Conversion & build of Jeep Unlimited Rubicon

[Brian McVickers]

Issac,
I am building it my way and building it as I chose. I post for those that desire to learn from my rights and my wrongs.

I have been on this forum since near the beginning and I must say that what Don is doing IS the "Spirit of the Forum" however the "Spirit of the Forum" is not complete without our respect and support, including constructive criticism of his project. ExPo is a place for us to all learn from one another by sharing experiences, knowledge and information.

The community here drives everything from mountain bikes to bone stock toyota mini-pickups to Unicats. Our vehicles are as unique as we are, there is no absolute best choice.

Also, if I understand what I have read, Don us using parts that he already has to build his new rig, which is resourceful.

Perhaps we let Don continue his thread and share the buildup of his new rig in peace. The generalized debate of rig choices and design can be continued in another more appropriate thread.

Regards,
Brian

 

[SinCityFJC]

Don is being green by recycling parts from old old rig to his new one:clapsmile

Having watched his last buildup that many learned from I look forward to watching this buildup

 

[durango_60]

Looking forward to your build. I'd rather see a guy with more axle than he needs than more tire than his stock axles can handle any day of the week.

 

[SavageSunJeep]

Hi Don

Sounds like a good build up plan - been ages since I last wheeled with you, I was either in the Redneck Porsche


or the RubiScrambler


Cheers

aka SinCityRubicon

I remember and you had the Redneck Porsche You doggie you, glad you are still around. We will hook up again for sure.

On the subject of the conversion, what I am seeing a lot of in the Jeeping community is members transitioning to expedition type of off roading. I have only got around to posting this on a few forums and the positive response have been overwhelming to include a slew of PM's/e mails wanting more info...of course I have only been at this since Sat so right now I am in the 'needs assement' stage and determining what does my finished product need to look like (not visual).

I cannot discount that the lure of quality rock challenges that will always be there. But that has for me become more of a Pritchet Canyon etc in Moab rather than 'Joe Bob's rock pile', up off dead end hwy somewhere.

I also hear often that the reason why a lot of folks got into OR was to do things with the family, see things that are further back than one can hike too and of course see the beauty that can often only be seen from a distant vantage point so often only assesable via 4x4.

Or as someone said: "your roots are showing" The roots of 4x4 are indeed just getting out there and enjoying.

I did like the 'green/recycling' comment. I never thought of it that way. But good thinking. Yes I spent even more $ than my wife knows on my rock crawler and its not just a bunch of stuff I saw on somebody's rig at Sonic and I went and bought. I engineered this Jeep and its performance and reliability speak for itself. Its a DD that is about to turn over 80k miles and I drive it to wheel it and I drive it back home.

This gives me a good base of knowledge to work from and a parts bin at my fingertips.

I saw myself with several options to transition myself to this side of OR:

1) Order up a JK and start from scratch

-1) No exp with the JK architecture, vertical learning curve

2) Work with existing platform ['03 TJ Rubicon]

-2) Need frame stretch with new tub or tub stretch, 80k mi on engine and components. Need various component upgrades and replacements to get it ready for long hauls and miles to get there, think Baja, ALCAN Hwy to Arctic Circle trips. All = $$$ to attain goal.

3) Buy bone stock '06 TJ Rubicon Unlimited, low mileage, exchange parts as determined buy new as needed, sell the '03 TJ Rubion.

-3) Highest intial cost, much work needs to be done and engine bay components are approaching half-way point in life cycle.

+3) Found Jeep that meets requirements and only 14.5k miles, CARFAXED OK, only 1 minor warranty call for drivers seat. At least half of intial outlay is recouped upon selling current rig. My shop is equipped with most tools, HD welder and plasma cutter etc etc, I am retired and wife likes to keep me in the shop and out of her hair and current Jeep is 98% built to my specs, so not much to do.

After MUCH thinking and discussing with wife she fully agreed that 3 is the best choice as she will come along on several of the trips.

That took me to Denver last Sat, then a few days in Moab to see how the bone stocker worked, now assesing needs, Off Road Expo in Pomoma on Oct and begin.

