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View Full Version : Metalcloak Gamechanger install and thoughts and first 200 miles of driving!



Snarf77
02-28-2014, 05:02 PM
Over the last week my Rubicon has undergone some significant changes, the most important being the installation of Metalcloak's Gamechanger 3.5 inch suspension lift with 6-pack shocks. The Gamechanger offered me 14" of wheel shock travel in a bolt on system - which is unheard of and unmatched as far as I know. Anyway. I thought I'd share some pictures of my install process here and there. Extensive testing and off-road use will follow, but this is day one of having it on the road. Just had to share!

Here is Jesse's girl pulling into the bay preparing to lose some parts!

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This is the Gamechanger 3.5 inch system's components

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Wheels off, and stock axle coming down!

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Snarf77
02-28-2014, 05:09 PM
Metalcloak's setup is unique - the shocks are probably the most spectacular part of the whole deal both visually and functionally.

Check out how good looking these were, even in the box!

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You can read about the shocks all over the place, but the concept is that shock shafts extend both north and south out of the shock body giving twice the stroke of a normal shock. As it compresses, the short shock body doesn't serve as your limitation for compression or travel. Pretty cool.

They're pretty fat shocks as shocks go, but Metalcloak has bolt on mounts included that let you slap them in like a no-brainer. There are a few adjustments you make to keep them from slapping around, but they aren't too bad.

Metalcloak also zinc plates most of the hardware for corrosion resistance. The shock mounts are no different but check out how beefy some of the parts are compared to stock, and adjustable too.

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Snarf77
02-28-2014, 05:14 PM
I wonder how long these will stay this pretty!?!

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Check out how much larger the duroflex joints are vice the stock joints. I cant' wait to off road her to see how she flexes.

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Just a teeensy bit longer?

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Snarf77
02-28-2014, 05:33 PM
Arms going in!

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6-pack front shocks going in.

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Front shock mounts.

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Snarf77
02-28-2014, 05:36 PM
Rear setup.

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Snarf77
02-28-2014, 05:41 PM
Here she is done and rolling. The alignment went well - the geometry wasn't hard to maintain with the Metalcloak kit. Only two minor things came up in the install and both were easily resolved.

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I got about 4.5 inches of lift up front and 3.75 inches of lift in the rear to bring her almost level. I expect to lose some of this with the install of my overline tube fenders and with the install the spare on the tailgate. Do note I have a hardtop or I'd probably be up a bit higher.

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Snarf77
02-28-2014, 05:46 PM
I drove her like this about 90 minutes through the countryside and then on the highway, and finally through a small town with roads torn up by the snowmageddon we've had this year. Let me tell you, she drives at least as good as stock, probably better.

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I didn't have any time to test the suspension before I had to give it to another shop, but I did find a small snow bank!

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6 packs again.

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JeepLab
02-28-2014, 11:29 PM
This build is an 800lb gorilla. Complete tear out of pretty much every stock component.

And the color scheme...... Love the throw back.

Snarf77
03-01-2014, 10:50 AM
Thanks! I'm going for that late 70's CJ7 Golden Eagle look!

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Either way, you're right. This was a bit build and thats why it took a while to do.

I did the full Gamechanger install. I went with front and rear Artec Axle Armor, which went in well and looks tough as hell. I had to do an exhaust spacer to have the front shaft clear. Also went from factory 32s to 37KM2s. One jeep in, a completely different beast came out.

When I get her back in a week, I'll be doing my metalcloak overline tube fender install. Also I'll get some better pics of the Artec kit and lift. I think a Rausch creek trip may be in order before spring officially arrives.

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JeepLab
03-01-2014, 09:50 PM
Thanks! I'm going for that late 70's CJ7 Golden Eagle look!

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Either way, you're right. This was a bit build and thats why it took a while to do.

I did the full Gamechanger install. I went with front and rear Artec Axle Armor, which went in well and looks tough as hell. I had to do an exhaust spacer to have the front shaft clear. Also went from factory 32s to 37KM2s. One jeep in, a completely different beast came out.

When I get her back in a week, I'll be doing my metalcloak overline tube fender install. Also I'll get some better pics of the Artec kit and lift. I think a Rausch creek trip may be in order before spring officially arrives.

