One of my two best wheelin' pals at home has run the Rubicon five times in an '83 CJ with a spring-over, locked Dana 44s, Chevy V6 and 31" BFG A/Ts (read: a nicely done CJ, but not radical by any measure).

He's got 17 years trail driving experience and is living testimony to the notion that it's more driver than equipment. Everything he's ever told me about the Rubicon mirrors what WOL has said in his post here.

Eddie, what's the opinion out there relative to the continuing debate about the longevity of the trail? Think it will eventually be closed permanently?

 

Did the Rubicon this year with no damage to speak of. See below for mod list, best investment was the rock rails. They definatly earned their keep.

 

I went in to Buck Island and back out yesterday with little trouble. It was a nice day trip. There is a lot of maintanence on the beginning section of the trail to prevent the runoff from muddying up the lakes, filling in many of the holes. Sure it makes the trail easier but will help to keep it open also.
I would advise having rock rails (Rubicon rails work GREAT), a good spotter, and an air source - that's all that is needed. Larger tires make it easier still, especially for those camera poses we see here. Just don't be fooled into thinking that throwing money at your rig is the best way of living through the Rubicon. Many people have gone through with a lot less rig than your JK.
And don't wait too long or it may be gone.

 

According to this: hBBp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vov-IPy_6NM all you need is a flatfender, bald 27" tires and a cowboy hat.

Sounds like a cool way to do it to me.

 

I watched this video in this link of the entrance. I don't know if a stock Jeep can make that, but I have not taken a stock Jeep offroad yet so I am not familiar with what it's real capabilities are.

 

Like I said, there is a LOT of maintanence going on right now. The Rubicon ia a lot easier, especially the beginning, so I expect little problems with a stock rig.
Makes you wonder about the need to spend all that money on your rig ...

 

If I'm not mistaken... the JK was designed around the Rubicon.

I believe a bone stock 4wd JK can complete the Rubicon without an issue. I'm pretty sure I remember this being a marketing tool in the beginning.

 

"Originally a Native American trail connecting the Sacramento Valley and Lake Tahoe, the Rubicon Trail was re-discovered by European immigrants in the 1840s. By the 1890s, the trail had become an actual road (by the standards of the day) and was used to reach the Rubicon Mineral Springs Resort and Hotel. The first car into Rubicon Springs arrived in 1908, driven by a woman from Lake Tahoe. This historic drive received quite a bit of publicity from the San Francisco newspapers." - http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/Rubicon/About.htm

Wow - I can only imagine how amazing was the route those days, untouched.
Does anyone have photos of the route from the early 1900's?

 

Just saw Part 1 of the video. ( Very nice ) Now I know I have to try and make a Rubicon trip and not wait to make the $$ mods I dont need.

 

Doesn't Chrysler run the RUbicon in a any vehicle that has been trail rated ??? Or did they run it in a Rubicon JK and just put the badge on all models ???