Wave from Northwest Arkansas

C

Cubewarrior

New member
Hi,

Steve here -- just retired from the Army and relocated to the MidWest. I had to take a ten year hiatus from jeeping when I was stationed in DC, but now I'm ready to hit the trails again. I'm four months out from getting a 4-door. My YJ used to beat me to death, but it could drive through anything. This time, I'm going to try to preserve my daily drive but use some smart upgrades that will get me through the tougher trails.

Thanks to this site, I have a base plan for the build--should be a lot more deliberate than the trial and error I had with my YJ:doh::

Dynatrac 44 up front and chromoly shafts
4:88 gearing
Big Brakes / ProSteers
4:1 or better transfer case
Air lockers
35s
2.5" or 3" lift -- wondering if coilovers are that low
Lightweight armor (I'd rather replace plates than carry more weight)
Upgraded roll cage
Minimalist bumpers -- tough enough for recovery, but no more
Standard offroad kit--winch, straps, etc.
Scratch up the paint in the Arkansas brush on week 1

Biggest question now is whether to get the Rubicon or the Sport:icon_crazy:. I'll probably go Rubicon just for the transfer case and easier ability to sell the complete front axle.

Look forward to wheeling with you soon.

Steve
 
Welcome to WAL!! I'm about an hour east of Fort Smith but head up to NWA usually once a month or so. If you ever need a hand or anything, don't hesitate to give me a shout.
 
Welcome to WAYALIFE from a neighbor in Oklahoma.

No matter what jeep you get, first thing to try and buy would be recovery gear. A good strap, some d rings, tree saver if you have a winch, gloves, fire extinguisher, first aid kit. Those type of things.

If you can get it, I would go with a rubicon or a rubicon X if you like the bumpers and such on the rubicon x models. They arent the best but they are pretty good from the factory and with a little more $$ (i know it sucks but it is a jeep, lol) you can add a winch and they have a decent tire carrier to fit the rear. If you plan on 35s and no bigger or like me 35s until you can afford bigger and all that bigger tires entails and have to wait a while get the rubicon. If you can jump to 37s or bigger out the gate then get the sport and build it better than a rubicon for possibly cheaper. When I bought my new 2014 it was not much more to get the rubicon compared to a new sport, so it made since to get the rubicon. Also if 35s are your goal for now, make sure you get the 4.10s unless you plan on a regear. Not all rubis have the 4.10s anymore, 3.73s are the standard and the 4.10s are a special order. I have the 4.10s, auto, and 35s and it does great for me for now. I want 5.13s when I jump to 37s so I made sure to get a rubi with the 4.10s.

I think coilovers will give you more than 2.5 or 3 inches of lift. Course that depends on brands of coilovers and brands of kits to install them. I could be completely wrong on them also as I have no first hand expierence. If coilovers are your plan I would try to go as cheap as possible on a lift right now. Well not cheap but inexpensive. if you are gonna stick with 35s for now, I would look at a 2.5 inch budget boost. That will give you enough lift to clear 35s and if/when you decided to get the coilovers, you can sell the complete budget boost kit and get most of your money back on it.

You should look at an oil pan skid plate as there is not one and if you go auto look at purchasing a tranny pan skid plate. Something like what EVO sells works great. Im sure there are others but I like EVO. Alot of people on here do as well. Mostly cause its good and it works. I have both of those, they installed easy and I purchased a piece at a time as funds allowed. I still need the crossmember skid.

Just my :twocents: and take it as that.
 
mudmobeeler said:
Welcome to WAYALIFE from a neighbor in Oklahoma.

No matter what jeep you get, first thing to try and buy would be recovery gear. A good strap, some d rings, tree saver if you have a winch, gloves, fire extinguisher, first aid kit. Those type of things.

If you can get it, I would go with a rubicon or a rubicon X if you like the bumpers and such on the rubicon x models. They arent the best but they are pretty good from the factory and with a little more $$ (i know it sucks but it is a jeep, lol) you can add a winch and they have a decent tire carrier to fit the rear. If you plan on 35s and no bigger or like me 35s until you can afford bigger and all that bigger tires entails and have to wait a while get the rubicon. If you can jump to 37s or bigger out the gate then get the sport and build it better than a rubicon for possibly cheaper. When I bought my new 2014 it was not much more to get the rubicon compared to a new sport, so it made since to get the rubicon. Also if 35s are your goal for now, make sure you get the 4.10s unless you plan on a regear. Not all rubis have the 4.10s anymore, 3.73s are the standard and the 4.10s are a special order. I have the 4.10s, auto, and 35s and it does great for me for now. I want 5.13s when I jump to 37s so I made sure to get a rubi with the 4.10s.

I think coilovers will give you more than 2.5 or 3 inches of lift. Course that depends on brands of coilovers and brands of kits to install them. I could be completely wrong on them also as I have no first hand expierence. If coilovers are your plan I would try to go as cheap as possible on a lift right now. Well not cheap but inexpensive. if you are gonna stick with 35s for now, I would look at a 2.5 inch budget boost. That will give you enough lift to clear 35s and if/when you decided to get the coilovers, you can sell the complete budget boost kit and get most of your money back on it.

You should look at an oil pan skid plate as there is not one and if you go auto look at purchasing a tranny pan skid plate. Something like what EVO sells works great. Im sure there are others but I like EVO. Alot of people on here do as well. Mostly cause its good and it works. I have both of those, they installed easy and I purchased a piece at a time as funds allowed. I still need the crossmember skid.

Just my :twocents: and take it as that.
Click to expand...


Everyone,

Thanks for the welcome.


Mudmobeeler, thanks for the detailed reply. I'm leaning toward the Rubicon with gussets as a start. After a few month recovery period for my bank account, I'm going to do get a shop to do the whole enchilada. I figure the take-off parts for the complete Rubi axles will be worth more than the take-offs for the Sport.

Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom