Granite Rubicon Build

[Havoc40]

As I was cleaning up the photo folder for my Jeep, I decided it's time to start a build thread. Like many on here, this will be updated slowly :sigh:. I don't have a name for my Jeep yet, maybe y'all can help me with that as the build progresses!


Pulling out of the dealership, day 1



After a few trips, I decided I needed something better than the stock headlights for night wheeling. So, my 1st mod was Rigid windshield lights




Next on the chopping block was the stock front and rear bumpers. I went with a PSC Brawler Lite front, and LoD Gen4 Shorty rear





Now my license plate was being blocked by the swing gate...so I had to relocate it



After a few days staring at the factory fenders with shorty bumpers, I made the decision to chop them. Went with the "Cali Cut"






With the new lighting, I had to make a decision on how/where to install all the switches and wiring. Once I read the great DIY sPod thread, I went that route.






Sticker time!!!

 

[Havoc40]

A few weeks went by with a non-functioning rock light switch that just HAD to become functional!






That pretty much brings this up to date. I'm in the process of moving the shop, so the next phase of things has to be pushed back. Because of our wonderful winters and dealing with salt, I'm still undecided on going with either EVO coil overs or Double D long arm with King 2.5's. From what I've seen, the coilovers just don't stand up to the weather that well.

I have front and rear JE Reel 1350 drive shafts, front and rear Ten Factory axle shafts, EVO C-Gussets, Pro Steer ball joints, and a stack of 37" Nitto's sitting in the garage waiting

 

[USMC Wrangler]

Lookin' good! I like your DIY spod/switch setup. :yup: The fender chop looks so much better with the factory wheel/tire combo and stubby bumpers. :thumb: Subscribed because I am formally addicted to build threads! :blush:

 

[wayoflife]

You're build is looking real good! Nice work :thumb:

 

[Havoc40]

Lookin' good! I like your DIY spod/switch setup. :yup: The fender chop looks so much better with the factory wheel/tire combo and stubby bumpers. :thumb: Subscribed because I am formally addicted to build threads! :blush:

Thank you sir :thumb:. The fender chop really changed things up.

I just can't wait to install the next round of parts! Walking past those 37's everyday is pure torture.

 

[MR.Ty]

Wooohooo! Another Granite. :thumbup:
Great color and a great build so far. :yup:

 

[Havoc40]

You're build is looking real good! Nice work :thumb:

Thank you! I've been saving for this thing since '07, after watching some of your 1st vids.

Wooohooo! Another Granite. :thumbup:
Great color and a great build so far. :yup:

Thanks! How I ended up with this color is kind of funny. My plan was to go into the dealership and order a Copperhead Pearl JKUR. I talked my Mom into tagging along, as she desperately needed to get a new vehicle (thinking she'd want a Grand Cherokee or something). Sure enough, she wants to test drive a Copperhead Sahara...which she ended up taking home that night!!! It was a tough decision between the Copperhead and Granite anyway, so it wasn't a big deal getting the Granite.

Now she's getting jealous watching mine slowly grow up...wants me to chop her fenders and pick her out some bumpers LOL!

 

[thardy]

Great looking rig man! Every time I see a Granite I miss mine a little bit more.

 

[wayoflife]

Thank you! I've been saving for this thing since '07, after watching some of your 1st vids.

LOL!! Really?? Well, we're gonna have to get you out on a run with us so that we can get you in one of our videos :yup:

 

[Havoc40]

LOL!! Really?? Well, we're gonna have to get you out on a run with us so that we can get you in one of our videos :yup:

Yup, it's been a long time coming!! Between the Jeep, my Vette, and the house...I'm one broke bastard. Everything is paid for in full, so that helps.

Getting out on a run with you guys is definitely the game plan! I'm hoping to get out to Rausch Creek with the East Coast guys in October. That time of the year is insane for me, as our company prepares for SEMA and PRI. So I don't know if I can make that quite yet.

