KevinMac's Semi-Budget Build...Project Deathstar
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 24
From: The D, MI
Closing out October!
October is just about over and the weather has definitely turned...and not for the better 
I have managed to add a few toys in the last weeks and have a couple of changes in progres...plus a few boxes of things I haven't started installing yet. Hopefully I can get everything installed before the snow starts to fly...and no, the flurries we had the other day don't count 
So what did I get done?
LED Fog Lamp Bulbs
I found these on eBay and decided to give them a shot as they are the only LED's I've seen for the funky new bulb base they started using in the 2012+ JK's. To find, try the following search "White 5202 5201 9009 High Power CREE w/ 20-SMD LED Fog Light". I've got them installed and they seem to fit ok. I'm not sure of how much light they put out yet as I haven't driven them at night since installing. However, here is a quick photo of how they look parked in my driveway.
Teraflex Tire Carrier
Once again, I am preparing for larger tires come spring. I've read so many reviews of bumper mounted tire carriers and how they rattle all over the place. I didn't see any bad reviews of the Teraflex carriers though and now that I received it, I can see why. This thing is stout!
It took about 45 mintues to install and fits/looks great. For now I am using the stock tire mount but may switch to the Teraflex piece in the future. I also like the ability this mount gives me to add a CB antenna mount plus jack & rotopax.
Other:
Last month I sprung for the black RR lug nuts as the stock ones I had painted kept flaking. Those lugs seem like they have held up ok, so I went ahead and got the black RR wheel locks to match. Wah-lah, no more flaking!
Also, I went ahead and upgraded the interior light bulbs to LED. I'd read quite a bit where the LED light bulbs would cause the map lights on the rear view mirror to stay on, even after the other lights went out. 
So, I went ahead and decided to try the Canbus style LED bulbs and from what I see so far, the map lights go out with all the interior bulbs. The obvious upside to these bulbs is that they pump out a TON more light than the factory light bulbs. You can actually see inside the vehicle at night now. 
I'll try to snap a pick and post it in the coming days. Now that I see how much light they put out, I will eventually upgrade the existing floor lighting to LED too.
Front Bumper
I've received and now started installing my new front bumper. I went ahead and got the RR Aluminum XHD with winch plate, over rider bar and end caps. So far, I have the old bumper removed and stripped of the fog lights. These are now installed on the new bumper. I've also got the winch plate mounted. However, in a dry fit of the bumper, it has some interference to the 2 frame rails that will need clearancing for everything to line up. I'm leaving for a business trip this weekend so hopefully the weather cooperates and allows me to finish it before I leave.
Pictures to follow! 
Costs:
* LED Fog Light Bulbs - $23
* LED Interior Lights - $17
* Black RR Wheel Locks - $13
* Teraflex Tire Carrier - $450
I have managed to add a few toys in the last weeks and have a couple of changes in progres...plus a few boxes of things I haven't started installing yet. Hopefully I can get everything installed before the snow starts to fly...and no, the flurries we had the other day don't count So what did I get done?
LED Fog Lamp Bulbs
I found these on eBay and decided to give them a shot as they are the only LED's I've seen for the funky new bulb base they started using in the 2012+ JK's. To find, try the following search "White 5202 5201 9009 High Power CREE w/ 20-SMD LED Fog Light". I've got them installed and they seem to fit ok. I'm not sure of how much light they put out yet as I haven't driven them at night since installing. However, here is a quick photo of how they look parked in my driveway.
Teraflex Tire Carrier
Once again, I am preparing for larger tires come spring. I've read so many reviews of bumper mounted tire carriers and how they rattle all over the place. I didn't see any bad reviews of the Teraflex carriers though and now that I received it, I can see why. This thing is stout!
It took about 45 mintues to install and fits/looks great. For now I am using the stock tire mount but may switch to the Teraflex piece in the future. I also like the ability this mount gives me to add a CB antenna mount plus jack & rotopax.
Other:
Last month I sprung for the black RR lug nuts as the stock ones I had painted kept flaking. Those lugs seem like they have held up ok, so I went ahead and got the black RR wheel locks to match. Wah-lah, no more flaking!
