Rubicon build Rock crawling and daily

[Stan H]

Has anyone ever actually damaged a hitch by dragging it in the rocks? Bent tow loops is about the worst I've seen in 30 years of dragging rigs through rocks. The hitch slider to me are like diff skids. A solution looking for a problem. Drug the same Dana 60 through the Rubicon and fordyce and the dusy on 35s in my XJ for a decade without issue. Peeling the cheap sheetmetal covers open was a real risk, but an HD cover took care of that. I think you'd have to drag the hitch several thousand miles with the weight of the truck in it before it wore down enough to cause any problems. If it gives you peace of mind it's worth the small investment. On the JLUR we run a large pintle ring, but that's to push the rig out away from the obstacle so we don't drop down on the spare.

Around home they just hang those plastic bull balls off the hitch .

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[Billyj7175]

I definitely will be getting one. But the ine thing I eliminated was that stupid spare tire . Cockeyed thing was always scrapping or dragging on something

I went to 38's which no longer fit; therefore it's strapped down in my bed. I run a bed cover, so with the spare, recovery gear, tools and air up/down equip, there's not much room left.

 

[Billyj7175]

Has anyone ever actually damaged a hitch by dragging it in the rocks? Bent tow loops is about the worst I've seen in 30 years of dragging rigs through rocks. The hitch slider to me are like diff skids. A solution looking for a problem. Drug the same Dana 60 through the Rubicon and fordyce and the dusy on 35s in my XJ for a decade without issue. Peeling the cheap sheetmetal covers open was a real risk, but an HD cover took care of that. I think you'd have to drag the hitch several thousand miles with the weight of the truck in it before it wore down enough to cause any problems. If it gives you peace of mind it's worth the small investment. On the JLUR we run a large pintle ring, but that's to push the rig out away from the obstacle so we don't drop down on the spare.

I doubt it would do a whole lot of damage to the receiver itself. Most do like you say with the pintle hook; it does push the contact point out a tad. My skid has a loop for a soft shackle, so it serves double duty. Piece of mind? I believe so, considering how often the Gladiator's drag their tail.

I'm with you on the diff skids. I put the MC diff covers on mine and was amazed my front factory cover wasn't leaking. It had a pretty good spot that was distorted.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I got one of those tall 41.22 hitch sliders specifically to protect the spare tire when I have to leave it under the bed (which is most of the time). I was starting to accumulate drag marks on the tire from shelf drops. Totally stopped once I did - very happy with it

I can put the tire elsewhere at times (and I did on the Rubicon) but for some of us, some of the time, it's not so simple as throwing it in the backseat or bed where it would displace people, dogs, and hard-mounted storage

Do you have an image of what you’re talking about here? I’m trying to picture it but don’t think I have to right image in my head.

 

[fourfa]

Do you have an image of what you’re talking about here? I’m trying to picture it but don’t think I have to right image in my head.

An image of the hitch slider? Earlier in the thread https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...d-rock-crawling-and-daily.104783/post-1680372

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Ah ok. Wasn’t aware that what it was called. I was picturing a 41.22” skid plate that covered the spare.

 

[fourfa]

Ah right, as a brand name it's a little unusual I guess

https://41twentytwo.com/product/hitch-slider/

 

[Janster]

Ok...sounds like you're 'newish' to the rockcrawling thing.....

You have a Rubicon ...... which is much more capable on the rocks than YOU are (as a driver).

Where are you offroading and what type of trails/ratings are there? Rockcrawling to one person is completely different than someone else, pending WHERE you go and the type of terrain you have in your area.

Be careful how much you do with modifications. You can open up a HUGE can of worms ....causing all sorts of problems & issues. Eventually, your daily drive isn't nearly as 'nice' as it once was.

Get some rock crawling under your belt .... It's a very good idea to learn the rig in its bone stock format. You'll be amazed of what it can do from the factory. Play smart.....
You'll soon learn the mods that you want/need as you progress thru technical trails.
Good Luck!

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

They’re in SoCal so pretty much everything within 4-5 hours. Dunes, rocks, Rubicon, ridge roads, forest trails we’ve got it all.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Ok...sounds like you're 'newish' to the rockcrawling thing.....

You have a Rubicon ...... which is much more capable on the rocks than YOU are (as a driver).