Anyone here going to the Expo? I will arrive Thurs nite and leave out Sat afternoon and always up for a cup 'o joe with new and old friends...:coffeedrink:

 

[SinCityFJC]

Hi Don

Thought you would like the being a green jeeper & recycling parts off the rock crawler

Like you said I and others are focusing more on expo style wheeling - I've done most of the hard core trails that I had dreamed of.

New build sounds well thought out from decades of wheeling, The LJ based RubiScrambler build was more expo focused & a great well balanced trail/street rig, a function 1st build that happened to look good.

 

[robert j. yates]

Anyone here going to the Expo? I will arrive Thurs nite and leave out Sat afternoon and always up for a cup 'o joe with new and old friends...:coffeedrink:

I'll be at Expo again Don. If you still have my number, ping me and we can meet up somewhere along the way.

 

[TD64]

Don,

I saw your post on ROF this morning and then I stumble across this... Well, I am looking forward to watching your build... how YOU want to build it!

The Rubicons are amazing stock and built! I've rolled with ROF (in my friends rig) a couple of times in Moab and I was amazed at what these rigs can do.

I just scored an 06 Unlimited Rubicon (4,000 miles and never off-road) and I'll be keeping an eye on this build.

Folks, keep in mind that some trails (Kane Creek) are somewhat easy and then you hit a section like this:

and you blow a fuse:

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Folks, keep in mind that some trails (Kane Creek) are somewhat easy and then you hit a section like this:.........and you blow a fuse.......[/IMG]

I keep coming back to this thread and wishing I had some constructive input to offer and your post hit the spot!

I think that was the best point to be brought up in this thread. And it's the reason that I'm building my XJ the way I am. Not stock, but not a monster either; I'm finding that happy middle ground for myself. And if I had a set of D60's (or whatever) from a previous build that would fit, hell yeah I'd keep 'em, even it it was overkill for my 33's. But I won't go buy a set of D60's though.......

Im my "neck of the woods" there are too many mild trails with one or two really hairy spots, that you'd be silly not to build for the rocks just a little bit. I hate traveling down what looks like a mild road, just to hit a pile of rocks and have to turn around (that happened to me twice before I got my lift). I guess maybe, I just like to take the road even less traveled .......probably due to difficulty in that one spot.

So, I say lets all build our vehicles in a manner that suits our needs (be they real, or potential) and leave all of the rig bashing to the other Jeep forums.

SeaRubi - thanks for going easy on me for posting my build-up thread ...........kidding.....

 

[SavageSunJeep]

I'll be at Expo again Don. If you still have my number, ping me and we can meet up somewhere along the way.

Nope, I just did a firmware upgrade on my fone and in spite of saving my fone # list to my sim card it erased EVERYTHING.

Shoot me a PM with your # on it. I have to leave out Sat due to obli's Sunday back here in Scottsdale. I am coming in Thurs nite. Be good to see you again.

 

[SavageSunJeep]

I keep coming back to this thread and wishing I had some constructive input to offer and your post hit the spot!

I think that was the best point to be brought up in this thread. And it's the reason that I'm building my XJ the way I am. Not stock, but not a monster either; I'm finding that happy middle ground for myself. And if I had a set of D60's (or whatever) from a previous build that would fit, hell yeah I'd keep 'em, even it it was overkill for my 33's. But I won't go buy a set of D60's though.......

Im my "neck of the woods" there are too many mild trails with one or two really hairy spots, that you'd be silly not to build for the rocks just a little bit. I hate traveling down what looks like a mild road, just to hit a pile of rocks and have to turn around (that happened to me twice before I got my lift). I guess maybe, I just like to take the road even less traveled .......probably due to difficulty in that one spot.

So, I say lets all build our vehicles in a manner that suits our needs (be they real, or potential) and leave all of the rig bashing to the other Jeep forums.

SeaRubi - thanks for going easy on me for posting my build-up thread ...........kidding.....

Nuttin wrong with Kane Creek. Couple of years ago the wife and I headed up to Moab for a Moab Thanksgiving and it started snowing while we were in Kane Creek. It snowed about 6" as I remember and albeit we continued to hit the trails, it did keep us off HellDorado. The snow was just too DEEP and we could not even find the trail.

This past weekend while in Moab I saw a few Jeeps on the streets but nary a one on the trails!!!!

