Hello to the forum. I’m a potential Jeep newbie. Let me lay out my questions and that statement will make more sense. I’m currently running a 2009 Dodge Ram 4X4 but I’m planning out my next vehicle purchase to take place in a few years. I want to put together the best possible off the lot 4x4 rig I can. I do a lot of hunting in Texas in two main areas with varying terrain but live in the North Dallas burbs. I duck hunt heavily about an hour and a half North of Dallas and deer hunt on a lease close to the panhandle. The off road conditions I see duck hunting are pretty basic. It’s fairly flat farm land with a couple of tanks. The hardest off road condition I run into there is mud, which the Ram handles with ease.

However, the deer lease is another story. We hunt over 20,000 acres of land with terrain ranging from flat plains to red dirt canyons. The property does have several well-kept oil well trails, but it’s when we get off those trails that it gets interesting. There is everything from sandy flats to muddy wash outs and creek bottoms that a rig will have to cut through. Terrain goes from flat to step hills all on the same trail cutting back to our feeders and blinds. There is little rock to crawl, but to be honest there may be times where some very light rock crawling might be necessary. Most of the guys have extremely lifted 2500 class diesel trucks with 40 inch tires and massive lifts. That is great and all, but sometimes the trail gets very tight for those monsters to move around. This is where the Jeep comes in. I figure the smaller footprint of a Jeep with the right tires and suspension should handle almost any terrain just fine. Plus it could still serve as a practical day to day commuter.

Now, what I’d like to do is a dealership build up with a 2dr Jeep Rubicon. My uncle runs the maintenance department of a local Dodge dealership. Not only can I get a good deal on the Jeep itself, but I can get a little better deal on accessories and installation. He’ll also make sure the work is done right and it will keep it all under warranty. I think I can get everything to put together a solid rig through the dealership and the Mopar parts bin. I really like their steel front and rear bumpers. The front has an integrated spot for a Warn winch, which will be a must have. Plus, I can also add some additional lights to it, also a must have. My main question is lift and tire size. I was thinking 35’s should be more than enough for clearance of obstacles out on the lease. Are there any opinions on that? Can I get by with smaller tires or must I go larger? Do I need to change rims or will the factory rims handle just fine? Also, how much lift is needed? Would the 2.5 inch Mopar lift with Bilstein’s work? Suspension lift only or a combo of suspension and body? I also want to avoid any and all rubbing. Would spacers be a must have to prevent rubbing with a 2.5 lift and 35’s? How about engine, do I need to massage a few more pound foot out of it? Are there any other needed changes I’m missing or recommendations that add value for their cost and installation?

Again, I’ll use the vehicle as a daily driver so I can’t just go all-out rock crawler or swamp bogger with it. It will have to be practical day to day. I flat out love the look and functionality of a Jeep. I’d love to pop off the top and doors on the sunny days and soak it in, something that is just not possible in the Ram, although the Hemi is a hell of a lot of fun to run full throttle!

I’m open to any advice or criticism. I just want to make sure that if I do it, I do it right. Thanks for having me and I look forward to your responses. I’ll try to answer any follow up questions to the best of my meager Jeep knowledge, so bear with me if I say something asinine.

 

Seems like the stock rubicon would more than suffice. Especially since your getting bumpers and a winch. Anything else you add is pretty much usefull but not really necessary. The rubicon is very adept in handling most anything your going to encounter. If anything a 2-3 inch lift and 33-35's and your good to go. I hope you enjoy the jeep once you get it, you'll wonder how you got by without one.

 

if its not a 2012 I would regear. if it is the 2012 make sure you have the 4.10's.
as for tires and wheels, I would gets properly backspaced wheel that will not make the tires rub at turns. you want less than 4.5 backspacing. when I go 35's Im going with the 35/12.50 Goodyear wrangler MTR/k. great tire for daily driving and offroad.
I don't know much about that lift but If it was me I would go with a different lift. I have heard good thing about Clayton, rock krawler, OME, and teraflex.

with 35's you wanna gusset that front axel, sleeves are not required but I would deffinetly do c gussets. might wanna look into a rear bumper and tire carrier, do your not messing up that tailgate with the heavy tire. I'm sure there is more im not thinking about! have any questions, just ask!

 

Thanks for all the info! I would def go with a 2012 or newer model. So it sounds like the power is there. As for the gussets, not sure what they are. Can you explain their relation to the suspension?

 

to tell ya the truth I'm not even sure what they are... I'm still learning and figuring stuff out. it's a great thing though learning so much while doing it! I just know that they bend easy with 35's and we need to reinforce them!I think Evo makes a good kit !

 

Make a "C" with your hand, now picture that "C" coming off the front axle housing on both sides. Even on a Dana 44 (stock Rubicon housing), the C has proven to be a weak point for some when running even 35" tires. Gussets are weld on plates that strengthen the top and bottom of the C. Check out off Road Evolution's site for a good picture of their C gussets.

http://www.offroadevolution.com/stor...VO-AXLEGUSSETS

 

Thanks, that helped and was easy to understand. Would that mod be something the dealer would know to do running 35's or will I have to ask for it specifically?

 

I would go somewhere other than the dealer for your mods!

 

Well the dealership actually partners with a 4X4 shop that is across the interstate for their off road vehicles. Since I'll be going in and asking them to put a turn key rig together, I basically need to a have a list of what I want done and then go from there. Since the Mopar parts bin for Jeeps is limited, I'm just trying to get a good understanding of what parts are needed to make it safe, durable and avoid rubbing. I'll still want to keep it under their warranty, so as long as they do the work, it will.

Would there be any work required to the drive train when going up to 35's. Any mods to the drive shaft or u joints?

Again, the lift is about the only thing I'm questioning, the rest is asthetics (new bumpers, lights, rock rails/steps). I know all to often people jack up their rigs and they don't do all the right things and it's constantly breaks down on them.

 

I'd be going 2dr. What is DS at a 2.5-3 inch lift? I'd be going 2.5 inch lift.