New 2010 Rubicon Unlimited Owner... Need some Input

[lax71vcu]

I recently sold my old Tj and bought a 2010 Rubicon Unlimited. A new baby was the guise used to initiate such a purchase :victory:...

But I am now...... BROKE....
I have been doing little cheap mods here and there to make the jeep more trail ready and gear friendly.

Any tips on things to do? I was thinking of running the stock tires for a while but want to go to the BFG 255/80/17 KM2's. They are about 33 inches tall and don't require any lift or change in back spacing...(so I have been told). Please correct me if I am wrong. I don't really want a huge rock crawler or mud truck so I don't think bigger than 33's will be needed.

I have seriously considering buying a Trailer to tow on trips to use for support for extra gear, food, and possibly shelter. What is the easies most budget friendly way to do this? I have been looking at the forsale forum here and when something pops up in Va I may have to look at it.

Thanks in advance for all the opinions and I am glad I found this forum!
:wings:

 

[JKDetonator]

Hey!

That sounds like me! Big plans, little money! If you're just starting a family, plan on being broke for the next two decades:elkgrin: there are plenty of little cheap mods that will make your rig more user friendly. Check out the jkowners forum and search for budget mods, that's a good starting place. Good luck with the family and the rig! :victory: and we can always use a pic of a shiny new jeep! Oh, you're right the tires will fit without an expensive lift.:smiley_drive:

 

[getlost4x4]

the rubby tires are 255/75/17 bfg's. about a 32" tall tire. the wheels are 4.75" of back spacing, if i remember right.

 

[96discoXD]

Yes, must have pics. I'm considering selling my 2009 Mazdaspeed 3 and picking up a used JK unlimited as a DD/light trail vehicle, but keeping my YJ for the more serious stuff. Our daughter is already 14 months old though so I think I've missed the window of opportunity for telling my wife I need the JKU for the extra room. Congrats on the purchase!:drool:

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: You have a Rubi and evidentally the Rubi A/T tires--you don't need to do ANYTHING, especially if your family is starting--

Your stock 2010 JKU Rubi will take the Ca. RUBICON, just the way it is--all the mods we make are for ego/hobby/ease/comfort/damage safety-

My '08 JKU Ruby was remarkably capable right after I gotit-

But it is not a DD and is used only for PLAYING, so all my mods have added another $9k to the JKU, it's worth is only in my dreams, so

My advise is make any first mods to make your family safe/comfortable and convienent additions--The size of the stock Rubi tires/wheels is 31++" (INSTALLED) and the wheels have about 6" backspacing, so any tire mods are very difficult with stock wheels !!

Good luck

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Metcalf]

My somewhat standard advice....

-On Board Air. The little MV-50 compressors are GREAT for recreational use. If your not airing down off road you should Throw in a low pressure air gauge, a Slime plug kit, and a core tool.

-Winch. The rubicon is already incredibly capable which just gets you stuck farther from home. An affordable winch tucked behind the stock bumper will get you home. Throw in a small winch kit consisting of a tree strap, tow strap, 3 shackles, snatch block and some gloves.

-Cut a 3/4" plywood jack base that will fit behind the spare tire. This will let you use the stock jack in soft conditions. You can also add a few 2x4 pieces to crib up the stock jack a little if you need to.

-Find a place to hard mount a D-handle shovel and small axe inside if you can. The wheel wells work pretty good, or maybe under the rear seat.

-Build a first aid kit to leave in the jeep all the time. My suggestion is 2-3 trauma bandages, a roll of athletic tape, a bottle of saline for eye wash and wound wash, a bottle of Advil,a pair of good tweezers, a set of emt shears, a deep package of 4x4 gauze, and a large roll of vet wrap. You can add more stuff that you think you might need or want.

Edit: Add a mounted fire extinguisher to the list.


That should get you started

 

[inked33]

Congrats on the new jeep. Like others have said the jku rubi is a very capable vehicle stock. Any mods as far as lifting and bigger tires really depends on how your going to use it. especially if money is really tight right now I would take it out and enjoy it until the stock tires wear out. Might decide that the stock tire size is all you will need or might find out that a few extra inches of lift and slightly larger tires then what your planning would be a good idea and give you time to save for it. If you haven't already check out jkowners website.

 

[The Swiss]

I recently sold my old Tj and bought a 2010 Rubicon Unlimited. A new baby was the guise used to initiate such a purchase :victory:...

