'09 Rubicon

[TJDukit]

Got my skid plate delivered today.

Here's how it started

Less than one hour later it's all installed and ready for some abuse.

Solid 3/8" mounting brackets

My only gripe was Rock Hard only sent me half of the directions. Luckily I had already found a great install write up which was much more thorough than I would have had anyway.

By next Monday my new tie rod will be here and installed.

 

[TJDukit]

Went and picked up my new tie rod from Seth at Trail Ridge today. Gotta say I'm really impressed with how beefy that thing is. Just need to get some TRE's for it and get it installed. Probably tomorrow after the training day.

 

[kyojin]

Is that a Buck 119 in the top right of the first picture?

 

[TJDukit]

Is that a Buck 119 in the top right of the first picture?

Sure is, best knife I've ever had.

 

[TJDukit]

Here is a pic of the old bent to crap tie rod next to the new hotness.

 

[sixstringsteve]

wait, which one is the new one?

 

[TJDukit]

wait, which one is the new one?

Funny guy, I actually didn't realize how bad it was bent until it was on the ground. Got some peace of mind now.

 

[Max Power]

Looks like a good upgrade. I like how the new one has some flex to it. How was it to get the tie-rod ends off?

 

[kyojin]

Thought so. I still have the one I bought about 15 years ago. Great knife for sure.

Sure is, best knife I've ever had.

 

[TJDukit]

Looks like a good upgrade. I like how the new one has some flex to it. How was it to get the tie-rod ends off?

Since they won't get reused I just hit them with a BFH, came out easy.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Brian, your rig is one of my all-time favorites. Don't tell anyone, but if someone told me I had $60k to spend on a rig (and it had to be spent on a rig), the I'd get a Rubicon 4-door JK without hesitation. And I'd build it just like yours.

 

[TJDukit]

But you wouldn't need to spend that much. Paid
32k for it and have less than 2k in tires and upgrades.

And thank you Steve.

 

[Max Power]

X2

Brian, your rig is one of my all-time favorites. Don't tell anyone, but if someone told me I had $60k to spend on a rig (and it had to be spent on a rig), the I'd get a Rubicon 4-door JK without hesitation. And I'd build it just like yours.

 

[SAMI]

I too would build a 4dr Rubicon just like yours.. It performed awesome yesterday.

 

[TJDukit]

Thanks a lot guys. I really like the direction I decided to take it. By no means is it the ultimate crawler but it will do pretty much anything I want it to.

 

[TJDukit]

Managed to get my RME sticker put on. I am not a fan of a bunch of stickers so I am really picky about what I put on my rig. Thanks for bringing these out to MMP the other day Shane.

 

[airmanwilliams]

Managed to get my RME sticker put on. I am not a fan of a bunch of stickers so I am really picky about what I put on my rig. Thanks for bringing these out to MMP the other day Shane.

looks great. I want a sticker for my back window with airmanwilliams under it.

 

[sixstringsteve]

best mod yet!

 

[TJDukit]

best mod yet!

My thoughts exactly Steve.

 

[TJDukit]

So I got bored today and decided to take on this small project.

Winch, bumper and grill removed.

Grill painted black with Rustoleum bedliner.

I still need to put another coat on and I'll have it all but back together.

And when I was looking at the Jeep from the side I was half tempted to chop the frame horns off. If this wasn't my daily driver or I could pull it off and keep the winch I could have a zero degree approach angle. Sadly there just isn't enough room to keep a winch on it and get the awesome approach angle.