From SAHARA to RUBICON to Rock Crawler, need help!!!

Hello Guys,

I need some advices for the modification of My JEEP.

I've just order my first Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, last week. I should receive it around February 25 (Just can't wait!!!!). I've order a Sahara, I know I should I've gone for the Rubicon, but for personal and weird reasons, that I do not totally control... Bottom line: I had to go for the Sahara (but I took all the possible options available to help the Off Road process).

Here is the configuration of the JEEP I order:
- JKU Sahara 2013;
-Engine: 3.6L Pentastar™ VVT V6;
-Max Tow Package = 3.73;
-Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle;
-Automatic transmission;
-The rest no need to mention, for the purpose of this post.

The 2 main differences between the SAHARA and RUBICON are:
-Tires (can be easy be fixe just need to know what configuration I want to go with…);
-4.10 Rear Axle Ratio, I’ll probably need to change it depending on the wheel size I’m going to need for the first transformation (even if I know I’ll need a differential ratio of at least 5.38 for my phase 2: 40 inches rock crawler version);
-Electronic sway bar disconnect and Dana 44 heavy-duty solid front axles.

I intend to go with a 2 phases modification:

Phase 0: For all the Basic Stuff (during the first year):
-Radio (CB);
-Extra lights;
-Winch;
-Back wheel Rack;
-Snorquel;
-Etc.

Phase 1: Soft Off Road Beginner version (one reason I want to go with that is to get some good experience on the basic off road. The Jeep club that exist in my area, want no too much modified Jeep, so I have to keep it to a Basic modification- 1 yr from now).

Intent: Want to catch up on the RUBICON version, and upgrade my wheel size to a mid version.
:standing wave:One of my main effort on that, is to get is equivalent of the Electronic sway bar disconnect and Dana 44 heavy-duty solid front axles. All that and trying to minimize the lost of parts for the phase 2, not easy I know.


Phase 2: 40 inches rock crawler version (2yrs from now): :rock:

Intent: Easy looking for a version close to what Moby is. Money is not really an issue.

Concerns:
-Need to look at the regulation on the Jeep modification allow on the laws of Quebec/Canada.
-I need a quick look on the fuel consumption; it’s not really a concern. I just need an idea, for pacification purposes (since I’ll have to find a new club and travel a lot).
-When I’ll be ready for this I’ll need a good place to do these, even if I have to travel 1300k to do them, because not a lot of place here are use to do these here.

What is my question is what do you suggest for my phase 1? And why? I do not have a lot of knowledge in this so basically I need your brain to help me on this.

Thanks in advance!

I know it’s a big question, but my mind is really set, and I do not want to make mistake that it’s going to cost me a lot.

Phase 2 should be this...

35" tires
3.25" lift
Front swaybar Quick disconnects
Swap your transfer case for 4:1 (might be ok w/ your auto trans)
Lockers (front/rear)
Sleeves, gussets, axles for front dana 30

Thanks Man,

look close to what I wanted.

Just one question, I'm a newbie to this, but I found on the internet this chart:



and with 35 inches to make sure to have the best of performance I should go with a least 4.88. Should I trust that chart?

Not Criticizing just curious, I'm trying to pick up as much as I can...

Thx Again!

Ok.

Just look what it implied... it's perfect! I just find this pic of a guy who made this upgrade and the Jeep look Awesome!!!

Just need conformation of what I think, should I go with a ratio of 4.88?

I'm just going to inquired to my auto dealer how much it's going to cost and how much time to perform those changes...

If you have other ideas feel free.

Thx Again all.

arashi said:

One of my main effort on that, is to get is equivalent of the Electronic sway bar disconnect and Dana 44 heavy-duty solid front axles. All that and trying to minimize the lost of parts for the phase 2, not easy I know.

Click to expand...

Congrats on your jeep! I have a couple of thoughts on your build. One, you can pick up a used rubicon electric sway bar for pretty cheap and run EVOs manual disconnect. That way you can enjoy relative ease of disconnecting without fussing with electric wiring side of things, you just turn a dial and presto, your disconnected. Two, it might benefit you moneywise to think in long terms when it comes to axles and lockers. A D44 up front is fine if you are going to run 35 or maybe 37 inch tires but if you are going to go 40s than you might want to look at something like prorock d60 by dynatrac. You can order with gearing and locker already installed and just bolt in, saving you lots of labor costs. You might also end up with a superior axle for not much more cost than upgrading the D44. For example,, I own an "X" which means I was basically in the same boat as you with axle setup. I got a quote to regear and do an ARB locker in rear axle and was told about $3500 from a reputable shop here in New Mexico. For another grand or so I could get a trail series prorock60, a much stronger axle than what I have now, with gearing of my choice and ARB locker already installed. The D60 allows to run 5.38 gearing, so if I ever wanted to move up to 38 or 40 in tires, I wouldn't have to reconsider axle choice again. Just some thoughts from my own research and experience. Take it for what it's worth. Most information I got from this forum and JK-forum. Have fun with your jeep!

