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cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
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Author:  cobra_4 [ Thu Sep 25, 2014 11:58 am ]
Post subject:  cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Well its not officially mine until I sign the paperwork tomorrow but no better time to start a thread than the present! Finally getting back into a Jeep after an almost two year absence from my Wrangler Unlimited. Its a 2011 Liberty, got just over 50k miles on it, all stock.

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This thread will be part build thread, part photo thread, kind of a diary of sorts for it. I love the overland concept and the whole idea, although living in the south there aren't as many chances and roads to explore for days at a time like there are out west so most of my trips will be day long, although I do have her maiden voyage camping trip planned in late October.

This will be my dd too so I don't plan on getting too crazy, I'm not interested in rock climbing or anything like that so a big lift won't be needed, but I would like to do a 2'' to get some bigger tires under it. All the usual mod's are in the plans, lights, roof rack, etc. etc.

Here are a few more photos, these are the ones I took of the dealership website.

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First on the to-do list is a good detailing, its got some scratches down the side I'd like to get out, although I'm sure more will follow.
I wanna get a good coat of wax on it to help protect the paint.
The headlights are in major need of cleaning, can't stand a fogged over light.
Speaking of headlights, an upgraded bulb will be coming shortly.
The side trim is a little faded, gotta get that blackened back up.
The first major mod will be a hitch, I gotta be able to pull my side by side up to me deer hunting property.

I'll post up updates as I go along, trip logs as I take them. Hopefully this will turn out to be a pretty cool thread in the end!
Author:  lfhoward [ Thu Sep 25, 2014 1:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Looks like you have a nice Jeep there, cobra_4. :JEEPIN: I have always liked the KK in green. We'll be looking forward to mods & trip reports with lots of photos! :mrgreen: You have a great start.
Author:  Bmxer524 [ Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Said it on JF, gonna say it again here. Can't wait to see it be built! If you have questions ask. I have a 2011 as well. They made slight changes over the years. The biggest(aside from the 2011 interior refresh) seems to be the ECU.
Author:  cobra_4 [ Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Upgrades!!!

Its supposed to flood later today and I quickly found out over the weekend that my wipers SUCK. It was on my normal upgrade list, but it has to happen sooner now than later!

Old sucky blades.
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New Bosch Icon's! Had great success with these before, I usually run them on about everything.
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I got REALLY lucky, when I pulled the passenger side up to change it, the blade fell off in my hand, the clip had broke at some point! Close call!!!


Also just ordered be a set of Rugged Ridge floor mats for it, for some reason, the previous owner decided to keep all the mats!
Author:  cobra_4 [ Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Well I had to do some unexpected maintenance today. Yesterday morning when I went out to go to work the battery was dead. I wasn't sure if I'd left anything on, but I didn't have time to mess with it. So last night I jumped it off, cranked right up, drove it for a half an hour, shut it off, fired right back up, good to go? Nope, dead again this morning. Jumped it off and got it to work and put a test on it which confirmed it was bad. It looked like the stock battery and from the looks of car fax the Jeep has spent the last year bouncing from a dealer to an auction to the dealer I got it from so who knows how many times its went dead and got jumped off between now and then.

The old battery.
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I had planned on an upgrade anyway, I knew the 600 cca stocker wasn't gonna be sufficient for accessories during camping, etc. I really want to go with a nice on board monitoring system one day, but for now that's not in the budget. I'm an Interstate Batteries dealer so of course that's the direction I wanted to go in. I thought about one of their new AGM batteries, but in the end for the money I decided to go with an MTP78DT. I like the dual terminal because it gives me extra room to hook up accessories later, and the MTP has 1000 cranking amps, so it should provide plenty of juice.
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Even though its not the stock replacement, they call for a 34, the 78 has the exact same case size, the terminals are just a little of, so I had to slightly bend my terminals, but other than that it went right in.
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I'm glad I changed the battery, I found out I'm missing my battery hold down, defiantly a must for the trails so I got one ordered off of ebay.

Did find a nasty scratch under the hood I hadn't noticed, time to order some touch up paint.
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On another side note, did find a nice feature on the jeep, the dash tray is perfect for an open carry fire arm!
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Author:  CollinKK [ Thu Oct 02, 2014 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Well that battery swap will definitely put you at ease knowing it'll start right up, that thing is serious.

