- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
I should have done a better job explaining the 'why' behind some of this mods, if you're not a Jeep/JK guy you probably wouldn't be aware of the logic of that mod.
Jeep My Overland Project, the RME JKU
- Thread starter Greg
- Start date
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Last weekend I took the JKU to Moab for some fun trails and had some carnage... http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?109369-Moab-with-a-Hickey
The track bar mount on the axle end tore off, which is a common weakness. Matter of fact, the whole front axle is a common factory weak point on the JK. The axle tubes are small and thin, the knuckles have been known to bend, control arm mounts tear off and even the center section will allow the entire axle to bend if pushed too hard. I was looking at a new aftermarket track bar mount and was thinking I'd sleeve the axle, gusset the knuckle and beef up the control arm mounts, but this was all happening sooner than planned. We have a upcoming Baja trip in November and the last thing I wanted was a serious front axle failure while in the middle of the Baja Mexico desert. A decision was made that would simplify the potential troubles and add some serious beef to the front end.
After a short call to the helpful guys at TeraFlex in West Jordan on Monday a Tera 44 HD was on the way, with a set of TeraFlex HD Ballljoints! 2 days later I had one sexy axle in hand! This axle is a thing of beauty, the welds are amazing, the power coat finish looks show-quality and the beefy diff cover all make for an axle that I don't want to get dirty! The Tera44 is a direct bolt in for the JKU Rubicon, making the use of the factory locker. It features massive 3.25" axle tubes, compared to the factory 2.5" tubes. The axle brackets are all 1/4" thick, which is way thicker than the wimpy stock parts... and of course the knuckles on the Tera44 are massive! There are a lot of other improvements with the Tera44 and it will add a lot of value and peace of mind to the JKU when its being pushed thru the whoops in Baja! :greg:
We're headed out of town in 2 days, otherwise I'd be tearing the stock front axle out of the Jeep right now!
The track bar mount on the axle end tore off, which is a common weakness. Matter of fact, the whole front axle is a common factory weak point on the JK. The axle tubes are small and thin, the knuckles have been known to bend, control arm mounts tear off and even the center section will allow the entire axle to bend if pushed too hard. I was looking at a new aftermarket track bar mount and was thinking I'd sleeve the axle, gusset the knuckle and beef up the control arm mounts, but this was all happening sooner than planned. We have a upcoming Baja trip in November and the last thing I wanted was a serious front axle failure while in the middle of the Baja Mexico desert. A decision was made that would simplify the potential troubles and add some serious beef to the front end.
After a short call to the helpful guys at TeraFlex in West Jordan on Monday a Tera 44 HD was on the way, with a set of TeraFlex HD Ballljoints! 2 days later I had one sexy axle in hand! This axle is a thing of beauty, the welds are amazing, the power coat finish looks show-quality and the beefy diff cover all make for an axle that I don't want to get dirty! The Tera44 is a direct bolt in for the JKU Rubicon, making the use of the factory locker. It features massive 3.25" axle tubes, compared to the factory 2.5" tubes. The axle brackets are all 1/4" thick, which is way thicker than the wimpy stock parts... and of course the knuckles on the Tera44 are massive! There are a lot of other improvements with the Tera44 and it will add a lot of value and peace of mind to the JKU when its being pushed thru the whoops in Baja! :greg:
We're headed out of town in 2 days, otherwise I'd be tearing the stock front axle out of the Jeep right now!
TJDukit
I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S.
- Location
- Clearfield
Nice. A much needed upgrade.
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
Sexy parts!
Tonkaman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- West Jordan
That's sweet!
Chicken Corners
Active Member
- Location
- Shakedown St. NV./ Saratoga Springs
Nice!!!
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
It's taken me awhile to get around to the Tera 44 install, we went on vacation and I've spend some time out of town for work. I also had some parts supply issues, apparently nobody in Grand Junction stocks front u-joints for a Rubicon 44! I ordered a pair of Alloy USA joints, after finding that one of my factory joints was loose. Next up was pressing in the TeraFlex HD ball joints.... that was a fun! I set them in the freezer for a couple days before the install and they went in a little easier.
I started by removing the stock front axle and disassembling it, then hauling the Tera 44 housing, the stock carrier & gears down to Barney Brothers 4x4 shop here in Grand Junction for the gear install. I was really thinking about doing the gears myself, but with an upcoming Baja trip I wanted it done right without question, by professionals.
I took the grinder and wire wheel to the stock knuckles, to remove dirt and rust and prep for some paint, then started moving forward with the install. There was a lot to it, but I took my time and checked off the assembly as it progressed.
And then it was time for a test!
Driving it with the new axle is night & day, the front-end just feels... 'tight'! I'm sure the stock ball joints had seen better days and the track bar hole on the axle was pretty wallowed out. With the thicker axle brackets and the HD ball joints, the front end makes it feel like a new/different vehicle!
I started by removing the stock front axle and disassembling it, then hauling the Tera 44 housing, the stock carrier & gears down to Barney Brothers 4x4 shop here in Grand Junction for the gear install. I was really thinking about doing the gears myself, but with an upcoming Baja trip I wanted it done right without question, by professionals.
I took the grinder and wire wheel to the stock knuckles, to remove dirt and rust and prep for some paint, then started moving forward with the install. There was a lot to it, but I took my time and checked off the assembly as it progressed.
And then it was time for a test!
Driving it with the new axle is night & day, the front-end just feels... 'tight'! I'm sure the stock ball joints had seen better days and the track bar hole on the axle was pretty wallowed out. With the thicker axle brackets and the HD ball joints, the front end makes it feel like a new/different vehicle!
Jesser04
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville Utah
This is turning into one awesome jeep!
Troop92
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Layton, UT
Drool. Awesome, man. Love the build.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Appreciate it guys!
I think/hope I'm done with any big mods, there may be some refinements from here on out and not much else hopefully. I'm very happy with the JKU at this point, it's about perfect! From here on out it'll just be planning fun trips with it!
sawtooth4x4
Totally Awesome
- Location
- Land of East Laytonshire
Hemi V8 or a diesel?
- Location
- Draper, UT
I vote ecoboost powerplant!!! Give me that low end torque baby.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
No engine swap plans, factory drivetrain = reliable.
The Pentastar 3.6 is actually quite peppy and returns pretty good mileage with 35's... I'm happy with it. There's a chance I may add aftermarket exhaust and an engine tuner for a little more power, but that's it.
- Location
- Draper, UT
Sweet build Greg, the Pentastar is a good powerplant. Had that in the '12 Rubi I had.
Just let me know when you want to sell for far less than you have invested
Personally, just me, no one else...
Just let me know when you want to sell for far less than you have invested
Personally, just me, no one else...
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
Do you have a way to disable the tire pressure sensors?
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
I use the AEV programmer. It's needed if you're running non-stock gears and the bonus is it can turn off one of the stupid nanny state items in a JK
johngottfredson
Threat Level Midnight
- Location
- Alpine
Great build, Greg. Way to represent RME around the interwebs with this thing.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Sweet build Greg, the Pentastar is a good powerplant. Had that in the '12 Rubi I had.
I
Just let me know when you want to sell for far less than you have invested
Personally, just me, no one else...
I have no plans to sell this one anytime soon... perhaps after the diesel JKU comes out, but we'd have to talk about the pricing.
Yeah, I have a SuperChips FlashCal and have made several changes. I set my TPMS sensors to come on at less than 25 psi, before I think it was something like under 38 psi...?
Thanks John! Some kind of a wrap would be neat to promote the site better, but I like it low key.