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Author: Trent Riddle
Photos: Trent Riddle and manufacturers
 Standard positioning for the QA2 is as a vertical mount. |
 The QA2 can be repositioned on its mounting brackets for a horizontal mounting. |
 The QA2 can be mounted under the hood if space allows. This will cause the compressor to absorb some of the under hood heat, reducing the compressor run time due to thermal limits. |
 We opted to add a second circuit breaker in the power loop. The QA2 comes with its own circuit breaker, mounted to the unit. We just felt better having the extra circuit breaker close to the battery. |
 If you like portability, the QA2 is also available in a handy carrying case. |
 We opted to mount the QA2 behind the driver’s seat. Since any rear passengers will be able to enter or exit behind the passenger front seat, this area is low traffic. |
 When routing the power cable to the battery, be sure to pass it though a grommet to prevent any possible short circuits. |
 The QA2 is one of the few compressors on the market that you can get a seal kit for. This means when you’ve worn the unit out from trail use, you can rebuild it. Other compressors are just throwaway units. |
Sometimes we all need a little therapy to unwind after a hard week of work. The stress of our daily grind is best forgotten with a weekend on the trail. Unfortunately, free weekends to go ‘wheeling are scarce. The next best thing to hitting the trail is preparing your rig for the next time you do get to hit the dirt. Taking a few hours to wrench on your Jeep can be therapeutic, and the cost of any parts is still cheaper than paying a shrink the going hourly rate.
We’ve compiled a few quick and easy upgrades that you can do in a day or less. The key here is to plan ahead and have the parts pieces to do the install on hand. Mind you, there is still the possibility of running into unknown wear or damage that it would be best to address while you’re already working in the area. For example, when installing new front axles, you’ll have to remove the brakes and wheel hubs. So plan ahead and have the parts on hand to replace the brakes and bearings, if you know they’re in need of service too.
Once you’ve completed your upgrade(s) of choice, you’ll find you feel better about your Jeep and maybe about life in general.
AIR UNDER THERE
Quick Air 2 Compressor Install
Everyone knows that airing down your tires for the trail gives you a smoother ride and better traction. The trouble is what do you do when the trailhead is miles outside of town. You can elect to not air down for the trail or opt for the slow 20 mph drive back to a gas station that has a working air supply.
Wait, what about carrying your own compressor. Onboard air systems have become more and more popular. Now, air is not only used to fill your tires, but also to operate your locking differentials.
One of the most versatile air compressors on the market is the Quick Air 2 (QA2) from Sun Performance Products. The QA2 is small in size and big on performance. This compressor has a maximum flow rate of 2.18 cfm and a max pressure rating of 105 psi. At max load it pulls 28 amps, with a 22 amp draw at no load.
The QA2, available as a hard mount unit (compressor only), is ideal for mounting under the hood or inside your vehicle. The compact size and an adjustable mounting bracket allows the compressor to be mounted in the vertical or horizontal position. The compressor is also available as a portable unit. It’s a complete ready-to-use version of the hard mount compressor. A steel case houses the compressor, 25ft. nylon coil hose with clip-on air chuck, and jumper cable style battery connectors.
Since the chance of leaving your compressor at home is always present, we usually opt for the hard mount version. While the compressor can be mounted under the hood, the added heat from the motor will cause the compressor to cut out sooner, due to the thermal limiter.
A QA2 is capable of filling a 33x12.5 tire from flat to 30psi in 5 minutes; less if the tire isn’t completely devoid of air. The QA2 also has an available seal kit to keep your compressor in top shape no matter how often you use it.
Installation time for a QA2 will vary, depending on the mounting location and your skill with electrical wiring. We estimate that the average remote, under seat mount, should take between 3-5 hours.
Source: Sun Performance Products • 3605 W. McArthur Blvd., Suite 705 • Santa Ana, CA 92704 • www.sunperformance.com
Tools Required:
1/2 drive socket set
3/8 drive socket set
Drill motor
Wire Cutters
Wire terminal crimpers
Terminal ends
Additional tools & parts
we recommend:
An additional 40 amp circuit breaker for remote mounts
Misc. wire ties |
ENTRY PROTECTION
 Our Wrangler’s doorsills where not that badly scuffed, we just had it painted a year ago. However, the white paint showed every little scratch.
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 1. The first step is to clean your doorsills to remove all the dirt and grease. We used acetone to clean ours. You could also use isopropyl alcohol. |
 2. With the doorsills clean, simply remove the backing from the two-sided tape on the inside of the Entry Guards. |
 3. Place the Entry Guards on the doorsills, centering them by eye and press to set. |
 4. The Entry Guards look great and protect our doorsills for any further damage. |
Tools Required:
None (just a rag & some good cleaner) |
Bestop Entry Guard install
It’s inevitable, you’re going to scratch and scuff you Jeep’s doorsills. The taller you lift your Jeep, the faster it happens. After all, you have to step on the darn sill to get in. Over time the scratches, scuffs and small dings begin to make your Jeep look ratty. It’s aggravated by the fact that you spend the warmer months running around with the doors off, and the whole world can see your Jeep’s ugly doorsills.
Don’t worry, Bestop has the answer, it’s their Entry Guards. Entry Guards are simple molded plastic overlays that cover damaged doorsills and protect new Jeeps from damage. Installation is simple and can be done in less time than it takes to run to the corner market. Install a set and protect against the scuffs and scratches on your Jeep’s doorsills or to improve the look of an already beaten doorsill.
