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JDubya's build thread...09 WK Overland... meet Sparkles the Beast

41K views 104 replies 29 participants last post by  wkthursty 
#1 ·
My Jeep is already pretty "built" but I thought it'd be fun to go through everything in order.

Stock!




Sparkles!




 
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#33 ·
Great build thread..! +rep
 
#35 ·
Moar updates!
 
#37 ·
DIY Superflux LED bulbs for the interior:

I wanted all of my interior lights to match my cargo strip LEDs


so I made my own. I used the white "Superflux" LEDs from Oznium. They're great at first: they're bright and produce a nice clean white light (not too purple/blue). HOWEVER, they don't last one. Mine keep failing. I even ran them at a lower current, hoping that would prolong their life but the LEDs keep going bad.

The full how-to thread is here: DIY Superflux LED bulbs (578, W5W/194) Plug-and-play!

I used prototyping board as the basis for the bulbs












To make the end caps for the festoon/578 bulbs, I just cannibalized my OEM incandescent bulbs:


The end just had to be opened a little wider to fit the PCB






I filled the ends with potting compound/epoxy to secure them






 
#40 ·
Thank you!
Dam dude thats a ton of work! Ill stick to my v-leds lol :)
lol kind of but it didn't take as long as you'd think; I've been doing this kind of stuff for a while


Pinch weld modification:
First, I removed the fender liners. Then I scuffed everything up around the pinch weld and sprayed the "back" side (side closest to the engine) of it with a few coats of bedliner. Then before it fully dried I used a BFH to flatten the weld. Next I sprayed the rest of that area with bedliner, doing my best to get it in every nook and cranny.

Next up is the hump in the fender liner and I knew I didn't want to cut it up too much. I've seen some guys use a self tapping screw to pin it to the unibody but IMO the less drilling/cutting the better (one fewer spot for rust to develop), so I used a heat gun to flatten it out.



With the heat gun go up and down this area until it gets soft. As you're working it with the heat gun, use something to start pressing on the plastic. Once you're happy with the fold, hold it in place until the plastic cools. If you spend some time on it, you could actually make it look pretty good but I was rushing

 
#39 ·
Dam dude thats a ton of work! Ill stick to my v-leds lol :)
 
#43 ·
I haven't had a chance to fully test the mod with deep articulation but so far I haven't had any rubbing. Hopefully it's rub-free!

Until I see it in person I DON'T CARE LOL, and get a ride on our way to go shot some SHIIIIT lol
HAHA just let me know when you want to meet up
 
#44 ·
Painted Emblems:
Plasti-Dip makes blacking out your emblems a piece of cake! Here are a couple how-to threads:
Best plasti dip diy toutorial - emblems
DIY plastidip your emblems.



Once I masked them off, I wiped the emblems down with rubbing alcohol to make sure the Plasti-Dip had a clean surface to stick to. A toothpick works best to get the PD out of small areas, like inside the "e" & "P"






Winter prep:

My undercarriage was pretty nasty so I washed it, sanded it all down, degreased it, then spray-bombed it with semi-gloss black engine enamel





and I FINALLY removed my front air dam and installed my 4XGuard Front Guard:



 
#45 ·
Sparkle's private parts look better than new!!! :drool:

This is on my list for next year; I done the fenders, calipers, hub & suspension assy which I could get to without going right under in Summer. I have a daily driver so rinsing off the underside isn't a major PITA after road trip this time of year which are few and far between anyway.

The difference doing this work makes is just unbelieveable though and I can guarentee anytime you go to a shop for work they will take care when working because they know you look after the Jeep.

It's also funny how you put it under 'Winter prep'. I can only laugh when people think giving a car a good prep for Winter is putting on a coat of wax/sealant whereas its the underside that takes the real beating. :thumbsup:


Liking the shot taken from the rig too. :)
 
#47 ·
:lol:

today I noticed a bunch of rust on the welded-in SuperLift plate on the crossmember under the front drive shaft... more work to do! :guns:rust



One of my favorite WK's! Amazing work Jan!
Thanks! :headbang:


Here's a project I've had halfway done for a while but get too distracted with other things to actually finish...

I cut some prototyping board into the shape of the front turnsignal reflector, painted it black, then soldered on REAL Lumileds Superflux LEDs (no oznium LEDs here).







This is the pulse width modulator that will "dim" the LEDs for normal running/parking light use. Unlike incandescent bulbs, the proper way to dim an LED is with pulse width modulation. What this does is turns the LEDs on and off so fast that they appear dim. Have you ever seen a car on the road with LED tail lights that appear to blink when you move your eyes around? This is why. Depending on the frequency of the PWM, and the person looking at it, you can sometimes pick up on some degree of flashing.


I also made some LED arrays for my WJ, but I got rid of it before I could install the LEDs. Any of you WJ guys want them?




 
#46 ·
One of my favorite WK's! Amazing work Jan!
 
#48 ·
Dam son, I wanna see that installed. Then ill send ya some $$ and a set of headlights to make and install one :)
 
#50 ·
I get my Superflux LEDs from Future Electronics
I get my prototyping board from either a local shop (Baynesville Electronics), Radio Shack, or ebay.

I got the voltage regulator/PWM circuit from AZDave on the HIDPlanet.com forums, it's his design. The one pictured above is his prototype but I'm going to run his production model, the Opti-Drive, when I finish this project. Here's the schematic, parts list, and more, on the Opti-Drive: http://www.rcaz.com/images/electronics/opti-drive/instr4.pdf

The Opti-Drive isn't just a PWM, it also regulates voltage to keep your LEDs safe from voltage spikes.

There are many schematics and PCB layouts available online if you want to make your own but if you want a prebuilt unit, check the marketplace at HID Planet.
 
#51 ·
How much do you want to build a set :)
 
#55 ·
You guys ready for the next addition?
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I don't think you are...
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wait for it...
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wait for it....
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BAM
:D
 
#65 · (Edited)
Thanks guys! :D


We don't' have a carseat yet. We're deciding between Britax and Peg Perego. They both seem great but the Britax has the "anti-rebound bar", which seems like a good idea so we're leaning toward that one now. Britax also has a cool stroller that you can add a second carseat to. For the larger/convertible seat, I've got my eye on Recaro lol


this is how i feel when i see your build thread! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ZZreXEqSY
hahaha :lol:
Congrats Jan. Thats your best Mod.
Best indeed! I can't wait. In a month we'll find out the gender
 
#58 ·
Hey-o! Congrats!
 
#59 ·
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