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Storm Cloud - 2023 4xe Rubicon Build

9198 Views 98 Replies 19 Participants Last post by StormCloud, 6 d ago

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · 8 mo ago

3

It’s been a long journey, not quite as long as many of you, but it felt long to me. I ordered my Jeep on February 24 and it sat in D status until June 14. I honestly didn’t think I was ever going to get it. It was hard waiting in a lot of ways. I had sold my car for a nice profit, but my wife and I had to share a car for a while. Eventually she got tired of that and I had to borrow my moms mini-van for a few months while I waited. It was nice, though, because without a car payment, I had a lot of time and extra money on my hands to get some mods ready. I had tires, rims, step sliders, various nick knacks and some skids ready to get slapped on. My weekends were pretty booked up for the rest of the year.

When I heard that the 2023 orders were opening up in June, I made the decision to cancel my 2022 and put in a new order. It just wasn’t going to sit right with me to drive off the lot with a 2022 when the 2023’s were on the next truck. I put in my order on June 14 and that same day was when my 2022 went into D1. I tracked them both for a long time. My 2022 was built and delivered on August 30 but my 2023 was moving much more quickly. It went into production August 26 and was shipped on September 4. I finally picked her up and my voyage down the rabbit hole has officially begun.

Here is my new baby Storm Cloud! I named her after my wife, Stormy. I figured if she had a vested interest in her, she may not complain too much when I spent money on mods. That hasn’t really gone over as planned. I’ve never had a Jeep before, but it’s been my dream car since I was a teenager, riding around in my friends CJ7 without the doors. I was always a luxury car driver, because that’s what I thought I was expected to drive, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also realized that I don’t care. I don’t need to be who I’m “supposed” to be, I just need to be who I am. I love my Jeep!

I have a garage full of boxes and even if it’s only for my own benefit, I’ll be updating this post with all the things I have planned, as I get them done. I’m looking forward to taking her off-road and finally enjoying my dream car.

I have a ton of things to work on, so I’ll be posting as I get further along. I am super happy and am so thankful for the forum members I’ve interacted with here. Especially @kah.mun.rah and @hybrid_eg, who have been a great help and a sounding board for all my crazy rants. There have been many, many more who didn’t know how much their posts contributed to what I’ve chosen to do but they have been so helpful and have taught me so much. The Jeep family is really a great group of people!

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61 - 80 of 99 Posts

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #61 · 4 mo ago

6

Eastlos82 said:
What did you use to paint the fuel logo?

This is how I started out

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Hood Hubcap

I removed the center caps

Automotive tire Rim Bicycle part Auto part Automotive wheel system

Took them apart with a T15

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Alloy wheel

4 coats of paint and clear coat later....

Wheel Automotive tire Bicycle part Rim Circle

reassembled

Wheel Tire Automotive tire Light Bicycle part

and here we are!!

Tire Wheel Land vehicle Vehicle Automotive tire

For the paint, you can use one of two things that I found. You can order Mopar paint in Surf Blue, which is the exact paint color that Jeep uses for the 4xe (not the tow hooks, that's Chief Blue). However, the cans are really expensive for the size they give you and you'll go through it really quickly. Or you can go to your local autozone and if it's in stock, you can get DupliColor Bahama blue paint. It's an exact match to the Surf Blue and a much better size can for the money. The clear coat you can use any automotive clear coat. I didn't use any primer; I just used a 220-grit sandpaper to rough up the fuel logo and went to town with the paint. I was really surprised how well it turned out. Here I am several months later, and they still look pristine.

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Eastlos82

· #62 · 4 mo ago

StormCloud said:
This is how I started out

View attachment 8982

I removed the center caps

View attachment 8983

Took them apart with a T15

View attachment 8984

4 coats of paint and clear coat later....

View attachment 8985

reassembled

View attachment 8986

and here we are!!

View attachment 8987

For the paint, you can use one of two things that I found. You can order Mopar paint in Surf Blue, which is the exact paint color that Jeep uses for the 4xe (not the tow hooks, that's Chief Blue). However, the cans are really expensive for the size they give you and you'll go through it really quickly. Or you can go to your local autozone and if it's in stock, you can get DupliColor Bahama blue paint. It's an exact match to the Surf Blue and a much better size can for the money. The clear coat you can use any automotive clear coat. I didn't use any primer; I just used a 220-grit sandpaper to rough up the fuel logo and went to town with the paint. I was really surprised how well it turned out. Here I am several months later, and they still look pristine.