But I am now...... BROKE....
I have been doing little cheap mods here and there to make the jeep more trail ready and gear friendly.

Any tips on things to do? I was thinking of running the stock tires for a while but want to go to the BFG 255/80/17 KM2's. They are about 33 inches tall and don't require any lift or change in back spacing...(so I have been told). Please correct me if I am wrong. I don't really want a huge rock crawler or mud truck so I don't think bigger than 33's will be needed.

I have seriously considering buying a Trailer to tow on trips to use for support for extra gear, food, and possibly shelter. What is the easies most budget friendly way to do this? I have been looking at the forsale forum here and when something pops up in Va I may have to look at it.

Thanks in advance for all the opinions and I am glad I found this forum!
:wings:

Pretty much what I did, except that I put a 2.5"BB in front a 1 3/4 rear to correct the extreme rake my JK had. (Rubi does look better with a small lift, even with the stock 255/75-17 Rubi tires ). The stock BFG wore out around 45kmls, have now the 255/80-17 with space to spare. It's safe to say that they easily fit on the JK with no lift. I agree with you, especially as your JK is your DD, 33 is all you need.

I got a utility trailer that I'm slowly converting to my needs.

BTW, welcome to the Expo Portal, I used to live in Richmond :wings:

 

[JRhetts]

I'd echo the theme that to go very rough places you DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING. A stock rubi is very capable.

We drove ours [2008] through Central America to Panama, including several days of trail cutting in the Guatemalan jungle and drove off pavement as often as we could.

Due to [excess] weight we installed heavier shocks and springs [on a beach in Mexico] and carried PowerTanks [CO2] to air up and run an impact wrench. Plywood to support a stock jack, no winch, roof rack with RTT. We pulled other, some heavily modified, vehicles out of mud and ruts.

Great truck!!

John

 

[lax71vcu]

Thanks for all the input

I will def post some pics when I get home from work.....

I metcalf I am working on a First Aid kit to leave in the Jeep currently. Any tips as to what type of bag or case to store in? I was thinking tupperware container, or small to medium sized dry bag. Any input?

I will also look into onboard air. I really want a system as my little air pump doesn't quite get the job done on more than one tire every 30 min.

Has anybody built a trailer that has a dual purpose? As in utility and as an adventure trailer? Any advice on that project?

I have a Triton 12 foot long 6 foot wide aluminum flat bed trailer I used to use to haul ATV. I have been thinking about selling it for about $2200 to 2500 and using that to build my adventure trailer. would still like to be able to use it for utility purposes though.

I like the looks of the 416's or 101 cnd. Do you guys build a small pod to insert into the trailer or is this a single use piece of equipment?

I was also thinking about turning the m416 into sleeping quarters similar to the design used by the Maggolina RTT company's clam shell tent? Any input?

Thanks

 

[Metcalf]

Get a waterproof case if you can...more to keep the dust and dirt out than water, but in could get wet pretty easy too. Also, try and find a place to mount it, don't just shove it under the seat as it will come out at the worst time like during a roll over or accident. Even soft cases can be strapped down pretty easy.

 

[goldenbeagle]

First and foremost just enjoy it!

Best way to find out what you need is by driving it/camping out of it/exploring in it.

Right off the bat I would add a fire extinguisher, Tow strap, and a first Aid kit (make your own first aid kit).

BTW, welcome to the forum! I am in Frederick, MD. If there is anything I can do to help out with future mods let me know….you supply the cold beers.

If you ever want a wing man on a trail ride let me know....I will bring the cold beer.

Good luck with the kiddo...I got 3 of my own...as they get older they become great camping/exploring partners!

:camping:

 

[lax71vcu]

Thanks Golden always looking for more folks to group up with.
The offer to help with mods is great too. If you have any experience with welding when I decide to start the trailer I will definitely be contacting you.

And of course providing good quality cold barley sodas...

What Trails do you frequent most often around you? I tend to stay in the Blue Ridge areas of Va and Wva.

I also do ALOT of whitewater rafting. I own my own boat so getting that thing as close to the river before airing it up is pretty clutch. Trailer would also be used to transport the inflated raft on occasion!

 

[lax71vcu]

Pics as promised...

Just a BIT late. my bad!!:sombrero:

 

[Ramjet]

I like it. I just wish they would have kept making the 2 door version of the Unlimited. I would have bought one, but they were no longer available. So, I bought an FJ Cruiser Trail Teams edition.