When you find the touch-up paint please post the color# or item#. I believe we have the same color, and I've been nervous about getting the wrong color paint haha
Author:  cobra_4 [ Thu Oct 02, 2014 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
CollinKK wrote:
Well that battery swap will definitely put you at ease knowing it'll start right up, that thing is serious.

When you find the touch-up paint please post the color# or item#. I believe we have the same color, and I've been nervous about getting the wrong color paint haha


I'll be the guinea pig :jester:
Author:  cobra_4 [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Finally got my mats in, had them for a day or two just couldn't find the time to get to the car wash to vacuum it out.

I had Rugged Ridge mats in my Wrangler and loved them, I expect the same with these. I could tell they had been in the box for a while though, they are a little deformed but they should straighten out find in a week or so. I guess KK mats aren't flying of the shelf now a days like they were a few years ago.

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Also got my new battery hold down in and got that taken care of.

The go pro and nikon batteries are charging, unless its just a total down pour in the am, me and the wife have a couple of hour ride mapped out, photos and video to come! The leaves are really popping, this week and next are gonna be the peak looks like.
Author:  wildemt [ Sun Oct 12, 2014 8:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
My driver's side Rugged Ridge mat has a good curl in it as well. After a week, I pulled it out and let it sit in hot water. Then, I curled it flat. Couple of weeks later, the curl is back.

Other than that, I have loved those mats. I have them in the front and cargo. Went with Weathertech in the middle, since it was a single mat that covered more (including the center hump).
Author:  cobra_4 [ Sun Oct 12, 2014 8:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
wildemt wrote:
My driver's side Rugged Ridge mat has a good curl in it as well. After a week, I pulled it out and let it sit in hot water. Then, I curled it flat. Couple of weeks later, the curl is back.

Other than that, I have loved those mats. I have them in the front and cargo. Went with Weathertech in the middle, since it was a single mat that covered more (including the center hump).


Hmmm might be something I have to live with then. I looked at a Cargo mat but I plan on sleeping in mine some it would kinda be in the way, may get one just to keep around later on though, we will see.
Author:  cobra_4 [ Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Finally got a chance to take the Jeep off the beaten path today. With fall colors peaking I knew it was the perfect time to get away for a little Sunday drive.

So after a quick breakfast at our favorite local joint me and the wifey headed out. The original plans were to go out to our family property, put some corn out for the deer and put out my trail cameras's. Then head up the mountain towards Hayesville, NC, but cut across Rainbow Springs, an 11 mile dirt road across the mountain. A road I'd heard my dad talk about riding motorcycles on years ago, many times, but a road I'd never been on.


Arriving at our property, here's the field beside the gate, one of our better spots for deer hunting, once it dies down a little. You probably can't see them, but there is a bunch of Turkey up there.

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This was to be a big test for my Jeep because this is half the reason I bought it. When I'm gonna be in the woods for long periods of time, I bring my side by side, but its nice to be able to drive something up to check on food or camera's if needed, one of the biggest things I missed about my Wrangler.

Going up the mountain it did great, it was wet out and there were tons of leaves but it never broke traction one time, very impressed!

Up at the water overflow tank, I'll be back up here in two weeks on the Jeep's first camping trip, can't wait!!
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From there it was back down the mountain a ways and over to "the orchard", although there hasn't been an apple tree there in many years, there was at one time. Now its my main hunting area. We bush hogged and cut out most of it earlier in September, it hasn't looked this good in a long time! Excited to see what the season brings.

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From here I had to go back up toward the top of the mountain to turn around to go back down, I had a little tire spin the second time up, but nothing major.

On the way back down however, I quickly readjusted my lift plans, I thought my only reason for wanting a lift was bigger tires, I know know I need the ground clearance, I bottomed out two or three times really hard, stupid mistakes on rocks I've been dodging for years on side by side, motorcycles and atv's but I really figured I'd clear them.

Once at the bottom I had to stop in the main field for a quick photo op.

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From here we had planned on going to Rainbow Springs like I had mentioned earlier, but when my phone got service I had a message from my buddy who is going to help me do hardwood floors in the nursery at my house and with a new born only a month or so away, I had to change plans so we could do some measuring and what not. We did however ride to the top of the mountain anyway, around the out skirts of Standing Indian Campground, but instead of heading across, we headed back down the mountain and for home.

