LJ Rubicon Dubbed the Henikon

HenikonLJ

Member
Original poster
Joined
Oct 13, 2023
Messages
90
Location
Washington
Decided to start somewhat of a build thread on my newly acquired LJ. More of a way to come back and see what I haven't done and see if anyone has feedback on stuff for me.

A little bit of a back story, this jeep was originally bought by a very close family friend (Uncle Joe Heniken) brand new. I have owned a few rigs through the years 95 ZJ, 91 XJ, 87+88+98 4runner's, 68+78+92+95 Ford bronco's. I was in the market for a vehicle to drive and play with while the other project vehicles are being worked on. I had some criteria though and honestly a jeep was at the bottom of the list and if I did get a jeep it had to be a very particular one. I was on marketplace looking and nothing really grabbed my attention. I decided to ask my uncle if he would be interested in selling his jeep because it checked all the right boxes for me, he agreed to sell it and here we are today. He was diagnosed with cancer so I felt like crap even asking him if he would sell but to me I would rather it stay in the family vs sold to someone else, thus brings us to the name of Henikon.

Current state of the lj is 111k miles, some no name lift (guessing RC) completely rebuilt front end and rear end, full tune up and fresh fluids in everything, home made front bumper with receiver mount, no name rear bumper with spare mount.

Goals currently are make it more daily driver comfortable with the capabilities to do some snow wheeling and light trail duty for now. So looking into complete stereo upgrade with backup camera, new seats, removable steering wheel (where I work theft happens figure this would be the best option to deter) install my switch pros, cj tailgate swap (current one was caved in due to a small fender bender a few years back, add rocker protection (up for recommendations)
The end goal for phase 1 should be around there.

End goal will be engine transplant (ls, hemi, Cummins, TDI?) Auto swap, Wontons and 40s.

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Okay now the long winded post is out of the way here's some questions and ideas I currently have.
1 having issues with the lockers I've verified they are engaging the pumps don't cycle they turn on the actuate the locker then shut off. The issue is the lights in the cluster just flash. I've checked the connections at the diffs and all seem okay. Anyone have recommendations on a fix?
2 I want to install my switch pros anyone know of a company that sells a decent mount? Don't want to drill into the dash bezel if I don't have to.
3 headlights. Stock ones suck I've been looking at the trucklights and super 7. I know the super 7 is more for jks but they have the best beam pattern and cutoffs that I can tell. Open to suggestions on that as well. Planning maxbuilt trail tails as well.
 
Welcome, nice looking LJ. Sorry to hear about your uncle though, but good way to honor him. We picked up a LJ from a guy. Him and his wife downed since new. His wife passed away recently. When we were test driving it he said his wife named it Ruby. After we bought it I texted him and said we decided to keep the name Ruby and ordered personalized license plate to honor her. Him and his family were very appreciative of it. I send him random pictures of our Jeep outings.

Sorry I cant answer your question on the lockers. Since the pump turns off not sure what it could be. Mine the lights flash, sometimes stay solid, or the front will flash, rear is solid, then the opposite. Haven’t had much time to investigate it yet, not sure if my pump stays running or not. I need to get down there and check it out. You’ve got big plans, I don’t have a lot planned for ours other than a suspension lift and then maybe a TT down the road. It already has a winch and onboard air with a tank.
 
So had the day/night off today and the trail tails showed up. Decided to install them and move the mirrors back to the doors, I hated the relocated mirrors.
Also relocated my license plate not sure how much I like it there but it will do for now until get a different rear bumper without a spare (I've been going off-road since I was born have never needed a spare, just carry a tire patch kit)

Also while putting the led flasher in so I don't have hyper flash I decided to fix my fog light switch issue I followed @Chris post https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...og-lights-fog-lights-that-wont-turn-off.3697/
and it seems to have fixed my issue. However now I don't have hazards. Thinking maybe because the front are still halogen might be causing an issue. Blinkers work fine though 🤷‍♂️
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decided to go on a night cruise with the woman (perks of living next to a mountain with lots of trails) and gave it a good shake down run since it's the first time I've ever driven it off road. So far I'm impressed and happy. Sadly on the way home as soon as I get back into town bambi's dad decided to jump in front of me only got the fender a little upset about that. Had plans for highlines down the road so kind of torn between just rocking the damage after I try and pound it out a little or buy the highlines and live with a goofy look until I figure out my suspension for 35s.
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Welcome, nice looking LJ. Sorry to hear about your uncle though, but good way to honor him. We picked up a LJ from a guy. Him and his wife downed since new. His wife passed away recently. When we were test driving it he said his wife named it Ruby. After we bought it I texted him and said we decided to keep the name Ruby and ordered personalized license plate to honor her. Him and his family were very appreciative of it. I send him random pictures of our Jeep outings.

Sorry I cant answer your question on the lockers. Since the pump turns off not sure what it could be. Mine the lights flash, sometimes stay solid, or the front will flash, rear is solid, then the opposite. Haven’t had much time to investigate it yet, not sure if my pump stays running or not. I need to get down there and check it out. You’ve got big plans, I don’t have a lot planned for ours other than a suspension lift and then maybe a TT down the road. It already has a winch and onboard air with a tank.

Awesome story! Hope your build turns out how to Invision it
 
Welcome from another Washington member.

I've got no Rubicon locker info for you, but in regards to your rocker protection, check out JMT's slider thread below. It's a great resource, but can also lead to analysis paralysis when you see options you hadn't considered!

