[glockster]

2005 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Sahara Edition(worlds longest vehicle title?)

So today I start my build thread. It won't be spectacular or even impressive but it will be what owning 2 previous Jeeps have taught me.

My 1st, 1997 TJ 4'' lift (pro Crap) and 33's. Deciding which wheel I like better:



I searched for months until I found this LJ. Paid $11,999 w/o the MOAB's. Drove 275 miles to Fresno, Ca. to pick it up.


So now I had 2; LJ with added MOAB's:



Well the 97 was sold and I quickly learned I hated the 4 speed auto in the LJ. When I started adding up the cost to re-gear it and do all that I wanted to it, I came to the realization that a rubicon might be a better choice for me.

Well, I won't bore you with the details except to say here is my thread on how the rubi came to be:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f176/my-lucky-day-718559/

So if you're keeping score, I paid $11,999 for the LJ & $13,999 for the Rubi. (The dealer gave me $12,000 for the trade in of the LJ on the RUBI). I essentially got a regear, dana 44's F & R w/lockers, SYE and the 4:1 transfer case for $2K. That works for me. Oh, and I got a 6 speed manual trans.................which for me was priceless.

Here she is the weekend I brought her home:



About a month after I got the Rubi I messed with a rock and the rock won:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/tangled-one-rock-741410/

I bought a stock exhaust from the local Jeep dealer for $203 and some Rancho shocks off craigslist for $50 and I was good to go. Remember, I said I was cheap.

This taught me I had to have a lift. I knew I wouldn't go long arm due to the fact I wouldn't be able to bring myself to cut off the lower control arm mounts. I mean they only made 1000 of these things. I decided I wanted a Rubicon Express short arm 4.5'' SF with 3.5'' springs. So many people spoke so highly of it, I had to have it.

I scoured the internet for the best price, talked to Jason at 4x4 group buy and dozens of others. When it came down to it, the lowest price I could find was 5 miles from my house.

The complete kit (w/adjustable lowers) delivered with all California taxes was $1100 + $275 for the monotubes. I added an adj rear trackbar & bracket for $180, upgraded to adjustable lower control arms & added a TW DS.






After I purchased the lift I came across a few threads bashing the RE bushings. There are a few threads around but I started my own here:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/rubicon-express-bushings-768608/

Multiple e-mails later RE agreed to install there "NEW" bushings in my arms. I sent them back to RE and got them last Friday night with the new bushings installed. Time will tell if they are truely the "answer" to their bushing problems.

So the next decision was to install or have it installed. I've sent many PM's to members asking questions and I was ready to install it myself when I talked to a shop that had done some previous work on my 97. Seems everyone is hurting right now and they quoted $430 to install the lift, bleed the brakes, install the driveshaft and do a front end alignment. Well, I had back surgery 10 weeks ago and there was no way I was going to take a chance with my back over $430. Thursday AM it will be at their shop.

That's it for tonight. Next installment when I pick it up on Friday.

Peace......

[2006_Sport]

Should look awesome! Never seen a Rubicon sahara before, let alone lifted. clever name for your build

[INCA]

i wish i could afford that lift...but between Car note+insurance+Gas im going to have to stick with a BDS or Rc. cant wait to see yours with the lift

[Brads_nky_yj]

What size/brand tires you going with after the lift? Cant wait to see what it looks like tho.

[glockster]

Originally Posted by Brads_nky_yj

What size/brand tires you going with after the lift? Cant wait to see what it looks like tho.

With my back issues I can't go to high, that's why I stayed with the 3.5'' springs. Prolly nothing over 33's. 285/75/16(11.5'') or 305/75/16.(12.5'') The latter will require new wheels or at least spacers.

[RVA_TJ06]

you should check out Project Long Red One...

My favorite LJ.. He kept it low.

[glockster]

Originally Posted by RVA_TJ06

you should check out Project Long Red One...

My favorite LJ.. He kept it low.

I'm familiar with that build. Nice Jeep. But it's not for me.

Not everyone is after the LCG thing. I'm certainly not. I would have went with 4.5'' springs and 35's in a heart beat if I could get in and out of it physically.

