Building Memories in a Jeep JKU Rubicon

Bonding in a ’14 JKU Rubicon

Getting to work on, modify and drive a trail-capable vehicle is only half the appeal of getting into the off-road hobby. The other is the camaraderie and bond one feels for other enthusiasts who choose to venture off the pavement to seek out the breath taking backdrops that nature often provides. It’s even better when you have someone to share the experience with, as well.

Jack Livezey grew up in the cemetery business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From a young age he was exposed to all kinds of machinery, and has always been fascinated with four-wheel-drive vehicles, especially Jeeps. Now 60 years old, Livezey was looking for outdoor adventure activities that he could enjoy with the love of his life, Eileen.

During the course of that search, the two attended a few off-road and overland events on the east coast to test the waters. They both soon got the Jeep itch and purchased a ’12 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JKU) Sahara together, which was sadly totaled in an on road accident in 2014. Luckily, no one was injured. With much learned from two years of Sahara ownership and still seeking adventure, the couple was undeterred and purchased the ’14 Jeep JKU Rubicon you see before you. That’s when the adventures really began for them!

A Certain Kinship

Besides loving the Jeep itself and the off-the-beaten-path adventures it takes them on, the Livezeys truly love the off-road and overland community that they are now a part of. Through attending many off-road outings and overland events, the couple has met a wide range of people: young people just starting their journey and people their own age who have seen a lot and are itching to see more. They often get teamed up with groups of people who they haven’t met before, but instantly become friends over the shared goal of overcoming the obstacles they encounter on the trail. Meeting interesting people and making new friends is the true joy of Jeep ownership and adventure for the couple.

“Meeting interesting people and making new friends is the true joy of Jeep ownership and adventure…”

Build Process

While the Jeep Rubicon is already a force off- road even when left stock, there is a HUGE aftermarket to support these vehicles and further refine their off-road prowess. Livezey’s goal for this build is to create a comfortable, durable and extremely capable Jeep that can both get him and Eileen outdoors on the weekends and take him to work during the week. The build process started soon after he purchased the Jeep, and probably won’t stop anytime soon.

A universal goal of any vehicle purpose-built or modified to go off-road is to increase its off-the-road capability. To that end, the first thing many do with their Jeep is to increase its ground clearance by giving it more tire and to upgrade its stock shocks. Livezey went with a mild 2.5-inch Old Man Emu lift kit on his Jeep, as the kit is a great value that provides a good balance between on- and off-road performance. It also allowed him to fit 35” BFG KO2 tires on 17-inch MB 11 wheels. This combination provides a considerable increase in ground clearance, a good size tire to roll over off-road obstacles with and enough tire sidewall to air down in low traction conditions.

Fully Armored

Now that the Jeep has a refined on-road ride, more clearance and capability, it is important to add protection for impacts with off-road obstacles, and/or your friendly neighborhood deer. The front of the vehicle is protected with an ARB Deluxe Winch Bumper with Bull Bar, which offers OEM-style airbag compliance, quality radiator protection, improved ground clearance and a quality winch mount.

The undercarriage is protected from rock impacts from a full set of Rock Hard 4×4 Skid Plates, while an ARB diff cover protects the rear differential. The rocker panels are protected with ACE Engineering Rock Rails, which also provide a nice step to get into and out of the lifted vehicle.

Livezey didn’t stop there; he further armored the JKU’s hindquarters as well. The rear of the Jeep is armored up with a LoD Offroad Destroyer Full Width Rear Bumper. It has an integrated swing out tire carrier and two Jerry Can holders, while providing full rear impact coverage and an improved departure angle. The finishing touch on this Jeep’s protection package is Offroad Elements Limb Risers, which should keep stray branches, on the tight east coast forest trails, away from the windshield.

Bolt-On Upgrades

While the lift, tires and armor all add to the Rubicon’s already impressive off-road capabilities, it is also important to have the right tools and accessories to keep you out of trouble and get you out of the trouble you do find.

An AEV Snorkel is fitted to keep clean cold air flowing to the engine, while Rigid off-road LED lighting provide ample driving lights for all conditions. A Superwinch 9.5K pound winch is also on board, fitted with a full synthetic line and a Factor 55 Flat Link, for safe and reliable closed system winching. A Krazy Beaver shovel, Hi-Lift jack and Maxtrax traction boards are mounted to the Gobi Stealth Roof Rack to keep the Livezeys moving no matter what they find when on the road less traveled.

