Rubicon Trip

[sdjeppa]

That’s impressive! It’s great to hear you were able to run in as is. So far skids and sliders have been consistently recommended, that’s going to be one of the first and a trip to John Bull as well.

Thanks! Running it with Jeepers Jamboree makes a difference. The spotters are incredible. Some have been spotting the same obstacle for 10+ years. Our group had a Gladiator (lifted but on 35s) and it had to be winched in a couple spots, that long wheelbase just got in the way but other than that did ok too. I've also done a lot of offroad training and runs with friends that know what they are doing - that helps too. You want slow and steady on the rocks.

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[Tncdrew]

My first few times through the Rubicon (in the early 90's) were with a relatively stock CJ-7, with the exception of a 2" lift, 33" all-terrain BFG's, and 4.56 gearing. It had the 258 inline 6, stock 5spd, and open diffs.
Of course after a few times like that, the serious mods began ?.
It helped that I was with other experienced Jeepers!
.... Coming out of Little Sluice (good times!)

 

[SadRobot]

My first few times through the Rubicon (in the early 90's) were with a relatively stock CJ-7, with the exception of a 2" lift, 33" all-terrain BFG's, and 4.56 gearing. It had the 258 inline 6, stock 5spd, and open diffs.
Of course after a few times like that, the serious mods began ?.
It helped that I was with other experienced Jeepers!
.... Coming out of Little Sluice (good times!)

I hope you still own that CJ7!

 

[roaniecowpony]

I heard that as well so wanted to get Holcomb and John Bull done to have a feel of what I would be getting into. I've heard Dishpan (although not a BOH trail) is even more difficult than Holcomb.

Of all the Big Bear trails I think Holcomb was my favorite. That middle garden was a challenge for sure but satisfying to make it through without damage.

I have the 37s and skids for the Rubicon but I'm sure my steering components and ball joints could use an upgrade before I go.

I have a balljoint press, if you need to borrow one. None of the work is hard, it just takes time.

 

[SadRobot]

I have a balljoint press, if you need to borrow one. None of the work is hard, it just takes time.

Thanks! None of that stuff is happening any time soon but when I do I'll hit you up for some help for sure.

 

[roaniecowpony]

My first few times through the Rubicon (in the early 90's) were with a relatively stock CJ-7, with the exception of a 2" lift, 33" all-terrain BFG's, and 4.56 gearing. It had the 258 inline 6, stock 5spd, and open diffs.
Of course after a few times like that, the serious mods began ?.
It helped that I was with other experienced Jeepers!
.... Coming out of Little Sluice (good times!)

Cool!
When we looked a Little Sluice last August, the years of erosion had left the rocks sticking out 4-5 feet, which looked impassible to my skills and jeep. We didn't see anyone attempt it while there. I'd like to watch someone run it someday. Preferably in a Jeep, not a buggy.

 

[Emmanuelmv]

Here is the question: How long have you been driving Jeeps.

Know this: Rubicon Jeep is named after the Rubicon Trail! WHY? Because the front office at Chrysler in order to go with the mods they guys engineering it had to have a metric to get approval. So the Metric was the Rubicon Trail and it had to be done in OEM form, which was 4:10s/Lockers, 4:1 Transfer case, 4:1 stick first gear they did the Trail more than once I can tell you and they got the funding to build a "Rubicon" Jeep!

The engineers were Jeepers and had been going back to High School, got an Engineering degree, and went to work for Jeep. Made a rep for themselves and were able to pull it off.

You Jeep will do it in but I would really suggest better tires as in real off-road tires. If you have been Jeeping long time you can do it, fi not then you might want to upgrade to 37s, better skids, skid protection on the lower control arms, etc. As Ratbert suggested.

In the world of Jeeping it comes down to 2 factors: The Jeep and the Driver. Jeep Rubicon can DO IT, can you make it do it???

I’m new to Jeeps, this will be the first one I’ve owned. I started with a Toyota 4Runner on a 3” lift with 33’s. I have only done a couple of milder trails in So Cal the last few years. The last two year I attended the Jeepers Jamboree with my brother in laws rig and was able to drive a portion of the trail. The history of the Rubicon and the trail itself is really interesting and what made me want to be a part of the culture. I appreciate all the responses so far and I’m going to take be everyone’s advice into consideration.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I’m new to Jeeps, this will be the first one I’ve owned. I started with a Toyota 4Runner on a 3” lift with 33’s. I have only done a couple of milder trails in So Cal the last few years. The last two year I attended the Jeepers Jamboree with my brother in laws rig and was able to drive a portion of the trail. The history of the Rubicon and the trail itself is really interesting and what made me want to be a part of the culture. I appreciate all the responses so far and I’m going to take be everyone’s advice into consideration.

You're already a veteran. You got this.

