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Got a few things checked off the todo list this weekend. I installed the Falcon Nexus EF 2.2 steering stabilizer. I’ve tried out the 3 settings and have been leaving in on medium for around town driving, firm really does stiffen it up, will be useful in longer highway trips. I tried out soft on a short trip, and when they say that it lets you feel more input they are not kidding. I was feeling things through my steering that had me wondering if something was wrong, lol. While I was under the Jeep I replaced the frame side track bar bolts front and rear with 9/16 grade 8 hardware (the front lower was replaced with the mounting stud for the steering stabilizer and the rear lower was replaced with a new bolt for the Teraflex Track bar relocation bracket)

Also removed the paracord roll bar grab handles for some A-Pillar ones. The roll bar ones were annoying me as they were in my field of view and I found myself trying to look around them. Also they were not very helpful getting into the lofted Jeep. I like these a lot, they are textured, not smooth aluminum and they blend into the A-Pillar so they don’t obstruct my field of view when driving.

Got a few things checked off the todo list this weekend. I installed the Falcon Nexus EF 2.2 steering stabilizer. I’ve tried out the 3 settings and have been leaving in on medium for around town driving, firm really does stiffen it up, will be useful in longer highway trips. I tried out soft on a short trip, and when they say that it lets you feel more input they are not kidding. I was feeling things through my steering that had me wondering if something was wrong, lol. While I was under the Jeep I replaced the frame side track bar bolts front and rear with 9/16 grade 8 hardware (the front lower was replaced with the mounting stud for the steering stabilizer and the rear lower was replaced with a new bolt for the Teraflex Track bar relocation bracket)

Also removed the paracord roll bar grab handles for some A-Pillar ones. The roll bar ones were annoying me as they were in my field of view and I found myself trying to look around them. Also they were not very helpful getting into the lofted Jeep. I like these a lot, they are textured, not smooth aluminum and they blend into the A-Pillar so they don’t obstruct my field of view when driving.

Got a few things checked off the todo list this weekend. I installed the Falcon Nexus EF 2.2 steering stabilizer. I’ve tried out the 3 settings and have been leaving in on medium for around town driving, firm really does stiffen it up, will be useful in longer highway trips. I tried out soft on a short trip, and when they say that it lets you feel more input they are not kidding. I was feeling things through my steering that had me wondering if something was wrong, lol. Also removed the paracord roll bar grab handles for some A-Pillar ones. The roll bar ones were annoying me as they were in my field of view and I found myself trying to look around them. Also they were not very helpful getting into the lofted Jeep. I like these a lot, they are textured, not smooth aluminum and they blend into the A-Pillar so they don’t obstruct my field of view when driving.

More steering & suspension upgrades! Going to add the Falcon Nexus EF 2.2 steering stabilizer and while I’m under the jeep goin to replace the the from and rear track bar bolts with these upgraded 14mm from the frame side front bracket and 9/16 for the rear track bar (the Falcon steering stabilizer uses a special bolt/stud that replaced the front axle side bolt). Got this kit from Ohio Diesel Parts that includes bolts for the front and rear track bars for all JK years. $25 is some pretty cheap insurance against an issue that cause like 80% to 90% of death wobble.

When I bought my jeep it came with the oem premium soft fop, but it didn’t come with any of the ancillary parts to properly seal it. From the condition of the top and the amount of dust/dirt and sun fading of the cargo area trim I’m certain the previous own left the top off all the time, and so the door surrounds, tail gate bar, and C-pillar mucket seals were all missing. Some of the first parts I bought off eBay were a set of OEM door surrounds from a 2017 and a tail gate bar in great condition. I got these for a great price too, only $260 for both, and the cheapest aftermarket set was close to $400-$500.

It was only after the door surrounds and the tailgate bar arrived that I realized I was missing the mucket seals and had to source those. Well after 2 1/2 weeks the last mucket finally arrived today! I did a quick interiors clean since we had a few bad dust storms roll in the last few days. I cleaned and lubricated the rear window zipper with Bestop cleaner/lubricant and then went about installing the mucket seals and door surrounds. (The tailgate bar was delivered last Friday and I installed it the same day)

I love having the soft top sealed now, much more comfortable in the AZ desert, don’t have to keep the A/C on max all the time. Thankfully the AZ Monsoon was in a bit of a lull, but it looks to be picking up again and now I don’t have to worry about the rain and dust.

