MotoMatthew
Member
I'm running trimmed fenders and trimmed Rubi rails thanks to Panda. Any pinch seam trimming needed since they started trimming from factory?
I'm running trimmed fenders and trimmed Rubi rails thanks to Panda. Any pinch seam trimming needed since they started trimming from factory?
Which 37's are you running? I would think with a smaller 37 such as a BFG MT, you would be ok. However, with a true 37" such as a Nitto, you may need to do just a tad of trimming. A few months ago I returned from a trip which included some of the Rubicon followed by a day of wheeling in Tillamook. I noticed the paint on my pinch seem was worn off and looked like a was just grazing the pinch seam with my 37" Trail Grapplers.
After reading about the need for sleeves, shafts, gearing, and maybe even steering stuff I'm going to put this off for a bit. Not something I want to rush before my first rubicon run. Thanks for the input though!!
I'm sure others will chime in that know more than I do but it's general practice to NOT sleeve and truss your axles as it is not needed on a Rubicon. In fact you risk damage to your housing with trusses that make it not worth it. And I'm sure lots of people run the Rubicon with stock components. It would be wise to gusset and probably regear if you are going to 37's but all else isn't needed to have fun.
Save the $$ and wheel what you have. Maybe put on gussets, but definitely stay away from sleeves and trusses.
You can pick up a brand new PR44 housing for ~$2200 and swap in your factory Rubicon internals. With labor, you would probably be nearing $2800-3000. However, sleeves, gussets and a truss can easily approach $1500-2000. You will have a FAR SUPERIOR axle with the PR44 for just a little bit more. JMHO...
Gussets are about 60 bucks, truss is ~120. I'm not sure where you are getting your 1500-2000 number? it was 180 plus labor which for me was $200, and included new balljoints at the same time.
I know a few guys that paid $800-900 for gussets only. I know labor rates vary widely around the country and that might be causing some of the discrepancy.
Save for the PR44 it is worth it. 200 Labor for welding up a truss and gussets seems like a steal.