Introducing Miss Rubi, a 2012 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited

[crawler#976]

Added a non powered Radio Shack speaker to the back side of the speaker bar. Works great!

[crawler#976]

Did some research and came up with a different style relay, a Tyco Electronics or Potter & Brumfield T92S7D22-12 six pin. It's a fully sealed and potted industrial relay. The relay has a very low power draw, and it only activates the switch, not the main power in and out of the relay. The two separate terminals, 0 (power in) and 1 (earth) are for switching power only, so when the four main terminals are switched on, they take primary power in and out. Terminal 2 switches to 4, terminal 6 switches to 8.

No buzz, no chatter, no flicker.

http://www.te.com/catalog/pn/en/1-1393212-4
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I'll add some pics of the lights once the install is semi-finalized.

I'm very, very disappointed in the Quadratec exclusive light mounts:

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12110_201.htm

We plan on adding a bumper and winch, so I looked for a less expensive way to mount HID's on Miss Rubi. These certainly prove that you get what you pay for, and yet at $70.00 plus shipping, they weren't "cheap" cheap either. The mounts bolt to the radiator support, and shake like a leaf. I added a cross brace and a vertical support that helped, but they still are not up to any type of washboard road. I will weld a gusset to the angles to try an add some rigidity to the setup, but I don't want to spend too much time or money on a poor product. The lights I tried to mount (Kragen 7" HID's) were too deep even after moving the mounting hole forward, so they have been removed. A set of the new KC Hilite #851's is on the way (same lights as are on Cactus Red, my Power Wagon - http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...99#post1118799) after finding that they will be a perfect fit. Update on that should be next week.

Mark

[Inline6]

Nice jeep

[crawler#976]

Got the KC Hilite #851 PolyMax driving lights installed. Also have a couple on the Power Wagon. I'm very pleased with the light quality and the good driving pattern.

We had originally installed a set of the Kragen HID's but they were too deep, and touched the grill.

[crawler#976]

The owners manual doesn't have the instructions on how to turn off seatbelt chime on the '12 Jeep. All it says its that an authorized dealer can turn it off. After a little online research, I found the procedure is the same as previous years.

Start with the seat belt buckled, turn the key to the on position. Within the first 60 seconds, unbuckle and buckle the belt three times in 10 seconds, turn off the key, and when the door is opened, a single chime will be heard. That's it! Much quicker than going to the dealer.

Mark

[TreeTopFlyer]

Just picked mine up yesterday. That seatbelt chime is going to be the first thing to go. Thanks for the heads up on how to remove it.

The owners manual doesn't have the instructions on how to turn off seatbelt chime on the '12 Jeep. All it says its that an authorized dealer can turn it off. After a little online research, I found the procedure is the same as previous years.

Start with the seat belt buckled, turn the key to the on position. Within the first 60 seconds, unbuckle and buckle the belt three times in 10 seconds, turn off the key, and when the door is opened, a single chime will be heard. That's it! Much quicker than going to the dealer.

Mark

[crawler#976]

Decided to add a bumper and winch to Miss Rubi. My primary goal was keeping the additional weight to a minimum, so after doing some research, I found the LoD Armor Lite bumper system. The main bumper is built from 0.125 wall formed alloy steel, and comes in at a svelt 31 Lbs. Adding the bull bar and skid add an additional 10 Lbs or so. The same criteria was used for a winch, and the SmittyBilt XRC8 Comp fit the budget and the weight limit. Total weight including the KC Daylite PolyMax HID driving lights is under 100 Lbs. All the bumper and winch parts arrived last week, so I did the install this weekend.

To install the lights I drilled holes thru the bar and bumper to feed the wiring so that it's not exposed. Took a lot more time to do it that way, but it sure looks better! Cost wise, the bumper ($740.00) and winch ($444.00) were less than an AEV Premium bumper, and the complete LoD bumper and SmittyBilt winch weighs about the same as the AEV bumper does alone.

I'm please with the results!

I'll be adding a Factor 55 ProLink and winch lock ASAP.

Mark

[toddz69]

Looks great, Mark!

Todd Z.

[Hilldweller]

Nice job, Mark.

I'd love to scope the output on the relay...
Maybe with the new harness you could add a dongle for the trip power to the KCs? My concern is the lack of diode.

I love the radio mounting job you did; that looks like it belongs there.

The 5W LEDs concern me a little ---- have you ever measured the temps they generate rearward after being on a bit? JK wiring and plastics aren't knows as industry leaders.
Do you have an infrared thermometer to take a reading?

[crawler#976]

Nope, but I've had no problems with either the PW or the Jeep. The stock 3157 bulb for the Jeep draws what, 2.3 amps? So they should be roughly putting out 30W vs the 0.5 amps draw for 5W of output for the LED.

Next project starts this weekend - will be installing a Rally Lights Hella H4 conversion w/ wiring loom I found used here on the Expo. Purchased a pair of Philips 9003 X-Treme Vision 67/60W bulbs to use with the kit.