Lucy - 2011 JK

[Fatboris]

So I've been procrastinating something fierce because I actually was more wrapped up in getting this done than taking pics while working on it. Short on time so Ill start with the finished product and work backwards. Pardon the Jeepforum decal, fixin' to get a FR4x4 to replace it.

[Jim]

Looks nice!

Interesting antenna mount location - mid body, aft door

[Fatboris]

Yeah, I was at a CB shop in Albuquerque with a crusty fella behind the counter. We got to talking about what I was putting the CB in, etc... He upsold me on the CB but I've been very happy with it. Anyway, he had a JK and that was the mount he had, that was the point he mounted it and before you know it I walked out with his setup. The positive is I needed almost no coax to get 'er done so she tuned up really easy and she is really clear. The bad news is the antennae loosens up in that mount after a few hours of banging around. I also have nightmares about having the top off, the antennae hits a tree, whips forward and then back, taking out the eye of the rear driver's side passenger. That passenger is usually my son. As a workaround for the time being I have a velcro strap to secure it on the roll bar if I have someone behind me.

Verdict: Not a fan, the only thing that's prevented me from moving it so far is the gaping hole in the side of my Jeep but it's another project on the long list.

Rest of the pics and writeup should happen in the next couple of days.

[Shadowmaker]

Looks great!!

Hang the rear tire on the stock hardware?

[Jim]

Eh, just leave the CB mount on the body (no hole) and move the antenna to the rear-centered for an area least likely to be whacked by branches.

[The StRanger]

Nice start !!

[Fatboris]

OK, so prior to this vehicle it was TJ, TJ, Discovery, TJ, and Cherokee. I always lacked to luxuries, money and not needing a daily driver, which prevented me from ever building the rig really wanted. Mama gave the green light to get to work on this and do it right. The original plan was a cheap budget boost, shock extensions, and 4 VERY inexpensive tires. It morphed from there over a period of 4 weeks planning and ordering parts. It got even more out of control when I found out 15,000 United miles = $100 Amazon card. Years of international travel miles quickly went down the drain.

I wanted to do it right so I started looking for armor. I got off an airplane, ate lunch, and headed to my garage. Then the build began.

I'd say I was a hair too ambitious scheduling wheels and tire install for 8:00 AM on the first day off I'd had in 25 days but I have a long history of bad decisions, what's one more. I decided I was going to shave weight where possible and would not want a big rear bumper with a swing out. I opted for the Teraflex HD hinge and tire carrier.

Hinge installed SUPER EASY if you watch the video...the tire carrier is another story.

[Fatboris]

Next up...Tire Carrier. The spacers don't look like it matters which way they go, but it does. With a 50/50 chance I made another bad decision. Took it off, flipped it, and she was a go. Here's the fun part, I didn't know I needed a press to put the bolts in aaannnnnddddd...I don't have one. You'll see the progression below.
Step 1: Mount tire carrier, pretty easy once you get the spacers in the right direction
Step 2: Rig up a way to muscle it on. In this order place bolt, plate, crescent wrench, lug nut, tire iron. Proceed to crank on it until your arm is ready to fall off and you've lost 17 pounds of sweat
Step 3: Survey your progress
Step 4: Give up and let the Les Schwab deal with it tomorrow

Bottom line if you have access to a press this is an easy install, shouldn't take an hour.

[Rick]

I like step 4 in the picture....much easier.lol

[Shane]

much easier.lol
X2

[Shadowmaker]

I see the problem here....

Apparently you should have started with Pic #4, then included one at each step.... Something would have fell into place.

[glacierpaul]

Aaaarghh! :) You could Install A OBA air Outlet Where That Cb Mount Is.

[Fatboris]

Aaaarghh! :) You could Install A OBA air Outlet Where That Cb Mount Is.

Certainly something worth exploring...or a beer tapper.