Where are you offroading and what type of trails/ratings are there? Rockcrawling to one person is completely different than someone else, pending WHERE you go and the type of terrain you have in your area.

Be careful how much you do with modifications. You can open up a HUGE can of worms ....causing all sorts of problems & issues. Eventually, your daily drive isn't nearly as 'nice' as it once was.

Get some rock crawling under your belt .... It's a very good idea to learn the rig in its bone stock format. You'll be amazed of what it can do from the factory. Play smart.....
You'll soon learn the mods that you want/need as you progress thru technical trails.
Good Luck!

Not to single you out, but I hate that advice. In a 2dr JL it usually turns out well. In something as long and low as the JT the last thing I'd suggest someone with little to no experience do is just head into the rocks and "learn". Little clearance, terrible breakover and departure angles, and minimal factory did plates. Even if you wanted to scrape and bang your way through I'd at a minimum suggest upgrading skids and rocksliders. Figuring out that you didn't have enough clearance and the factory skids leave a lot to be desired the hard way is like figuring out you needed a condom after the fact. Could be an expensive/ life altering lesson or could even leave you with damage that cannot be repaired/ stays with you for life. We dented the oil pan on our JLUR, fortunately it didn't punch a hole in it. Still cost me $700 as the 2.0t was so new you could only get the oil pan and lower engine cradle complete from the dealer. And then came the added cost of adding the skids after. When we replaced that rig with the new one, full skids were ordered while sitting in the dealer waiting to sign papers. The lift and tires further reduce the risk of damaging expensive paint/sheetmetal. Even after 30 years of playing in the big rocks, I lean towards overbuilt so I can just drive the trails and drive home. A newbie is even more likely to pick a bad line, slip off a rock, misjudge their clearance, etc.

 

[Janster]

Not to single you out, but I hate that advice. In a 2dr JL it usually turns out well. In something as long and low as the JT the last thing I'd suggest someone with little to no experience do is just head into the rocks and "learn". Little clearance, terrible breakover and departure angles, and minimal factory did plates. Even if you wanted to scrape and bang your way through I'd at a minimum suggest upgrading skids and rocksliders. Figuring out that you didn't have enough clearance and the factory skids leave a lot to be desired the hard way is like figuring out you needed a condom after the fact. Could be an expensive/ life altering lesson or could even leave you with damage that cannot be repaired/ stays with you for life. We dented the oil pan on our JLUR, fortunately it didn't punch a hole in it. Still cost me $700 as the 2.0t was so new you could only get the oil pan and lower engine cradle complete from the dealer. And then came the added cost of adding the skids after. When we replaced that rig with the new one, full skids were ordered while sitting in the dealer waiting to sign papers. The lift and tires further reduce the risk of damaging expensive paint/sheetmetal. Even after 30 years of playing in the big rocks, I lean towards overbuilt so I can just drive the trails and drive home. A newbie is even more likely to pick a bad line, slip off a rock, misjudge their clearance, etc.

There‘s a HUGE difference between being over-engineered and being prepared.
Unless, you think it’s a great idea to jump right Into level 5 trails with virtually NO experience and assuming you can drive thru it like it’s a Sunday drive to church. You can have all the mods & upgrades you want…that doesn’t mean anything if you don’t know how to utilize the tools, you don’t know how to drive, know how to read the terrain and/or make smart decisions.

Everyone leans towards ‘over-built’……. but you’ve gained experience along the way to know the difference between what does or doesn’t work. It can be endless…. At some point, everyone reaches a peak …. where the ‘overbuilt’ costs too much and isn’t practical.

Where’s your rollcage, 5 point harnass, and helmet??

 

[Zachanadandy]

There‘s a HUGE difference between being over-engineered and being prepared.
Unless, you think it’s a great idea to jump right Into level 5 trails with virtually NO experience and assuming you can drive thru it like it’s a Sunday drive to church. You can have all the mods & upgrades you want…that doesn’t mean anything if you don’t know how to utilize the tools, you don’t know how to drive, know how to read the terrain and/or make smart decisions.

Everyone leans towards ‘over-built’……. but you’ve gained experience along the way to know the difference between what does or doesn’t work. It can be endless…. At some point, everyone reaches a peak …. where the ‘overbuilt’ costs too much and isn’t practical.

