Endless Summer 2.0 - My rare air Mopar treasure hunt adventure

[Bernjlur]

Hi fellow Jeepers! My first Jeep as an undergrad in college in 1992 was a beautiful 1980 CJ7 Renegade. Unfortunately, I didn’t appreciate it like I should’ve and allowed the entire thing to rust out. Since then, I’ve learned to appreciate taking care of my Jeeps, and I’ve owned…in order… black 2010 JK, flame red 2012 JKU, anvil 2015 JKU, white 1995 YJ, and currently an Ocean Blue 2019 JLUR and this one - my 2005 LJ Rubicon Sahara Endless Summer 2.0 coastal cruisin’ beach buggy.

Because the 2005 Rubicon Sahara is not a very common LJ, I found myself compelled to find and install many of the other hard-to-find Mopar and AEV parts for my LJ. While it started out as a fun treasure hunt, it’s becoming a bit of an unhealthy obsesssion. So far, I’ve added a Mopar RB-1 factory navigation radio with the latest DVD map (yep - nav ran off DVD in 2005), Mopar Trail Guide made by Garmin, Mopar Rock Crawler front and rear bumpers by AEV, N.O.S. / N.I.B. khaki soft top, DIY refurbished factory half doors, and Mopar 392 XR wheels (unfortunately, these don’t fit with the period correctness of everything else but they’re damn sexy).

Still hoping to add Mopar Rock Crawler rock rails, Mopar rear corner guards, and some clean AEV Bridgers. Besides the highline hood and fenders by AEV which I couldn’t afford if I did find them, what else should I be searching for? And any leads for future treasures are always welcome!

Thanks for checking out my treasure hunting addiction!

 

[Desert Roamer]

Half doors on an LJ. Wow. Am I the only one that’s not used to that look? That’s a pretty color, man.

 

[Apparition]

Half doors on an LJ. Wow. Am I the only one that’s not used to that look? That’s a pretty color, man.

yes

 

[bbaldwin237]

Neat build!

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Too bad “Tonz and Fodeez” were never a Mopar accessory…

Nice rig.

 

[Zorba]

Whose flares?

 

[Bernjlur]

Whose flares?

Flares of cheap easy install ones from Rugged Ridge (hurricane flares). Painted dark khaki to match the OEM khaki flares and hard top/soft top.

 

[IPerkWVU]

OEM original Rubicon Sahara flares

 

[SSTJ]

I like it. I recently started a list of OEM accessories I've picked up for my bare-bones SE. I need to update that post, for example with the Mopar Trail Guide I recently picked up.

 

[Bernjlur]

Recently, I acquired and installed N.O.S. / N.I.B. Mopar corner guards with rub rail for LJs. These proved very hard to find and I’m excited to have added them to the Mopar Rock Crawler front and rear bumper collection. Now, all we need are those elusive Mopar Rock Crawler rock rails - Any ideas out there???

 

[Bernjlur]

Recently acquired and installed a N.I.B. RockJock Currectlync steering system that was unused and left over from a nearby build. Loving it!

 

[mrblaine]

Recently acquired and installed a N.I.B. RockJock Currectlync steering system that was unused and left over from a nearby build. Loving it!View attachment 571056

Bolt for the end of the stabilizer points to the rear and back at the top of the draglink.

 

[Bernjlur]

Bolt for the end of the stabilizer points to the rear and back at the top of the draglink.

Guessing you mean like this? I had a local shop take care of the install, and I can do a deeper dive into this and make the needed adjustments. Thanks for the heads up

 

[mrblaine]

Guessing you mean like this? I had a local shop take care of the install, and I can do a deeper dive into this and make the needed adjustments. Thanks for the heads up View attachment 571061

Exactly like that.

 

[JMT]

what else should I be searching for?

Interesting idea. Clean.

1. Original Rubi width flares.
2. A Jeep Instatrunk. Of course it’s an LJ, so it might be odd to install.
3. An original Rubi recovery hitch.

 

[Bernjlur]

Interesting idea. Clean.

1. Original Rubi width flares.
2. A Jeep Instatrunk. Of course it’s an LJ, so it might be odd to install.
3. An original Rubi recovery hitch.

Thanks for the input! PO added the aftermarket flares but I do also have the original khaki Rubi flares that came from factory with this trim sitting in the garage but they’re faded and discolored in places so I may need to see if somebody can clean them up and paint them original khaki color (khaki flares, hard, and soft top originally) or have them painted to match the body - this is an around town beach cruiser so it won’t be seeing rocks and difficult trails.

I thought about and have been looking for a clean khaki Instatrunk but so far they’ve all been pretty beat up and I share your concerns about the odd install possibility and might need to do some research and see some pics.

Yes on the original Mopar recovery hitch. Will have to keep an eye out!