I'm definitely making it out West for one of the big WAL runs. It's been on the bucket list forever! 2016 is booking up FAST. I'll probably have to stick to some local events next year. As of right now the 1st available long vacation slots for me is going to be Moab EJS in 2017 (already put in for it LOL!). Maybe try to get on the Rubicon run that year as well.

 

[Sessoms14X]

Love the color :thumbup: jeeps looking great too!

 

[Havoc40]

While I'm slamming out projects trying to clear the hoist for my build...I decided to upgrade a few small things. The interior lighting was aggrivating the hell out of me. I ordered the Putco LED dome lights and a Rigid LED for the cargo area. Still waiting on the plasmaglow switch for the Rigid. I'm going to tap into the rear 12v plug and mount the switch on top of the sub enclosure. Can't believe Jeep didn't put something back there :thinking:

I'm really impressed with the Putco upgrade!!

 

[ITLL GO]

While I'm slamming out projects trying to clear the hoist for my build...I decided to upgrade a few small things. The interior lighting was aggrivating the hell out of me. I ordered the Putco LED dome lights and a Rigid LED for the cargo area. Still waiting on the plasmaglow switch for the Rigid. I'm going to tap into the rear 12v plug and mount the switch on top of the sub enclosure. Can't believe Jeep didn't put something back there :thinking:

I'm really impressed with the Putco upgrade!!
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What an upgrade! I love light inside. I will have to look Into this.

 

[Havoc40]

What an upgrade! I love light inside. I will have to look Into this.

The pics don't do the light output justice. Wouldn't want anything brighter either. For about $50 the Putco's were well worth it IMO.

I'm more excited for the other light. Being that I'm always in the cargo area, I can't believe they don't have any light back there. To make things worse you can't click on the back seat dome light without the ignition being on. Pumped to be fixing that!! Ordered both of these from Northridge.

Funny how the cheapest and quickest mods make such a big difference

 

[Havoc40]

Finally had a chance to install the rear cargo light. Turned out great! Went out fishing after the install and it was super useful. Also picked up a brand new 6 person tent for $50





Can't get this pic to rotate correctly on my phone

 

[JeepJeep75]

That looks nice. I like this idea.

 

[Trail JK]

Looks great! Love the color.

 

[lmaya]

Finally had a chance to install the rear cargo light. Turned out great! Went out fishing after the install and it was super useful. Also picked up a brand new 6 person tent for $50

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Can't get this pic to rotate correctly on my phone
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Awesome idea!! Can you detail how you did the install of the interior lights? This is genius!!!!

 

[Havoc40]

That looks nice. I like this idea.

Thanks! It's a great feature to have if you spend any amount of time in the rear of the Jeep. I fish and camp frequently, so lighting is a must.

Looks great! Love the color. 

Thank you! It's coming along...just slower than I want it to.

 

[Havoc40]

Awesome idea!! Can you detail how you did the install of the interior lights? This is genius!!!!

Lol I don't know about genius...but I like how it turned out. Install was pretty straight forward. I just tapped into the positive and negative wire coming from the 12v outlet. You could use scotchlock connectors for this, but I soldered the connection. The plasmaglow switch I used has 3 wires. A positive, a ground, and the switched positive going to the LED. Connect the positive to the positive wire from the 12v outlet. Next, make a 6" ground lead for the LED and connect that along with the ground from the switch to the ground on the 12v socket. Last is the switched positive that you'll connect to the positive wire from the LED.

I had a red and black wire harness I made up from my rear bumper light install, so I used that for the leads to the switch. Just soldered them to the Rigid leads and zip tied it to the factory dome light wiring running down the roll bar. Routed the wire to the 2 switch leads and used quick disconnects for the remaining connection. I used disconnects so I could remove the sub enclosure in the future if needed.

The tricky part was removing 2 ribs on the plastic structural piece the factory dome light mounts to. The bolt spacing on the Rigid light was perfectly blocked by the ribs. Had to break out the Dremel.

That was a crude explanation. If you decide to do this and need help, just PM me.