When I bought my jeep it came with the oem premium soft fop, but it didn’t come with any of the ancillary parts to properly seal it. From the condition of the top and the amount of dust/dirt and sun fading of the cargo area trim I’m certain the previous own left the top off all the time, and so the door surrounds, tail gate bar, and C-pillar mucket seals were all missing. Some of the first parts I bought off eBay were a set of OEM door surrounds from a 2017 and a tail gate bar in great condition. I got these for a great price too, only $260 for both, and the cheapest aftermarket set was close to $400-$500.

It was only after the door surrounds and the tailgate bar arrived that I realized I was missing the mucket seals and had to source those. Well after 2 1/2 weeks the last mucket finally arrived today! I did a quick interiors clean since we had a few bad dust storms roll in the last few days. I cleaned and lubricated the rear window zipper with Bestop cleaner/lubricant and then went about installing the mucket seals and door surrounds. (The tailgate bar was delivered last Friday and I installed it the same day)

I love having the soft top sealed now, much more comfortable in the AZ desert, don’t have to keep the A/C on max all the time. Thankfully the AZ Monsoon was in a bit of a lull, but it looks to be picking up again and now I don’t have to worry about the rain and dust.

When I bought my jeep it came with the oem premium soft fop, but it didn’t come with any of the ancillary parts to properly seal it. From the condition of the top and the amount of dust/dirt and sun fading of the cargo area trim I’m certain the previous own left the top off all the time, and so the door surrounds, tail gate bar, and C-pillar mucket seals were all missing. Some of the first parts I bought off eBay were a set of OEM door surrounds from a 2017 and a tail gate bar in great condition. I got these for a great price too, only $260 for both, and the cheapest aftermarket set was close to $400-$500.

It was only after the door surrounds and the tailgate bar arrived that I realized I was missing the mucket seals and had to source those. Well after 2 1/2 weeks the last mucket finally arrived today! I did a quick interiors clean since we had a few bad dust storms roll in the last few days. I cleaned and lubricated the rear window zipper with Bestop cleaner/lubricant and then went about installing the mucket seals and door surrounds. (The tailgate bar was delivered last Friday and I installed it the same day)

I love having the soft top sealed now, much more comfortable in the AZ desert, don’t have to keep the A/C on max all the time. Thankfully the AZ Monsoon was in a bit of a lull, but it looks to be picking up again and now I don’t have to worry about the rain and dust.

When I bought my jeep it came with the oem premium soft fop, but it didn’t come with any of the ancillary parts to properly seal it. From the condition of the top and the amount of dust/dirt and sun fading of the cargo area trim I’m certain the previous own left the top off all the time, and so the door surrounds, tail gate bar, and C-pillar mucket seals were all missing. Some of the first parts I bought off eBay were a set of OEM door surrounds from a 2017 and a tail gate bar in great condition. I got these for a great price too, only $260 for both, and the cheapest aftermarket set was close to $400-$500.

It was only after the door surrounds and the tailgate bar arrived that I realized I was missing the mucket seals and had to source those. Well after 2 1/2 weeks the last mucket finally arrived today! I did a quick interiors clean since we had a few bad dust storms roll in the last few days. I cleaned and lubricated the rear window zipper with Bestop cleaner/lubricant and then went about installing the mucket seals and door surrounds. (The tailgate bar was delivered last Friday and I installed it the same day)

I love having the soft top sealed now, much more comfortable in the AZ desert, don’t have to keep the A/C on max all the time. Thankfully the AZ Monsoon was in a bit of a lull, but it looks to be picking up again and now I don’t have to worry about the rain and dust.

I installed my Teraflex Sport LCAs for 2.5” to 3” lifts today. The process was fairly painless. Online guides suggested replacing them while the Jeep is on the ground, which is what I did, but they also suggested to use a ratchet strap to help move the axle forward to line up the bolts, which I did not do. I used a bottle jack under the LCA and a small pry bar to massage everything into place. The ratchet strap would have been easier for sure

I took it on a few short test drives and I feel that made a difference. I’ll start by saying that 90% of the time the steering and front end felt solid and good traction, but under certain situations it could feel flighty or slightly reduced traction. This was usually under hard acceleration, hitting dips in the road, or over train tracks. This wasn’t death wobble, just a moment of where the front end didn’t feel connected to the road, then a moment later it’s back to feeling solid. Well after installing these LCAs that’s all gone. I test drove on a few roads to induce these situations and was glad to see they were gone.

I have a Falcon Nexus EF 2.2 steering stabilizer that I’m going to install, but I’ll save that for next weekend. I’ll drive the jeep this week to see the improvements just the LCAs made so I can compare that to what the steering stabilizer does.

