'08 Rubi Questions

[Bad Dawg]

We have a new '08 Rubi Unlimited due to be built soon and I have been trying to research all I can on what is available for them and recommended by other owners for lifts, engine mods, etc. I have spent a lot of time on other websites, but you folks are new to me and will have your own slant on things. It has been many years since we have been out trail riding (been mud/sand racing instead). We look forward to getting back into it with the new Jeep. We aren't heavy duty rock crawlers like I'm sure most of you are, however the heavy duty crawlers usually know what works well and what doesn't. Soooo......I have read some of "Medsker" posts on what they have done so far to their new Jeep. Any other JK owners out there with other lifts, like Full Throttle, Rubicon Express, etc.? Thanks a million.

 

[waynehartwig]

IMO Rubicon Express makes the best long arm kit for the JK hands down.

But you have to ask yourself, what size of tires do you want to run and how much do you want to spend?

 

[Bad Dawg]

My plans are to run a 3" kit with 35" tires. For what I plan on doing I figure the short arm kit will be fine. From what I have read it sounds like the new JK's "short arm" is longer than the older Jeeps were. I am not a fan of big wheels (18+ inches). 17" wheels are even a stretch for this old timer but the Rubi's come with the 17's. The RE kit looks very good and they have a very good reputation, however, they don't make a 3" kit.....yet. Their kit is a 4.5" if I remember right.

One of the reasons I'm leaning towards the 3" is because I don't have to replace the driveshaft on the Unlimited. HOWEVER......I believe it's RE that Mopar is using for their "factory long arm lift kit". If it turns out that Mopar will warranty the lift if they install it then it may change my mind .

 

[Grim]

if you can, go with long arms, they make a huge difference, (on TJs)

 

[waynehartwig]

My plans are to run a 3" kit with 35" tires. For what I plan on doing I figure the short arm kit will be fine. From what I have read it sounds like the new JK's "short arm" is longer than the older Jeeps were. I am not a fan of big wheels (18+ inches). 17" wheels are even a stretch for this old timer but the Rubi's come with the 17's. The RE kit looks very good and they have a very good reputation, however, they don't make a 3" kit.....yet. Their kit is a 4.5" if I remember right.

One of the reasons I'm leaning towards the 3" is because I don't have to replace the driveshaft on the Unlimited. HOWEVER......I believe it's RE that Mopar is using for their "factory long arm lift kit". If it turns out that Mopar will warranty the lift if they install it then it may change my mind .

I believe RE has a 2", 3.5" (long arm and super flex) and 4.5" long arm; for both, 2 and 4 door available.

Even the 3.5" lift will most likely still need driveline mods... The short arm kit is less likely than the long arm, but the long arm will give you a much better ride on and off road.

 

[Bart]

There was a big write up a few months ago comparing quite a few JK lifts. It was either in Peterson's or Off Road. Had some pretty straight forward comments.

 

[poorboyzdreamz]

I believe RE has a 2", 3.5" (long arm and super flex) and 4.5" long arm; for both, 2 and 4 door available.

Even the 3.5" lift will most likely still need driveline mods... The short arm kit is less likely than the long arm, but the long arm will give you a much better ride on and off road.

On the 4.5" it requires both f&r cv shafts to be made. Installed the kit with out them though and found it was just a launch shudder and highspeed vibration. R/E is a great kit, avoid skyhacker and full traction due to the fact their heims have a history of being garbage and the lock nuts have been known to loosen causing the threads on the arms to walk and actually fall apart while driving. Rancho also makes a bad a$$ reverse tri link that works incredible in the rocks. Nice thing about the jk is you dont have to do a exhaust mod when you do a long arm kit.

 

[poorboyzdreamz]

Your also going to want to do a intake (Airaid). Huge power increase as well as mileage.
Keep your eyes open for Edge's Trail Jammer system. That thing will kick thing to a whole new level.

 

[Houndoc]

There was a big write up a few months ago comparing quite a few JK lifts. It was either in Peterson's or Off Road. Had some pretty straight forward comments.

It was in Petersons 4wheel and Off-road, October issue.

They tested 8 set-ups and gave the overall winner to Donahoe Racing (a $5,900 investment) with Black Diamond a very close second (at $1,600). Wonder which I would buy....

They break it down also by different uses, so would pay off for you to read the entire thing and see what rated best for your needs.