It just happened!

I'm doing some de-cluttering and started pulling out a bunch of old 18V Ryobi tools. It's amazing how this stuff seems to accumulate over the years. While they served me well, they've been replaced and it 's time for them to say goodbye! :(

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I'm doing some de-cluttering and started pulling out a bunch of old 18V Ryobi tools. It's amazing how this stuff seems to accumulate over the years. While they served me well, they've been replaced and it 's time for them to say goodbye! :(

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Time to say Byeobi!
 
Passenger side corner is drilled and ready to install the armor. Also drilled the inner reinforcement plate. For that, I purchased .375" x 1.75" x 48" aluminum bar. I'm not thrilled with how high the Genright corners have the holes drilled. This doesn't allow for the reinforcement plate holes to be centered. It works, just not how I'd like to see it.

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Passenger side armor is done, for now. Next is the tailgate armor and lower valance.

Everything will have to come off again to be painted body color. However, that will have to be a Summer project!

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Looks great! How much further down are the holes in the savvy armor? Can't be much? I see what you mean though about the holes not being centered in the backers.
 
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Passenger side corner is drilled and ready to install the armor. Also drilled the inner reinforcement plate. For that, I purchased .375" x 1.75" x 48" aluminum bar. I'm not thrilled with how high the Genright corners have the holes drilled. This doesn't allow for the reinforcement plate holes to be centered. It works, just not how I'd like to see it.

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Looking great!

I'm sure you covered it but I'll ask it anyway. What did you use to paint your wheel wells? I've got that project coming up and I like your outcome.
 
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Looking great!

I'm sure you covered it but I'll ask it anyway. What did you use to paint your wheel wells? I've got that project coming up and I like your outcome.

I just scuff them, apply a primer, then cover that with a clear. FWIW, I've also tried painting and clear coating them, but it's a lot of work and touching up latter is more difficult.
 
What's the standard practice for tailgate armor on a late model? Do I need to cut a hole and reinstall the vent, or just leave it off?

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What's the standard practice for tailgate armor on a late model? Do I need to cut a hole and reinstall the vent, or just leave it off?

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I have a late model Jeep with an early model hardtop, so I have vents on the hardtop. I ultimately decided to leave my tailgate virgin. Before that I thought about adding the vent, but my best solution was to cut vent slits in the tailgate skin. If you put a license plate bracket over the slits you’d never know they were there.
 
All those seemingly small details matter.

There are probably a couple of reasons for Savvy having the mounting holes lower. The first being that you could center the mounting holes in the reinforcement backer plate. The second, I'm guessing here, is that it allows for the inclusion of their tub rub rails. I wish that was still available!
 
I have a late model Jeep with an early model hardtop, so I have vents on the hardtop. I ultimately decided to leave my tailgate virgin. Before that I thought about adding the vent, but my best solution was to cut vent slits in the tailgate skin. If you put a license plate bracket over the slits you’d never know they were there.

IIRC, you don't run a spare on the tailgate. I'll be running the stock spare carrier, with MORyde hinges. Since the LJ hard top doesn't have vents, like the older model tops, I could slot or perforate the tailgate panel under the stock tire carrier. I do know that I'd prefer not to re-use the factory vent. It doesn't appeal to me visually.
 
There are probably a couple of reasons for Savvy having the mounting holes lower. The first being that you could center the mounting holes in the reinforcement backer plate. The second, I'm guessing here, is that it allows for the inclusion of their tub rub rails. I wish that was still available!

Same here! I have all but given up on bumpers and corners with rails especially, ever coming back in stock. I kick myself for not picking them up a while ago.
 
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Drilled a 1 3/16" hole in the center of the tailgate and installed a vent valve (really just a grommet split into a cross) for air to escape when the doors are closed. Also made the holes for the spare tire carrier and tire snubbers. Then installed everything.

All my lines are straight. However, the top line is about 1/16" off from the corner armor. I thought I had compensated for that, but somehow I didn't go far enough. I need to move the tailgate up to fix it, but can't do that until I have an extra set of hands. Last on the back is the valance panel. We'll see if that can be done in the next couple days.

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Drilled a 1 3/16" hole in the center of the tailgate and installed a vent valve (really just a grommet split into a cross) for air to escape when the doors are closed. Also made the holes for the spare tire carrier and tire snubbers. Then installed everything.

All my lines are straight. However, the top line is about 1/16" off from the corner armor. I thought I had compensated for that, but somehow I didn't go far enough. I need to move the tailgate up to fix it, but can't do that until I have an extra set of hands. Last on the back is the valance panel. We'll see if that can be done in the next couple days.

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I know how tedious and exacting you have to be to get this all right. Can be frustrating…
 
Also finished up the backside, including the installation of Blaine's taillights and license plate mount. After unpacking the lights, I realized he is both a Jeep and packing Wizard!

The lights do require an investment of time to get them wired but the instructions are the best I've seen. The end result is taillights that look like they belong there.

I still need to install a license plate light, which I'm waiting on a part for.

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