[glockster]

Got the Jeep loaded up with the lift this evening and low and behold the big brown truck showed up with my Hurst shift knob. Of course I had to put it on. I put the quadratec floor mats in a week ago.



Anybody got a spare radio knob hanging around the house?

[NiCk-]

$430 is a pretty good price. I got my kit installed for $400 but Im lucky that they quoted me that because it took longer than they thought due to shock mount breaking. Good deal

[glockster]

Picked her up from the shop this afternoon.

Before:



after



Currently sitting 5" higher than stock all the way around. This with the Rubicon Express 3.5'' springs. Only time will tell how much it will settle.

The lower adj control arms are set at 16'' on center and this still leaves the rear axle slightly forward of being centered in the wheelwell. Here's a picture looking straight on at the rear opening:



Going to put some miles on it before I make any adjustments to the arms. The stock 31's are looking pretty minuscule.

Ride impressions. Very firm. I expected this, especially with only 20 miles on the suspension. Seems to follow the crown of the road more than it did. Took it up to 75 mph on the way home and not a vibe to be found. The TW driveshaft is awesome and the shop must have done a stellar job on the front end alignment. No complaints. Now just need to get out and flex it so it settles. It's pretty high, could probably fit 35's right now without a bodylift.

[INCA]

wow! it looks much better man! now with some tires you will be set i will be stalking this thread now

[Jtrux]

Looks great, i've wondered what the 3.5 inch lift looks like on an LJ, now I know. I'm like you though. The LCG thing doesn't do anything for me. I'm not into competitive rock crawling or anthing or hands down a 5 inch lift and 35's looks good!

[xantasm]

Looking very nice Marco, Im getting spacers next week on mine for now but Im deffinately looking forward to making mine have a simular profile. The lift I want is the Tera 4" short arm, and seeing yours is giving me a real good idea of what its gonna look like. Nice job and deffinately agree 6 speed is rockin. I agree with ya too on the limited edition thing. Ive never owned anything that was actually numbered and limited untill now. Just wouldnt feel right changing it so far that you couldnt bring it back to stock some day. Now all you need is to get some armor on that thing

[glockster]

Originally Posted by xantasm

Now all you need is to get some armor on that thing

Yep. I'm going to look at a Warn rear bumper tomorrow. It's at the shop I bought the lift from on a theft recovery jeep. Owner said $500, I said $300, owner said $450, I said $300, owner said $400 I said SOLD........

I'm thinking of the Body Armor Rock sliders. I like the way they attach to the body mounts. I don't know what the consensus is on that style but I don't want to drill holes in my tub. Plus, I can leave the stock rubicon diamond plate thingies on.

[xantasm]

Originally Posted by glockster

Yep. I'm going to look at a Warn rear bumper tomorrow. It's at the shop I bought the lift from on a theft recovery jeep. Owner said $500, I said $300, owner said $450, I said $300, owner said $400 I said SOLD........

I'm thinking of the Body Armor Rock sliders. I like the way they attach to the body mounts. I don't know what the consensus is on that style but I don't want to drill holes in my tub. Plus, I can leave the stock rubicon diamond plate thingies on.

Which version of warn bumper? If it aint got the tire carrier on it 500 is way too much. The standard Warn TJ bumper tire carrier ready sells for 380 at quadramall. Might even be able to beat that shopping around online.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12022_433_07.htm

I cant decide if I want to stay with the High Rock theme and just get one of them for the rear and weld on a tire carrier at some point or go with a warn. As far as side armor, I think the Olympic reversa bars are nice cause you can go step or side armor, plus you wont have to mess with your diamond plate rubi rockers:

http://www.quadratec.com/products/13116_110X_PG.htm

Mine came with chrome nerf bars and since Im not going rock climbing anytime soon I'll live with em till I get the cash to go with the Olympic bars. Like you, I do not want to drill my tub just for side protection. Id much rather go with frame mounted, plus I think thats the stronger way to go anyways. Something about relying on the sheetmetal of the tub to withstand mounting plates just doesnt add up to me