Deep East Texas LJ Build

[Deep East TX LJ]

The Highline Fender project is COMPLETE!

This was pretty easy, but not as quick of a project as it should have been (purely my fault). And while it will not make as much of a difference in terms of performance-especially when compared to the 241 swap or suspension upgrade-I am pretty excited about this!

I was able to find a good location for everything that was attached to the stock fenders. I had intentions of ditching the stock filter box, but decided against it. The only thing left is the windshield washer fluid reservoir. I am going to try heating the bottle and shaping it to fit the new space like I have heard of others doing. If I mess that up, I will just get a cheap aftermarket reservoir.

When cutting the hood, I followed Motobilt's instructions by cutting along the body line. That left me with a gap of 1 3/16" in the front. So, I made a line with painter's tape from 1/8" above the cut line at the rear to 1 1/8" above the cut line at the front. After those cuts were made the hood sat perfectly! I used a cutoff wheel and a palm sander to clean everything up. I thought while I had the hood off, it would be a good time to install Motobilt's hood vent kit. Not sure how much it will help, but I think it looks cool.

I went with low profile hood pins from Quick Latch. The install was easy, but slow because I made a huge mistake. I did the passenger side first and it went beautifully. But, for some reason I cannot figure, I used the 1 3/4" hole saw bit instead of the proper 1 1/4". Yep, that hurt. Fortunately, I have a buddy that is great at welding. With a little bodywork and a new paint job (hopefully this fall) it will be like it never happened!

Here is the finished product!

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Nice work. That is not an easy project given all the fender stuff that has to find a new home.

One suggestion, and what I did on mine, is to add the edge guard to cover up the cut. Cleans it up a bit, and covers the sharp edge.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NL48CDO?tag=wranglerorg-20

Edit: Corrected the link.

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

Nice work. That is not an easy project given all the fender stuff that has to find a new home.

One suggestion, and what I did on mine, is to add the edge guard to cover up the cut. Cleans it up a bit, and covers the sharp edge.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NL48CDO?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_title

Thank you. And, you are correct. It's a little more involved than I initially thought. Also, I did add the edge. I may have not mentioned that and the pics may not show it well.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Thank you. And, you are correct. It's a little more involved than I initially thought. Also, I did add the edge. I may have not mentioned that and the pics may not show it well.

Gotcha. I originally looked at your pics on my phone and did not see it. On the big screen right now - it's quite clear...



Nice work!

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

Gotcha. I originally looked at your pics on my phone and did not see it. On the big screen right now - it's quite clear...



Nice work!

Happens to the best of us! lol.

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

The Rear Corner Guard Project is complete (kind of).

Overall, the project has been one of the easiest ones so far. I bought the factory cut corner guards from Motobilt with the 4" fender flares. I removed the old corner guards from the previous owner. Fortunately, the fenders were not in as horrible shape as I guessed. I sanded all of the rust, treated and primered all of the bare metal before I did anything else.

The next step was to mark and drill all of the bolt holes. Of the 14, only 4 required nutserts. The rest could be reached so only a washer and nut was necessary. You'll want another set of hands and some clamps. The fenders are 45lbs each and you want things to be perfect before you drill holes.

You will also need to mark the hole where your new round taillights will go. The Motobilt instructions suggest using a big holesaw. I didn't have one that big so I just cut a square out with the angle grinder.

Install was super easy. Again, a second set of hands to help you get started makes a huge difference.

As mentioned, I am only kind of done.

One, Motobilt sends a couple of pieces of flat metal to cover where the old tailgate hinges were. I am going with the drop tailgate so I am going to bondo those holes and paint over.

Two, my turn signal/brake lights are not working. Reverse and taillights work. Based on what I have read on this site, I ordered the Novita LM 470 flasher. Hopefully, that will correct that issue...

Three, I have an aluminum gas cap cover from Rugged Ridge that I will install when it gets here.

Next up, installing the fold down aluminum tailgate from Motobilt!

 

[MattTJRubicon82]

Looks good bud!!

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

Looks good bud!!

Thanks brother! It's coming along.

 

[MattTJRubicon82]

Thanks brother! It's coming along.

good to hear, at the tail end hopefully of the auto swap, hopefully firing up this weekend. Few loose ends to tie up, then plan a shakedown run probably to hidden falls sometime soon.