Thanks for the help!

Dam I have a lot to think about now... :shock:

Lot of info to assimilate!!! :doh:

But I clearly see your point. And I'll really look into it, and it's one part I'm still ignorant in it is all the axles and lockers. It makes perfect sense to go with the tough stuff right away.

Thanks again! Appreciate a lot!

I'll keep you update on that!

Pro rock 60's and 40" tires.....do you "really" need that? No.....a nicely modified Rubicon on 35's/37's is pretty capable....just a thought!

First I will not have a RUBICON but a SAHARA, so I have to make it

I'm not going on 40'' yet... I want to do my experience on a 35'' model. But I KNOW I'm going to go eventually higher then that. I see your point, but I don't want to cut any doors might as well prepare for the Biggest, after that is another story. You have to understand I'm new to this and need to take some experience first, so that why I want to go with a 35'' solution. But I saw the videos on MOAB, RUBICON trail, and it's all things I want to do in 2 years. I personally think I will have to go with a big configuration, might be 37'' or 40'', I'll only be able to tell after the first few years of experience.

Will see... Modification going to take place around November 2013, so no big rush here, I have plenty of time to think about it.

Thanks for the feed back, and it's something I keep in mind...

Just a quick question...Will you expect to switch to a Hemi V8 motor in futur ? Is it something that guys in rock crawler also do with all thoses others changes or it's unsual to do it.. ?

Not really...

Do Really need to do it??? I heard that the V6 Pentastar is a capable engine, even for Rock Climbing... And not really there yet, but I think I going to be find with the original Idea.

Do you need the HEMI engine for it?

Another question for the masses: Is that is ridiculous to go with two phases? I'm looking at that if I go with 37'' I can go on rock climbing, and still have experience on off road. The big difference in investment I saw was in the full lift and purchasing 37'' (I don't know if it's going to be to much for the Quebec club...:sFun_tease.

SO MANY QUESTIONS!?%@#!!!:question:

At least I'm giving me 9 mounts to think it over...:hmm:

GOING CRAZY!!!! :tantrum:

arashi said:

(I don't know if it's going to be to much for the Quebec club...:sFun_tease.

Click to expand...

Did you mean the CJA(club jeep aventure) jeep club ? If yes, Don't be worry, it's never be to much for them ! Patrick, trail leader has a rubi with teraflex 6" long arm with 37"..and others modifs..

If your near Quebec City, give a call to GR suspension , they are specialist in Quebec(I could also say in entire province) in jeep modification...Have a look to this album :
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151077796698403.434734.36323878402&type=3

summary :
JKU 2013 / 8.5" teraflex Long Arm / Shock Fox avec Bombonne / Big Brake Teraflex / SpeedBump teraflex / HD steering Fox HD / CAI Volant / aFe Power MACHForce Loop Delete / Exhaust Borla / Mag Rock Star 20X10 / Tire BFG KM2 40X14.5R20 / Hood AEV / Front and Rear Smitty Bilt / Warn 9.5CTI Winch / Ratio Gear 5.13 / front and rear Driving Shaft replace.



If you have time...let have a look to this album :
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...3878402.-2207520000.1356893180&type=3&theater


You have a really nice projet ! good luck !

Cool Exactly the contact and info I wanted to obtain trough this forum!

I'm Situated in Shannon less then 20km from Québec, as soon I receive my JEEP I'll contact them, and make a plan. :brows:

I'm happy to hear that my modifications won't prevent me to enter the club :clap2: I'll look and to the links you gave me... It will give me new Ideas. It's just one of the guy where I work told me he couldn't enter the club because of the modification he did, and told me I should not join the club. So I'm very happy that I'll have a club to help me gain experience :rock:

I'll see you soon then!

Ok...

I'll try to change my order and get a RUBICON! Not done, but I will try...


Kind of saw how much I would save... Wish me luck!