Rubicon Express JT7147NR

[nasiraod]

Hi All
Someone locally has a set of 1 year old Rubicon Express JT7147NR lift kit. It's missing rear drive shaft, rear track bar bracket, and brake lines.
The price is quite attractive is he's cleaning out his garage (~1300). They look in very good shapes from the pictures I got.
I'm new to the Jeep world, and I was wondering whether these are good to use as a lift kit for my 2020 Rubicon? How's the ride quality? Are they well made? Availability of spares? And lastly, would it be difficult to source the missing parts? I'm assuming I would absolutely need a different(other than OEM) rear drive shaft?

Most importantly, are they worth the trouble?

Thank you very much in advance

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[Stan H]

Hi All
Someone locally has a set of 1 year old Rubicon Express JT7147NR lift kit. It's missing rear drive shaft, rear track bar bracket, and brake lines.
The price is quite attractive is he's cleaning out his garage (~1300). They look in very good shapes from the pictures I got.
I'm new to the Jeep world, and I was wondering whether these are good to use as a lift kit for my 2020 Rubicon? How's the ride quality? Are they well made? Availability of spares? And lastly, would it be difficult to source the missing parts? I'm assuming I would absolutely need a different(other than OEM) rear drive shaft?

Most importantly, are they worth the trouble?

Thank you very much in advance

Dont think they make all the components anymore I may be wrong.

 

[nasiraod]

Dont think they make all the components anymore I may be wrong.

I see, so I should probably give up on this
It's just such an attractive price, not sure how expensive the drive shaft would be

 

[Stan H]

I see, so I should probably give up on this
It's just such an attractive price, not sure how expensive the drive shaft would be

Do a little deep dive there see if I am mistaken think the just sell track bars now could be wrong though

 

[nasiraod]

Do a little deep dive there see if I am mistaken think the just sell track bars now could be wrong though

Thank you very much, I'll try to reach out to them
But quality wise, how's the brand? I am not too familiar with Jeep Aftermarket brands

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Rubicon Express is not great.

They were bought by 4 Wheel Parts years ago. Currently they are owned by Wheel Pros.

 

[Stan H]

Before they was bought out they was top notch. But as always with something thats good someone decides to buy it to ruin it . Sounds about right . I have their soild forged front track bar and it is freaking rock solid

 

[nasiraod]

Rubicon Express is not great.

They were bought by 4 Wheel Parts years ago. Currently they are owned by Wheel Pros.

Before they was bought out they was top notch. But as always with something thats good someone decides to buy it to ruin it . Sounds about right . I have their soild forged front track bar and it is freaking rock solid

Thank you very much, I think the main concern is the springs and shocks, the rest is probably quite solid. I can probably always replace those two later on down the line.

I think the most difficult would be to source a suitable rear drive shaft, since it's probably sized to the spec, and is not OEM

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Thank you very much, I think the main concern is the springs and shocks, the rest is probably quite solid. I can probably always replace those two later on down the line.

I think the most difficult would be to source a suitable rear drive shaft, since it's probably sized to the spec, and is not OEM

Another concern is the joints in the suspension links. Rubicon Express put out a lot of crap joints and bushings.

The springs are probably fine.

Shocks being used are concerning. And I don’t know who makes them.

There are plenty of options for a rear driveshaft. You can order one from Tom Woods or Adams to name a few. Or you could buy one from a local shop like Fleet Pride. But cheaper to order.

I wouldn’t buy this RE kit though. I’d rather spend about $1,500 on a base kit from Clayton, Rock Krawler, AEV, Evo, Metalcloak, or some others I’m forgetting.

 

[Metalcloak]

RE was a good, inspiring company, a couple of their senior personnel have worked for Metalcloak for more than a decade.

Unfortunately, as a brand, it is pretty much dead - having been first decimated by Polaris and then left alone to whither away by WheelPros. There had been rumor about its revitalization, but nothing yet as far as we know.

It's best, IMHO, to avoid a product with no future support, especially when it comes to suspension.

- Matson

 

[nasiraod]

RE was a good, inspiring company, a couple of their senior personnel have worked for Metalcloak for more than a decade.

Unfortunately, as a brand, it is pretty much dead - having been first decimated by Polaris and then left alone to whither away by WheelPros. There had been rumor about its revitalization, but nothing yet as far as we know.

It's best, IMHO, to avoid a product with no future support, especially when it comes to suspension.

- Matson

I think I'm coming to that realization as well, even though this used kit is being let go for cheap, the amount of time and effort to put them on will be quite a bit, so I am going to pass

Thank you everyone for all your input, it was very helpful

 

[Stan H]

RE was a good, inspiring company, a couple of their senior personnel have worked for Metalcloak for more than a decade.

Unfortunately, as a brand, it is pretty much dead - having been first decimated by Polaris and then left alone to whither away by WheelPros. There had been rumor about its revitalization, but nothing yet as far as we know.

It's best, IMHO, to avoid a product with no future support, especially when it comes to suspension.

- Matson

That pretty much confirmed what I read or heard somewhere. Maybe You-Tube .. but nonetheless I just ordered some ballers from y'all cant wait to get those pressed in.

 

[ericw.]

In my Wrangler, I started with a Rubicon Express lift kit.

The year after, I removed it and replaced it with Metal Cloak because it didn't steer or ride very well.

The RE lift I had came with control arm drop brackets and I was dragging those across rocks, getting hung up on my first outing with it. IMHO don't waste your money.

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