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That axle is soo pretty in gloss black. Black Betty may copy this.

Snarf77
03-02-2014, 03:27 PM
I'll be going through and sanding the finish off of the skull surface on the diff cover to bare metal, then using some chemicals to get a brown/red rust patina. Then I'll spray clear over the rusty skull! That's sure to add at least 10 horsepower.

Seriously though. What are people doing about replacing the steering stabilizer? Does the stock one hold up well with 37s?

JeepLab
03-02-2014, 04:32 PM
Seriously though. What are people doing about replacing the steering stabilizer? Does the stock one hold up well with 37s?

Black Betty's components have been dealing with extra horsepower for the last 10k miles, and 37s for the last 4k. She still wears the stock steering stabilizer.

Snarf77
03-03-2014, 11:57 AM
I have to think about the pinch seam sooner than later with these 37s too. Probably should start a new thread when I get to that.

Rexx19
03-05-2014, 04:40 PM
I have to think about the pinch seam sooner than later with these 37s too. Probably should start a new thread when I get to that.

Bring out the JB WELD! and make sure not to get moisture in that hole when cut them.

Snarf77
03-05-2014, 06:46 PM
Bring out the JB WELD! and make sure not to get moisture in that hole when cut them.


Good idea. I'll be sure to do the work indoors and maybe hit it with the heat gun first to ensure I didn't get any water in the open space. JB weld to seal it all up then paint. Should be good to go.

JeepLab
03-05-2014, 07:45 PM
I did this recently.

Snarf77
03-08-2014, 06:47 PM
So I put another 90 minutes of highway driving on Jesse's girl, at speed. I have to say now that the gamechanger lift actually handles better than stock. Mainly in the body roll arena. Its much more level around turns than I would have thought considering how much taller she is. Tomorrow I'll begin the fender installation process.

Snarf77
03-10-2014, 08:28 PM
Having just had Jessee's girl xpel wrapped, I'm actually delaying the install a couple days. I was doing some thinking about how the bolts may affect the xpel when I crank them down on the exoskin. I'm thinking that if I don't do something to separate the xpel from the turning bolt, that I'll twist the xpel wrap under the bolt head.

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I went ahead and ordered some 1/64 thick low friction PTFE washers to put under each bolt head, and also in between the exoskin and the rivet nuts that are all over the side of the jeep. The are far from flush and I'm thinking the daily vibration of driving would eventually cause the rivet nut wear through the finish and begin the corrosion process in between the OEM body and the inside of the exoskin. Overkill? Maybe, but other than time, its will only cost a couple bucks in washers.

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JeepLab
03-11-2014, 07:20 PM
Having just had Jessee's girl xpel wrapped, I'm actually delaying the install a couple days. I was doing some thinking about how the bolts may affect the xpel when I crank them down on the exoskin. I'm thinking that if I don't do something to separate the xpel from the turning bolt, that I'll twist the xpel wrap under the bolt head.

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I went ahead and ordered some 1/64 thick low friction PTFE washers to put under each bolt head, and also in between the exoskin and the rivet nuts that are all over the side of the jeep. The are far from flush and I'm thinking the daily vibration of driving would eventually cause the rivet nut wear through the finish and begin the corrosion process in between the OEM body and the inside of the exoskin. Overkill? Maybe, but other than time, its will only cost a couple bucks in washers.

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This move is brilliant. I have twisted the wrap when someone who didnt know what they were doing tightend my flare on. Im planning to replace the whole section of wrap in that area because it drives me nuts.

Snarf77
03-11-2014, 09:19 PM
The whole process worked out pretty well. I was able to get both rear exoskin pieces installed after work today. Probably about 3 hours to do them both. With the rivet nuts, you have to spend some time getting every single bolt lined up, then there are aluminum stand offs that have to get installed and various complication. I have a rather large hand and you have to wind your hand down into the fender through the tail light area to get some nuts and bolts tightened, and then get a wrench in there to keep it from spinning. All said and done, it turned out well. Once the exoskin installs, the fenders/flares take only a couple minutes to pop on.

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Finished:

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Now I have to get my fender wells lined and do the fronts tomorrow and Thursday!

