05 Flame Red TJ Build

[Wildman]

Not to clog up the other thread. Get some butcher block paper and lay it over your tailgate and mark the holes you need located. Then lay that on the back of the tailgate skid and mark your holes.

The other option might be to remove the access panel and reach inside with a pencil or sharpie and mark the armor from the inside. I've never had the panel off so I don't know how much room you have to mess around with.

 

[JMT]

Not to clog up the other thread. Get some butcher block paper and lay it over your tailgate and mark the holes you need located. Then lay that on the back of the tailgate skid and mark your holes.

The other option might be to remove the access panel and reach inside with a pencil or sharpie and mark the armor from the inside. I've never had the panel off so I don't know how much room you have to mess around with.

I like the first option. Good solution!

 

[Tldelaney]

I second this. Just cut it out, or get a new door if it really bothers the OCD.

@tidelaney got a pic of your armor with the cutout?

Sorry for late response, just finished painting them.

 

[Fouledplugs]

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Sorry for late response, just finished painting them.

Looking great and fine example! This is the way it’s done.

 

[JMT]

After PM’ing with @Alex01 about a few things, he sent me his rear license plate mount. Got it yesterday, a few coats of paint, some new hardware so the plate is flush with the mount, and it’s installed. Now if the 4.5” hole saw will arrive so I can install the tail lights, the rear will be close to done. It’s turning out nice. Everything should be pretty flush by the end!

 

[JMT]

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Sorry for late response, just finished painting them.

That looks fantastic! Good job!

 

[Alex01]

After PM’ing with @Alex01 about a few things, he sent me his rear license plate mount. Got it yesterday, a few coats of paint, some new hardware so the plate is flush with the mount, and it’s installed. Now if the 4.5” hole saw will arrive so I can install the tail lights, the rear will be close to done. It’s turning out nice. Everything should be pretty flush by the end!
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Looks great. It appears like the nutsert mod worked out well. I'm not a fan of the way they wanted to attach the plate purely with the clamp.

 

[DrDmoney]

Looks great. It appears like the nutsert mod worked out well. I'm not a fan of the way they wanted to attach the plate purely with the clamp.

Are you going center tailgate or spare?

 

[JMT]

Looks great. It appears like the nutsert mod worked out well. I'm not a fan of the way they wanted to attach the plate purely with the clamp.

That was a good idea with the nutserts. I ordered one of the Rivet guns you mentioned bc now I want to put them everywhere! I got the license plate really flat against the mount. Turned out great!

 

[Alex01]

Are you going center tailgate or spare?

It's the same mount @Midnight LJR has on his that mounts to the spare, GR. Looking at JMTs savvy skin it looks like I'm going to have fun drilling a lot of holes. Hopefully I can use the MORryde as a template.

I ordered one of the Rivet guns you mentioned bc now I want to put them everywhere!

It's a great tool. I've used it for around 50 in the last few days and it hasn't had a single hiccup. I ordered 2 packs of these for the armor since I knew I'd need extras.. They appear to be the same quality as the ones savvy sent.

 

[zebra12]

Rivnuts sure make fender flare removal and install easy, but you two ( @JMT and @Alex01 ) are past stock flares.

 

[Alex01]

Rivnuts sure make fender flare removal and install easy, but you two ( @JMT and @Alex01 ) are past stock flares.

I'm debating attaching the GR flares with them. It seems like it would be a nice touch and make for easier installation and removal if needed.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

My rivnut tool is one of my favorites as well. I use it far more often than I ever expected. In the right situation you can‘t beat it.

 

[voodooridr]

RivNut tool is one of the best inventions evar

 

[JMT]

RivNut tool is one of the best inventions evar

My rivnut tool is one of my favorites as well. I use it far more often than I ever expected. In the right situation you can‘t beat it.

Got my rivnut tool!

 

[JMT]

Finally got my 4.5” hole saw. On the 03-06’ TJ’s the Evan Canister is in the rear wheel well on the passenger side. The bracket interferes with the plugs in the back of the flush mounted 4” LED tail lights. One solution mentioned, on Stu Olson’s blessed site, is to trim the bracket to clearance in the rear for the plugs. It looks like it will work. Cut, painted, reinstalled.

 

[JMT]

Got the 4.5” holes cut for the lights. I moved them about 1/4” inward. Should look better since it stays away from the bend of the tub around the corner. Worked with the wiring and figured out the drivers side. A few more wires and I’ll be there on the passenger side.

 

[JMT]

Tail lights are almost done. Somethings not perfect in the wiring, since I don’t have running lights, so I need to go in one more time and move some wires around. They work when I turn on the parking lights, so at least I can drive. Turned out nice. They look way better than stock, way brighter too.

 

[JMT]

Put a lift on my wife’s Yukon to clear the larger tires. It’s 2.5” front and 1” rear. Just a leveling kit. Easier than lifting a TJ. The rear only took 1 hour. It did solve the tire tub problem, so I’m happy about that. The front end will miss most curbs now, which is a good thing since those usually get hit a lot.

 

[JMT]

Soon I want to get to the 4:1 Tera Low. I’m hoping this Thursday. I need to map it all out in my mind.