kodiak bear

Hi all,

First of all, I'm not sure if this belongs here, or in stock/modified tech. It kinda falls into all three categories.

Anyway, here it goes: I'm wondering what to do to bring my '07 JKUX into 2015 and make it more Rubicon-like. I've got my lift installed and am in the process of putting on new fenders (got the fronts on, now I need the backs). I look around a lot on CL and there are lots of Rubicon take-off posts. Does anyone have any suggestions for interior/exterior upgrades I could do to upgrade/modernize? I'm not too concerned with comfort or luxury, but if it's cheap and a good project, I'm interested!

Ringer

Put in a 4:1 rubi t case, and rubi axles with lockers! I would skip the electronic swaybar and go right for an antirock. This is the path I went with my X.

robsjeep9

Yup I agree .. My 09 X model now has rubi t-case, PR44 up front, ARB air lockers, antirocks and so much more

kodiak bear

So a Rubicon transfer case is significantly better? What improvements does it provide?

JK505

I'm actually finishing this up this week. 2008 X is what I started with. I picked up a trussed and gusseted front D44 with the factory locker. I wired it straight into my spod. I added 4.88 gears and an ARB locker in the rear (I went with 35 splines sense the shafts were being replaced anyways). I kept the X rear axle seeing as it's no worse than the Rubi rear axle. I still run manual quick disconnects and have no issues with them. My Rubi transfer case should be here this week to cap it all off. If going this route all I would say is be patient. Most people want an arm and a leg for their Rubi axles and transfer cases but the most expensive part for me was the transfer case at $600 (most people ask $1-1.3k here). Look around on the forums and Facebook groups. Pirate 4x4 has a fair amount but make sure you research before you buy, a lot of stuff is custom over there. Good luck with the build! Overall you can save a lot of money building your own. Starting price difference is about $9k and if warranties don't matter and you are willing to do the work yourself, it can be done for around $2.5k (which is about what it ran me).

JK505

It's a lower ratio and will let you "crawl" slower. The normal X, sport, Sahara, willys, etc transfer case is 2.72:1 where as the Rubi is 4:1.

kodiak bear

So, the biggest chunk of money you had to part with in a single transaction was ~$600? For all the work you're doing, how much have you been able to do yourself and how much have you had done by a shop? If welding is required, do you do it yourself?

kodiak bear

So, when you say "crawl slower", do you mean in 4H or 4L? Or both? Sorry for my ignorance... I haven't attempted any real rock crawling.

951Rubi

But why pay 2-4k per axle when you could throw one tons under it for that price?
That's how I see it anyways.

I wish I had started with the X and taken the money saved from a rubicon and spent it on mods.

Sent from my iPhone using JK-Forum

karmynsbeep

I have about 1200 bucks in my front rubi axle and rear locker and 4.10 set up you just gotta shop around

www.overlandoff-road.com