Without lifting it? I am starting to do some mild wheeling this spring and summer. I just put on new Firestone MT's to replace my MT/R's. What a huge difference in ride since the Firestone's are C-load range.
What are some things that I can do to increase my off-road capabilities without lifting it? I am trying to avoid anything like drive-line vibes and I am perfectly happy with it now.
Armor first (protect what you already have), then move on to improving your capabilities with a winch or budget boost and tires. I know you don't want a lift now, but that will change rapidly once the bug has bitten you on the trails
I know you said no lift but you can go up to a 4" suspension lift with out changing a thing and have no vibs, your T-case already has the SYE that is needed to eleminate the driveline vibs. I would first do a budget boost (2" suspension lift $250 installed and a 1.25 body lift $100) and run 33" tires. That will increase you off road capabilities the most. Then get a winch if you get into wheeling more but until then always wheel with someone and preferably someone with a winch, either way get a tow strap with out hooks and by a couple of D-rings to attach the strap.
Since you stated you are going to be doing light wheeling, I would do the armor later. I have hit the stock armor on rocks and have no complaints. Now I was only going one or two mph wheeling in Moab but it worked.
x2...just know your limitations. I have an 04 Rubi with a 4" Teraflex lift and no driveline issues. 4" suspension lift for "light" wheelin'...then armor as you go. Recommend oil pan, tranny and diff covers. Most of it is easily done at home with nothing but hand tools.
get a 1" BL and armor the heck out of the undercarriage. see my profile for the armor i've chosen...i wheel on rocks and avoid mud like its the plague.
I wheel with my cousin who has a LJ Rubicon. He goes everywhere I go with my 4 1/2" lift but he sometimes rubs the shovel. If it were mine I would look at something like this. https://secure.aev-conversions.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=NTH14031AA It will give you about 2 1/2" more ground clearance. Armor is the way to go if you don't want to lift.
We will be lifting his jeep in the near future and this or a product similar will definately be used. Good luck.
I have a 03' Rubicon I just started to mod and will be following this thread. So far I have done the 1"bl/mml I know the mml is not a necessary mod but I have got to get rid of that shovel and are planning a TT or Belly up. Anyhow 1"bl/mml, F/R revovery bumpers DONE Next parts"purchased"waiting to go on Currie HD steering sys, A to Z w/w Rockers, winch plate, fairlead, "Parts wanting" Trans linkage relocation bracket, I want the linkage off the body and on the trans. I have a little bind in 2nd but double clutching and putting in firm works for now. I have the drop down bracket I might install but waiting on AA to get back to me about the bracket to see if they can make it work w/ the 241 and Rubi linkage. Yes I have the bracket but have been told it will not work w/ belly up or TT with the 241 & rubi linkage so still un boxed. Next I would like to do my skids plates but looking for one manufacturer whom does a complete skid set up? Also not sure what lift LA/SA so I guess I have to make a decision so the skids I do go with will work w/ my suspension lift? Sorry if this seems like a hijack. But while you guru's are looking how am I doing so far? Future plans winch, probably new shocks? Afraid all the weight I am installing is gonna kill my OME shocks, might as well do BPE while I am in it? Probably as much as I will be able to do this year and really am leaning toward the RE 3.5 or 4.5 LA KIT and are happy waiting for the one I want. Do you guys/gals see anythhing I have missed that would be advisable on my Rubi to go hit some mid/mild trails until I have to $$$ to get my suspension lift? Thought this might help the OP to see he is not the only one in this boat and where I am at w/ it. Aside from def wanting a suspension lift. Also have any Rubi owners here installed the currie HD steering and what diff covers are working as far a clearance? Keep in mind I will be lifting in the future so an adjustable track bar will likely be installed. P.S. Thanks in advance and if this is eating up the OP space I could copy this into another thread and start over You guys rock I have learned so much here it is almost overwhelming!
yeah i totally agree with axl jack, i lifted mine 4"and i have had to replace parts, and modify things to get the suspension geometry back to normal (almost there). i have a friend with an 06 rubi, 2"bb, underbody armor, JKS quicker disconnects, recovery bumpers and a winch, he made it up parts of trails that gave me trouble. your jeep is very capable stock, so wheel it like that and go from there.
Upgrade the things that are known to be a weakness on the Rubicon model. Your front axle shafts are a known weakness, you can upgrade to Chromoly from someone like Alloy USA or go one step further and do a 30 spline hub conversion with the Chromoly shafts which is even better. Next, pick up some armor/upgrade the shovel. Get yourself a tummy tuck skid to eliminate the stock t-case skid which hangs down way too low. At the same time get an oil pan skid as well as a skid for your steering box. Last, upgrade your steering, Currie makes a great upgraded steering that requires no mods and is plenty beefy enough for general wheeling.
Before you lift it, wheel the hell out of it stock and learn what you really want/need.
Those guys can help you out in many ways including helping you install anything you want saving you a lot of labor costs as well as showing you where and how to wheel it. Talk to Kevin, the president... good guy.
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