A STRIKING ANVIL
2014 JEEP WRANGLER JKU
There are few vehicles that are as capable off pavement as a factory stock Jeep Wrangler. You don’t have to tell that to Frank Lopez, whose modified ‘14 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon has been improved in almost every way to be the ultimate camping, wheeling, and expedition vehicle.
Frank’s first experience with the Jeep brand was in the form of a ‘10 Wrangler Sport model. Over the years, he clocked over 140K miles on wheeling and travel expeditions. One day, after coming back from an eight-day trip, he experienced overheating and transmission issues. Instead of spend-
“WITH THE GOAL OF MAINTAINING THE
RELIABILITY OF THE FACTORY 3.6L PENTASTAR V-6, THE ENGINE IS LEFT STOCK SAVE FOR A SUPERCHIPS REFLASH AND AN AEV SNORKEL WHICH KEEPS CLEAN
AIR RUNNING THROUGH THE ENGINE.”
ing the additional downtime and money to upgrade an older truck with high miles, Frank found himself the proud new owner of this ‘14 JK Unlimited in the hard-to-find Anvil Gray color.
A New Ride
As a frequent traveler and a photographer, Frank wanted a capable vehicle that could take him to remote places that were out of reach for most people. With the goal of maintaining the reliability of the factory 3.6L Pentastar V-6, the engine is left stock save for a Superchips reflash and an AEV Snorkel which keeps clean air running through the engine.
Suspension wise, Frank opted for a 3-inch lift in both the front and rear with a Teraflex Outback kit with additional Falcon Piggyback Adjustable Shocks that smooth out the ride even on the most rugged of terrain. Further suspension modifications from Teraflex include trackbars and drag links to keep suspension and steering geometry in check, as well as a Falcon steering dampener.
For rolling gear, Frank turned to American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) for a set of their 17x8.5 Borah beadlock wheels which are mated to 37-inch BFGOODRICH Mud Terrain KM3’s. The driveline has also been upgraded with Ten Factory Chromoly axle shafts paired with 4.88 gears from Motive Gear. A Teraflex Big Brake Kit with slotted rotors keeps everything in check, especially with the added weight of the running gear.
More Than Looks
A Hardrock front bumper with bull bar houses a Warn VR10s winch to aid in self-recovery and protects the front end from damage, and an AEV rear bumper further strengthens the body and adds additional recovery points for safety. Rounding out the rear, a Titan
Fuel Tanks Trail Trekker II fuel tank mounted with an AEV tire swing helps with the
“ROUNDING OUT THE REAR, A TITAN FUEL TANKS TRAIL TREKKER II FUEL TANK MOUNTED WITH AN AEV TIRE SWING HELPS WITH THE STORAGE OF AUXILIARY FUEL IN AN OFTEN UNUSED SPACE.”
Frank hits the wide open trail in his go anywhere JK.
storage of auxiliary fuel in an often-unused space. Teraflex rock sliders keep boulders and other obstacles off the rocker panels and frame and also serve as an additional step for entry and egress into the vehicle.
“STAYING OFF THE GRID FOR MULTIPLE DAYS AT A TIME REQUIRES CREATIVE CARGO SOLUTIONS TO STORE HIS NECESSITIES AND GEAR. WHILE THE FOUR-DOOR JKU HAS
MORE CARGO SPACE THAN A REGULAR WRANGLER, CALLING THE INTERIOR SPACIOUS IS A BIT OF A STRETCH.”
Living Quarters
Staying off the grid for multiple days at a time requires creative cargo solutions to store his necessities and gear. While the 4-door JKU has more cargo space than a regular Wrangler, calling the interior spacious is a bit of a stretch. For help with this, Frank enlisted the help of Goose Gear in Huntington Beach, California, to install one of their JKU Sleep Systems. This platform replaces second row cargo seating with cargo platforms which help store his gear, and also can double as a sleeping platform when needed.
Goose Gear also installed an ICEBOX module, which houses a 42L Snomaster fridge to store perishable goods on long journeys. A Snomaster 12L console fridge conveniently mounted behind the driver seat keeps cool beverages on hand and at an arm’s reach. Military derived MOLLE seat back panels and storage bags from Blue Ridge Overland Gear help organize
and store gear inside of the cabin.
In the cockpit, the dash has been organized with 67 Design mounting arms which hold a Magellan GPS Tablet and phone mount. An SPOD monitor is mounted to the top of the headliner for easy access while staying out of sight, and a constant rearview camera monitor replaces the OEM rearview mirror for additional views outside of the vehicle.
Up On Top
One of the most unique components of Frank’s build is the addition of a sleek color-matched Ursa Minor J30 Hardtop, which replaces the factory hardtop of the Jeep but looks almost OEM, adding only 10 inches in height. The clamshell roof opens in seconds to reveal a pop-top camper tent, an ideal sleeping solution for camping in remote areas.
“ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE COMPONENTS OF FRANK’S BUILD IS THE ADDITION OF A SLEEK COLOR-MATCHED URSA MINOR J30 HARDTOP, WHICH REPLACES THE FACTORY HARDTOP OF THE JEEP BUT LOOKS ALMOST OEM, ADDING ONLY 10 INCHES IN HEIGHT.”
The footprint of the sleeping platform is the same size as the cabin of the Jeep, making it extremely comfortable. Also mounted to the roof of the Ursa Minor Hardtop is L-track for additional cargo storage, a
Rhino Rack Batwing Awning, and a propane tank holder from Adventure Trailers.
Electrical power is supplied throughout the vehicle courtesy of an SPOD Bantam, which also ties into Baja Designs LP9s, XL80s, and Squadron Pros in case Frank ever finds himself needing to light up the trails on the way into camp.
Second Chances
If you ask Frank how he’d build his adventure truck up differently next time, he’d tell you that he already did. All of the lessons learned from his first Jeep he applied to improve upon with his current build, building the Jeep with quality products that he can trust and depend on. If you ask us, he couldn’t have said it in a better way. This Jeep can really take you anywhere, and stay out anywhere in the process.