Snarf77
03-12-2014, 07:37 AM
To anyone attempting to do the exoskin install I highly recommend getting every single bolt in and threaded before fully tightening any single bolt. If you don't there is a good chance one of them won't get started and you'll have to back them all out anyway! Start tightening in the middle and work your way out and down.

Pznivy
03-12-2014, 01:17 PM
what did you seal the nut certs into the body with? some kind of glue right?

Snarf77
03-14-2014, 03:00 PM
what did you seal the nut certs into the body with? some kind of glue right?

The nutserts crimp themselves onto the body as you mount them. I painted the inside of the drilled holes and each hole was an EXACT fit, 17/32nds. The tighter the hole, the better the rivet nut would grab onto the body. It takes a LOT of force to install a 3/8 16 rivet nut!

Snarf77
03-14-2014, 03:07 PM
Its been a crazy busy few nights trying to knock out these fenders and fender liners. The first fender took me almost 3 hours to knock out. Partially because I got mostly done with one then had to remove it to enlarge some previously drilled holes. Ugh. The second one only took about an hour. Adding to the delay was me being extremely careful not to bang up the jeep or fenders. I'd rather do that on the trail!

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The driver's side metalcloak aluminum wheel wells and splash guards went in pretty well. You have to drill through the front body mount to add in a stand-off for structural fender support. That was a nightmare as I assume my bit was not super premium. Took quite a while to drill a small hole, and then enlarge it to the require 3/8". Once done, it looks nice and protects most everything!

Snarf77
03-14-2014, 03:11 PM
Got the passenger side done in less than half the the time. Turns out the 2012 has a new wiring harness right on the firewall that doesn't allow installation of the rear fender well piece directly. I went on metalcloakinstructions.com (a new forum for issues) and it appears I have to remove the harness and re-mount it a bit higher in the body to clear the aluminum wheel well. I'll get to that another day, but before I go driving through puddles.

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Just can't squeeze it in there. The hole in the picture below is supposed to be about 2 inches to the left!

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Passenger side fender and front splash guard installed!

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Pete
03-16-2014, 05:09 PM
Did you change drive shafts?

Rexx19
03-17-2014, 09:45 AM
I truly do not like the dark cherry color, but this jeep is very well done. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Snarf77
03-17-2014, 11:32 AM
Pete. I didn't Chang the shafts just yet. They aren't making any noise and I figured I let the front get close to failure before replacing. I did have to add spacers to the exhaust to clear the front driveshaft boot. The angles are a bit harsh with this much lift so I will 100% have to replace them.

Snarf77
03-17-2014, 11:35 AM
I truly do not like the dark cherry color, but this jeep is very well done. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Deep cherry wasn't my first choice. I wanted a very specific package of which 3 were available within 300 miles. The other two were colors I didn't want! But to each his own!

Snarf77
03-17-2014, 05:03 PM
Had my rear wheel wells plasti-dip coated by a local shop that does this type of work. He'll do a whole car in custom colors and finishes (pearl, metalflake, etc) so matte black in the wheel wells was a simple operation.

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He did the fronts too..just the visibly red portions not covered by my aluminum fender liners.

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2me
06-04-2014, 03:02 PM
Any updates?
How is the lift performing?
Have you had it out wheeling?
Thanks
2me

Rexx19
06-09-2014, 11:06 AM
Snarf has been away on vacation.... He defiantly owes us an update.

2me
06-09-2014, 08:54 PM
Hey Rexx19
Thanks!
Can't wait to see how Metal Cloak is performing over the months.

JeepLab
06-09-2014, 09:03 PM
I saw a guy at a jeep event this past weekend, who loved his Metal Cloak LCAs.

Snarf77
06-11-2014, 08:19 AM
Snarf has been away on vacation.... He defiantly owes us an update.

I do owe an update. I've had this off-roading only once since completion. I qualify off-roading as driving a trail that most 4x4s could not pass through un-assisted and that would challenge a stock jeep/driver. I went up to PA and spent a day running her around to see how she flexed and climbed. Overall..I'm impressed.