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/rock-sliders-rocker-guards-guide.8704/

Thanks!
I'll read through that was looking at motobilt mainly because I plan on running a few of there things. Like the savvy ones also but think they are on backorder last I checked.
 
Welcome to the forum.

Where in WA are you?
If you post up in the General discussion area about your lockers you might get more help.
Really there are many threads about headlights on here. Also get one of the headlight wiring kits to help.
 
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Okay now the long winded post is out of the way here's some questions and ideas I currently have.
1 having issues with the lockers I've verified they are engaging the pumps don't cycle they turn on the actuate the locker then shut off. The issue is the lights in the cluster just flash. I've checked the connections at the diffs and all seem okay. Anyone have recommendations on a fix?
2 I want to install my switch pros anyone know of a company that sells a decent mount? Don't want to drill into the dash bezel if I don't have to.
3 headlights. Stock ones suck I've been looking at the trucklights and super 7. I know the super 7 is more for jks but they have the best beam pattern and cutoffs that I can tell. Open to suggestions on that as well. Planning maxbuilt trail tails as well.

i just added a 2006 LJ Rubi to the collection and have a similar issue with the lockers. Haven’t had much time to look into it as I’ve been traveling quite a bit for biz but plan on starting to troubleshoot next weekend.

There is a video on YouTube where a guy troubleshoots his dads Rubicon TJ that was having a similar issue with blinking light on just the front locker.

One often overlooked potential cause if both are blinking is the ignition switch and key.

will share any results with you as I pursue this.

Swapped to VisionX 7” LED headlights and wow what a differenc.

btw great story!
 
I am wondering about the lockers if it could be a lack of use. Went out yesterday and tried the lockers again and the the dash light flashed much less and they stayed solid. I know they kicked as I was having a problem getting over some rocks, tuned them and went through no problem. I know the lack of use on the electric lockers on the JK is an issue, not sure if the same thing is true for air lockers or not. I just know yesterday my worked a lot smoother and seems the more often I turn them on the better they seem to function.
 
Welcome to the forum.

Where in WA are you?
If you post up in the General discussion area about your lockers you might get more help.
Really there are many threads about headlights on here. Also get one of the headlight wiring kits to help.

Washougal, wa.
I've read every post I can find about the locker issue seems like it's a common thing yet no one knows how to fix it. I think I've narrowed it down to the locker switch indicator thingy (super technical term) they gears have never been pulled so I'm doubtful it was an installer issue getting the plunger on the correct side.

As for the headlights same scenario researched and read way more than I can remember, I like the morimoto super7 but I've only seen one tj with them and not sure why. I know there is other brands like trucklites and KC but the inner ricer in me likes projector leds
 
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i just added a 2006 LJ Rubi to the collection and have a similar issue with the lockers. Haven’t had much time to look into it as I’ve been traveling quite a bit for biz but plan on starting to troubleshoot next weekend.

There is a video on YouTube where a guy troubleshoots his dads Rubicon TJ that was having a similar issue with blinking light on just the front locker.

One often overlooked potential cause if both are blinking is the ignition switch and key.

will share any results with you as I pursue this.

Swapped to VisionX 7” LED headlights and wow what a differenc.

btw great story!

I might have to look into the ignition being my culprit. I know he told me someone tried breaking into it before driver door lock was messed up and the ignition cylinder as well. Everything looks good and functions correctly but maybe that is my culprit.

I've seen those visionx they look nice as well. Have a nice crisp cutoff?
 
I am wondering about the lockers if it could be a lack of use. Went out yesterday and tried the lockers again and the the dash light flashed much less and they stayed solid. I know they kicked as I was having a problem getting over some rocks, tuned them and went through no problem. I know the lack of use on the electric lockers on the JK is an issue, not sure if the same thing is true for air lockers or not. I just know yesterday my worked a lot smoother and seems the more often I turn them on the better they seem to function.
My uncle used them fairly often. He used the Rubicon for the lighter expedition stuff with the 4wd club he was apart of. When he wasn't using this he was bashing his tintop sami.
 
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Another small update. Got the switch pro switches mounted still need to mount the rest of it. Installed a floating screen Sony. Pulled it from my other money pit sense it no longer has daily duties. Made the stock system sound better but definitely need to look into speakers sub and amp upgrade.

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I like that switch mount. I don't foresee a switch pro in my future, but will definitely be looking into that if I do.
Yeah I like all the functions it can do and not a huge fan of rocker switches specially when you have to run everything through a fuse and relay to do it right. The switch pro is a solid state relay system and has logic programmed into it so I can make whatever is on the circuit do interesting things lol.
 
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Happy Halloween to all👻🎃
Finished a couple more projects that needed to get done. Didn't have a ton of time due to it being Halloween and getting called into work. However I did get the backup camera installed and maxbilt license plate light. Kind of like it for now.
I also found out why the locker lights kept flashing. Bought everything to replace the ignition switch. Upon tearing it apart found a screw extremely loose for the actual switch. While I was in there I replaced everything and now have a backup if the dorman stuff fails.
And now the lights stay solid! #winning
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Well savvy is having a sale on stuff so I ordered a few things. 1"mml 1.25bl and the 241 linkage since mine is a little hard to work hopefully cable will feel better. Trying to plan out the next phase trying to plan for 35s I think for now but doing it while planning around a 40 in the long run is difficult.
Anyone outboard the rear shocks without notching into the frame? Trying to stay coilsprings for now but planning coilovers down the line with a wb stretch (110-115 seem to be best where I wheel, plus the lj departure angle isn't the best)