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One of the project vehicles at Off Road Xtreme is a 2013 Jeep Wrangler (JKU). It’s coated in the factory Commando Green, motivated by the 3.6L V6 and five-speed auto tranny, and although it has A/C and a decent sound system, it was not plushed-out when ordered. The Wrangler is the Sport model, so there’s plenty of room for growth, and we have some pretty big plans for it.
Project Build Updates
– Removing Excess Crankcase Vapors
– Gibson Exhaust Adds Power and Departure Angle
– Superchips TrailDash Offers Power And Functionality
– Currie RockJock Suspension Longer, Stronger Legs
– J.E. Reel Drivelines For Hardcore Four Wheeling
– New Shoes From Weld Racing And Mickey Thompson
– Poison Spyder Brawler Bumpers And Rockers Armor
– Breathes Easier With New AIRAID Intake System
Upgrades such as body armor to protect the sheet metal and undercarriage from severe dings, dents and mangles during said adventures will be in order. An easily removable soft top for warm-weather ventures, as well as recovery and safety equipment will be coming as well.
Interior creature comfort alterations are also something we’ve been considering, but hey, this is a Jeep and we don’t want to get carried away. However, electronics in the way of communications and navigation devices will be on the docket for Sgt. Rocker.
We’re going to take this in stages–just like you would–to show just how well one can do with a basic Wrangler JKU without spending a fortune or going overboard.
8/25/15 – Remove Excess Crankcase Vapors with Moroso Air-Oil Separators
Vehicle specific mounting brackets make installation easy.
The installation of the Moroso air-oil separator can easily be done in the garage for the DIY auto enthusiast. Not requiring any special tools makes the installation something that does not take a lot of mechanical skill, but yields a great benefit for an off-roader.
8/6/15 – Gibson Exhaust Adds Power and Departure Angle to Sgt. Rocker Jeep
Sgt. Rocker was in need of a new cat-back system, but first the factory unit had to be wrangled out from underneath the rear end of the Jeep.
The trail abuse that the OEM muffler suffered (left) was evident once we got the Jeep up on the lift and began loosening the clamp tying it to the catalytic converter. The hanger rods (one on each end of the muffler) were a bit tough to remove, and we had to use a shot of WD-40 and a pry bar to loosen them (right) from the OEM rubber hangers.
A tall jack stand (with a 2×4 used as a buffer) helped hold the Gibson cat-back system in place while it was being installed.
Sgt. Rocker made a bit less torque after the installation, but managed to pick up an extra 6.2 hp in the process. Also, the gains came earlier on in the rev range versus the previous setup.
5/21/15 – Jeep JK ProCharger Install on Sgt. Rocker: The Quest For More Power
The ProCharger kit for the 3.6-liter V6-equipped Jeep Wrangler includes several components to replace stock pieces such as the intercooler, coolant overflow reservoir, air filter/intake system, and fuel injectors.
Left to right: Off came the alternator, coolant overflow reservoir, and grille to grant us more workspace.
The supercharger is installed, followed by the serpentine belt looping around the pulleys and finally, reapplying tension to the system with the breaker bar.
The Truckhaven 4×4 Training Center in Ocotillo Wells offers excellent areas for horseplay. High ridges, obstacle courses, and flat stretches of open sand were the perfect place to really put the new supercharger to the test.
9/2/14 – Superchips TrailDash Offers Power And Functionality To Jeep Wrangler
The Superchips TrailDash came with its OBDII connector cable, USB cable for software updates, and a windshield mount (that we chose not to use in favor of the Dash Pod).
Through the TrailDash unit on-screen menu, you can load up your vehicle’s various parameters such as new tire size prior to programming.
The main default screen (top) can display key elements such as engine coolant temperature (ECT), RPM, MPH-corrected, battery voltage, and MPG, as well as the programmed power level. The Off-Road Feature screen (lower left) displays pitch and roll gauges, among other vehicle vitals. The third or Stand-Alone Feature screen (lower right) can offer information such as tire size selected, gear ratio,and tire pressure.
7/28/14– Currie RockJock Suspension Gives Sgt. Rocker Longer, Stronger Legs
We securely placed the Wrangler on a lift before taking off the wheels, tires and other stock suspension parts that needed to be removed prior to beginning the installation of the Currie RockJock suspension system, Antirock Sway Bars, and Currectlynk steering system.
The new rear control arms were measured to match the length of the stock arms, replaced one at a time, and tightened up but not fully torqued yet.
The Currie replacement front track bar mount bracket is bolted and welded into place.
The front Currie Antirock Sway Bar mounts were fastened in position (top left), the torsion bar was slid through them and the arms installed (top right). The links were attached to arms and axles (bottom).