Also, I went ahead and upgraded the interior light bulbs to LED. I'd read quite a bit where the LED light bulbs would cause the map lights on the rear view mirror to stay on, even after the other lights went out. So, I went ahead and decided to try the Canbus style LED bulbs and from what I see so far, the map lights go out with all the interior bulbs. The obvious upside to these bulbs is that they pump out a TON more light than the factory light bulbs. You can actually see inside the vehicle at night now. I'll try to snap a pick and post it in the coming days. Now that I see how much light they put out, I will eventually upgrade the existing floor lighting to LED too.Front Bumper
I've received and now started installing my new front bumper. I went ahead and got the RR Aluminum XHD with winch plate, over rider bar and end caps. So far, I have the old bumper removed and stripped of the fog lights. These are now installed on the new bumper. I've also got the winch plate mounted. However, in a dry fit of the bumper, it has some interference to the 2 frame rails that will need clearancing for everything to line up. I'm leaving for a business trip this weekend so hopefully the weather cooperates and allows me to finish it before I leave.
Pictures to follow! Costs:
* LED Fog Light Bulbs - $23
* LED Interior Lights - $17
* Black RR Wheel Locks - $13
* Teraflex Tire Carrier - $450
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 24
From: The D, MI
Damn you Northridge! :)
I hate it when Northridge runs their 'shark tank' 10% off specials...it always costs me money!! 
So I took a bit of a break after starting the installation of the new front bumper. I wasn't a huge fan of the way they recommended mounting the vacuum pump. Following the Rugged Ridge instructions, it looked kind of jacked and didn't seem like it was mounted that securely. I went ahead and ordered an Or-Fab pump relocation bracket. It moves the pump up to the fenderwell by the master cylinder.
The bracket fit well and installed pretty quickly. The mounting instructions included with the bracket are about useless as the photos are photocopied and black and white...in poor detail. I suggest you go to their website as they have a color .pdf file linked that shows much better detail. To move the pump to the new location, you need to cut and extend its' wiring harness. Or-Fab included some crimp connectors but I went ahead and soldered/shrunk wrapped instead.
While I was poking around and working in the area of the master cylinder, I went ahead and opened the box to my new Viair OBA kit!
I got the 2012-14 JK specific kit the mounts to the master cylinder bolts. Allegedly, you can bolt the compressor to the bracket and install to the master cylinder. However, I could never figure out how to finagle it in there as a sub-assembly, there just wasn't much room. 
Therefore, I bolted the bracket in and then installed the compressor to it. The wiring went in quickly and after about an hour, I had air!! 
Here are a few photos from 2 different angles. In each they are in the following order: "before", "with Viair installed" and "with Viair and Pump Bracket installed".
Costs:
*Or-Fab Pump Relocation Bracket - $26
* Viair OBA - $359
So I took a bit of a break after starting the installation of the new front bumper. I wasn't a huge fan of the way they recommended mounting the vacuum pump. Following the Rugged Ridge instructions, it looked kind of jacked and didn't seem like it was mounted that securely. I went ahead and ordered an Or-Fab pump relocation bracket. It moves the pump up to the fenderwell by the master cylinder.
The bracket fit well and installed pretty quickly. The mounting instructions included with the bracket are about useless as the photos are photocopied and black and white...in poor detail. I suggest you go to their website as they have a color .pdf file linked that shows much better detail. To move the pump to the new location, you need to cut and extend its' wiring harness. Or-Fab included some crimp connectors but I went ahead and soldered/shrunk wrapped instead.
While I was poking around and working in the area of the master cylinder, I went ahead and opened the box to my new Viair OBA kit!
I got the 2012-14 JK specific kit the mounts to the master cylinder bolts. Allegedly, you can bolt the compressor to the bracket and install to the master cylinder. However, I could never figure out how to finagle it in there as a sub-assembly, there just wasn't much room. Therefore, I bolted the bracket in and then installed the compressor to it. The wiring went in quickly and after about an hour, I had air!! Here are a few photos from 2 different angles. In each they are in the following order: "before", "with Viair installed" and "with Viair and Pump Bracket installed".
Costs:
*Or-Fab Pump Relocation Bracket - $26
* Viair OBA - $359
JK Jedi
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,234
Likes: 4
From: Nevada City California
I hate it when Northridge runs their 'shark tank' 10% off specials...it always costs me money!!
So I took a bit of a break after starting the installation of the new front bumper. I wasn't a huge fan of the way they recommended mounting the vacuum pump. Following the Rugged Ridge instructions, it looked kind of jacked and didn't seem like it was mounted that securely. I went ahead and ordered an Or-Fab pump relocation bracket. It moves the pump up to the fenderwell by the master cylinder.
The bracket fit well and installed pretty quickly. The mounting instructions included with the bracket are about useless as the photos are photocopied and black and white...in poor detail. I suggest you go to their website as they have a color .pdf file linked that shows much better detail. To move the pump to the new location, you need to cut and extend its' wiring harness. Or-Fab included some crimp connectors but I went ahead and soldered/shrunk wrapped instead.
