The Non-Rubicon Jl & JLU Thread

[Az-jewel]

And here she is after her wrap, and with Rubicon rails on her.
I’d still like a new bumper, winch, lockers (but will wait), etc, but that’ll happen over time . It’s definitely a fun journey! And I’m enjoying the ride!

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[Aidencaster]

Bought black Betty in March 2019 have had some fun times already. I haven't joined a jeep club or really gone out with anyone else with a jeep. We tagged along on the brother in law camping trip in may. The manual 6 speed had no problem keeping up on the narrow trails. That is untill we got to a crossing.

 

[Jamrock]

So I bought a Sport S with the intention of buying lots of mods for the money that the Rubi alone would have costed.

So far I hade added:
1. Metal cloak 3.5 in lift
2. Fuel 18 in Cleaver wheels
3. 35 in nitto trail grappler tires
4. Hauk front bumper, rear bumper with tire arm, and side rails all custom powder coated
5. Warn zeon 10 wench
6. Quake LED halo headlights
7. Rugged ridge floor and cargo mats
8. Mopar grab handles
9. Mopar door step guards
10. Rugged ridge metal hood clamps

I think she is coming along quite well

I love this Jeep. I plan to buy a Sport S also. Rubicans are impressive but I won't be driving on any hard core trails. Mostly rural roads where 4WD and big wheels will be needed.

Can you post a picture of the Jeep sideways? I want to see how the Metal cloak 3.5 in lift looks with the 35 in tires. I was more thinking of a 2 or 2.5 in lift.

 

[KELove]

We just love our Sahara on the beach.

 

[stil2low]

I love this Jeep. I plan to buy a Sport S also. Rubicans are impressive but I won't be driving on any hard core trails. Mostly rural roads where 4WD and big wheels will be needed.

Can you post a picture of the Jeep sideways? I want to see how the Metal cloak 3.5 in lift looks with the 35 in tires. I was more thinking of a 2 or 2.5 in lift.

My buddy is running the MC 3.5 on 35” KM3 (ocean blue) and took shot of my 2.5” Rock Krawler on 35” KL71 for reference. His MC kit sits probably 1.25” talller than mine. Great kit, it wheels awesome but I’m not a fan how they don’t center the axles as per manufacturer specs like the RK does. I have almost 2” longer wheel base than him

 

[stil2low]

Few pics from yesterday’s adventure to one of the old mine sites outside of town

 

[jmcdtucson]

I bought my ‘18 JLU Sport S at the end of June. Got a great deal that allowed me to add some new wheels, tires, lift and get a vinyl wrap. I’m really happy with it! I’ve taken it off road a few times now and have a fun trip planned for this weekend too . Here are some pics...
When I first brought her home,
When I got up to Sedona and enjoyed Schnebly Hill and loved Broken Arrow!
The muddy long trail ride home! (Scratched the heck out of my new Jeep )

How do you like the 35's with that 6-speed? Any plans to re-gear?

 

[NTX Black Moab]

My buddy is running the MC 2.5 on 35” KM3 (ocean blue) and took shot of my 2.5” Rock Krawler on 35” KL71 for reference. His MC kit sits probably 1.25” talller than mine. Great kit, it wheels awesome but I’m not a fan how they don’t center the axles as per manufacturer specs like the RK does. I have almost 2” longer wheel base than him

This is more informative than you know. I was looking at both of these kits. That said, do you know which RK / MC kits were used?

The longer wheel base is explained by which kit was used. You need all 8 control arms to restore the wheel base and correct as much of what was misaligned when we lift our Jeeps?

 

[Jamrock]

My buddy is running the MC 2.5 on 35” KM3 (ocean blue) and took shot of my 2.5” Rock Krawler on 35” KL71 for reference. His MC kit sits probably 1.25” talller than mine. Great kit, it wheels awesome but I’m not a fan how they don’t center the axles as per manufacturer specs like the RK does. I have almost 2” longer wheel base than him

The space between the 35's and the fenders looks reasonable. Curious to see what the space would look like with a 3.5" lift.

Which option gives you a better ride on the highway? Is there a big difference when compared with the ride on the stock configuration?

 

[stil2low]

This is more informative than you know. I was looking at both of these kits. That said, do you know which RK / MC kits were used?

The longer wheel base is explained by which kit was used. You need all 8 control arms to restore the wheel base and correct as much of what was misaligned when we lift our Jeeps?

