Nate’s 2021 SR ACLB Build

Well since the Softopper is coming on Tuesday may as well start the build log going here. Convert from a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport as stripped as I could get. Damn this forum for biting me with the bug on this truck, was going to keep it stock until I got on here! First “mod”, ripped off those ugly SX decals. Second I did the 2020 RAV4 radio knobs. Loads more to follow I’m sure!

 

Fellow AC here, glad to see ACs represented. This forum gives an invaluable amount of knowledge and ideas that’ll help you, like it has to me! Subd!

 

Just ordered the supplies to add a third brake light to the Softopper. New soldering iron, solder, dielectric grease, 1/8” PET shield for the wires, SAE outlet so I can unplug when I fold the top down, new helping hands, and of course the lights. Will use silicone adhesive to stick the lights onto the topper itself. Bed lighting to come, eventually. Gotta love jumping into stuff like this around Christmas time. The budget is tight this month!

 

AC is life. I just couldn’t do a DCLB and I don’t like trucks with short beds. Also, don’t really use the backseat much besides storage space. Plus the AC just looks so dang nice in my opinion!

 

Nice looking rig! The base 2021’s come with dual climate?!

 

Haha yup! Did a double take myself. Hard to believe this truck stickered for around 34K with all the stuff on it. Adaptive cruise, that TSS-P thing, lane departure warning (which is either too sensitive or not sensitive enough, I hate it), dual climate, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, the slush mats, mudguards, SX package (blackout everything), V6 4x4, auto headlights (wrangler didn’t have it), and auto high beams (which is a feature that honestly could never have existed and I’d be happy about it). I’m sure I’m missing a few other things, but honestly it has power windows and locks so that’s luxury compared to what I’d been driving!!

 

My plans for bed lighting are to use a 3 panel switch with USB outlets and a volt meter.

This way I can add things over time to the other switches, charge my devices, and monitor battery voltage so I don’t leave myself stranded. I’ll be using diffusers that I paint the housing matte black on and bolt right to the bed for the LED strips.


I’ll have that to an Overland Equipped fuse box mount with a Blue Sea 12 blade fuse box and I’ll have to find a spot to mount relays for the more beefy LED lighting. Going to be a daily, work, camping and hunting truck. Trying to make a multi tool truck is quite the challenge!

 

Softopper has been on for about a week, if I can recommend anything is don’t do it outside when it’s 10 degrees. I made it work, but will have to fool around with it sometime when it’s warmer to get everything perfect. The front window is a touch saggy and the back window has gaps in the corners. Will be applying some weatherstripping to the tailgate edge to seal that up, but it’s been great to have. First major snow of the season got 6” on Thursday. Nothing in the bed and the top took it like a champ! 3rd brake light mod coming this week. Got the last of the supplies in for it yesterday, but out of town and won’t be able to get to it until Monday. I think next up is bed lighting, then interior LEDs, then the fancy new fuse box and hardwire bed lights, then possibly upgrade the sound system? Honestly the stock has been surprisingly good in my 2021 SR, but a JBL system with that detachable subwoofer would be pretty nice to have!

 

So winter has officially started to hit and it made me realize I miss a vehicle with remote start, haven’t had one in five years and debating. LED bed lights, or the N2 remote starter with the cell phone capability? Leaning towards getting the bed lighting done, plus the console organizer stuff, plus grab some MESO interior LEDs when they’re in stock. All that is still less than the remote starter and I can always do the starter with that sweet sweet tax refund money.