I have some great video, I'll share it when I get it processed and uploaded!
Author:  Bmxer524 [ Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Looks like a blast. With better tires you'll have even less worries!
Author:  Gageraid [ Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
The KK looks great in those pictures. Keep the pictures coming.
Author:  cobra_4 [ Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Putting together some of my early planned mods this week!

Got my vent shades in and put on, wasn't sure about the look, really was going for the function, but they look pretty good! Not crazy about how they are designed to fit around the mirror, but they work.

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Also got my hitch in.
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It's getting put on right now, or actually should be on by now, I went the lazy way and got my buddy to throw it up there for me.

Also getting the cabin air filter changed as well as the oil. The dealership had just done it, but who knows what they put in it.
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Author:  cobra_4 [ Sat Oct 18, 2014 8:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Finally got the video put together from the other weekend, some of the files went bad on me but I was able to save two short clips from my go pro's. No fancy editing or anything, just wanted to get it together so I could get it uploaded!


[url="http://jdsmotorsports.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/fall-jeep-ride-2011-jeep-liberty-kk/"]http://jdsmotorsports.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/fall-jeep-ride-2011-jeep-liberty-kk/[/url]
Author:  cobra_4 [ Sun Oct 26, 2014 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
After several weeks of planning finally got to take the Jeep camping this weekend! It did great off road, as usual, and spent most of the week on trailer duty pulling my side by side, atv, and then coolers and wood to the camp site. Power wise, I think it does as good or better than my 2010 Wrangler did. Its a little under-braked though, in fact I got them hot pulling the side by side in on a fairly short but steep grade. Anyway, on the pictures.


A few shots of the Jeep, unhooked the trailer before the trail got too rough, my trailer is just too wide for trails.
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Our camp, my buddy made it to the woods first, so easy for me most of everything was set up. Pretty impressive set up though I thought! Being the first time out in a while(most of my prior camping is done at our place at the lake, where everything stays and you are within reach of civilization) we both learned a few things for next time that we needed. A table besides the picnic table thats been at the site for years, and more lights to light the camp site edges at night. But for the most part, we had what we needed.

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The atv's and side by side. The Kubota and the Grizzly are mine.
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We definitely ate good!! I think you could cook a dog turd over the fire and make it taste good!

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Bad shot, but this was our kitchen.
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Mmmm the beef stew that came out of that pot!
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One mistake we made, not enough wood, although it was really cold the first night, not so much the second night, but we still had to go cut some more. No big deal when you're on 200 acres full of timber, it wasn't hard to find a few tree's than needed trimming out of trails. We had the Kubota loaded down!
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Friday night, about 2am, a dog decided to tree something just on the other side of camp. What a great way to ruin the next morning deer hunting, a dog barking for five hours, but we finally made friends with the old girl and got in contact with the owner and took her out to the main road for him.
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Did get a little hunting in, although we didn't get anything. My buddy shot at two, one he just goofed and missed, the other was an impossible shot with a bow.
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Random campfire photos.
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This was my first time sleeping in the jeep, I had planned on sleeping in the back, but honestly, I just had too much stuff that was too unorganized, mainly from being in a hurry when I loaded the Jeep. So I ended up sleeping in the front seat. The first night, I got cold and had to crank up for about 20 minutes, the second night it was hot, well hotter than the night before and I ended up sleeping with the windows cracked. The front seat wasn't bad, I liked being able to listen to the radio all night, but my tail bone got a little sore and I had to get out and stretch a few times. Friday night I used a heating blanket my mom had that plugged into the cig lighter, that thing was awesome.

Next time I will plan better, have better storage, etc and be able to sleep in the back if I decide too. I may try the passenger seat too, might be a little more room over there without the wheel.

Anyway, it was a great trip! Hope you enjoy the pics!
Author:  CollinKK [ Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
That definitely looks like a great time. I don't have good car camping up near me sadly so I'm jealous.

Side note I found the color code for the green. Jeep Green Metallic PGJ. Quadratech sells 5oz spray cans even
Author:  cobra_4 [ Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Not many updates lately, been busy, but now that winter is on the way I hope to get some quality time in the jeep as well as make some more upgrades.

I did however make its most important haul last Sunday, brought my baby boy home from the hospital!
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Author:  12KK SFD [ Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Congrats!
Author:  lfhoward [ Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: cobra_4's 2011 KK Build/Trip Log Thread
Awwwww! He's a keeper.
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