stocker jk build?
- Thread starter ottoride
- Start date
PirateMcGee
Expedition Leader
a good stereo and gas
Agree! maybe a front winch bumper if you go it alone on these trips. Doesn't a Rubi come with some skids?
Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
I wouldn't add any weight without changing the springs and shocks.
bob91yj
Resident **************
Frist aid kit, should include what you would want to put yourself back together. If that's two aspirins and a Band-Aid, so be it. I've found the Costco first aid kits to be a good starter kit. Include survival gear with your first aid stuff, extra water, spaceblanket, flashlight, etc. Be prepared to spend the night on the trail at all times.
Hi-Lift and strap will get you out of trouble in most cases. H-Lift is versatile, and DANGEROUS. Practice using it in your driveway. You said your rig was a Rubicon, so I'm assuming it has tow points already. Rocker armor makes a Hi-Lift more useful, as you can lift the rig from the side.
Skid plates/armor, protect your drivetrain and body.
I'm a firm believer that any wheeled vehicle without a steel roof structure should have a roll cage, not a bad idea even with a roof. Custom weld in, or bolt in. I've seen rigs rolled on a flat road (seriously, I've seen it happen twice). Driver didn't pay attention, drifted up the berm on the side of the road and flopped it.
Check your differential/transmission fluids regularly if you do a lot of water crossings. Axle seals are designed to keep gear oil in, not to keep water out.
Winch, another versatile tool, and also another one that will kill you if not used correctly. I'm not a big fan of cheap winches or hydraulic winches. On the occasion that I need my winch, I usually really NEED my winch. I don't have time to wonder if the internet special winch I got is going to work or not. Hydraulic winches are great severe duty winches, not worth a damn if you are laying on your side and can't run your engine.
Most of all, get out and enjoy your rig. Figure out what it doesn't do that you want it to do. Then build it to meet YOUR needs, not what others think you need.
Hi-Lift and strap will get you out of trouble in most cases. H-Lift is versatile, and DANGEROUS. Practice using it in your driveway. You said your rig was a Rubicon, so I'm assuming it has tow points already. Rocker armor makes a Hi-Lift more useful, as you can lift the rig from the side.
Skid plates/armor, protect your drivetrain and body.
I'm a firm believer that any wheeled vehicle without a steel roof structure should have a roll cage, not a bad idea even with a roof. Custom weld in, or bolt in. I've seen rigs rolled on a flat road (seriously, I've seen it happen twice). Driver didn't pay attention, drifted up the berm on the side of the road and flopped it.
Check your differential/transmission fluids regularly if you do a lot of water crossings. Axle seals are designed to keep gear oil in, not to keep water out.
Winch, another versatile tool, and also another one that will kill you if not used correctly. I'm not a big fan of cheap winches or hydraulic winches. On the occasion that I need my winch, I usually really NEED my winch. I don't have time to wonder if the internet special winch I got is going to work or not. Hydraulic winches are great severe duty winches, not worth a damn if you are laying on your side and can't run your engine.
Most of all, get out and enjoy your rig. Figure out what it doesn't do that you want it to do. Then build it to meet YOUR needs, not what others think you need.
my wife is a nurse so she always makes sure we have a first aid kit no matter where we go. your suggestion on the hi lift is great. bought some straps already. i also have a 340 husky chainsaw (trained with safety gear), some of the trails have alot of deadfall and i also use it for trailbuilding. a long handle shovel and pulaski always gets placed into the back.
wjeeper
Active member
I couldn't agree more! I think many times people dont add accessories that they really need. How many CB radios, winches, mud tires and highlift jacks have been installed on rigs that will probably never get used?
Once you get out there, wheel and get stuck you will find what your vehicle needs. Obviously one needs some basic recovery gear and a first aid kit but the key is getting out there and enjoy!
My last Jeep was over built with so much crap I didn't really need......n retrospect I wish I had kept it more stock and spent the money on actually getting out there rather than spending it all on parts and being too broke to enjoy it.
My $0.02
I generally agree with Hilldweller. Don't add too much weight unless you swap springs. (Skids weigh a lot!)
A leveling kit or maybe, say, 1.5" or 2.5" spacers will help some, but too much weight without changing springs will take away too much up travel and you'll be bottoming out.
If you go with a winch, save yourself 25lbs on the extreme end ot the Jeep by switching to a synthetic rope, safer too.
I have to say that if you were to go with an AEV 3.5" lift you'd find that your Jeep rides and handles better than it did stock.
JPK
Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
I have a 2-door Sahara and the springs/shocks weren't up to task from day one. The shocks faded very quickly, especially on washboard and the springs were always too mushy for my taste.
Then I added bumpers at both ends and a winch with synthetic line; my front bumper is a stubby for approach angle and to save weight.
I scored a set of springs from an Unlimited w/tow package and it corrected the sag; I put a 2.5" Teraflex puck lift with shocks on as well since I liked the spring rate by that time.
Rides great now with 33s.
You can check which springs you have. Crawl underneath and look at the tags on the springs. If the fronts end in 19/20 and rears in 59/60, you've got the stiff ones --- I think those are the numbers anyhow...
Just sayin', don't nix the lift idea completely. I didn't want one until I started to high-center and bump my rear all the time.