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Welcome and I look forward to your build. I too came over from the world of hardcore rock crawling. I haven't missed it (Much) and look forward to your build.

I see nothing wrong with your D60's. The ProRock is an excellent choice. I almost pulled the trigger on a set for my 04 Unlimited. Here's a pic of it before I sold it. I do miss the Unlimited a lot of times. I replaced it with a Landcruiser that has been nicknamed "Gang Green" if that tells you how well we get along.

I bought it new and had it for about a week before it went under the knife for three months and came out looking like this. I went with the Chromo 33 splined Evolution axles from Superior. I was so serious about the ProRocks that I even changed the lug to 5x5.5 so the Walkers would fit the new axles.

I think your on the right track. There's nothing wrong with a HD axle with parts availability that far outreach the jeep world.

 

[JeepinBear]

Here's a pic of it before I sold it.

Hijack alert!

Did you ever post a build thread of this jeep? I really like the custom cage work.

Hijack off!

 

[SavageSunJeep]

Welcome and I look forward to your build. I too came over from the world of hardcore rock crawling. I haven't missed it (Much) and look forward to your build.

I see nothing wrong with your D60's. The ProRock is an excellent choice. I almost pulled the trigger on a set for my 04 Unlimited. Here's a pic of it before I sold it. I do miss the Unlimited a lot of times. I replaced it with a Landcruiser that has been nicknamed "Gang Green" if that tells you how well we get along.

I bought it new and had it for about a week before it went under the knife for three months and came out looking like this. I went with the Chromo 33 splined Evolution axles from Superior. I was so serious about the ProRocks that I even changed the lug to 5x5.5 so the Walkers would fit the new axles.

I think your on the right track. There's nothing wrong with a HD axle with parts availability that far outreach the jeep world.

WOW, that is tarted up real nice. Yes, I plan on keeping my WE's too, pull the BL and you now have access to the inside of the tire for a repair if need be. If worse comes to worse the BL will hold the tire on as you stagger on 0 psi trying to get to civilization.

I do think that coming from the RC world is an asset to building a expedition rig. The RC world, clearly at the level you and I have experienced is a world of Chromo and 300M steel that still breaks (300M steel is what they build landing gear on airplanes).

But I can assure all that it is just not bolting on the biggest and strongest parts you can find and then hit the trails. Those that do often fail even tho they did not break...the object is to get to the top, some folks forget that.

Its the combination of parts that counts. I run OEM grade u joints in my drive shafts and there is a reason for it.

As my tag line sez on my website: 'Built to get you there, Engineered to get you back!'

On another note, I wonder if I have not seen your rig...I NOTICE yellow as it is a fav color for cars. Moab perhaps, Vegas around time of the SEMA show maybe. Regardless, its sweet.

 

[efuentes]

I have also been to RC hell and back, and mostly what I have learned is that a rig has to be balanced, want big tires?, that's ok, just bring along axles, suspension components and HP to the picture.

Here in Mexico I see unbalanced rigs that get stuck all the time, you know the type, big tires with tiny axles or the familiar 44s with unimogs axles and a puny 100 HP to carry the 10,000 pound rig.

Expedition stuff in my opinion is all about durability, fixability and economy, In my neck of the woods its usually 33s with Locked D44s, a TBI chevy drivetrain (That everybody knows how to fix) and a nice stiff chassis with leafs all around.


Saludos

 

[SavageSunJeep]

I have also been to RC hell and back, and mostly what I have learned is that a rig has to be balanced, want big tires?, that's ok, just bring along axles, suspension components and HP to the picture.

Here in Mexico I see unbalanced rigs that get stuck all the time, you know the type, big tires with tiny axles or the familiar 44s with unimogs axles and a puny 100 HP to carry the 10,000 pound rig.

Expedition stuff in my opinion is all about durability, fixability and economy, In my neck of the woods its usually 33s with Locked D44s, a TBI chevy drivetrain (That everybody knows how to fix) and a nice stiff chassis with leafs all around.


Saludos

Shhhhh, your giving away my secret. My rig is +/- 25 lbs in weight on all 4 corners, sure helps off camber.

OEM u joints in the drive shafts. 15 min trail fix when they break, cheap and act as a fuse for excess torque loading. NOTE: I have never broke one.