Almost the last thing we did was bolt up Sgt. Rocker’s new Weld Racing REKON wheels and Mickey Thompson 35-inch Baja ATZ radial tires.
7/21/14 – Project Sgt. Rocker: J.E. Reel Drivelines For Hardcore Four Wheeling
Project Sgt. Rocker was placed on a lift for the J.E. Reel driveline installation.
The J.E. Reel driveshaft (right), while stronger, is noticeably smaller in overall diameter than the stock driveshaft (left). This permits the Reel driveshaft to be used on Jeeps with lifts between 2.5-4.5 inches, free and clear of the exhaust system and other components, and still have greater articulation.
Clockwise from top left: The new rear output flange is installed on the transfer case; a new yoke nut is inserted onto the rear differential output flange and then tightened to its recommended torque rating; the front differential receives its new yoke and yoke nut; the handle of a tool is used to keep the driveline still while the hardware on the rear u-joints are tightened prior to final torquing.
7/3/14 – Project Sgt. Rocker: New Shoes From Weld Racing And Mickey Thompson
The Weld Racing REKON B57B beadlock and Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ LT315/70R17 were just the right wheel and tire combo we were seeking for our 2013 Jeep Wrangler JKU Project Sgt. Rocker.
A bit of massaging with a rubber mallet may be needed in some cases to get the tire bead to firmly seat into the wheel’s beadlock flange.
A combination of patented Sidebiters, aggressively designed tread blocks, and large voids on the edges (left) of the MTZ deliver great off-road traction, while the tread block design (right) has multiple biting edges and a tighter pattern for forward and lateral grip as well as improved noise cancelation.
Our 2013 Jeep Wrangler JKU Project Sgt. Rocket rolls proud on Weld Racing REKON B57B wheels and Mickey Thompson LT315/70R17 tires.
6/30/14 – Poison Spyder Brawler Bumpers And Rockers Armor Up Sgt. Rocker
The removal of a few bolts is all it takes to disconnect the front bumper from the frame. Fog lights will need to be unhooked prior to pulling off the bumper (top). The fog lights easily mount inside the Brawler's light buckets (left). Make sure the new bumper is square and plumb (right) before fully tightening the bolts.
Be sure to state your preference when ordering, as some wiring will need to be done. The optional reverse lights may be beneficial, others may want these bumper locations for utility lights, or for no lights at all.
Once the V-alignment bushing and bracket are mounted, the turnbuckle can be mounted and adjusted to pull the V-alignment plate and bushing together with enough force to keep the carrier assembly tight against the tailgate even when holding a heavy tire.
5/29/14 – Project Sgt. Rocker Breathes Easier With New AIRAID Intake System
First things first: we removed the engine cover and then disconnected the air temp sensor (pictured above), the clamps, the coolant line, and the bolts fastening the tube to the fan shroud.
Previously, the Pentastar was pulling 104.2 horsepower and 127.2 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm, but afterward, those numbers jumped way up to 131.4 horsepower and 160.5 pound-feet of torque at that same rpm. We’d call that a substantial improvement any day of the week. The better news is that in the mid-range, a much more useable engine speed on- and off-road, you can feel this change.
5/14/14 – Project Sgt. Rocker Dons Campaign Cover With Bestop Twill Trektop NX
Sarge looked rather naked without a cap, but the factory hardtop had to removed before we could begin installation of the Bestop Black Twill Trektop NX.
Small slices were made in the padded covering for installation of the cable bracket flanges and rear bow brackets (top left). The front bolts used for the Jeep's rear crossbar brackets were used for installation of the cable brackets (top right). The rear bolts of the Jeep's rear crossbar brackets were used to mount the rear bow brackets (lower right). This is how it should appear once the cable brackets and rear bow brackets are mounted and the padding is zipped back up (lower right).
With a clean cut look, the Bestop Black Twill Trektop NK added just the right style we were looking to give our Project Sgt. Rocker 2013 Jeep Wrangler JKU.
1/29/14 – Project Sgt. Rocker Gets A Graphic Makeover From Extreme Terrain
Spray the surface where the decal is to be applied with soapy water, then peel away the backing to expose the adhesive. Spray the underside of the decal to help make installation easier. Place the decal in the desired position and spray the transfer tape to help release the tape. Use the squeegee to remove any liquid and air bubbles from under the decal and the transfer tape.
The identical set of steps and technique used on the Oscar Mike star decal for the hood was used to secure the Rocker Stripes above the rockers (lower left photo) and the smaller Oscar Mike stars (top photo) on the front quarter panels of the Jeep. The squeegee can be used carefully to help peel back transfer tape (lower right photo) once the decal is completely dry and properly affixed to the vehicle's surface.