Source: Bestop, Incorporated • 2100 W. Midway Blvd. • Broomfield, CO 80020 www.bestop.com
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 1. The mounting brackets are placed in the area you intend to mount the Cargo Cage. Be sure that the top of the cage can open unrestricted and your seats can move completely rearward, before finalizing the mounting location. |
 2. After finding the location for the Cargo Cage, check to be sure the area below is clear to drill into. Remember, if mounting the Cargo Cage to the floor, the gas tank is below the floor here. Next, drill two 5/16 holes for the mounting bolts and install the rear bracket. |
 3. With the rear bracket in place, install the Cargo Cage and check the mounting location of the front bracket. Then remove the Cargo Cage and drill two 5/16 mounting holes. The same restrictions apply, when mounting to the floor, look under the body for obstructions first. |
 4. The T-latches are mounted to the front bracket and allow the Cargo Cage to be easily removed, yet secure when in place. Once the Cargo Cage is installed on the brackets, the T-latches are turned 90-degrees and locked in place with the small nuts seen in the photo. With the Cage closed and locked, you can’t get at the T-latches to release them. |
 The Cargo Cage is sturdy enough for us to strap a cooler onto it. With the cooler riding behind the driver, our rearward visibility is not an issue. Our Coleman Xtreme cooler is still below the roll bar. |
 Installed on the Jeep floor, the Cargo Cage holds a full load in secure quarters. The Cargo Cage in this position is low enough to ride beneath a Duster cover. |
 Here you can see the Cargo Cage mounted directly into the back of the Jeep floor. |
 Our Coleman Xtreme cooler rides even better on the Cargo Cage when it’s in the bed. In this configuration the cooler is even below the seat headrest. |
 Here you see the Cargo Cage installed over our Tuffy Roller Draw box. The cage handles our large camping items, while the roller drawer handles our secure storage of smaller items. |
GET CAGEY
Tuffy Security’s Gear Cage
The open air feel of a Jeep is refreshing, invigorating and very insecure as far as your gear goes. The folks at Tuffy Products are Jeep and 4x4 enthusiasts. They know the joy of the wind in you hair and have also felt the loss of precious gear due to sticky fingers. Now not everyone wants a huge storage box all the time, and sometimes everyone needs a little extra secure storage for a special run. With this in mind, Tuffy developed the Cargo Cage.
The Cargo Cage is a simple security measure that can be installed in minutes, once the brackets are bolted in. Then you can expand/secure your cargo capacity as you need it, and reduce it when you don’t.
Since the Cargo Cage is not fully enclosed, it’s not as heavy as a full storage box, and you should only use it for items that are too big to fit through the openings. Larger camping gear items are ideal for the Cargo Cage. Once your gear is secure, you won’t have to worry about it growing legs while you’re away grabbing a bite before hitting the trail.
Installation of the Cargo Cage is simple. All you have to do is install the two brackets, and then slip the cage into place. Installation or removal takes less time than it takes to load gear into the Cargo Cage.
Source: Tuffy Products • 25733 Road H• Cortez, CO 81321 • www.tuffyproducts.com |
SIX SHOCKS IN ONE
Explorer ProComp’s MX6 Shocks
Every old Jeep could use a new set of shocks. Old worn out shocks don’t dampen the vibrations well and dented or damaged shocks can lock and make your Jeep ride like a buckboard wagon.
When it comes time to replace those old worn units on your Jeep, what you really want is a soft shock for the trail and a stiff one for the street. Well with the MX6 Shock from Explorer Pro Comp, you get six shocks in one. This breakthrough in shock absorber technology combines the lightweight and fast dampening action of a monotube shock with 6-Way external adjustability.
Each set of MX6 shocks are valved and sized for a specific application, so you won’t be installing shocks on your Jeep that fit nine other types of vehicles too. When you add this to the adjustability factor, you quite possibly have the best shock you can get for your Jeep, for the money.
Changing shocks is easy and quick. If you can change a tire, you can change your shocks.
Source: Explorer Competition Products, Inc. • 2360 Boswell Rd. • Chula Vista, CA 91914 • www.explorerprocomp.com
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| 1. The mounting brackets are placed in the area you intend to mount the Cargo Cage. Be sure that the top of the cage can open unrestricted and your seats can move completely rearward, before finalizing the mounting location. |
| 2. After finding the location for the Cargo Cage, check to be sure the area below is clear to drill into. Remember, if mounting the Cargo Cage to the floor, the gas tank is below the floor here. Next, drill two 5/16 holes for the mounting bolts and install the rear bracket. |
| 3. With the rear bracket in place, install the Cargo Cage and check the mounting location of the front bracket. Then remove the Cargo Cage and drill two 5/16 mounting holes. The same restrictions apply, when mounting to the floor, look under the body for obstructions first. |
| 4. The T-latches are mounted to the front bracket and allow the Cargo Cage to be easily removed, yet secure when in place. Once the Cargo Cage is installed on the brackets, the T-latches are turned 90-degrees and locked in place with the small nuts seen in the photo. With the Cage closed and locked, you can’t get at the T-latches to release them. |
| The Cargo Cage is sturdy enough for us to strap a cooler onto it. With the cooler riding behind the driver, our rearward visibility is not an issue. Our Coleman Xtreme cooler is still below the roll bar. |
| Installed on the Jeep floor, the Cargo Cage holds a full load in secure quarters. The Cargo Cage in this position is low enough to ride beneath a Duster cover. |
| Here you can see the Cargo Cage mounted directly into the back of the Jeep floor. |
| Our Coleman Xtreme cooler rides even better on the Cargo Cage when it’s in the bed. In this configuration the cooler is even below the seat headrest. |
| Here you see the Cargo Cage installed over our Tuffy Roller Draw box. The cage handles our large camping items, while the roller drawer handles our secure storage of smaller items. |
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