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

good to hear, at the tail end hopefully of the auto swap, hopefully firing up this weekend. Few loose ends to tie up, then plan a shakedown run probably to hidden falls sometime soon.

That's awesome. I've never been to Hidden Falls. Have fun!

 

[gasiorv]

You will like Hot Springs, it is a fun park. When I take first timers there I usually run the following trails, makes for a good day.
Fun Run, Ultimate Adventure, Four Fingers, Greg's Rock (skip the rock at the top), Shafner's Hollow, Headbanger.
After Lunch run all the trails off the loop: Can opener, Slammer, Gorge, Ravine.

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

You will like Hot Springs, it is a fun park. When I take first timers there I usually run the following trails, makes for a good day.
Fun Run, Ultimate Adventure, Four Fingers, Greg's Rock (skip the rock at the top), Shafner's Hollow, Headbanger.
After Lunch run all the trails off the loop: Can opener, Slammer, Gorge, Ravine.

I appreciate that, thank you for the tips! Looking forward to it!!

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

The latest project/upgrade was to install the fold down aluminum tailgate from Motobilt and a fuel cap cover from Rugged Ridge. Both were super easy and-in my humble opinion- look sharp! I was also able to correct my LED turn signal problem by replacing the OEM flasher with the LM 470 from Novita Technologies. Two screws and 5 minutes tops for the fix. Here's a link to the part if anyone needs it. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...rning-turn-signal-flasher/nov0/lm470?q=LM+470

 

[Rickyd]

Awesome getting your son involved! I like the drip pans under the vents to keep your engine harness from getting hammered all winter

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

It's been a while since I have done anything noteworthy. Mostly tracking down squeaks and rattling. And, trying to tidy up old wiring from the previous owner. However, in prep for a trip to Hot Springs in a couple of weeks, I added some rock lights. I don't wheel at night and expect these to be fairly useless, but my sons think they're cool so here we are. Just cheapos bought from Amazon.

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

We hit Hot Springs Offroad Park this last weekend and had an absolute blast! I broke on the second day, so didn't get as much wheeling in as I'd like. I have a JK Dana 30 in the front, so this was bound to happen. My thoughts are to keep replacing this and let it be the weak point until I upgrade to tons...

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

I am updating this for my own reference. At this point in the build, the LJ weighs 4,640 lbs. This is without a top or doors, without a driver and with a full tank of gas and my recovery gear.

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

As mentioned, I broke the passenger front axle shaft on my last wheeling trip in Hot Springs. Can't say enough about that park by the way. I considered RCVs, but I plan on upsizing my front axle soon so I didn't want to bite the $1,400 bullet. Instead, I was able to source Carbon Offroad chromolys on Facebook Marketplace for $200. The install was as easy of an upgrade I have made so far.

 

[Rickstar321]

Niiice! I'll have to try and catch up with you at Hot Springs, I've done Hidden Falls a few times but not Barnwell. I also want to hit Merus, Wolf Caves, Disney, and some other stuff in that area. SMORR is a lot of fun as well. I've done Moab (EJS) but not Sand Hollow yet... itchin' to hit it as well but already have my big trips going to Big Bear, Rubicon, Fordyce, and Barret lake in 2026.

I'm getting ready to swap JL Rubi's in mine, but just going from 35's to 38's 4link double triangulated rear, and 3 link front so will be a nice upgrade.

Looking forward to seeing what all you do next.

 

[MattTJRubicon82]

Niiice! I'll have to try and catch up with you at Hot Springs, I've done Hidden Falls a few times but not Barnwell. I also want to hit Merus, Wolf Caves, Disney, and some other stuff in that area. SMORR is a lot of fun as well. I've done Moab (EJS) but not Sand Hollow yet... itchin' to hit it as well but already have my big trips going to Big Bear, Rubicon, Fordyce, and Barret lake in 2026.

I'm getting ready to swap JL Rubi's in mine, but just going from 35's to 38's 4link double triangulated rear, and 3 link front so will be a nice upgrade.

Looking forward to seeing what all you do next.


View attachment 658407

Would love to join yall. Buddies and I just finished up 3 stretches last year and a half. Done HF, Wolf, k2, Barnwell looking to do Hot Springs next spring!