JK Rubicon journey

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TJ
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JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Wed Apr 01, 2015 3:11 pm

Now that TJ is gone, I thought I'll start a thread to document my journey with the JK Rubicon. At this stage, it is completely stock except for running BFG Muds (factory sepcs).

Just crossed 48,000 kms and I had some time today so:


All previous services were done by the dealer as it was still under warranty, but now I can use the oils and fluids that I am comfortable with (within specs).
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:34 pm

Just to capture starting point. This was on the day I bought it.

JK 01.jpg


JK 02.jpg


I'm sure it won't keep looking like this for too long.
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby sketch » Thu Apr 02, 2015 7:32 am

Looking forward to watching the progress. I haven't seen many other JK Rubicons floating around in NZ. Any ideas on what you have in mind for this?? :twisted:

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Thu Apr 02, 2015 8:29 am

sketch wrote:Looking forward to watching the progress. I haven't seen many other JK Rubicons floating around in NZ. Any ideas on what you have in mind for this?? :twisted:


I've had it for a year now. But haven't done anything to it yet (TJ had become the toy after 11 years). There is no plan set, but I do want to change the bumpers, especially the front one. Its very ugly thanks to Australian and European regulations. Then probably a mild lift and 33s. Its got 32s from the factory.
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Wed Jun 10, 2015 9:39 pm

I had been trying to track down a squeak that was not audible to the dealer! A couple of brake shops suggested worn bearing, warped rotor and bent axle.

So took the tyre off in my garage myself, secured the Jeep with axle stands, extra jacks and stuff. Put it in gear and let the rotor assembly roll. It turned out to be the lower metal clip that holds the inner pad in place. It could move when brakes were applied but not allowed it to move back evenly when released. Moving the clip changed the tone, and the noise went away when pushed. Now its fixed with about $0.50 and squeak is gone.

Thankfully the axle wasn't bent, nor was the rotor warped or pads completely worn (yet). A productive hour or so. I could have spent all that money for nothing really if I had listened to the experts and not question their expertise (these experts should remain nameless).
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:39 pm

Changed the antennae with this one from ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/191309985215)

Looks much better (no chrome).
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JK Antennae.jpg
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby sketch » Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:46 pm

Nice, those stubby antennas are neat. Be careful though as they can sometimes loosen themselves easily overtime :roll:

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:49 pm

sketch wrote:Nice, those stubby antennas are neat. Be careful though as they can sometimes loosen themselves easily overtime :roll:


I had put a little bit of thread locker as recommended in the instructions.
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:38 pm

Got the snorkel all done yesterday.

Image
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Fri Aug 28, 2015 4:32 pm

Got ARB UVP (part number 5450110) done to protect the underside a bit:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Everything else looks fine, except those spacers in photo 3 look out of place. Instructions are a bit confusing:

Image

Image

Para 21 says to put the spacers in to align everything. Para 25 says to remove, if possible, to achieve minimal clearance of 7mm. Clearance of what? Closest part is exhaust, which is 30mm away from the plate. Taking 3 x 6mm spacers out will still leave me 12mm from exhaust. So it should be safe to remove. Install was done by a shop, who have never done one before on a 2012+ Rubicon. So they were confused a little as well. Good guys and did the install without me asking about it. I only wanted them to do the snorkel, but they did UVPs as well to help since it was in the shop anyway. I was planning on doing the install myself (you know to get to know the JK's underside a little better myself).

I am tempted to take the bolts off and remove the spacers to gain 18mm back.

I would have liked the plates to be black rather than grey, but thats not a problem because they are not really visible and will get dirty anyway.
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:39 am

Got a response back from ARB Techs in USA, saying:

"As long as you have clearance to the exhaust crossover you can remove the spacers to increase ground clearance."

That was a very quick response, great that Tech line is reading and responding to customer questions at ARB.
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:54 pm

Installed grille inserts to cover gaps:
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'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:56 pm

Changed headlamp bulbs to Hella H4s which are brighter than factory.
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'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:57 pm

Gas cap cover from Jeep
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IMG_20150926_141453.jpg
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sat Sep 26, 2015 9:51 pm

Just 75% done with rear bumper change. Need to do a couple of final bolts. Then license plate relocation.
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IMG_20150926_183406.jpg
IMG_20150926_163615.jpg
IMG_20150926_150337.jpg
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby sketch » Sat Sep 26, 2015 10:13 pm

8)
Looking good, did you source all of that from within NZ?

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sat Sep 26, 2015 11:06 pm

sketch wrote:8)
Looking good, did you source all of that from within NZ?


Grille inserts and gas cap cover from US. Everything else locally.
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Tue Sep 29, 2015 7:13 am

Windshield led spoties done.
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'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:01 pm

Started work on the front:
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'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:03 pm

Got it mounted last night ( just a little of blood and sweat + flexible fingers).

Test fitted Winch to measure cable lenghts needed.
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'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sat Oct 03, 2015 8:03 am

Taking the big pillow off and putting on something more manageable.
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'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sat Oct 03, 2015 9:10 am

All done. Can't even hear the difference while driving.
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'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby sketch » Sat Oct 03, 2015 10:45 am

Good job with the muffler, that's one modification I always wanted to do but never got around to it...just became a dented mess in the end :lol:

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:30 am

Installed front skid plate from Black Jack Welding in Australia. It fits perfectly under the ARB front bar.

I probably need a lift now after all this weight up-front.... :-)
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IMG_20151018_150539.jpg
IMG_20151018_150656.jpg
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:50 pm

Took the spacers out from the engine skid. I had to take it off for engine oil change anyway. Skid is now sitting 18mm higher off the ground.

Changed engine oil and filter today at 53,400 kms.
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sun Nov 08, 2015 6:20 pm

Went out to Waiuku Forest last week. Went well. It can do with a 50mm lift. But that's not urgent.

Took the hardtop off today and put the softtop on for summer. Its the first time I've done. Softtop had been sitting new all these years.

Now I have to figure out a way to store the hardtop away for a few months.
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'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby Jeeper » Fri Nov 20, 2015 12:41 pm

Hiya

Looks like Im a few steps behind but basically the same path! Just moved on from much loved TJ into a JK Rubicon. Got the same pillar lights arrived via Fedex today and have K&N, Snorkel and ARB's to source now. Looking at the ARB Stubby winch bar up front but have to wait 6 weeks for delivery. Black on black 4 dr with 33's too - Ill keep an eye out for ya on the trails.

Cheers

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:07 pm

I'm not a fan of K&N filters.

Put a GME radio in, but can't find space for the antenna. Need a good mount for it.
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby Ralfie » Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:36 pm

TJ wrote:I'm not a fan of K&N filters.


Neither am I. They are OK on track cars but definitely not suitable on a 4WD that goes off road.
Don't filter enough of the really fine dust, clog up easily with dust and dirt and are a pain to clean, which also means they don't get cleaned regularly enough.

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Re: JK Rubicon journey

Postby TJ » Mon Feb 08, 2016 9:56 am

IMG_20160208_101721.jpg


Wireless remote for the winch
'12 JK Rubicon V6 3.6L Auto D44/D44

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