Skellington's Upgrade list

[HardRock87]

So right now this is going to be my wish list / advice thread. Later down the road this will be used for documenting Jack's upgrades throughout his life.

For those of you that don't know. This is Jack Skellington. He is a 2016 Jeep Rubicon Hard Rock. Other than the stickers that give that extra horsepower.:cheesy: He is pretty much completely stock.



So here we go. (This has been edited and updated with the new upgrades that I want to get.)

Cobra 29 LX CB Radio √

Spiderweb JK-4D Unlimited ShadeCage

EVO 4" Enforcer

EVO Drag Link Flip Kit

Revolution 5.13 Gear Kit

Rancho RS999331 Front and Rancho RS999332 Rear

Because I have a JKURHR, I have the metal bumper that can be used as a tire carrier. So I want to get an AEV Tire Carrier

Putco Luminix LED Headlights

and

Putco Luminix LED Fogs

WARN ZEON 10-S w/ Spydura Synthetic Rope

2 Roto Pax 4 Gallon Gas tanks.l Not sure how I will mount them.

Rigid A-Series white LED rock lights.

37/12.50r17 NITTO Trail Grapplers

As of right now that's everything I can think of.

Please by all means. If you have advice on something better, something to add, or just something to chime in. Let me know.

 

[thardy]

The standard 3" Enforcer is plenty. No need to go with the long arms. For what you're wanting, I think the coilovers will be more than you need.

I would skip the rancho differential glides and get an EVO ProTek skid system instead. The differential glides can actually reduce ground clearance. Assuming that you have an auto trans, the EVO system will help protect the trans cooler line, as well as the oil pan, trans and t-case.

As for tires, I think you'll be fine with 35s. I would suggest Nitto Trail Grapplers, Toyo Open Country MT, or Cooper STT Pros.

 

[HardRock87]

The standard 3" Enforcer is plenty. No need to go with the long arms. For what you're wanting, I think the coilovers will be more than you need.

I would skip the rancho differential glides and get an EVO ProTek skid system instead. The differential glides can actually reduce ground clearance. Assuming that you have an auto trans, the EVO system will help protect the trans cooler line, as well as the oil pan, trans and t-case.

As for tires, I think you'll be fine with 35s. I would suggest Nitto Trail Grapplers, Toyo Open Country MT, or Cooper STT Pros.

I have a manual transmission. The hard rock has a skid plate over everything but the front and rear diffs, drive shaft, and transmission.

Is this the EVO 3" Enforcer you were talking about?

 

[swampdog]

The standard 3" Enforcer is plenty. No need to go with the long arms. For what you're wanting, I think the coilovers will be more than you need.

I would skip the rancho differential glides and get an EVO ProTek skid system instead. The differential glides can actually reduce ground clearance. Assuming that you have an auto trans, the EVO system will help protect the trans cooler line, as well as the oil pan, trans and t-case.

As for tires, I think you'll be fine with 35s. I would suggest Nitto Trail Grapplers, Toyo Open Country MT, or Cooper STT Pros.

Everything Trevor said here is SPOT ON. I would echo all of this. Great advice. Being you have a manual, I would just do the EVO oil pan skid only. Skip the coilovers and long arms and do the 3" enforcer. Also, get some EVO front axle C Gussets to strengthen up the ends of your axle. Also, I would start looking at a front driveshaft as your stock one will not last long. I just got the Adams 1310 (non greasable u-joints for extra strength) driveshaft and hope to be throwing it in tomorrow. Adams recommends it for 37" tires and below.

Also, for shocks, I am really happy with my Rancho 9000s so far. They are far cheaper than the kings and are all you will need for most east coast wheeling (no high speed desert bombing causing extreme cavitation). Plus, they are adjustable.

 

[thardy]

I have a manual transmission. The hard rock has a skid plate over everything but the front and rear diffs, drive shaft, and transmission.

Is this the EVO 3" Enforcer you were talking about?

Yup that's the one. Being that you have a manual, then the skids aren't as big of a deal. Depending on how much wheeling you do on rocks, you could also look into upgrading the rock sliders. The factory ones will hold up to a decent amount, but not so much to a hard hit.

 

[thardy]

Any interest in coming out to the End of Summer run in August with us?

 

[HardRock87]

Everything Trevor said here is SPOT ON. I would echo all of this. Great advice. Being you have a manual, I would just do the EVO oil pan skid only. Skip the coilovers and long arms and do the 3" enforcer. Also, get some EVO front axle C Gussets to strengthen up the ends of your axle. Also, I would start looking at a front driveshaft as your stock one will not last long. I just got the Adams 1310 (non greasable u-joints for extra strength) driveshaft and hope to be throwing it in tomorrow. Adams recommends it for 37" tires and below.

Also, for shocks, I am really happy with my Rancho 9000s so far. They are far cheaper than the kings and are all you will need for most east coast wheeling (no high speed desert bombing causing extreme cavitation). Plus, they are adjustable.

