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. 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/showthread.php?t=718559 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/showthread.php?t=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/showthread.php?t=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......
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. 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/showthread.php?t=718559 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/showthread.php?t=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/showthread.php?t=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......