Build Thread: 2013 - JKUR - Slimer - SLC
06-09-2015, 03:04 PM
#41
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Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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So it's been a while since I've updated Slimer's build thread but that's because there haven't been a lot of mods since the last one. However, I did add a rack this spring.
So I started SUPing (Stand Up Paddleboarding) this year and needed a way to transport the board on top of Slimer. I explored options that weren't limiting to what I need out of the rack and the Jeep.
Option One: Yakima or Thule rack system, the locking security would be nice but for me the cost of the rack eliminated this option. Besides the added height with the Yakima or Thule rack wouldn't clear the current garage opening height. And if that wasn't enough I didn't want to drill into the hard top. Yeah, I could do the Yakima or Thule two foot pack attachments without having to drill but then the front to back bar spread wasn't enough to support the board. I could have done just one foot pack and a "T-Bar" hitch attachment to get the front to back bar spread I needed but again the cost and height clearance. And finally, what if I wanted to carry the SUP without the hard top on?
Option Two: An external framed rack like the Gobi, the versatility of this rack appealed the most to me. I could use it for a million other things than just the SUP. And I could use it with the hard top on or off. I just had to pick the right external rack that mounted to the frame of the Jeep at the back bumper and not the body. The Gobi was the best I found but the price of Gobi was too rich for my blood and I chose not to explore this option. Besides taking off the hard top in the garage with hoist was no longer available with an external frame that swivels up to get the hard top off, I didn't have the internal garage clearance to swivel the rack up.
Option Three: Just strap the SUP to the roll bar with the hard top off. I didn't like this option at all. This works in a pinch when you're strapping the rental boards to the rental Jeep in Hawaii but not as a permanent option for your own boards and Jeep that you care about.
Option Four: A bolt on rack that attaches at the roll bar. Sure, there's no security and I can't transport the SUP with the hard top on but f$%k it, the price is right and it fits in the garage. It's summer out in Utah. Suns out, top off.
I went for Option Four. Here are the pictures and info
Olympic 4x4 Quick n' Easy Rack in Textured Black for $150 at 4wd.com
Manufactures Product Page
Olympic 4x4 Products for Jeep Wrangler YJ, Jeep Wrangler TJ, Jeep Wrangler JK and Cherokee XJ and Jeep CJ's
4WD's Page
Olympic 4x4 Products - Quick n Easy Rack in Textured Black - Fits 2007 to 2015 JK Wrangler Unlimited and Rubicon Unlimited - 4WD.com
So I started SUPing (Stand Up Paddleboarding) this year and needed a way to transport the board on top of Slimer. I explored options that weren't limiting to what I need out of the rack and the Jeep.
Option One: Yakima or Thule rack system, the locking security would be nice but for me the cost of the rack eliminated this option. Besides the added height with the Yakima or Thule rack wouldn't clear the current garage opening height. And if that wasn't enough I didn't want to drill into the hard top. Yeah, I could do the Yakima or Thule two foot pack attachments without having to drill but then the front to back bar spread wasn't enough to support the board. I could have done just one foot pack and a "T-Bar" hitch attachment to get the front to back bar spread I needed but again the cost and height clearance. And finally, what if I wanted to carry the SUP without the hard top on?
Option Two: An external framed rack like the Gobi, the versatility of this rack appealed the most to me. I could use it for a million other things than just the SUP. And I could use it with the hard top on or off. I just had to pick the right external rack that mounted to the frame of the Jeep at the back bumper and not the body. The Gobi was the best I found but the price of Gobi was too rich for my blood and I chose not to explore this option. Besides taking off the hard top in the garage with hoist was no longer available with an external frame that swivels up to get the hard top off, I didn't have the internal garage clearance to swivel the rack up.
Option Three: Just strap the SUP to the roll bar with the hard top off. I didn't like this option at all. This works in a pinch when you're strapping the rental boards to the rental Jeep in Hawaii but not as a permanent option for your own boards and Jeep that you care about.
Option Four: A bolt on rack that attaches at the roll bar. Sure, there's no security and I can't transport the SUP with the hard top on but f$%k it, the price is right and it fits in the garage. It's summer out in Utah. Suns out, top off.
I went for Option Four. Here are the pictures and info
Olympic 4x4 Quick n' Easy Rack in Textured Black for $150 at 4wd.com
Manufactures Product Page
Olympic 4x4 Products for Jeep Wrangler YJ, Jeep Wrangler TJ, Jeep Wrangler JK and Cherokee XJ and Jeep CJ's
4WD's Page
Olympic 4x4 Products - Quick n Easy Rack in Textured Black - Fits 2007 to 2015 JK Wrangler Unlimited and Rubicon Unlimited - 4WD.com
06-28-2015, 08:57 AM
#44
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So the front stock driveshaft joint boot finally went bad on me because of the angles from the 4" Long Arm Lift.
Sorry for the blurry picture.
I had planned on upgrading both the front and rear driveshafts eventually but with the boot going bad I decided to upgrade ahead of schedule. I went with Tom Woods 1310 front and rear custom built driveshafts. The install was pretty smooth. I had some trouble getting the rear differential flange off and cracked the pinion seal. I should have used a gear puller instead of the BFH. Don't make my mistake, use the puller. I replaced the seal and was back on track in no time. I decided not to get all "Rocket Science" on the pinion preload adjustments and just went with Tom Wood's Install Instructions torque suggestion on the pinions nuts. The joints are hella better than the stock joints and the shaft itself is burly. Tom Wood's Custom Driveshafts displayed excellent customer service throughout the ordering experience, I highly recommend them. I'll give you my opinion of the performance of the driveshafts later on down the road/trail.
Here are some pics for comparison.
Sorry for the blurry picture.
I had planned on upgrading both the front and rear driveshafts eventually but with the boot going bad I decided to upgrade ahead of schedule. I went with Tom Woods 1310 front and rear custom built driveshafts. The install was pretty smooth. I had some trouble getting the rear differential flange off and cracked the pinion seal. I should have used a gear puller instead of the BFH. Don't make my mistake, use the puller. I replaced the seal and was back on track in no time. I decided not to get all "Rocket Science" on the pinion preload adjustments and just went with Tom Wood's Install Instructions torque suggestion on the pinions nuts. The joints are hella better than the stock joints and the shaft itself is burly. Tom Wood's Custom Driveshafts displayed excellent customer service throughout the ordering experience, I highly recommend them. I'll give you my opinion of the performance of the driveshafts later on down the road/trail.
Here are some pics for comparison.
Last edited by jolson05; 06-28-2015 at 09:21 AM.
06-28-2015, 07:16 PM
#49
JK Super Freak
Perfect. And original. And fun. A lot of people take it a bit too serious. Like your vehicle name has to reflect blood, death and destruction or else it's just a mall crawler. Punisher etc...is overdone.