 

[Tncdrew]

I hope you still own that CJ7!

Unfortunately, I dont... ? I would kill to have it back. Over a couple years after that pic, I did a spring over axle conversion, added fuel injection, swapped out the AMC rear for Detroit locked Dana 60, 35" mud terrains (big for the time), threw away the aluminum T-5 trans for an NP-435 compound low truck 4-spd, and actually kept the front model 30 , just put a lsd in it. After I was done, it had a fairly respectable 80:1 crawl ratio, and with that sweet torquey 258 (albeit not a horse power machine), it wheeled like a tractor! (A plush one ?).
Lots of other small mods too, and yes! I'd take that CJ any day over this overly complex computer, (aka, JL) ?
.... one of the (post mods) Rubicon Jeepers Jamborees.. the starting line in Georgetown probably '95.

But I digress....

 

[Tncdrew]

Cool!
When we looked a Little Sluice last August, the years of erosion had left the rocks sticking out 4-5 feet, which looked impassible to my skills and jeep. We didn't see anyone attempt it while there. I'd like to watch someone run it someday. Preferably in a Jeep, not a buggy.

Funny you say that. I live in TN now, and last July I drove my 2dr Willys back to CA for an annual guys camping trip at Loon Lake (the awesome Red Fir group site above the dam).
Hadn't been to the trail in probably close to 20 years. I too, noticed how the years of use and weather have actually made that trail more difficult than it once was. I actually decided against going all that far in, (after all, I had to drive the little guy home to TN).
Don't feel I missed out since I've done it so many times. But it was sure awesome to be there again!

 

[SadRobot]

Unfortunately, I dont... ? I would kill to have it back. Over a couple years after that pic, I did a spring over axle conversion, added fuel injection, swapped out the AMC rear for Detroit locked Dana 60, 35" mud terrains (big for the time), threw away the aluminum T-5 trans for an NP-435 compound low truck 4-spd, and actually kept the front model 30 , just put a lsd in it. After I was done, it had a fairly respectable 80:1 crawl ratio, and with that sweet torquey 258 (albeit not a horse power machine), it wheeled like a tractor! (A plush one ?).
Lots of other small mods too, and yes! I'd take that CJ any day over this overly complex computer, (aka, JL) ?
.... one of the (post mods) Rubicon Jeepers Jamborees.. the starting line in Georgetown probably '95.

But I digress....

That's a shame you don't have it anymore. I've been on the hunt for a 1983 CJ7 Renegade for a couple years now with no luck. Maybe one day.....

 

[Tncdrew]

That's a shame you don't have it anymore. I've been on the hunt for a 1983 CJ7 Renegade for a couple years now with no luck. Maybe one day.....

That's actually what mine was... a silver Renegade with the blue stripe package. A friend of mine painted it the bright teal before selling it to me.

 

[Old Jeeper]

I’m new to Jeeps, this will be the first one I’ve owned. I started with a Toyota 4Runner on a 3” lift with 33’s. I have only done a couple of milder trails in So Cal the last few years. The last two year I attended the Jeepers Jamboree with my brother in laws rig and was able to drive a portion of the trail. The history of the Rubicon and the trail itself is really interesting and what made me want to be a part of the culture. I appreciate all the responses so far and I’m going to take be everyone’s advice into consideration.

Good on ya, drive slow, 4 Lo is your best friend and you will get a lot of help and in the words of Ron Reagan: Trust but Verify!

Remember the spotter may not have any more experience than you do. Your goal in your Jeeping life is to NOT use spotters because few have any idea what they are doing.

 

[Ratbert]

That’s impressive! It’s great to hear you were able to run in as is. So far skids and sliders have been consistently recommended, that’s going to be one of the first and a trip to John Bull as well.

Get as much trail experience as you can before doing the Rubicon. Seriously.

 

[ROK HEMI]

I signed up for the July trip as well...never offloaded before. But have been preparing my 2024 4xe Rubi X with the following

Full skids and serious rails
3.5 MC GC lift
37 nittos

Taking my 75yo dad.. can't wait

You sound like you're pretty well set up for the Rubicon enjoy the trip and your dad will never forget it. As @C.Sco points out, a relocate steering stabilizer would be next on the list, and maybe upgraded tie rod, track bar and drag ling while your at it so the clamps all fit and you don't have to re-do. I have your exact same set up with the metalcloak steering and fox ATS and have been very happy. I have just recently received from Santa, the metal cloak, front and rear differential skid plates. They really are nicely made and tuck up nice and tight. I want to add control arm skids as well, but have not found anything that I'm excited about. It looks like the best ones are all weld on and I'm not excited about that is I think they will make it difficult to service the metalcloak bushings in the future.

Have a great trip, I usually avoid the jamboree, but I'm on the Rubicon once or twice a year.

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