Rubicon Trail vs Drive Shaft & U-Joints

[Gray Matter Jeep]

Hello All,

Later this summer I will be tackling the Rubicon Trail.

My Gladiator is a Rubicon Edition, with a Mopar Lift & 35" Wildpeak MTs.

How likely am I to damage my OEM Drive Shaft, or the U-Joints in my drive-train? ... beyond too damaged to drive home (2 day drive).

Note: It won't be my first time rock crawling, but my most nonstop intense trail.

Thanks in advance.
Poughkeepsie Gulch pic for attention.

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[WILDHOBO]

I don’t know about the driveshaft, but I did it in my rubicon with a larger lift and 37’s, and I wouldn’t do it with smaller tires with this wheelbase. I didn’t touch my driveshaft, nor did I do any damage to the drivetrain whatsoever, but with a 3” lift in front, 4.5” rear, I raked the skids over the coals. I have all 8 LCA skids, rear shock skids, and diff skids, as well as a full belly skid. The LCA skids, the rock sliders, and the hitch skid were bombarded. I drove home 15 hours without issue, but it would be tough in a gladiator on 35’s with a 2” lift. That’s my opinion of course. You’d get through it, but it would not be easy.

 

[Trippin01]

I did it with 37's and 4.5" lift. as soon as I got home I ordered a 6" lift and 38" tires. to stressful. I would not do it with less than 37", belly armor & at least 4.5" lift, 6" if you like to deflate to proper air down pressure for the trail. It's fun, but GO LIGHT! Don't take a bed load of useless crud, its one nite on the trail. Strap everything down, inside and out. I would also recommend trail doors instead of stock. I also have Diff skids, saved my bacon. I'm running 5.13 gears I can't tell if your rig has sliders or not, just remember, they are a tool, use them and you can repaint them when you come home. Hopefully you don't have painted fenders, ha ha! Nice Poughkeepsie photo. a favorite for sure. I keep a spare u-joint for the front axel with me but not for the drivelines. seems the cvc boots are what fail so i got a new, normal front offroad drive line for a 6" lift. much better.

 

[Sorbs]

Honestly, I’d scrub the Rubicon and head to Moab. Most of the Rubicon Trail is just one boulder after another over two days of torture to your rig vs the slick rock beauty of southern Utah. Hey, I get it, it’s a bucket list trail but completing it in a semi-lifted JTR is like taking a sledge hammer to your rig. What’s the point?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Honestly, I’d scrub the Rubicon and head to Moab. Most of the Rubicon Trail is just one boulder after another over two days of torture to your rig vs the slick rock beauty of southern Utah. Hey, I get it, it’s a bucket list trail but completing it in a semi-lifted JTR is like taking a sledge hammer to your rig. What’s the point?

I’m not sure I agree that it’s not a fun trail, and it’s not comparable to Moab in my opinion. Both places are amazing in completely different ways. I had a blast on the rubicon. I highly recommend 3 days and two nights. Way more relaxing.

But I completely agree that doing it on anything less than 37’s and a 3” lift (with a gladiator), will be very difficult.

 

[Sorbs]

I’m not sure I agree that it’s not a fun trail, and it’s not comparable to Moab in my opinion. Both places are amazing in completely different ways. I had a blast on the rubicon. I highly recommend 3 days and two nights. Way more relaxing.

But I completely agree that doing it on anything less than 37’s and a 3” lift (with a gladiator), will be very difficult.

My point is why would anyone consider it with a JTR that is not setup for the trail?

 

[WILDHOBO]

My point is why would anyone consider it with a JTR that is not setup for the trail?

Agreed. I just don’t want to discourage anyone from a dream trip. It was for me. But you’re right, I built mine with that trail in mind.

 

[Gray Matter Jeep]

Thanks for the replies. I should have also mentioned I have a full belly skid system from Rock Hard 4x4. I love them.

 

[Trippin01]

Honestly, I’d scrub the Rubicon and head to Moab. Most of the Rubicon Trail is just one boulder after another over two days of torture to your rig vs the slick rock beauty of southern Utah. Hey, I get it, it’s a bucket list trail but completing it in a semi-lifted JTR is like taking a sledge hammer to your rig. What’s the point?

I'm with ya on Moab. just got back 2 weeks ago from my 4th trip there, took a buddy from work, blew his mind. Finally did Golden Spike, Metal Masher and Cliff Hanger. Cliff hanger delt me my 1st body damage blow, but I'm 4 years in with my JT, it was bound to happen. Only BOH trail for me in Moab now is Prichett canyon, and I'm in no hurry. Many more trails there I would like to do, even some overland ones. and I still need Hole in the Rock. Take care, see ya on the trails.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I'm with ya on Moab. just got back 2 weeks ago from my 4th trip there, took a buddy from work, blew his mind. Finally did Golden Spike, Metal Masher and Cliff Hanger. Cliff hanger delt me my 1st body damage blow, but I'm 4 years in with my JT, it was bound to happen. Only BOH trail for me in Moab now is Prichett canyon, and I'm in no hurry. Many more trails there I would like to do, even some overland ones. and I still need Hole in the Rock. Take care, see ya on the trails.

Cliff hanger is no joke. I’m with you. Pritchett is my last UT badge. I need takers to join me. I want it this year.

 

[Jclow801]

Doesn’t it have to be able to do it stock to be called a rubicon?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Doesn’t it have to be able to do it stock to be called a rubicon?

Actually any trail rates Jeep, all models, need to be able to do the rubicon stock. But they get severely body damaged.

 

[Jclow801]

Actually any trail rates Jeep, all models, need to be able to do the rubicon stock. But they get severely body damaged.

Is there a video of the renegade doing it? ?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Is there a video of the renegade doing it? ?

I’m sure there is. I wasn’t joking. Jeep sends a couple units of all trail rated models through. They’re guided usually by jamboree guides. There’s a difference between completing it, and completing it without damage.

You can definitely take a stock Jeep through it, avoid everything you can, and make it to the end, but it will not be pretty at the end.

 

[Jclow801]

That’s a shame. I must’ve heard something on Motortrends dirt everyday with that Fred guy that’s confused me. I’d like to do it one day, maybe…

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