First Rubicon Trip ?

[chris420]

I am going on my first Rubicon trip this month and had a few question hoping someone has been on the trail recently.

Is there a water crossing if so how deep is it?
Do you think I will be ok with 32" tires?
anything that I should be on the look out for?

 

[souske]

When we went through the mud lakes, oceanjet was kind enought put on some aqua socks and trudge around to find a good path through. That was the deepest section when I went in 2010.

32" tires should be fine, the only thing that concerns me is your lack of an actual locker.

 

[XJensen]

Last weekend and this week was busy. I went to Spider/little sluice and most every rock stack was gone. Some spots were much more difficult. I am locked up front lsd rear on 33's

 

[blondejoncherokee]

i wouldn't be worried on the con as far as water crossings if you're going through open open on 32s. you'll get through and have a good time.

 

[chris420]

Thanks guys I am LSD front and rear and mainly worried about water crossings as I have a new crate motor that I do not want to dround.

 

[MaxxXJ]

If 32's are fine... How will 31's fair? My group is going soon and I kind of wanna go :-/

 

[blondejoncherokee]

theres a lot more than tire size going on. theres no water crossing there like fordyce. you can get through no problem as far as water crossing from what i saw last weekend.
its more if your rig is built well, other than tire size and do you feel comfortable actually wheeling your junk ? the tire is not so much of an issue, if you have half a$$ed built junk rig then you might break your junk. is your rig built up otherwise? bigger tires like 35s can make up for alot, but a well built rig on 31`s is just as good. . one of connors buddys was on stock everything except for a 2" BB and 35s on a TJ and made through everything just fine . it all depends. just be prepared for whatever.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

just like any water crossing on any trail, watch someone else go through. if the dude on 38s is over the hood, you shoudlnt be doing it on 32s unless you have a snorkel. even walk through it if need be.

 

[Skipper51]

theres a lot more than tire size going on. its more if your rig is built well, other than tire size and do you feel comfortable actually wheeling your junk ? the tire is not so much of an issue, if you have half a$$ed built junk rig then you might break your junk. is your rig built up otherwise? bigger tires like 35s can make up for alot, but a well built rig on 31`s is just as good. .

Well said Jon:yelclap:

 

[chris420]

My rig is built well I think. I have 30spline shafts on the D30 with a trutrac and a factory lsd rear, new front drive shaft and a spair. I will probably bring a spare surp belt radiator hose and heater core hoses and a spare u joint just in case. What have u guys broke on the trail? I am going to be easy on the skinny not to snap a shaft.

 

[98XJLongBuild]

Well lets just put it this way. I am driving home right now with the heep finally back On the trailer from last nights excursion.

You said new crate engine. It should be fine since i drove from folsom and into the trail about a mile and a half with a brand refreashed engine.

After contenting with bad bad bad death wobble On the freeway and wondering if the enginge would break and if all the new control arm bushings would hold up a mile and a half in the universal joiny broke or more like blew the f**** up. So we got a tow ouy from someone who was just getting done running the trail. Ob ya forgot to mention the driveline broke at about 1am. We didnt Get back to folsom untill about 3:30 am.

So im pretty Sure it was just bad luck run, but i would check all control arm bushings, make Sure you have zero death wobble, properly break your engine in, check your dri eline over very closely. Also biggest thing is dont take any crazy lines and be easy On that skinny pedal and youll be fine. Once home the part ordering begins again (ball joints, universal joint, spare front and rear dri elines)

But yet again that is why we do this sport. RIGHT..

Overall it was a good trip.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

i broke a rear driveline on the con once, otherwise nothing else . I've seen lots of driveshafts break, where its not fixable with a new u joint. pitman arms, lca mounts, tie rods, steering boxes rip off the frame, tires rip open and more. sometimes you get lucky and no one breaks, sometimes some one breaks. just be ready for it and you'll be fine. your rig sounds solid with posis front and rear. id call it good and go wheel it.

 

[Mike1331]

A dialed suspension goes a long way

 

[blondejoncherokee]

spare parts list that i bring:
front and rear DS
tie rodx2
drag link
tire
unit bearing
ball joints
front shaftsx2 per side
fuel line, heater line, brake lines, compression fittings, and flared fittings to connect 2 peices of fuel line
all sensors and bolts
water/oil/gear oil/trany fluid
motor mount
all suspension bolts and brake bolts
brake pads
u joints
dana 30 pinion yoke
full tool set
RTV and duct tape
plumpers tape
self tapping screws
air
brake fluid
u bolts
alternator
welding rod/goggles/gloves

starting after last run adding:
pitman arm
pitman arm puller
torx 55
oil filter
hack saw
more assorted metal for welding



and soon enough i want to add:
ready welder
on board air
air tools

 

[blondejoncherokee]

A dialed suspension goes a long way

ya hes right...

 

[Jeep450r]

Jon, I am inviting you on every wheeling trip I ever go on so I won't need to bring spare parts.

 

[chris420]

I am currently running a hack n tap with double cardon drive shaft on the rear. Does anyone know if there is a vehicle in the junk yard that would have a shaft that I could use as a back up.

 

[MrShaft696]

spare parts list that i bring:
front and rear DS
tie rodx2
drag link
tire
unit bearing
ball joints
front shaftsx2 per side
fuel line, heater line, brake lines, compression fittings, and flared fittings to connect 2 peices of fuel line
all sensors and bolts
water/oil/gear oil/trany fluid
motor mount
all suspension bolts and brake bolts
brake pads
u joints
dana 30 pinion yoke
full tool set
RTV and duct tape
plumpers tape
self tapping screws
air
brake fluid
u bolts
alternator
welding rod/goggles/gloves

starting after last run adding:
pitman arm
pitman arm puller
torx 55
oil filter
hack saw
more assorted metal for welding



and soon enough i want to add:
ready welder
on board air
air tools

wow thats awsome i would love to see how all your stuff is mounted in the jeep.....I thought I was over prepared sometimes....

 

[blondejoncherokee]

the two most common setups are:
stock front shaft style CV in the rear
and the RE flange type in the rear
which do you have?

pics?

a stock front shaft from a XJ is good to have as well as other U joints.

I am currently running a hack n tap with double cardon drive shaft on the rear. Does anyone know if there is a vehicle in the junk yard that would have a shaft that I could use as a back up.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

wow thats awsome i would love to see how all your stuff is mounted in the jeep.....I thought I was over prepared sometimes....

i usaully have parts and tools a 2-1 ratio over camping gear/food. if i didnt bring so much spare parts, my rig would look empty instead of packed...