Surviving the Frozen Northern Yankee Wasteland: ArticRubi's Build Thread

**ArticRubi** · 09-15-2011, 02:51 PM

So after my first project, and with a 2nd coming up soon, I decided it was about time I started a build thread.

The first install was pretty easy, so I have only include "after" pictures. Everyone know what stock Rubicon bumpers look like, so I won't bore anyone with that. I installed front and rear bumpers from Poison Spyder Customs, both of them are from the Rock Brawler line. Also, I installed a Warn 9.5cti winch. Went with this one because is is supposedly the most water resistant winch on the market right now. The installation instructions were so complete and thorough, I haven't posted any pictures of the process, just the final product. The bumpers are high quality, welds look perfect, and they are extremely strong, I feel like I'd warp the frame before the bumpers would ever be damaged. So, on to the pictures:

Full front:

1/4 front:

Front side:

Winch:

Rear:

Rear 1/4:

Rear side:

**ArticRubi** · 09-15-2011, 03:05 PM

So, bumpers installed? check.
Winch installed? check.
Crap! Stubby bumper with a huge trail stinger makes my stock rubi look TINY!
Solution? Build.

So I put together my parts list, and placed orders for:
*Rock Krawler 3.5" Mid-Arm Flex kit
*Rock Krawler 2.0 Emulsion shocks
*XD Series 778 Monster rims (black) 18"x9"
*Nitto Trail Grappler's 35"x12.5" R18
*Superior Axle 4.88 gears for Dana44
*Poison Spyder Bombshell front and rear differential covers
*Poison Spyder evap. skid plate kit
*Superchips programmer
*Teraflex 3rd brake light extension kit

Unfortunately, there is a back order on the diff covers, and I won't get them until mid to late October

Everything else should be in by the end of the month. I've decided to go ahead and install the lift and rim/tire combo. Since it's a rubi, the stock 4.10's should hold up fine for a few weeks until my new diff covers come in. I'll just have to resist the urge to stay off the trails until I can re-gear. Ideally, I would have done the gear swap on one weekend, and then done the lift kit on the next, but I'm not going to take the diff covers off twice.

Will post more when parts arrive!

wravyn · 09-15-2011, 07:29 PM

Honestly you should be fine on the trail with 4:10s and 35s until the 4.88s come in.

Vinscap · 09-15-2011, 07:33 PM

Love the front bumper. Just put on PSC Brawler lite with bar and rear Brawler with tire carrier. Like you said I feel like it would bend the frame rails before it damaged the bumpers. They are SOLID!

Great looking Jeep. Good luck with the build.

**1222** · 09-15-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinscap

...Like you said I feel like it would bend the frame rails before it damaged the bumpers...

Probably best that the bumper bends instead of the frame.

**ArticRubi** · 09-15-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1222

Probably best that the bumper bends instead of the frame.

This is true....but it is definitely a testament to how well made the PSC products are.

**ArticRubi** · 09-15-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinscap

Love the front bumper. Just put on PSC Brawler lite with bar and rear Brawler with tire carrier. Like you said I feel like it would bend the frame rails before it damaged the bumpers. They are SOLID!

Great looking Jeep. Good luck with the build.

I almost got the Brawler lite, looks like a great system. I'd love to see some pics of it installed on your rig.

**Mol** · 09-15-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwood0125

This is true....but it is definitely a testament to how well made the PSC products are.

Don't fool yourself - bent gussets, cracked welds (PSC brawler lite):

Still a good bumper, but it will be much better after I have rewelded, added extra gussets, and go easier on it because I'm now off the kool-aid.

Subscribed - look forward to your build

Mike

Edit: Also - your 4.10s are just fine with your 6-speed on the trail (your rock-trac TC will do plenty) and road, provided your A/C is turned off before accellerating from a stop. Have been running on mine for a few big trips, and driven about 9500-10000 miles since december over the road. That being said, my 5.13s were just ordered, so cheers to you for getting it done early

Charles · 09-15-2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molshove

Don't fool yourself - bent gussets, cracked welds (PSC brawler lite):

How did you bend that? Please don't reply: "I applied more pressure than the material could withstand." haha, did you use the stinger as a stinger? I'm looking for someone that's actually used a stinger the way it was intended to be used.

**Mol** · 09-15-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbloyer81

How did you bend that? Please don't reply: "I applied more pressure than the material could withstand." haha, did you use the stinger as a stinger? I'm looking for someone that's actually used a stinger the way it was intended to be used.

A felled tree...it was used as it is meant to be used, but only gusseted well enough to make it look good. Winch mount (behind brawler bar) bent about 30 * past 90...damaged a crappy Chinese winch

**1222** · 09-15-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwood0125

This is true....but it is definitely a testament to how well made the PSC products are.

Yeah I don’t doubt that they are well made just thought I’d through that in there.

Vinscap · 09-16-2011, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwood0125

I almost got the Brawler lite, looks like a great system. I'd love to see some pics of it installed on your rig.

dwood0125 - I'll post some pics but the one you chose is awesome. After your build I'm thinking your only regret will be not getting the rear tire carrier. It is great for tires that are 35" +.

**ArticRubi** · 09-16-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinscap

dwood0125 - I'll post some pics but the one you chose is awesome. After your build I'm thinking your only regret will be not getting the rear tire carrier. It is great for tires that are 35" +.

I've thought about that, I really waffled on the tire carrier before I ordered. I decided to run the extension kit for the factory mount, and 3rd brake light extension kit from teraflex. Good news is if I don't like the extension kit, PSC will sell me the tire carrier, I'll just have to weld on the bracket for the latch....and of course, waste money on a 2nd powder coat and shipping.

**ArticRubi** · 09-16-2011, 02:40 PM

Molshove - surprised to see that. Went back out, and the stinger definitely looks like it is the weak link. Going to look at adding some tube from the rear of the stinger to the top rear of the bumper. Just bought a welder, so It would be nice to do something worth while with it!

**Mol** · 09-16-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwood0125

Molshove - surprised to see that. Went back out, and the stinger definitely looks like it is the weak link. Going to look at adding some tube from the rear of the stinger to the top rear of the bumper. Just bought a welder, so It would be nice to do something worth while with it!

That's exactly what I had in mind

let me know what you end up doing!

Edit: or I can play guinea pig, being that your is still shining and mines been beat on...duh lol