Thanks for the advice, I was actually thinking of painting the bead lock rings but I like this a lot more. Gives it that subtle touch.

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #63 · 4 mo ago

Eastlos82 said:
Thanks for the advice, I was actually thinking of painting the bead lock rings but I like this a lot more. Gives it that subtle touch.

I had the same thought initially, but I decided that the subtle splash of color was more what I was looking for, rather than having be it in your face. Both look good, but that was more my style. Good luck!

Eastlos82

· #64 · 4 mo ago

StormCloud said:
I had the same thought initially, but I decided that the subtle splash of color was more what I was looking for, rather than having be it in your face. Both look good, but that was more my style. Good luck!

Thanks, I think I might have to take your idea of just painting the fuel logo instead of the beadlock rings. There are other parts of the Jeep that I would like to add the blue accent colors like possible the control arms, some of the skid plates. Better to have suble touches of the accent colors rather than it being all over the place.

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #65 · 4 mo ago

Eastlos82 said:
Thanks, I think I might have to take your idea of just painting the fuel logo instead of the beadlock rings. There are other parts of the Jeep that I would like to add the blue accent colors like possible the control arms, some of the skid plates. Better to have suble touches of the accent colors rather than it being all over the place.

They both look good. I've seen examples online of people that have done it and, initially, I was going to go that route and have it powder coated. Unfortunately, my wheels are one piece, with a fake beadlock and the powder coater said it wouldn't work to powder coat only one area. Painting the logos was my consolation prize, but in retrospect, I'm extremely happy that it went down that way and I like it more than I would have liked the beadlock painted.

Reactions: 1

HungryHound

· #66 · 3 mo ago

StormCloud said:
Not much bigger. The KO2’s run small. So even though they are 37” tires, they measure 35 1/4” mounted. I might go 38” in a Mickey Thompson or Falken, or 39” KO2 to get it more in the range I’d like.
Also, the one drawback, if you can call it that, with Clayton is the lift height net results. They are true to advertised height on the 4xe. If you get a 1.5” lift, you’re going to gain 1.5”; 2.5 gets you 2.5 and so on. On other lifts like Metal Cloak or Rock Krawler, 2.5 will usually net you 3-3.5”. Now I knew that going in, and I didn’t want a really big lift, so it was a no brained for me. Plus the quality is incredible. But I definitely want a little more lift when I get into the next phase of mods. But that’s a while ahead.

Got those 39" KO2s yet? Thinking the same upgrade when my warranty and 33s wear out. Just curious how the torque feel changes with that size tire. I'm guessing I'd want to keep it in 4-hi-auto with the 4.10 ratio.

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #67 · 3 mo ago

HungryHound said:
Got those 39" KO2s yet? Thinking the same upgrade when my warranty and 33s wear out. Just curious how the torque feel changes with that size tire. I'm guessing I'd want to keep it in 4-hi-auto with the 4.10 ratio.

Not yet! I'm not going to upgrade until my 37's wear out. Then I'll either go with the Mickey's or KO2's. I need to ~~hide~~ save some money so I can go to 3.5" springs, which means I'll need new shocks and I'll likely go with Falcon 3.5's, then I'll have to get new fender liners and a chop kit. It's just more and more money!!

At 37" tires, I haven't noticed any lack in performance with the Jeep. The torque is crazy good, and I wouldn't have thought so before I actually experienced it. I'm always in 4hi-auto anyway so it's all good.

Reactions: 1

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #68 · 29 d ago

5

I was washing the Jeep this weekend and tried out a new product. Cerakote is a trim protector that’s supposed to keep the black plastic nice and shiny. BEWARE! I followed the instructions that say to wash the plastic and dry it well before applying, but something I didn’t realize was how well it has to be washed. You have to ensure that any and all chemicals are removed from the trim or else you risk a chemical reaction that will essentially burn the plastic and leave a white haze on it that can’t be removed.

i messed up the hood vent scoops the worst, but ended up replacing them with new ones while I was at the dealer getting a software update. These are the only pictures I found. You can see a white haze around the edges. That’s not the light playing with the shine.

