Kubicon (v3) - JLUR XR Build

[kubicon]

I enjoy reading everyone's builds and figured I needed to get my JEEP story out there.

What's in the name? Part of my Last Name + Rubicon = Kubicon ("koob") / This is the third and last (LOL) until I get another.

The History

• Kubicon v1: (2014 JKU Sport) I was not too fond of the manual and wanted a real Rubicon; I didn't know much about JEEPS had a TF Lift without any CA's; it was borderline dangerous to drive over 60mph, hence getting V2.
  
  
• Kubicon v2: (2018 JKUR) The build where I learned a ton, did everything myself. The build took a turn south when I swapped out a JKS Lift which rode great for an MC 3.5+ all MC steering. I developed a Shimmy/Vibration/Wobble issue. I finally gave up, took advantage of the used car prices, and hung up my JEEP hat "for good." (This was Oct 2021) LOL!
  
  
• Brief Period of Insanity: Oct 2021 to JAN 2022 I bought an LR Defender thinking this would be the answer: Luxury, Great Off-Road, and all the tech. Don't get me wrong, it was nice, but it wasn't fun to drive.
  
  
• Kubicon v3: I wasn't in the market but saw this "in transit" on the Jeep site, blah blah, and here we are. I had to promise the wife I wasn't going to "mess" this one up. "Hey Wifey, this has everything - 35's, Gears, Brakes, Wheels, Steel Bumpers. I won't need to spend any money upgrading."
  
  Famous last words!

Build Details in Next Post
40 Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ, with Method 108 Beadlock wheels

38 Ridge Grapplers, with ICON Rebound Pro's and Front Fender Chop

w/lift and BFG KM3 37's - Stock XR Rims

Kubicon v3 before lift

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[kubicon]

The goal: Waste less money (already failing).


==Completed Upgrades==

• Baja Designs (LP6/Squadron Sports/S2 Sports)
• KC Cyclone V2 Rock Lights
• SuperWinch SX10
• JTOPs USA Sun Shade
• Outback Adventures Tailgater
• Tazer Mini
• MetalCloak 2.5"
• Fox 2.5 Series Shocks
• Fox 2.0 Front Hydraulic Bump Stops - Gen 2
• 40" Mickey Thompson Legend MTZ
• Method 108 Beadlock Rims
• ARB Diff Covers (Red)
• Redline Quicklift
• Hammerhead Pinch Weld Cover (not a fan of the powder/texture)
• LOD Signature Sliders
• Adams Front 1350 Drive Shaft
• MetalCloak TB Frame brace and Front Spring Correction
• Artec inner fenders (front/rear)
• Quake LED Fender Chop Kit
• 5:13 Gears
• M.O.R.E Transmission/Oil Skid Plate
• Steering Stabalizer Relocation (moved to top)
• Bulletpoint Mounting Solution for Phone/GoPro/GMRS
• Hefty Fabworks - Front and Rear Bumpers
• RPM Steering Drag Link/Tie Rod
• SwitchPros 9100
• ARB dual compressor / Innovative AT 4 tire System
• Cavfab Tire Carrier

==Undecided what to do with

• Slipstream Security Enclosure + 4" extension lid to fit fridge (about 20" tall)

==Future Upgrades==

• Armor Lite Floor System
• PSC Steering assist
• UD60
• Raceline 8x6.5 Wheels

==Cancelled upgrades==

• Various Skid Plates
  • Front LCA and Rear shock skids
  • FAD Skid plate
  • Maybe Oil/Transmission Pan not sure if it's needed
• Need a rack for camping; I won't fit in the garage with the lift
• RSE Sliders w/armor (These sliders are a wife request)
  • RSE needs to get their S* together; way too many reports of issues.
• Beadlock Rings / Powdercoated to match HydroBlue (going new Wheels)

==Upgrades Removed (No Longer Using)==

• MekMagnet, The Vinyl sticky stuff doesn't work great; it looks terrible to close up (I could not get all air bubbles out). Good idea, but it takes a long time to install and take off, unlikely to use again. This could work for others, just not a product for me. It was high quality, and the packing was excellent.
• Jeep logo Dog Seat - Not very secure; instead, went with a Harness+ Seatbelt clip from Petco
• 37" KM3's (SOLD)
• KC Flex 3 (combo) / Flex 4 (combo) / SlimLite 6 (Spots) (SOLD)
• Wouxon KG1000G + Quadratec Mount (SOLD)
• 38" Nitto Ridge Grapplers (SOLD)
• Icon Rebound Pro Wheels - Titanium (For Sale / edges are marked up)

 

[kubicon]

Ordred Lift/Tires today, little disapointed in Icon, the Stage 8 was 90+ days out. Not really worth waiting IMO. I was ready to be that guy running something different.

Ran into a few supply issues reviewing other options. Synergy Coils 60+ days out Accutune 2.5 Fox shocks 60+ days.

Anyway, went with the Metal Cloak 2.5" and the non-tuned Fox 2.5's, if unhappy I could always send them to Accutune at a later date (unlikely but an option).

My gut also told me to go with KM3s over KO2s and we are two weeks from install!