I’m running the RK 2.5 adventure series 2 kit (green) and my buddy is running the 3.5 MC dual rate rock sport edition
To get the perfect recenter and alignment, 8 8 arms are best to use but I’m just running the front lowers and rear uppers

As per each of the manufacturers specs, MC likes to roll the axle back to obtain caster using the front uppers while RK pushes the axle out with the front lower to recenter and get some caster back. To fine tune the caster the front uppers are a big plus but for me the front lowers have been doing great and the Jeep handles so much better than stock
I’ve included each of the manufacture arm specs, can see MC keeps the front lower the same length as well as the rear uppers. Being adjustable you can use RKs measurements tho. That’s what my buddy is going to do once he has all eight, he doesn’t like the pushed back axle look either

 

[stil2low]

The space between the 35's and the fenders looks reasonable. Curious to see what the space would look like with a 3.5" lift.

Which option gives you a better ride on the highway? Is there a big difference when compared with the ride on the stock configuration?

Opps just realized a typo, he’s running the MC 3.5 lol

Hands down the RK kit is smoother on road and not just saying because it’s mine lol. Even he will tell you the RK rides nicer
We are both running the manufacturers shocks with the kits so it’s a good comparison between the 2. He’s running he rocksports and I have the RRD TT

When driving the MC kit, you feel the head bobble due to the lower roll center off the rear axle and I felt like I had to correct more over the road imperfections

 

[NTX Black Moab]

Opps just realized a typo, he’s running the MC 3.5 lol

Hands down the RK kit is smoother on road and not just saying because it’s mine lol. Even he will tell you the RK rides nicer
We are both running the manufacturers shocks with the kits so it’s a good comparison between the 2. He’s running he rocksports and I have the RRD TT

When driving the MC kit, you feel the head bobble due to the lower roll center off the rear axle and I felt like I had to correct more over the road imperfections

Our local offroad company isn't a fan of the RK shocks and is pushing the Fox Sports shocks which is the route I will likely go. Trying to figure out which RK kit is right for me (upfront cost and then upgrade to a full X-Factor down the road).

 

[stil2low]

Our local offroad company isn't a fan of the RK shocks and is pushing the Fox Sports shocks which is the route I will likely go. Trying to figure out which RK kit is right for me (upfront cost and then upgrade to a full X-Factor down the road).

I ran the fox 2.0 IFP shocks with my RK lift on my JK, actually on my wife’s JKU now and the ride is a lot more rough and firm in comparison to the RK shocks on my JLs RK lift. Now it’s a bit apples to oranges in comparison between platforms but it’s enough to make note. She actually complains about the shocks firmness and wants a better shock

Any reason why they are not a fan of the RK shocks? I’m curious if there is a good reason or just wanting to make more money with the fox shocks

 

[Jamrock]

Opps just realized a typo, he’s running the MC 3.5 lol

Hands down the RK kit is smoother on road and not just saying because it’s mine lol. Even he will tell you the RK rides nicer
We are both running the manufacturers shocks with the kits so it’s a good comparison between the 2. He’s running he rocksports and I have the RRD TT

When driving the MC kit, you feel the head bobble due to the lower roll center off the rear axle and I felt like I had to correct more over the road imperfections

Cool...

I saw a video from Extreme Terrain that said that you could use the original Jeep shocks with the shock extensions that come with the lift kit.. This is supposed to provide a ride that is close to stock. Has this been your experience? Do you plan to change the shocks at some point?



So how does your Sport S handle these trails? Do you regret not buying a Rubican?

 

[stil2low]

Cool...

I saw a video from Extreme Terrain that said that you could use the original Jeep shocks with the shock extensions that come with the lift kit.. This is supposed to provide a ride that is close to stock. Has this been your experience? Do you plan to change the shocks at some point?



So how does your Sport S handle these trails? Do you regret not buying a Rubican?

That’s a rubicon express lift, I’m running rock Krawler but I did actually run EVO shock extensions for a couple months before I went with rock Krawlers shocks. The stock shocks do ok for controlling ride, it was fairly smooth on road but offroad they would fade and have some trouble keeping up
The stock shock paired with an extension is still fairly short in overall length so it will limit some articulation

Handles amazing and have wheeled lots of places with ease. Rubicons are a great Jeep, but for me and the area I wheel the 4:1 t case is actually too low, and being my daily driver I prefer the limited slip rear end for our winter months over the open/locked of the Rubi

Stock shock with extensions vs the RK RRD TT

With the new RK shocks

With just stock shocks and extensions

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