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Kate's '05 Unlimited Rubi "learning process"

275K views 3K replies 117 participants last post by  05LJ_Rubihara 
#1 ·
Now that this thread is starting to gain some momentum, I figure I should include a quick synopsis here for new-comers. This is the story of Alice. My 2005 Unlimited Rubicon, Limited Sahara edition #431.

For sale:
stock front bumper - sold
LJ stock soft top with hardware - tan/khaki -sold
Stock Rubicon unlimited rocker guards
Stock marker light set with bulbs
Rubihara tire cover -sold
Stock 31" tire with Rubicon Graphite Moab 15" wheel - sold
Perhaps a full carpet setup for an LJ - sold
Set of 5 Rubicon Moab wheels/ 4 Goodyear Kevlar 33" tires if wanted (1/2 tread left) - sold

List of mods:
Tires: 35" Falken ATRs
Lift: Entire Curry/Savvy 4" suspension kit, 1" Brown Dog MML, 1.25" BL
Shocks: Bilstein 5100's
Steering and stuff: Currie Antirock and Currectlynk
Front Bumper: Rokmen Mercenary - powdercoated
Rear Bumper: A to Z fab - powdercoated
Side Protection: A to Z fab with custom step - powdercoated
Recovery: Engo 12,000 lb winch with synthetic line
Other Armor: A to Z fab diff covers still need to be put on, skid plates next year
Top: Besttop Trektop NX
Little things: Custom shift knob, rain guards, all-terrain floor mats, grab handles, clear marker lights, stainless hood latches, Monstalinered tub, PIAA fog beams

Since this thread is gaining momentum rapidly- I am taking advice and starting a thread index. I would of course suggest you read all of it, I tend to enjoy the humor in here. Then again, most of it is mine. For those that want to just flip through because they are at work and don't actually have the time to read 100+ pages... Ta-Da!!!

Lift kit discussion: page 2
Lift kit install: page 4
Bumper discussion: page 5
Discussion of handling with new suspension: page 7
Finishing a bumper discussion: page 9
How little mods can help broken people when you least expect it: page 9
Bumper and winch review: page 10
Bumper and winch install: page 13
First breakdown: page 15
Alice on Great American Jeep Rally Poster: page 16
Rock slider discussion: page 18
Why Massachusetts laws are ridiculous: page 19
Discovery of the Jeep cancer: page 20
Jeep vs. Subaru- Alice wins: page 21
Trac bar/ alignment issues: page 26
Rear bumper discussion: page 27
Highline discussion: page 28
Seat Covers/new seat discussion: page 29
Rear bumper and slider discussion... again: page 33
Jeep vs Expedition- Alice wins. A lot: page 39
Sliders discussion: page 48
My attempt at making Hump day just a little funnier: page 49
A big purchase!: page 50
Interest in a drop-down tailgate: 51
Driveshaft being rebuilt - not by me :( 53
Excessive winch rust: 60
New steel! To powdercoat- or not to powdercoat: 61
Possible root causes of my DW: 65
U-joints, ball joints and all the likes: 68
Another big purchase! 74
What should I put a "my other ride is a Jeep" sticker on: 76
The first meeting of the CT Jeep Posse: 83
Issues with so-called "bolt-on" ZJ tie rod upgrade: 85
I find out what a very bad U-joint sounds like: 92
The stagnation of Alice: 107
My first real repair job: 117
Removal of the hideous nerf bars: 119
Found my first missing important bolt/fender rage: 123
Alice vs. JK and fun with rattlecans: 126
Interior upgrades planning - bedliner and security box: 133
Mid-week getaway to Vermont with my lady: 135
Coolant flush&fill and carpet removal after some wet wheeling: 138
Videos of Alice's first water crossings: 140
Details of rocker guard installation: 142



Now, If you do choose to read it from the beginning.. pardon my ignorance the first few months. I was brand new to this and asking a lot of questions and doing side research. Bear with me, it gets better - I promise.


I bought #431 of the Sahara edition of the '05 Rubicon in June of 2012. This is my first jeep and I don't have a heck of a lot of experience with hands-on mechanic work (though I am an engineer, so I find it fascinating. I cant wait to get my hands greasy).

Feel free to add comments, suggestions and give me some advice. It will be much appreciated. Let me know if you have any questions!

This is the jeep as it sat at the dealers- completely stock, under 80k miles. It was love at first sight. Below is a teaser shot of how she sits now.
 

