I'm a relative noob when it comes to jeeps. I've wanted one for a long time but the dream was just that - a dream. Now I'm at a point in my life where I can really afford to pick one up and I'm getting excited. I want all the capabilities of the rubi but I'd like to start with a stock base model and build my way up over a few years. Is this silly? Will I spend much more if I do it this way? Wheels, tires, lockers, will be easy enough for me to do. But then there are things that I'm not too familiar with like axles, gears, suspension etc.

I guess I'm writing to everyone to ask their opinion...

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

It is not silly at all. I got a base sport model, and built it up the way I like for less than what a rubi would have costed me! I say go for it, it's your jeep so you build it as you like

 

Start with the FAQ's stickied to the top of this modified area.

Then go out to Dynatracs website and look at the PR44. If you plan on going to 40+ in ch tires, start looking at front and rear 60's from Dynatrac, Currie, Teraflex. Or River Raider has a conversion kit for junkyard axles.

You should also look into an Atlas when you are ready to get rid of the stocker.


After you read through the faq's, do a little thinking about where you want to end up and toss us a budget.

 

Welcome to the forum!!

I would suggest looking around here and find a JK that look's like what your wanting to do (Tire/lift size). That way you can start figuring out how much your going to spend.

 

It's a hobby. You can spend your money buying stamps (okay, I do that, too), or building up your Jeep. Take your time and enjoy the ride. Do as much work as you feel competent--that's part of the fun and makes you more knowledgeable if/when something goes wrong out on the trail. And do get out there on the trail.

My Jeep new ... four years ago



My Jeep now ...



My Jeep "out there" ...

 

But there's a cautionary tale here though, while Mark has been obsessing over modding his jeep over the last four years he's been neglecting his yard. His grass ands trees have died and someone has even half drained his lake...



My Jeep now ...

 

I love my X minus the open diff part. Definitely look into what you plan on doing (then plan on that plan changing 15-100 tims ). A rubicon would be a great start especially if you dont plan on getting too crazy on tire size, but like others have said once you start getting into the beefier tires you'll want beefy axles and the factory Jeep axles just aren't it.

 

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Buy a used Rubi in good condition and build it up from there...much better platform to start from!

 

Factor into your plan your wheeling style. Rubicons are really only good for rocks. The 4:1 transfer case doesn't work real well in mud, deep snow. The tires don't spin fast enough to clean mud out. That is just my opinion from experience others may think differently.