SEMA: Prepping the Overland JK

expeditionswest · 11-01-2009, 11:17 AM

About a month ago, we took delivery of the Jeep JK Overland image vehicle. We will have it for a few years and take it on various adventure (Dusy Ershim, exploration into Southern Utah, Alaska, etc.).

Because of the growing popularity of overland travel, Jeep has this truck placed front and center in the Chrysler/Mopar booth at SEMA. We had a few upgrades and modifications that needed to be installed. Thought some of you would be interested in the progress. I will also try to post some Jeep pictures from the show.

This is how the truck looked a few weeks ago, when we first took delivery:

The suspension had been upgraded from a 2" Mopar to the 3.5" Nth Degree system from AEV.

The first new upgrade was a fridge. Typically I install smaller units, but this new National Luna has two compartments. Most use one side as a freezer, I use it for really cold beer

The FedEx dude does not like me right now.

The packaging is serious for this fridge, which is nice. No damage. I love attention to detail in packaging. It says so much about the company IMO

This is the aluminum model. It is also available in Stainless. I will likely get the cover soon to protect this monster.

74 Liter

This is the freezer side with a single basket. Below the basket is the compressor cabinet. It is a pretty big freezer.

Here is the main compartment, which has two baskets, one on top of the other. It seems to be about 50L in size. Baskets are super convenient for loading the fridge after a visit to the mercado

I also have the rack and tent off of the JK. I like it without the rack, but I am also warming up to it with the rack and tent on top. To accommodate the additional weight, the rear anti-swaybar was increased to a 1" diameter bar.

expeditionswest · 11-01-2009, 11:20 AM

Fitting the Eezi-Awn 1400

Fitting the FrontRunner slide for the 74L

Ok, this is breaking news stuff. A new company has created a factory-styled switch assembly, which installs above the stereo. More info when they are ready to launch. This is the prototype, so finish and color will be different when produced.

We removed the Daystar tray. This unit is poorly produced and had huge gaps and alignment issues.

You can see the alignment here with the Daystar unit.

I left yesterday morning for Vegas, and placed the JK in the Chrysler booth about 3:30. We still need to install the Adventure Trailers drawer system and a few Lightforce HIDs.

expeditionswest · 11-01-2009, 11:24 AM

Crappy iPhone picture, but here is the Jeep just before leaving Prescott. My KTM 950 is in the show too. Maybe I will see some of you at SEMA!

**ancestralworm** · 11-01-2009, 11:50 AM

I am in rout to the show right now. Cant wait to see the rig while doing my rounds.

Pm me your info and i'll come by and say hi.

Oh, In flight internet is the ****.

Douglas S. · 11-01-2009, 12:46 PM

I saw your build on expedition portal and that is by far my favourite JK!

Grant211 · 11-03-2009, 07:43 AM

Wow... that looks great! I like that switch panel above the radio

**mattman8706** · 11-03-2009, 08:18 AM

dang

I like I like

**Keith** · 11-03-2009, 08:35 AM

Nice ride. Are you running a dual battery setup?

expeditionswest · 11-03-2009, 09:10 AM

The Overland JK is placed in the Jeep/Mopar booth. We were very fortunate to get the NE corner of the booth, right on the main isle.

New Rigid 2" LEDs

New AT drawer system installed at the show

Pelican Cases

The Eezi-Awn 1400, deployed

rickm8 · 11-03-2009, 09:11 AM

That thing is amazing. I would love to outfit my TJ to run across a desert, put a fuel cell in, a fridge, tent, supplies, deep cycle battery setup, etc.

Nice ride! You certainly will be ready to go where nowhere else is when the world comes to a halt!

expeditionswest · 11-03-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Nice ride. Are you running a dual battery setup?

Not yet, but we intend to fit one. That big fridge will certainly benefit from it, as will the heavy winching operations.

I do need to start looking at the various JK options.

rickm8 · 11-03-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expeditionswest

Not yet, but we intend to fit one. That big fridge will certainly benefit from it, as will the heavy winching operations.

I do need to start looking at the various JK options.

Deep cycle would be beneficial to running those for a while with no generator right?

expeditionswest · 11-03-2009, 09:25 AM

yes, we typically run an AGM deep cycle.

**Dr. Marneaus** · 11-03-2009, 12:16 PM

Hey, the rig looks great!!

I'll be sure to stop by and say hi on thursday when I'm at the show.

jeepsurf · 11-03-2009, 12:30 PM

.