Having wheeled my stock jeep Rubicon many times - I was super thrilled at NOT having the "crunch" noise I was so used to when the skids bashed a rock. Thank you KM2s. Where I was wheeling, I didn't have the ability to air-down and back up..so that definitely limited some of my capability as I was wheeling on steep hills, over big rocks..at street pressure.

The gamechanger flexed without any real effort on my part. I just picked my lines and the lift did its job. I know that sounds a bit silly..but the fact that I didn't have any binding or swaybar issues, or odd noises was great. The thing flexes a lot. In fact..I think my bump stops are preventing my full ability to flex and tuck these KM2s.

I plan on heading up to Rausch Creek at the end of the month where I will air down and spend the day wheeling with some local jeepers in my area. Aired down, I plan to get some better idea of if I can remove a section of bumpstop without ripping off my overline fenders. I also need to make sure that my tire does't touch the front 6-pack shock under full compression.

Interestingly, my buddy Jeff now refers to each 6-pack shock as a "box-o-shocks" which is kinda catchy, and fairly accurate...since each has 3 pistons, and 3 reservoirs.

SO far I'm loving it...and i"m loving the simplicity. The on-road handling is much more gentle over bumps and much more level around turns. Very happy with my investment.


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5198/14034711558_7229868f23_c.jpg

Yoinkers
06-17-2014, 10:15 AM
We should do a JeepLab Rausch Creek Trail ride!

Snarf77
06-19-2014, 07:50 AM
We should do a JeepLab Rausch Creek Trail ride!

I'm in, whenever you guys are.

Snarf77
06-30-2014, 05:38 PM
852

853

854

2me
06-30-2014, 10:47 PM
Wow, you have lots of articulation there!

Snarf77
07-01-2014, 07:25 AM
Wow, you have lots of articulation there!

I know! Its very impressive, especially for a 2 door. I can't get over how well a fully bolt-on Metalcloak Gamechanger suspension allows for this kind of off road performance while I say more level around turns on the highway at speed. Just boggles the mind!

I have to figure out if I can take out a section of bumpstop without a tire hitting the overline fender.

2me
07-01-2014, 04:59 PM
OK,
I got to admit, I'm really digging your fenders too.
They look rugged as hell, have you ever laid your fenders up against rocks?

Snarf77
07-03-2014, 06:46 AM
OK,
I got to admit, I'm really digging your fenders too.
They look rugged as hell, have you ever laid your fenders up against rocks?

No - they are still too pretty for me to NOT try to avoid hitting rocks with them I have NO doubts they would hold up fine as they are beast. I did run through a bunch of trees, brush, and whatnot. I"m not really concerned with the xpel wrap on them. Stuff is amazing.

Fenders are pretty stout! Don't try this with non-metalcloak fenders!

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3897/14535183411_3b4ec49108_c.jpg

Pznivy
07-03-2014, 10:39 AM
Do not lay those flares on rocks, Ive done it, its not fun. And its expensive.

Can you take them off all together? don't they have like a bolt inside that takes the outer section off for aggressive wheeling?

DallasJKU
04-26-2015, 11:36 AM
Updates on the MC suspension after a year of driving please.

Snarf77
04-30-2015, 09:50 AM
Updates on the MC suspension after a year of driving please.

Its been more than a year and she's going strong. The on-road performance is still vastly improved over stock and the off-road performance is stellar. I'm removing more bump stop to get more flex now that I'm comfortable with what she'll do. The winter road salts have taken their toll on the underside of the jeep but that happens to everyone. I use my jeep, so I don't care so much.

I had to re-pressurize my 6-pack shocks after 9 months or so, but that was expected and MC has a guide on their site on how this works. So, very happy after a year. Glad I made the investment.

Timmy
04-30-2015, 12:08 PM
I'll second Snarf's comments. I don't have the full game changer setup like Snarf has, but I did purchase their control arms recently and I have to tell you, the Jeep drives like a dream right now. It is unbelievable how tight the Jeep feels. It doesn't rattle around on the road. Their arms with their special bushings do a great job of isolating out the jarring affect you get on rough roads. I had a friend drive my Jeep recently and he was dumbfounded at how smooth and well composed it is.

DallasJKU
08-23-2015, 04:08 PM
I had the 2.5" GC with ARB installed in May. Very happy with this setup.