On the side view mirrors it left white streaks that I’ll probably live with for now, since the pinstripes I get off-road will do more damage in time anyway

And on the tail lights, you can see white splotches. I’m going to just buy covers and if I like them, I’ll be fine, otherwise I may go flush mount tail lights in the future.

While I’m on the topic of washing the Jeep, let’s talk about inner fender liners. Damn they get dirty, and no matter how much soap and water I used, I couldn’t get them clean.

But I remembered a post I saw on the JLwranglerforums forums, and I wish I could give credit to whomever it was that posted it, but olive oil is magic! I wiped the liners with a paper towel and some olive oil and they magically were as good as new!

it’s been a week almost and they still look shiny. This picture doesn’t do it justice. I was afraid the oil would create a sticky film and it would get dirtier over time, but itactually created a protective barrier and nothing is sticking. I’ll keep doing this until I upgrade the liners.

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Rocksmith

· #69 · 28 d ago

REF4xe said:
Hey, looking great. If you’re considering other shocks, check out Accutune, I’ve heard good things. As said, I’m looking at the Clayton 1.5” kit and probably going with Accutune Fox 2.0, but look at the King’s, would match the blue nicely!

Jeep JL Shock Packages - AccuTune Off-Road

Fox 2.0 Performance series shocks are a great entry level complement to any suspension from stock to long arm. King 2.5 Shocks are an awesome step up from the 2.0’s and can still be tuned to deliver the best ride possible. Fox 2.5 Factory series shocks are the some of the best shocks available...

accutuneoffroad.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sure does!

Tire Wheel Sky Car Vehicle

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C.sco

· #70 · 28 d ago

I'm used to Cerakote being a baked on ceramic paint mostly used for gun parts, not being used as a plastic trim protectant. Is it the same Cerakote?

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #71 · 27 d ago

C.sco said:
I'm used to Cerakote being a baked on ceramic paint mostly used for gun parts, not being used as a plastic trim protectant. Is it the same Cerakote?

I’m not sure if it’s the same company. I put the link to Amazon product there but all I know I’m sticking with back to black from now on.

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #72 · 27 d ago

3

For Christmas, I got the XG Cargo Gamma bags for extra storage in the back and I have to say I love them. The standard bags that I have come with orange stitching and that was something that always bugged my OCD. I like things to have continuity with the grey and blue on the Jeep. I could have bought the stealth gamma bags, which are basically the same, but with black stitching and a couple of accessories that I find unnecessary, but for $100 more, that didn’t seem worth it.

The solution:

I bought fabric paint pens to dye the thread and get it to match!

I think the results turned out pretty good. It’s not a perfect match, but pretty close

Before:

After:

Hood Motor vehicle Automotive tire Automotive design Automotive lighting

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PatriotX

· #73 · 27 d ago

Looks great !

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #74 · 27 d ago

PatriotX said:
Looks great !

Thanks!

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #75 · 23 d ago

3

So after the fiasco with the Cerakote trim coating I mentioned a couple of posts back, I finally had enough of the tail lights with white marks all over them and decided to get the Rugged Ridge Elite Tail Light Guards. Super easy install and they actually look pretty good, in my opinion. I never considered them before but I’m glad I added them on.

They covered up all the splotchy areas and it looks good as new!

Automotive parking light Automotive tail & brake light Automotive side marker light Tire Grille

Automotive parking light Car Vehicle Grille Truck

Wheel Tire Automotive parking light Vehicle Car

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BriNYC4xeRubi

· #76 · 22 d ago

love the look and like you said, they cover up the white 'marks' on the plastic

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #77 · 22 d ago

BriNYC4xeRubi said:
love the look and like you said, they cover up the white 'marks' on the plastic

Thanks! These Jeeps are really an addiction…

PatriotX

· #78 · 22 d ago

The shape matches the wheel nicely.

Reactions: 1

StormCloud

Discussion Starter · #79 · 22 d ago

PatriotX said:
The shape matches the wheel nicely.

Yeah, a friend pointed that out to me the other day and I hadn’t really thought about it. Kinda makes me like them more now.

hddman

· #80 · 21 d ago

I apply 303 Protectant to my mirror caps, door handles, wiper cowl, and bumpers. Brings out the black without leaving a greasy residue. I'll definitely stay away from that Cerakote stuff.

Reactions: 2

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