Why won't the stock driveshaft last very long? Are we talking a few years or less than that?

Any interest in coming out to the End of Summer run in August with us?

It's hard for me to travel with my work schedule. I am heading down to Florida the weekend after July 4th to go off roading with my best friend and her Jeep group. So this will be Jack's first official off road experience. There will be plenty of pictures since my husband used to be a videographer for NBC.


This question can be for either of you. Is a coilover a lift as well or is it just a form of shocks to pair with an armed lift kit? Also I have been reading that a coilover provides a really smooth ride on the highway. So if a coilover is a lift, would it be possible to do that as a 3" lift or are they usually more than 3"?

With my Dana 44 front and rears, if I ran 37's instead of a 35. Would that require a re gear?

 

[MR.Ty]

With my Dana 44 front and rears, if I ran 37's instead of a 35. Would that require a re gear?

Regearing isn't required no matter what the tire size but it is a bit more complicated than that. Becuase of the bigger diameter of the bigger tire you will feel a loss of power, this is where regearing can help by changing the amount of times your drive shaft spins to make your wheels make one full rotation. I have 4:88s with my 35s and manual transmission and I think it's perfect. There is a chart floating around somewhere that I'll find for you.

 

[HardRock87]

Regearing isn't required no matter what the tire size but it is a bit more complicated than that. Becuase of the bigger diameter of the bigger tire you will feel a loss of power, this is where regearing can help by changing the amount of times your drive shaft spins to make your wheels make one full rotation. I have 4:88s with my 35s and manual transmission and I think it's perfect. There is a chart floating around somewhere that I'll find for you.

Awesome. If you can't find it I'm sure I can google it. Unless there is a specific chart for Jeeps.

 

[MR.Ty]

Awesome. If you can't find it I'm sure I can google it. Unless there is a specific chart for Jeeps.

Here it is.

 

[MR.Ty]

And here is the End of Summer thread.

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=31709

 

[HardRock87]

Here it is.

View attachment 209834

Ah perfect.

 

[swampdog]

Ah perfect.

Take time off and come to Windrock in August! Also, yeah, you will probably get a slightly more plush ride with coilovers but it will be SOOOOO much more expensive. Go with the enforcer 3", unless you are going 37s, then go 4".

I would recommend sliders as well, LOD or EVO weld ons.

 

[HardRock87]

Take time off and come to Windrock in August! Also, yeah, you will probably get a slightly more plush ride with coilovers but it will be SOOOOO much more expensive. Go with the enforcer 3", unless you are going 37s, then go 4".

I would recommend sliders as well, LOD or EVO weld ons.

I'm looking into the event right now. I found the exact CB on craigslist too. Just have to get a hold of the guy. It's the only thing I'm missing.

I was looking at the requirements for the trails, and I'm just curious. Is 33" tires that much of a difference from my 32's?

Mine came with them as stock.

 

[swampdog]

I'm looking into the event right now. I found the exact CB on craigslist too. Just have to get a hold of the guy. It's the only thing I'm missing.

I was looking at the requirements for the trails, and I'm just curious. Is 33" tires that much of a difference from my 32's?

Mine came with them as stock.

View attachment 209844

1" difference [emoji12][emoji12][emoji12]

 

[swampdog]

Really though, you could probably run intermediate with your setup, but you need some seat time before you run at Windrock. I wouldn't do that group as your first Offroad experience. Maybe you can shake free to Uwharrie a time or two before then? Only about an hour from you.

 

[HardRock87]

Really though, you could probably run intermediate with your setup, but you need some seat time before you run at Windrock. I wouldn't do that group as your first Offroad experience. Maybe you can shake free to Uwharrie a time or two before then? Only about an hour from you.

I was looking at the intermediate group for Windrock.

For the tire size I was just wondering if a 32" could still do what the 33's could. More of a curiosity than anything else.

 

[swampdog]

I was looking at the intermediate group for Windrock.

For the tire size I was just wondering if a 32" could still do what the 33's could. More of a curiosity than anything else.

I think it would be fine, but the real issue is seat time. You need trail experience before that.

 

[HardRock87]

Oh I know. It was more of knowing what my Jeep is capable of was all. I would rather do the intermediate than advanced anyways.

I have front and rear lockers, sway bar disconnect, and almost full skid plates underneath. I figured if I'm going to get a Jeep. I should do it properly. HAHA

 

[thardy]

Oh I know. It was more of knowing what my Jeep is capable of was all. I would rather do the intermediate than advanced anyways.

I have front and rear lockers, sway bar disconnect, and almost full skid plates underneath. I figured if I'm going to get a Jeep. I should do it properly. HAHA

The Intermediate group is really setup so that a stock rubi can do it, but with a challenge. My suggestion would be to run in the beginner group on Friday to get used to things. That group will then run intermediate on Saturday.