Late to the Party: theksmith's 2016 JK Unlimited Rubicon (Gadget)

[jgaz 493]

Wow Kris, nice work (and write up)!   Thanks, as always for the links.
 

You are right, those Nalgene bottles are amazing.  Most people  know them for their outdoor products but they have an extensive line of laboratory containers as well. 

Any fluid I might need to take backpacking goes into an appropriately sized  Nalgene.

 

I use Online Metals as well.  Have you found a way to get their shipping down to a reasonable level.   I get their monthly discount coupon but many times wish they would ship USPS flat rate instead of UPS for some items.

[theksmith 3,252]

7 minutes ago, jgaz said:

I use Online Metals as well.  Have you found a way to get their shipping down to a reasonable level.   I get their monthly discount coupon but many times wish they would ship USPS flat rate instead of UPS for some items.

 

no,  the shipping cost for 1 item is pretty bad, but it seems like subsequent items on the same order don't increase it as much.

 

i've used SpeedyMetals.com before, they seem to have higher prices but less shipping cost - so still works out about the same.

 

even with the shipping, the total wasn't much more than getting it from the local steel yard - and i could get exactly what i wanted and pay for only the right length instead of having to have the local place cut up a 20ft piece (or hope for a scrap).

[Stacey and Scott 983]

Very nice use of space. Perhaps piping it all in to a dispenser?, just in case the bottom of your rig is packed with ice & snow 

[dzJeepChic 2,123]

Way cool project, K! Nice write up. You so cleaver. 

[4x4tographer 2,238]

Just hear me out... *waves hands*

Reverse the heat shield and stack buckets of KFC down there, held in place with your latches. The exhaust system will make a nice infrared reflective chicken warmer.

 

[theksmith 3,252]

Gadget got a Hooker Blackheart axle-back exhaust for Christmas!

 

 

this as been on the wishlist for a couple years. i wanted to clean up that "saggy diaper" look of the giant factory muffler.

 

factory exhaust:

 

 

i had to trim about 2" off the factory pipe for the new exhaust to sit forward enough to clear my low-profile rear bumper.

 

 

also needed to grind that little spot-welded key off the factory pipe. the new exhaust's turn-down stuck out under the bumper, so it got trimmed off shorter too.

 

 

i only shaved 4 pounds off my weight versus the stock muffler - was hoping for better considering the size difference.

 

Gadget's booty is much more svelte now though!

 

 

i didn't want to go way louder than stock or experience any freeway drone, and this worked out perfectly.

 

there's a slightly deeper note at idle, but barely any louder and i can't really hear a difference cruising at highway speed. there is a fun little growl when rooting around on the trail though! the new sound seems most pronounced in 2nd gear under load.

 

Edited December 26, 2020 by theksmith

[theksmith 3,252]

8 minutes ago, Trail Toy said:

Been thinking about getting something like this for my rig but like you I don't want it to be loud and annoying.  Awesome gift!

 

that Hooker Blackheart does also work on the 3.8L JK/JKU. i'd considered the Pacesetter too as another high-clearance model in the sub $300 range. 

 

FYI, i specifically got an axle-back instead of cat-back because in comparison clips it seemed that removing the resonator not only made it louder, but also raspy - which was not what i was after.

 

 

this video compares the sounds of over 60 exhausts for the JK:

 

 

 

[theksmith 3,252]

[Stacey and Scott 983]

Bendy beasty

[dzJeepChic 2,123]

Flexy is sexy!!