 

[kubicon]

Outback Adventures Tailgater -

Quality: 10/10 high quality, very sturdy not afraid to put a stove on it
Install: Simple, Phillips screwdriver and done
Overall: I haven't used it yet, love the look, quality and now this can be a functional area with minimal loss of space.

They provide a knife / magnet strip from IKEA as an option not pictured

 

[kubicon]

@Diabolical Inc Slipstream Security Enclosure. With measurement photos and fridge clearences. I will probably get the black on red on deck pads as I am accenting red everywhere.

Quality: 10/10 high quality, well thought out and engineered.
Packaging: 10/10, some of the best packaging I have seen for any Jeep product.
Install: Easy but time consuming, 1-2 hours. I used the video they have which was excellent
Overall: Expensive but worth it for my use, living in SOCAL I am topless a lot

Fits my friends Dometic CFX3 35 - Any fridge that height will be fine

Can pull it out 3/4 of the way, flip up the top to access the lid

Top looking down with tailgate shut, plenty of room even with the tailgater

 

[kubicon]

MC 2.5" / Fox 2.5's and KM3 37's

Below are pics from the shop,

Bump Stops: (Will be swapping the fronts out with Fox 2.0 Gen 2's)
Front: Added 1 puck (only 1 due to XR's extension)
Back: Added 3

Quality:
Negatives :
- Front Spring Bow (see below) Need front correction brackets.

Not a Negative or positive
- The MC 2.5" seems like a 4-5" lift
- KM3 37s are basically 35s

Positives:
- Shocks - its a different beast with these beauties.
- On Road feel is basically stock. The wife said "I didn't notice any difference", trust me thats a win
- KM3 tire noise (still early) pretty impressed for a MT.

Packaging: With MetalCloak and my JK they tossed stuff in a box, this went direct to the shop but assuming the same. Nothing is damaged which is good enough for me.
Install: I have installed several lifts and wasn't feeling the need for elbow pain. Install was performed by All-Terrain Garage and 10/10, I would fully recommend them.
Overall: TBD

 

[tma777]

Looks good, but dang that is a lot of lift from the 2.5” kit. I was leaning towards 3.5” for mine but after seeing yours it has me rethinking things.

 

[kubicon]

Looks good, but dang that is a lot of lift from the 2.5” kit. I was leaning towards 3.5” for mine but after seeing yours it has me rethinking things.

Ya I know!, Check out FireDudes build thread, he has a MC 2.5 and it just as tall.

 

[firedude]

Jeep looks great. I almost got that color.
I think the MC lifts are based on people adding every weight gaining add on you can bolt up and still getting 2.5 or 3.5.

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

Jeep looks great. I almost got that color.
I think the MC lifts are based on people adding every weight gaining add on you can bolt up and still getting 2.5 or 3.5.

True this.

I got ~ 4.25" out of my 3.5" MC Game Changer. I am trying to keep my build as light as possible.


-Steven

 

[Lndshk]

MC 2.5" / Fox 2.5's and KM3 37's

Got the Jeep Back yesterday, love the ride so far and it better be great with those shocks. Here are pics from the shop,

Bump Stops: (Will be swapping the fronts out with Fox 2.0 Gen 2's)
Front: Added 1 puck (XR's dumb BS extension)
Back: Added 3

Quality: TBD On my preferred lifs, MC was my last choice in my preferred list but they were in stock. Icon was option 1, Synergy+Core4x4 option #2 but they cannot figure out production.
Annoyance #1 Need front correction brackets.
Annoyance #2 The 2.5" is like a 20" lift HAHA

Packaging: On my JK's lift MC just tossed stuff in a box, this went direct to the shop but assuming the same.
Install: I have installed several lifts and wasn't feeling the need for elbow pain. Took it to All-Terrain Garage and 10/10, What a great shop and experience vs Rebel, ATG seems to care about my Jeep like I do.
Overall: TBD

Wow that looks great! And great choice on paint color too. Any other additions e.g. track bars to get it dialed in? Why the fox shocks? Can’t wait to hear more feedback and more pics.

 

[kubicon]

Wow that looks great! And great choice on paint color too. Any other additions e.g. track bars to get it dialed in? Why the fox shocks? Can’t wait to hear more feedback and more pics.

Thank you! The lift came with track bars, I have a small issue with front spring bow, hoping the correction brackets will fix that.

I went with the Fox 2.5's because I wanted adjustable shocks to tackle the different terrain types here in SoCal.

The biggest difference (compared to Fox 2.0 (not tuned) / Rocksports and Stock) is on the rebound. After the shock is compressed the uptravel is very controlled and feels like I am on a cloud, at least with the softest setting.

 

[kubicon]

Measurements with Lift and Tires

I knew they ran small but... 35" (30lbs PSI).

78" above back tire, I have a slight front rake, likely due to the winch and bowing front springs

MetalCloak Spring Bow - Front Springs

 

[firedude]

That looks like quite a bit of bow. Wonder if the correction pads would fix a lot of that.

 

[wesjtx]

Get the RK angled pads and it should correct those springs bowing.

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