Rubicon Trail Brief Review and Battle Scar Reports

[WILDHOBO]

Looks like an epic trip! We keep talking about this trail, but I for sure need to add a couple more skids!! Tentatively planning for next summer.
Thanks for sharing such a great adventure.

Any time. It was so much fun. Skids are key on this one. They’re the reason I have no damage other than scratched skids.

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[WILDHOBO]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Bet it was a blast but get it was nerve racking seeing things can go wrong quick. I live pretty close and plan to get up there eventually. Think I should add those diff diapers before I go ? anything you would change up for next time? Sounds like bigger tires maybe?

I wouldn’t change much actually. Everything worked great. The only changes are relatively minor. I’d get wheels that better protect the valve stem. I ripped one off causing a flat. But there aren’t any guarantees. @jeep1 also lost a valve stem on super nice true beadlock wheels with the valve stems pretty well recessed. The other change won’t cost money. I’m going to trim my front bumper a bit. No other trail has done this, but I was constantly rubbing tires on it. Taking about an inch off the wings should solve it though. I like my 37” tires though, and won’t go bigger probably. I’m at that sweet spot where I can still drive it as a daily and have it drive comfortably for a 2,300 mile round trip at 80mph. 40’s change things significantly. If I did one of the hardest trails in the country setup the way it is, and successfully, I’m happy with it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

It was definitely an adventure. I’ve been on harder “obstacles” but the Rubicon is rentless.

And yes, I broke stuff too…. Rear sway bar link snapped and I trashed my rock sliders. On the plus side, the LOD rear bumper is very solid

Agreed. I’ve been on harder individual obstacles, but then there’s usually moderate sections in between. Not on this trail. Is that snow under your truck already?

 

[dcmdon]

Would you mind giving us a list of all the skid plates and other protection you have??

 

[WILDHOBO]

Would you mind giving us a list of all the skid plates and other protection you have??

Not at all. I started with Next Venture Motorsports diff skids front and rear. They’re way stronger than covers, but they sell covers if you prefer. I liked the skids better and they work with the OE covers. The skids cover the diff so well aftermarket covers aren’t necessary imo. I then added a full aluminum belly skid with added UHMW 1/2” plastic, also from NVM. Then I have Rock Hard 4x4 skids for all LCA’s, both axle and frame sides. Then Rock hard rear shock mount skids. I have the rock slide engineering steps, but added the extra armor before this trip. It was necessary. They held up great with only one cosmetic dent. No problems with functionality. I sat the Jeep on them, not gently, many times. I’ll be underneath it sanding and repainting skids and LCA’s, but had no actual damage.

 

[jeep1]

Is that snow under your truck already?

Ah ... thankfully not.. its just left over soap from the first wash down.

 

[HjStrater]

It was definitely an adventure. I’ve been on harder “obstacles” but the Rubicon is rentless.

And yes, I broke stuff too…. Rear sway bar link snapped and I trashed my rock sliders. On the plus side, the LOD rear bumper is very solid

Are those LOD sliders too? I was wondering how they would hold up to abuse just looking at them… I guess this answers that.

 

[jeep1]

Are those LOD sliders too? I was wondering how they would hold up to abuse just looking at them… I guess this answers that.

They are .. they are LOD ArmorLite aluminum sliders with the steel skins. They are actually really nice sliders. The steel skins held up really well but aluminum is probably not the best choice for sliders that need to deal with heavy drops since aluminum doesn't really bounce back like steel does.

To be fair, they had survived a fair bit of wheeling and a lot of scraping and I had no issues until I dropped the Gladiator on them HARD......

 

[JustinLentz]

Looks like almost everything worked as intended. That's exactly why you put armor where you did. Armor is a lot cheaper to replace and a fender, bed, door etc....

 

[sass JT]

Dude! Seriously…. Ugh….. and …

The rubicon is definitely in my bucket list for sure.

I’m back home this week if you want to hit a trail or so this coming weekend… let me no

 

[kw_rc]

Nice work! Which hitch skid is that? Looks beefy and functional.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Nice work! Which hitch skid is that? Looks beefy and functional.

It’s a WarFab Sheridan Short. It’s beefy. I did bend it this time. I’ve hit it too many times to count and it’s never bent, but the rubicon is different. No complaints though. I’ll see if I can straighten it, but if it gets replaced, I’ll get the same one.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Dude! Seriously…. Ugh….. and …

The rubicon is definitely in my bucket list for sure.

I’m back home this week if you want to hit a trail or so this coming weekend… let me no

I’d love to, but have family in town this weekend. Maybe next weekend?

 

[sass JT]

I’d love to, but have family in town this weekend. Maybe next weekend?

Family is good… maybe… depends on work for me

 

[WILDHOBO]

Family is good… maybe… depends on work for me

Yep. Let me know and I’ll do the same.

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