Where’s your rollcage, 5 point harnass, and helmet??

True to a point, but the damage an inexperienced driver can do on even mild trails is both significant and far more costly than adding some additional protection before venturing into the rocks. An engine skids and sliders are cheap insurance and certainly not a mod you'll be wanting to redo as you gain experience. This the condom analogy. Protection isn't something you "figure out as you use it and learn". By then it's too late.

 

[Janster]

True to a point, but the damage an inexperienced driver can do on even mild trails is both significant and far more costly than adding some additional protection before venturing into the rocks. An engine skids and sliders are cheap insurance and certainly not a mod you'll be wanting to redo as you gain experience. This the condom analogy. Protection isn't something you "figure out as you use it and learn". By then it's too late.

That’s where the ***making smart decisions*** comes into play. You pick your battles (trails) wisely based on your experience level (not the rigs setup). A bone stock Rubicon is far more capable than most people can handle and can get them into trouble if it’s not used wisely (again, smart decisions). And an experienced driver can take a bone stock rig and drive it thru rocks with minimal ‘assistance’ and no damage.

Back 20 years ago, I’ve seen stock Wranglers & Toyota Tacoma’s (no skids, no upgrades, no lifts, etc) run thru some serious rocks….It‘s a jaw dropping moment seeing these guys picking lines you’d never suspect and watching them slowly and methodically pick thru the trail. Those two guys….had no fear and they fed off the challenge of it.

On the other hand….. I’ve seen totally built rigs in the hands of newbies who thought they could just drive thru the rocks like it was a flat dirt road. Even with all the skid plates, lifts, tires, gears…. Their right foot had a mind of its own and just needed to lash out …. How many ratchet straps does it take to secure a log to the bottom of an axle tube?

Gotta love those folks (newbies and experienced) who never listen to their ‘spotters’. Oh wait…they never needed them. Had a guy in a bran new Ford Rapter… Spotters tried to tell him where to turn to avoid hitting a tree on his drivers side…..but noooo….he did his own thing and hit the tree. He tried to make adjustments but made it worse. So, instead of asking for help, he got pissed off…..stomped on th gas and you heard nothing but tree against metal the whole way until it passed the tailgate. There ain’t a modification anywhere that’ll fix or prevent that kinda stupid!!!

 

[Zachanadandy]

That’s where the ***making smart decisions*** comes into play. You pick your battles (trails) wisely based on your experience level (not the rigs setup). A bone stock Rubicon is far more capable than most people can handle and can get them into trouble if it’s not used wisely (again, smart decisions). And an experienced driver can take a bone stock rig and drive it thru rocks with minimal ‘assistance’ and no damage.

Back 20 years ago, I’ve seen stock Wranglers & Toyota Tacoma’s (no skids, no upgrades, no lifts, etc) run thru some serious rocks….It‘s a jaw dropping moment seeing these guys picking lines you’d never suspect and watching them slowly and methodically pick thru the trail. Those two guys….had no fear and they fed off the challenge of it.

On the other hand….. I’ve seen totally built rigs in the hands of newbies who thought they could just drive thru the rocks like it was a flat dirt road. Even with all the skid plates, lifts, tires, gears…. Their right foot had a mind of its own and just needed to lash out …. How many ratchet straps does it take to secure a log to the bottom of an axle tube?

Gotta love those folks (newbies and experienced) who never listen to their ‘spotters’. Oh wait…they never needed them. Had a guy in a bran new Ford Rapter… Spotters tried to tell him where to turn to avoid hitting a tree on his drivers side…..but noooo….he did his own thing and hit the tree. He tried to make adjustments but made it worse. So, instead of asking for help, he got pissed off…..stomped on th gas and you heard nothing but tree against metal the whole way until it passed the tailgate. There ain’t a modification anywhere that’ll fix or prevent that kinda stupid!!!

Even simple forest roads can have washed out sections, boulders rolled until the middle if the trail, downed trees, etc. Many times they look innocuous enough... until your oil pan has a hole in it. With our dummy light setup in the Jeep, you may not even know until you need a new engine too. "Make smart decisions" sounds like the pullout method to me. Easy enough in theory, but when you're in it that's the last thing on your mind. Protection is cheap, finding out you needed protection through experience never is.

 

[VA6489]

OP hasn't been back since teh initial post......

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