[Dino03TJ]

I recently got back into the whole Jeep thing after taking about 4 years off due to just life in general. I can't believe how much I missed it all. I decided unlike my last few builds to start off with a Rubicon to save with the headaches of the axle swaps and re-gearing (for now). I found a completely stock 03' Rubicon on AutoTrader in MN , so June 1st off to MN I (we) went. Took my wife Joy with me to help with the driving since I had to make it an extremely fast trip (and I love her company), made it in 22 hrs with a three hour nap at a rest area. pics from the trip down -
at the rest area we passed out at -

LOTS of highway - -

took a stop at a gas station to put the seat risers on (yes I took them with me and the tools to install them, we are both 5'6" and I have owned enough Wrangler's to know I would regret not having them on the drive) I went with Randy for these from BPM since I trust his products and have used them in the past -


almost home; a happy couple to be done driving -

I had the seat risers from BPM ordered the day I bought the rig knowing I would want them installed, they are great!

My list of to-do's includes (as of now) -
4" RC X Series lift (already ordered, putting on this month)
new drive shaft, TW (already on its way)
new steering stabilizer (on it's way)
new Body Bushings (already on as of this post) made a difference for sure
1/2" ROKMEN BL (already on as of this post)
ROKMEN Up-Armor 2 kit (hopefully in July)
Bushwacker Flat Style Flares (already done as of this post)
Grab handles (done)
CAI and TBS (done)
35's TA's (already bought sitting in garage for after lift install)
17" Mickey T's for large brake upgrade down the road (in garage tires are mounted)
possibly spraying the frame due to a little surface rust form up north
possibly going to MetalCloaks if I don't like the BW Flares
Might put on sliders if the Rubi guard sucks
tons of other little things as the build progress'

Thanks for staying tuned!

[Dino03TJ]

Got home, got situated, and looked over the Jeep. I found a little bit of surface rust on the underside, but what can I expect for a northern rig that is 8 years old. First I put on the CAI and TBS (I know some think it is worthless but for the cheap price, whatever) -



then I installed the new body mounts, actually added about an 1/8" due to the orginals being so worn out -


added the 1/2" ROKMEN BL while I was under there ofcourse -

all in all it gave me about 7/8", well worth it -

there were a few rock chips that needed to be touched up and Joy told me she should do it since she uses finger nail polish, who am I to argue -


It is all going great!

[Dino03TJ]

ready to spend money before Joy realizes how much this is actually costing.. So it is on to the lift and new tires/wheels. Bought a set of 35's on 17" off of craigslist from a fellow Jeeper, they only have a few thousand miles and are in great shape, he upgraded to 37's.
new rubber -

since the flat style fenders are in and the lift is not, I am going to knock them out of the way -

by the way, if you have not had the pleasure of removing the factory nutserts, good luck.. they suck!


not gonna lie these things say 2 1/2" of extra clearence, it was EVERY bit of that plus a little, a good upgrade to help with the bigger tires without the cost of the tube fenders yet.


I added the lights on the fenders and finished that up, took about 6 hours after the fight with the three nutserts that wouldn't give up. While I was under the vehicle I sprayed the key areas with PB blaster in hopes the lift might go on easier that way, we will see this weekend.

I have removed the fatory bumper ends and added some stickers I liked. I have had the top off since I got back even though it has been tripple digits. So glad to be back to the Jeep scene and I can't wait to finish it and get out there and wheel it!

[Ecksel]

Looking good! Congrats on joining the ranks of Rubi owners.

[Dino03TJ]

thanks ecksel! I am thankful the 35's will go on without waiting to upgrade axle's and gears.. I might go to 5.13's but I am undecided right now, we will see how the 4.11's do. I have not tried out the lockers yet either, can not wait! Have to drive 3 hrs. to the closest off road area here, so actually have to plan it out.

[kelso1337]

Nice looking Rubi.
Keep the updates coming.


Oh and take care of that frame rust please

[2006_LJ_Rubicon]

Hey buddy! Fun to see it grow. Well have to do some wheeling when u get the wife to move back to Alaska.

[Prryan45]

That was a heck of a road trip.

[Dino03TJ]

Thanks kelso1337, it is in great shape and should come along nicely. I will definetly do something on the fram rust, no really sure yet what is best got to research it a little more.

If anyone has a great idea to take care of it without spending a fortune, let me know please.

2006_LJ_Rubicon, where are you at? I have a good friend who is a Jeeper that just moved back up there to Anch from Flagstaff.

Prryan45, it was definetly one HECK of a trip man. We ran too hard to enjoy it to be honest, but it was a road trip none the less. Great countryside up north though, WOW. Just makes me wish I was NOT in west TX..

[JeepUAE]

Congrats on the new ride,How hard is it to install a BL?

[Dino03TJ]

Thanks Jeep UAE, it was pretty easy to put it on I did it in my garage with hardly any tools. The 1/2" is easier than larger ones I have done in the past, it was nice to barely have to lift the body to fit it in there.



***For those of you that are wondering or have asked - ALL of the items coming off of the Rubi are for sale.. The nurf bars, fenders, stock susp, stock body mounts, wheels and tires (5), stock air intake, etc.. ****

[2006_LJ_Rubicon]

Hey Dino, look at my name and u should know who this is! Lol u and spending money

[Dino03TJ]

LOL.. Too funny buddy. Can't wait to see you and Heather again. Hopefully Joy and I will make our way up there soon... I have 10 months left on my obligation for this transfer.

Now change your city to Anch man!!!!

[Dino03TJ]

so my lift is not being shipped on time due to CA's not in stock, looks like the lift is going to wait one more weekend.. I guess it all worked out, my TJ - JK wheel adapters got in last night and my dumb butt ordered 1 set when online orginally - ya, 1 set is two adapters.. dumb mistake. So I placed another order last night and already received confirmation those shipped this morning. I guess that is just one extra week to PB blast everything a little more. until then...

[mosca1]

Lookin good! Can't wait to see it with the lift.