I removed the farm jack and mount from the front bumper that was on the jeep when I bought it. I knew I was going to take it off when I first saw/bought it cause I wasn’t a fan of the look, but I can’t believe how much better it looked. I would look at the front and something hmm just seemed off, now it looks so much better.

I removed the farm jack and mount from the front bumper that was on the jeep when I bought it. I knew I was going to take it off when I first saw/bought it cause I wasn’t a fan of the look, but I can’t believe how much better it looked. I would look at the front and something hmm just seemed off, now it looks so much better.

I removed the farm jack and mount from the front bumper that was on the jeep when I bought it. I knew I was going to take it off when I first saw/bought it cause I wasn’t a fan of the look, but I can’t believe how much better it looked. I would look at the front and something hmm just seemed off, now it looks so much better.

More parts are trickling in. The soft top door surrounds were delivered lat last week, and when I was getting ready to install them I realized I was also missing the c-pillar lower mucket seals, so I had to order those. Passenger side came in and is installed, drivers is supposed to be here on Monday. UPS delivered the Falcon 2.2 EF Steering Stabilizer today, I’m really excited about this upgrade.

More parts are trickling in. The soft top door surrounds were delivered lat last week, and when I was getting ready to install them I realized I was also missing the c-pillar lower mucket seals, so I had to order those. Passenger side came in and is installed, drivers is supposed to be here on Monday. UPS delivered the Falcon 2.2 EF Steering Stabilizer today, I’m really excited about this upgrade.

More parts are trickling in. The soft top door surrounds were delivered lat last week, and when I was getting ready to install them I realized I was also missing the c-pillar lower mucket seals, so I had to order those. Passenger side came in and is installed, drivers is supposed to be here on Monday. UPS delivered the Falcon 2.2 EF Steering Stabilizer today, I’m really excited about this upgrade.

My new to me 2015 Rubicon Hard Rock was missing some critical pieces to seal the soft top(door surrounds, tailgate bar, c-pillar mucket seals) the soft top parts have all been ordered and have started to arrive, but so have other goodies. I added these paracord hand grabs today, and tomorrow I’ll add matching door limiter straps to replace the broken ones.

I signed the contract for this 2015 JK Rubicon Hard Rock in Sunset Orange Pearlcoat with 111k miles. It is amazing! And I think I got a pretty sweet deal on it. $18,995 out the door with GAP, 3 year/38,000 mile power train plus warranty, price before the extras and Tax/title/license was $14,995. I live in AZ and Jeeps and Rubicons are always in demand and go for a premium. It also came with a new set of 35” Falken Wild Peak RT, has Bilstein 5100 shocks, and while I’m not certain on the size I’m fairly certain it has 2.5 to 3” lift based on the wheel gap between the fender flares. It’s not perfect, the hood has a quarter size dent/chip and there is a dent in the cowl above the hood, the drivers seat has a tear along one of the seams on the seat cushion, and the biggest one is that it’s missing the soft top door surrounds/tailgate bar so the soft top doesn’t seal properly. But I love it! 4 lo and the lockers/swaybar disconnects all function. Sadly I was not able to take it home today as during the test drive the seat belt light would not go off on the dash and was chiming, turns out the pressure sensor in the passenger seat is bad(connecting the seat belt with an empty seat turns the light out) and they are replacing the sensor before I take it home. Got to highway speeds and even hit some speed humps at about 35 and no signs of death wobble, steering was solid, at least for a JK lol.

I’ve wanted a wrangler since I was a kid in the 90’s but the timing and needs of the family never worked out, not with the kids a little older I excited to get my holy grail vehicle. When I began the shopping process I had ruled out a Rubicon as even the JK based ones go for mid $20k here, so happy I found my Unicorn!

I wanted to showcase that the modular tiles are indeed large enough for 1/10 crawlers

I wanted to showcase that the modular tiles are indeed large enough for 1/10 crawlers

After my last obstacle build, I was determined to come up with a crawler course that I could use within in my Apt for all the scale crawlers I have (1/10, 1/18, 1/24). I wanted something that could be modular/re-arranged if I don’t like the lines or get board with them. This is what I ended up with. The base is 23.75”x 48” mdf/laminate self. I needed up panting this with some Rustoleum paint a satin beige color covered with a Rustoleum textured top coat to give it a rough texture. The modular obstacle “tiles” are 10” x 10” and attached with heavy duty Velcro. They are wide enough for all scales to crawl over in a single file line, but with the tiles side by side the obstacles make a 20” x 40” crawling foot print. It’s not the biggest for 1/10th but I think there will be enough variety and with the smaller scales there will be plenty. I have the other 4 tiles carved and glued, now I’m going through the process of covering them, which is time consuming.