The interior of this Rubicon is mostly stock, but sure doesn’t look it. The difference is the durable American made Bartact seat covers throughout, the ARB 50 quart fridge in the back, Wild Boar grab handles and the plethora of electronics spilled across the dash.

“While the lift, tires and armor all add to the Rubicon’s already impressive off-road capabilities, it is also important to have the right tools and accessories to keep you out of trouble and get you out of the trouble you do find.”

Wired Up

The electronic accessories are all wired and controlled through an Air Gauge sPOD, including the exterior lights and ARB Twin air compressor. An abundance of electronics and lights means much higher electricity demands. These demands are met with a Grape Solar 100 Watt solar panel mounted on the roof rack wired to a CTEK D250S onboard battery charger with Smartpass DC/DC Charge Controller that charges a secondary 970ah X2 Power AGM Battery.

All the electronics are either suctioned to the windshield or hung off the Vector Accessory Bar with RAM Mounts, and there are lots. Navigation is handled through an iPad Pro running the Gaia Pro mapping app and an iPhone running Google Maps.

“Sure this Jeep has already been proven to be trail rated from the factory, but the upgrade options on these machines are nearly unlimited—and just as irresistible to add on.”

Communications is handled through a combination of a Cobra CB, Yaesu HAM radio and a set of small handheld Midland 2-way radios. The mid-Atlantic states are known to have hungry speed enforcement officers on the roadways, as well as speed cameras, so a Valentine One Radar Detector is always close at hand.

The Jeep is the Livezeys’ adventure machine, but for comfort on the road they normally tow a R-Pod 180 20-foot RV trailer. This way they can set up a fully outfitted self-contained base camp, and go hit the trails with their very capable Jeep. The trailer is extremely aerodynamic and weighs in at 2,649 pounds dry, and only has a 285-pound hitch weight. The JKU Rubicon is rated to tow 3,500 pounds, so there is no issue pulling this trailer, especially with the added towing power from the Superchips Trail Dash II tuner.

Further Refinement

As with most builds of this kind, it will continue to be refined and upgraded as time goes on and as things break on the trail. Sure this Jeep has already been proven to be trail rated from the factory, but the upgrade options on these machines are nearly unlimited—and just as irresistible to add on.

Since our shoot, an ARB front diff cover has already been added. Livezey is also already planning some future mods to dial in this Jeep’s ride, durability and camp comfort. On the short list are ARB BP-51 Shocks, ARB Intensity Lights, HD ball joints, HD tie rods and some area lighting on the roof rack.

A Bonding Experience

The adventures have only begun for this well thought out Jeep build, as Livezey and his wife are already planning lots more off-road and overland adventures around America. Besides being a great way to get outdoors with his love of his life, Livezey has also been able to build most of this Jeep with the help of his son, which has been a great bonding experience. The Jeep life is truly a family affair.

UPGRADES

2014 Jeep JKU Rubicon

Suspension:
2.5” Old Man Emu Lift

Tires & Wheels:
BFG KO2s (35×12 50R17 LT) on 17” MB Wheels MB11

Armor:
ARB Deluxe Winch Bumper w/Bull Bar, LoD Offroad Destroyer Full Width Rear Bumper w/Tire Carrier, Rock Hard 4×4 Skid Plates, ACE Engineering Rock Rails, ARB Rear Diff Cover

Lighting:
JW Speaker 8700 Headlights, 2 9.5” LED Lights, 2 Rigid Industries Dually D2 Forward Rock Lights and 2 Rear Bumper Lights

Exterior Accessories:
Superwinch Talon 9.5iSR w/Factor 55 FlatLink, Gobi Stealth Roof Rack, AEV Snorkel, 2 Wavian Jerry Cans, 4 Maxtrax on Fourtreks Billet Mounts, Hi-Lift Jack, Krazy Beaver Shovel, Offroad Elements Limb Risers, Factor 55 HitchLink w/Bolt Lock Hitch Pin & Shackle, Grape Solar 100 Watt Panel to CTEK D250s w/Smartpass DC/DC Charge Controller

Interior Accessories:
Superchips Trail Dash II , SPod w/Air Guage Accessory Switches, ARB Twin Air Compressor, Bartact Seat Covers, Vector Accessory Bar w/Ram Mounts, Yaesu FTM-400DR w/External Antenna, Cobra CB Radio 75WXST w/External Antenna, iPad Pro w/Dual GPS 160 running Gaia Pro, ARB 50 Qt. 12V Fridge, Wild Boar Grab Handles, 970ah X2 Power AGM Battery, Technosha Prodigy 3 Electric Trailer Brake Controller, Valentine One Radar Detector