn't have time for it, and maybe being a bit stubborn myself, I refuse to remove the bumper to get to 2 bolts. My current plan is to get Jeep to remove the winch for me when I take it in for the first time after my 1000km break in.

In prep to swap the winch out, I did some cleanup of the old Warn Evo 12 winch and decided to cleanup the wiring a bit too.

I had to settle with changing out the big silver polished fairlead with my previous Black Warn fairlead, and Hook. Much Better with the Black and Gold.

I do plan to change the Warn Hook to a Factor55 or Agency 6 flat link soon. Still a bit undecided as the Bronze Agency 6 Flat Link could work well.

I did manage to install the American Brother Designs Catch can. Over the year I lost the M8 bolt provided to attach to the alternator bolt. A quick trip to the hardware store solved the issue. This really is the simplest install.

I also installed the Redline Tuning W392 Hood Struts that I had. I still love this mod as W392 hood is heavy and when lifted could be a struggle to get up and down. The trimming of the ECU bracket I remembered and cut a bigger groove than what was needed, as last time it struggled a little. I forgot that I had to put a notch in the hydro guide for the upper bracket (Driver Side) to fit properly. A bit of meticulous surgery with a Dremel did the trick. Works super well.

Now I am pushing to complete the engine break-in mileage this week (360km completed). I’m driving back and forth to Abu Dhabi for work this week (~300km round trip – 186 Miles) and should have the break-in knocked out by the end of the week. Then I can send the Jeep in, get them to break the bolts on the winch and I can do the rest.

 

[Winston]

What part of the Hydro Guide needed trimming? I don't remember that being an issue.

 

[Rogue]

What part of the Hydro Guide needed trimming? I don't remember that being an issue.

It was the edge of the hydro guide where the upper bracket mounted to the hood on the driver side. The top corner piece of the bracket caught the edge of the hydro guide, preventing the bracket from sitting properly or even going into place. Its such a small piece that I had to trim, not noticeable.

 

[OffRoadPatriot]

It was the edge of the hydro guide where the upper bracket mounted to the hood on the driver side. The top corner piece of the bracket caught the edge of the hydro guide, preventing the bracket from sitting properly or even going into place. Its such a small piece that I had to trim, not noticeable.

Huh, I don't remember having to trim anything there either. I'll have to take a look.
Did you run the catch can on your last build? I like that design, but have been debating on whether or not to do it at all.
Congrats on the new build!

 

[Rogue]

Huh, I don't remember having to trim anything there either. I'll have to take a look.
Did you run the catch can on your last build? I like that design, but have been debating on whether or not to do it at all.
Congrats on the new build!

Thanks @OffRoadPatriot

I did run the catch can on my last build. The design really worked for me as it fits into the engine bay really well. I emptied it out just before I put it on and there was a little bit of oil in there. On my previous build I installed it a good 500km before totaling the car, it was good to see that it worked.

On the RT Hood Struts - maybe I did not need to trim the hydro guide, not sure now. At the time I was struggling to get the bracket in. It worked and I kept it clean, not too worried.