Finally Started

[Rubicon Josh]

Well I talked about it for so long and never found the time or money to follow through but if any of you have been into National 4wd lately you will notice that the AEV Highline kit that was on display is missing. Thats right!!! My rubicon is in the shop getting a fresh splash of paint all over it in order to incorporate the new hood and fenders. I'm taking the time to make a few much deserved changes to the Jeep and can't wait to get it back on the road.
On the list of changes to be made are:

-AEV Highline kit
-I'm undecided on the Suspension, but I'm thinking 4" Rock Krawler
with three link front and four link rear
-36x12.5 Iroks on 15x10 simulated bead locks
-Custom Paint from Grant Mc Ewan at Precision Autobody
-Custom built bumpers from the jeep guys out here in Brooks


- New 5.13 gears and chromoly axles move to the wish list until I pay for the rest of this stuff.

I think that I am headed in the right direction with my project but would love some feedback, especially when it comes to the suspension. I will hopefully have pictures to post as I move ahead.

[Joel]

Can't waite to see the jeep with the new mods.

Why not go with the AEVNTH lift instead of Rock Krawler?

[cablesmurf]

I would guess the RK kit is cheaper. It's a good stout kit.

[Tribal Jeep]

Now I am no expert, and I dont have a lift on my jeep, but I have done a lot of research though due to my constantly changing mind for my own tj...  I would look into putting bigger hight on whether body lift or increased suspension lift size, to clear that 36 " tread; or decrease the tire size to maximize axle travel. Also I would say to look into a long arm suspension kit for better flex.

From what I understand, big tires 35"+ frequently destroy the front unit bearings, and at $500/ replacement it might be worth it to install a front manual locking hub conversion.

that is my personal, unexperienced, educated guess, 2 cents, based off what I have learned from talking to jeepers who have nice setups, internet, mechanics, and Christian Lee's TJ Builders Guide found here:
http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/showdetl.cfm?DID=6&Product_ID=2896&CATID=13

anyhow good luck and lookin forward to seeing what is sure to be one sexy jeep!

[BlackYJ]

With the AEV Highline kit you can run I think up to 37s with about 4" of lift

[Rubicon Josh]

Yes, technically you can fit 37" tires with only 2" of lift, however that doesn't give you much room for stuffing such big tires while flexed out. The reason why I am interested in the 4" Rock Krawler long arm kit is that it is a three link setup on the front. I think that that configuration will give me plenty of flex. The kit comes with a triangulated four link in the rear and while I would prefer to keep the rear in it's stock configuration (with long arms instead of course) with the track bar still in place, I think that the triangulated option is a fair compromise. I'm sure that I can rig something up so that the track bar can remain istalled therefore centering the diff properly. I'm no expert either, but I have had several years to think about what would work best for the way I drive. With a 4" long arm I should have nearly 7" of clearance compared to stock. With the added 5" of tire, I think that I am getting the best of both worlds... 5" of increased ground clearance with bigger tires and 2" ofincreased fender clearance for those big tires.

[Bnine]

A triangulated suspension does a better jod of holding the axle center then a track bar does.

It has the same strength holding center, and maintains center better during articulation.

A trackbar holds center, but swings the axle from one side to the other during the articulation.

A 4 link is an upgrade in every way over a trackbar.

If you daily drift I'd strongly suggest a poly performance (genright through national) or clayton longarm system over a RK. RK is a very stout system, but not very forgiving on a daily driver.

Poly's kit  is the best there is on the market right now, but is all in peices and requires a lot of fabrication.

Claytons requires minimal fab, has equal strength to RK, but has superior ride quality, better joints, and much longer required mantenance intervals.

Good luck.

[Rubicon Josh]

Thanks a lot Bnine. Do you happen to know where to find any info for the Claytons kit? I found the Poly Performance kit, and I am interested in seeing more about both kits. My only concern with the Poly kit is the price. It does look like a superior kit in regards to the quality of parts and joints, however with a price tag of over $2500 before springs, shocks and shipping I'm not sure how likely it will keep my attention. Looks like I'll be researching this for a while. All the feedback is a huge help! Thanks

[BlackYJ]

Here is the website, http://www.claytonoffroad.com/

[Bnine]

Have a look at the Clayton and poly.

If you are really interested in the poly, pm me for more details.

[cLAY]

Personally I'm more about go than show, I would have done the gears/axles before the paint to support the big tires. Fancy paint is only going to get scratched and will not help you if you break a shaft.

Than again my last rig was often described as "fugly". 

[Rubicon Josh]

It was an insurance issue. I had a small incident with a 5 ton truck and a wall last year and I was coming up to my one year grace period for getting it fixed. I figured it was a good time to look at doing some the things I really wanted to do to it at not much cost to me. The AEV kit was actually $600.00 cheaper than the factory parts, so it worked in my favor to buy it and free up some money for the things on my wish list. It's good to have an in with a body shop.

Josh