While I was poking around and working in the area of the master cylinder, I went ahead and opened the box to my new Viair OBA kit! I got the 2012-14 JK specific kit the mounts to the master cylinder bolts. Allegedly, you can bolt the compressor to the bracket and install to the master cylinder. However, I could never figure out how to finagle it in there as a sub-assembly, there just wasn't much room. Therefore, I bolted the bracket in and then installed the compressor to it. The wiring went in quickly and after about an hour, I had air!!
Here are a few photos from 2 different angles. In each they are in the following order: "before", "with Viair installed" and "with Viair and Pump Bracket installed".
Costs:
*Or-Fab Pump Relocation Bracket - $26
* Viair OBA - $359
So I took a bit of a break after starting the installation of the new front bumper. I wasn't a huge fan of the way they recommended mounting the vacuum pump. Following the Rugged Ridge instructions, it looked kind of jacked and didn't seem like it was mounted that securely. I went ahead and ordered an Or-Fab pump relocation bracket. It moves the pump up to the fenderwell by the master cylinder.
The bracket fit well and installed pretty quickly. The mounting instructions included with the bracket are about useless as the photos are photocopied and black and white...in poor detail. I suggest you go to their website as they have a color .pdf file linked that shows much better detail. To move the pump to the new location, you need to cut and extend its' wiring harness. Or-Fab included some crimp connectors but I went ahead and soldered/shrunk wrapped instead.
While I was poking around and working in the area of the master cylinder, I went ahead and opened the box to my new Viair OBA kit!
I got the 2012-14 JK specific kit the mounts to the master cylinder bolts. Allegedly, you can bolt the compressor to the bracket and install to the master cylinder. However, I could never figure out how to finagle it in there as a sub-assembly, there just wasn't much room. Therefore, I bolted the bracket in and then installed the compressor to it. The wiring went in quickly and after about an hour, I had air!! Here are a few photos from 2 different angles. In each they are in the following order: "before", "with Viair installed" and "with Viair and Pump Bracket installed".
Costs:
*Or-Fab Pump Relocation Bracket - $26
* Viair OBA - $359
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 24
From: The D, MI
Bumper Install Complete!!
The bumper, winch plate, over rider bar and end caps are officially installed! Fit and finish of the winch plate was off a bit so I had to shim one side up about an 1/8th of an inch. Without shimming, the bolt holes of the frame rail, bumper and D ring did not align enough to be able to install the bolts. The over rider bar fit well and went on without issue. The end caps were a bit of a challenge...just make sure you bolt them onto the bumper before you install the bumper. Otherwise it's a bit of a pain in the ass...ask me how I know. 
If you look closely at the picture, I also installed a hawse fairlead. I just need to get the winch now! I've decided to go the Engo with synthetic cable route and am saving my pennies so I can go ahead and order it.
Costs:
* RR Aluminum XHD Front Bumper - $617
* Over Rider Bar - $107
* Bumper End Caps - $169
* Hawse Fairlead - $22
Fit and finish of the winch plate was off a bit so I had to shim one side up about an 1/8th of an inch. Without shimming, the bolt holes of the frame rail, bumper and D ring did not align enough to be able to install the bolts. The over rider bar fit well and went on without issue. The end caps were a bit of a challenge...just make sure you bolt them onto the bumper before you install the bumper. Otherwise it's a bit of a pain in the ass...ask me how I know. If you look closely at the picture, I also installed a hawse fairlead. I just need to get the winch now! I've decided to go the Engo with synthetic cable route and am saving my pennies so I can go ahead and order it.
Costs:
* RR Aluminum XHD Front Bumper - $617
* Over Rider Bar - $107
* Bumper End Caps - $169
* Hawse Fairlead - $22
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 24
From: The D, MI
Side note, for anyone who has been looking for discounted AEV parts. Northridge sent a flyer last night where bumpers, hoods, skids and a few other parts are on sale until the 22nd. I just ordered up the rear bumper and water pump kit. I hope to receive it sometime next week!!
My little overlander project is starting to come together!
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: FL
Thanks for the encouragement!! Side note, for anyone who has been looking for discounted AEV parts. Northridge sent a flyer last night where bumpers, hoods, skids and a few other parts are on sale until the 22nd. I just ordered up the rear bumper and water pump kit. I hope to receive it sometime next week!! My little overlander project is starting to come together!
Side note, for anyone who has been looking for discounted AEV parts. Northridge sent a flyer last night where bumpers, hoods, skids and a few other parts are on sale until the 22nd. I just ordered up the rear bumper and water pump kit. I hope to receive it sometime next week!! My little overlander project is starting to come together! 