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#2,407 ·
Had a nice wheeling trip yesterday. Certainly pushed Alice to the limits. Next mod is DEFINITELY a tummy tuck.

While all was fun and all I got was maybe a scratch on my mirror - I will never do such a difficult trail in the winter again. Way too slick and not enough visibility.

This is the only picture I have right now

 
#2,409 ·


We ended up going to a small trail in Rock Valley. The 3 guys I went with couldnt make it up a rock face - so I HAD to try it. I made it almost all the way up, hit an ice patch and slid back down into a tree.

Did have to use my winch for the first time though! Already paid for itself.
 
#2,414 ·
I know! They are sneaky little bastards

Good thing you didn't have a snorkel in the way...

:rofl:
... I know. I thought of you when I finally had the balls to check out the damage. The tree hit EXACTLY where I was thinking about putting the snorkel.
 
#2,418 ·
Just thinking out loud here. If the snorkel was there, it may fail from the impact, but your hood would be in tact. If you have a mold, it may be cheaper and easier to repair the snorkel than the hood. From what I've read about arb snorkels, they're very strong and generally don't break from tree impacts
 
#2,420 ·
Well that was the most fun I have had coming into work in a while!

Although - it did further draw my attention to one fact: I need new tires. I have lost over an inch of tread on my MTRs, and when all things are relative you can probably consider mine bald for this type of tire.

As much as the irresponsible me is screaming "C'mon Kate!!! Lets upgrade to a 6" lift and swap to 35's!!!! IT WILL BE FUNNNNNN", I know that I am going to probably do the responsible thing and get a more reasonable tire... at least while I am in school saving up. Then I can ditch the old, unreliable beater car and get a new truck and make Alice the toy.

My biggest downfall in life is that I really have no patience. Its something to work on I guess. Drive safe this morning if you are in the northeast. There are a few crazies out there without 4wd. :laugh:
 
#2,421 ·
As much as the irresponsible me is screaming "C'mon Kate!!! Lets upgrade to a 6" lift and swap to 35's!!!! IT WILL BE FUNNNNNN"
I don't think that any part of you - irresponsible or not - is that stupid.
 
#2,428 ·
Ok - now that the excitement of getting to use my recovery gear before work is gone.... this morning seems less awesome.

I am wet up to mid-thigh from having to jump in an out of the jeep in deep snow. This is rather unpleasant to be sitting at a desk like this. Should have gotten extra pants....
 
#2,433 ·
Shoukd have gotten extra pants....
When the weather gets bad, I always carry a backpack with a change of clothing, in addition to my towel... and one should always know where their towel is.
 
#2,449 ·
Hi Kate, take a look at Goodyear Duratracs, I got mine a few years back from Discount Tire Direct, and I believe right now they have a rebate from Goodyear. Duratracs are great in snow and don't make a lot of noise on the highway, the only downfall is the sidewalks, no playing on rocks.

Sent from my iPad using JeepForum
 
#2,458 ·
Not so bad - I could definitely fit that size with room to flex still. I have 4" lift and I can always cut my stock fenders to the flat style.

I love my Cooper Discoverer ST's in 255/85/16 (33x10x16)
Im a big fan of the tall skinny look though, it's not something everyone likes.
It looks sharp - but I wouldn't want skinny tires on a jeep for pure safety reasons. You loose a lot of handling and steering when your aspect ratio goes down - not to mention the surface area losses for traction considerations.

My Falkens have been great and I've done lots of rocks with them. I have about 30k on them with 50% tread left.
I have absolutely no complaints about my BFG MT/Rs - I just passed 30K with them and they are just below 50% tread. My only complaint is they do get a bit loud when the tread comes down that far.

So - now that I am not nearly as manic as I was yesterday ( a good painting session with my best friend and Red's apple and fireball mixed in good quantities helped) I am more prepared to think about this.

- I am going to switch to 15" rims and sell my moabs if anyone is interested right off the bat.

- I think I am going to stick with another set of off-road tires. I have been thinking about it and for once reason overcame responsibility. If I really want to save gas mileage on a long trip - Ill just take the car! This way i only need one set of tires this year, the jeep will always look great, and I will always be ready for wheeling without the hassle of switching out tires.

- My current size is 265-75-16. I think I might go up just a tick. Not enough so that I loose my sweet flex, but just enough for a noticable difference for me.
 
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