Trying to nail a 2012 JKU Expo Rig design down...

[cigarluvr]

A buddy of mine has gotten the bug. He currently has a 2009 JK (2-door) in Barbie Yellow (LOL) and has after a little prodding has ordered a 2012 JKU Sport in a much more manly Silver. We have spent the last several weeks building/designing the pen-ultimate JKU Expo rig. However, since I am the brawn and he is the checkbook, I have found that our design seems to lend itself more to the Expo/Adventure Rig with an extensive amount of rock climbing. This is not the direction we wanted to go. I think the big hang up is the front axle. Since he ordered a Sport he wont be getting the Rubi drivetrain, which is fine since ARB lockers are better. Most of the other features we have spec'd out for it seem to be in line with a serious Expo Rig.

AEV F/R Bumpers
AEV 3.5" RC Dualsport
GY 35" Duratracs
Gobi Rack
Dual Battery Setup from Benchmark Designs (they have one for the '12)
Warn 9.5 cti-s
Upgraded exhaust
Snorkel (if AEV has it ready)
Lighting out the wazoo...
ARB Lockers front and rear
Upgraded axles in rear
...just a start...there will be a build thread...stay tuned...

I guess the question is, does the extensive Jeep knowledge of this forum think or have an opinion of whether a upgraded front axle (i.e. Dynatrac ProRock 44, RCV Axles, and the like) would be needed in an moderate to serious Expo JKU? Or should we throw all the beefy goodies at the Dana30/44 hybrid that is going to reside under there when he gets it, like sleeves, gussets, 30 spline axles?

Whatcha think?

 

[Metcalf]

tough call, but judging my your modification list the vehicle is most likely going to end up pretty heavy....

I would vote for the new front housing......Dynatrac or maybe even the new TeraFlex version.

A few other notes.

-I don't think roof racks are the way to go. Weight, even just the rack, up high just isn't worth it. The added wind resistance isn't worth it either. Pack lighter and pack internally.....ala Tom Sheppard. CAREFULLY watch the GVW and weight distribution.

-2.5" lift instead of the 3.5" lift if your only going to run 35" tires.

-I don't think the dual battery thing is really worth it in the long run.....basically too complex and heavy. I would get the AEV battery tray, or make one, that would allow you to install one monster high quality battery.....

Just a few thoughts, hope the project goes smoothly.....

 

[Septu]

2.5 is all that's needed to clear 35s... however 3.5" looks perfect and gives you a bit more room to flex.

Couple questions:
Do you need lockers? I can't really comment as I ordered a Rubi this time around almost specifically for the lockers... but even I acknowledge that I most likely don't need them.
Do you need to replace/upgrade the axles? Many many JKers do just fine with 35s on the stock axles. Others will beef up the axle a bit.

 

[drgnhrt1979]

Lockers are not manditory, but will help greatly if you are getting into cross axle terrain. Everything I have done offroad in my stock XJ has been done with stock axles, gears and open diffs. I am putting them in mine for added ins if or when I get into those situations were they would be needed.

Also keep in mind, that when they are engaged, both tires will spin at the same rate, so they should only be used or on in low traction terrain, if they are on, on pavement, you will end up breaking something.

IMO Selectable lockers are the way to go, if your gonna spend the money might as well do it right. ARB is an air locker and not worth it unless you plan to run OBA. Remember to route your line (air or otherwise) carefully or it will break and render your locker useless.

 

[Logans91XJ]

Without lockers you are wasting your money on everything else. You can have the most modded AEV JKU and some flashy rims and tires but what good does all that crap do if you can't get traction to the ground. Don't blow all your money on useless mods. Seriously a Rubicon JKU in stock form will take you farther than you can imagine. The simple fact that you can do a minor lift and 35's is amazing. The guys that have been around for a long time understand that its all about LCG..

Put the money in the Gas Tank and go wheel that JKU in Stock Form and enjoy it!

I totally understand the modding is half the fun but for a brand new Jeep with lockers, 4:1 Transfer case and 33's you can seriously run the real Rubicon.

 

[Septu]

Without lockers you are wasting your money on everything else. You can have the most modded AEV JKU and some flashy rims and tires but what good does all that crap do if you can't get traction to the ground. Don't blow all your money on useless mods. Seriously a Rubicon JKU in stock form will take you farther than you can imagine. The simple fact that you can do a minor lift and 35's is amazing. The guys that have been around for a long time understand that its all about LCG..

Put the money in the Gas Tank and go wheel that JKU in Stock Form and enjoy it!

I totally understand the modding is half the fun but for a brand new Jeep with lockers, 4:1 Transfer case and 33's you can seriously run the real Rubicon.

As an expo rig? You don't need lockers. They're a nice thing to have when wheeling. However my 07 JKU with a 2.5" BB and 33s went a lot further than I ever thought it would. It constantly surprised me on where I'd manage to get without lockers. If money isn't an issue, then go for it, but they're certainly not required unless you're wheeling it hard.

 

[2500Adventures]

Have you looked at Adventure Trailers, for possible interior storage ideas? I also know that ARB has some storage drawers coming out, or already out, that may help with interior storage design and setup. Good luck with the build, looks like you are headed in the right direction as far as the wheeling part of overlanding goes. Don't lose sight of the Safety and Security side though (another thing is locking security latches for the hood!!! a mod i still want to perform!!).

 

[cigarluvr]

Well, I talked him down from the Dynatrac...we are just gonna beef up the Dana30 that's under there. It is substantially less expensive and will still allow some pretty intense wheeling. I tried to suggest that ARB's front and rear were a little overkill, but he wasn't having any of it. He wants to make sure that if EVER they were needed he had them. So now we wait for the rig to show up amd the parts to soon follow. Logistics is a big thing up here. We live on an island so getting stuff here is difficult and expensive, but with the help of our employer and an airplane, we will be getting most of it here in the next month or two. Jeep will show up in Anchorage around the end of May so the build is scheduled right in the middle of the Sockeye Run. I truly doesn't hope for too much from me during the summer. There are salmon out there that are dying to get in my freezer! Priorities...stay tuned.

 

[Colorado Jeeper]

For the price of the Dynatrac he could have upgraded to the Rubicon (or close to it). I think the stock D30 is a decent front end. I think it should handle 35's just fine.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

He made a good call on getting the lockers. If he keeps a light foot the stock Dana 30 will be fine. Gussets and stronger internals can bring everything except the ring gear up to or above a stock 44. If he wants to really wheel it the Rubicon version can save alot of money. I had an 05 and wish I had never sold it. I ran 36 inch tires on it for the 2 years that I owned it. Wheeled it at Tellico a dozen or do times and never broke anything except the fan clutch in a huge mud hole pulling against a Dodge Ram 1500. I never had a problem with it other than that.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Also instead of the dura tracks have him look at the Super Swamper Trxus MT's they are a great all around tire and do excellent in ice & snow, as well as mud and rocks.