Rubicon Advice Needed:

[Rubiko]

Hello all,

First post on here and I’m going to ask for some direction/advice on my build. New to building Jeeps (not to offroading as a whole tho), and am a bit lost in the brands/upgrades.

What I have:
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 3.6l
2.5” mopar/35s

Just purchased 38s, possibly going to 40s down the road. This is my daily driver, but it will occasionally see mud/Moab etc.

My plan is the following:

4.5” long arm adjustable lift (preferably bolt on) - looking at Evo/Teraflex/MetalCloak/RubiconExpress

Fox 2.5 shocks - best ones I found that aren’t on endless backorder (king/falcon), open to suggestions

5.13 gears - dana spicer bcs I’ve heard they require less shimming to setup, which I will be doing myself

Axle upgrades, not as crucial as on the JK, from what I hear. But possibly shafts, u joints

Fox steering stabilizer?

hydro assist?



What I’d like to know from you experienced Jeep guys is which lift kit you’d recommend one go with, along with which axle upgrades are needed to comfortably wheel on 38s-40s without a dana 60 swap.

Any and all advice appreciated!

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[HorneyBadger]

Check out Rebel Offroad. They have done many Glads. Dont think I would go to 38-40's without going to Dana 60's though. Guess it depends on how silly you get offroad.

 

[Tomahawk Daddy]

Check out Rebel Offroad. They have done many Glads. Dont think I would go to 38-40's without going to Dana 60's though. Guess it depends on how silly you get offroad.

I was going to say something similar, you can definitely do it but I had a buddy that broke his front axle (knuckle) pretty quickly after going to 40s. I'd say 38s are also kind of pushing it depending on the tire/wheel weight.
I've heard good things about both of these lifts Evo/Teraflex not as familiar with the others brands.

FYI you can fit 37's on a Rubicon that has a 2+ lift. Might be something to consider temporarily before you spend a bunch of money.

 

[Rubiko]

I was going to say something similar, you can definitely do it but I had a buddy that broke his front axle (knuckle) pretty quickly after going to 40s. I'd say 38s are also kind of pushing it depending on the tire/wheel weight.
I've heard good things about both of these lifts Evo/Teraflex not as familiar with the others brands.

FYI you can fit 37's on a Rubicon that has a 2+ lift. Might be something to consider temporarily before you spend a bunch of money.

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, that was sort of my concern. I’d like to avoid putting lipstick on a pig so to speak. But I also don’t have the budget at the moment for a full dana 60 swap.

 

[kevman65]

If you want to go big boy tires, then you need to at minimum truss the axle's, move to forged steel knuckles, mandatory drive shaft upgrade, and probably axle shafts.

If you had just said daily driver, mall crawler, then none of that would be necessary, but you threw in Moab and if you do that, you're gonna do more.

If you keep doing the harder trails, you will end up on 60's.

 

[Rusty PW]

38's ~ 40's without going to Dana 60's. RCV axles, and trusses on the housings. HD ball joints. Since you have a Rubi to start with. You may already have the cast iron knuckles. With 4.5" lift. You will need to up grade the drive shafts.

 

[calipoontappa]

38's ~ 40's without going to Dana 60's. RCV axles, and trusses on the housings. HD ball joints. Since you have a Rubi to start with. You may already have the cast iron knuckles. With 4.5" lift. You will need to up grade the drive shafts.

Rubicons come w aluminum knuckles. Gonna have to get a set of Reid Racing ones like I did on top of that.

 

[Shadowmaker]

I'd cap out on 38s. Exponentially you escalate so many things when you go to 40s.

Truss, RCVs, shafts, brakes, 5.38s, driveshafts, etc and you have not even gone to 60s for the 40s.

 

[Rusty PW]

Rubicons come w aluminum knuckles. Gonna have to get a set of Reid Racing ones like I did on top of that.

I have a Rubi D with the cast iron knuckles. Thought maybe they come the on the Rubi gasser too.

 

[calipoontappa]

I have a Rubi D with the cast iron knuckles. Thought maybe they come the on the Rubi gasser too.

My bad I forget diesels exist lol
They have it because they’re heavier, right?

 

[Rusty PW]

My bad I forget diesels exist lol
They have it because they’re heavier, right?

More torque.




and heavier.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

Hello all,

First post on here and I’m going to ask for some direction/advice on my build. New to building Jeeps (not to offroading as a whole tho), and am a bit lost in the brands/upgrades.

What I have:
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 3.6l
2.5” mopar/35s

Just purchased 38s, possibly going to 40s down the road. This is my daily driver, but it will occasionally see mud/Moab etc.

My plan is the following:

4.5” long arm adjustable lift (preferably bolt on) - looking at Evo/Teraflex/MetalCloak/RubiconExpress

Fox 2.5 shocks - best ones I found that aren’t on endless backorder (king/falcon), open to suggestions

5.13 gears - dana spicer bcs I’ve heard they require less shimming to setup, which I will be doing myself

Axle upgrades, not as crucial as on the JK, from what I hear. But possibly shafts, u joints

Fox steering stabilizer?

hydro assist?



What I’d like to know from you experienced Jeep guys is which lift kit you’d recommend one go with, along with which axle upgrades are needed to comfortably wheel on 38s-40s without a dana 60 swap.

Any and all advice appreciated!

You have a gas motor/tank! Check out the rock krawler 4link setup. It’s going to offer the best flex with reliability.

I personally prefer low and slow to off road. Lowest center of gravity possible… 2.5-3.5” lift tops.
If this isn’t a daily driver, find a kit (like rock krawler or whoever you go with. Install it (sounds like you will be turning your own wrenches) and flex it out without the springs… optimize for the longest shocks possible, figure out what your limitations are and then order shocks/limiting straps.

Artech makes good stuff- look to their apex truss kit, cuts down on a lot of bs and extra welding. Also check out their belly pan (first thing I would order after the lift height is added….)

You aren’t new to wheeling- 37’s will get you over and through a lot…. Pick up a hitch skid… that will cut down on some of the stress to dragging the tail end. Even on 40’s you are going to drag….
?

 

[CerOf]

Hello all,

First post on here and I’m going to ask for some direction/advice on my build. New to building Jeeps (not to offroading as a whole tho), and am a bit lost in the brands/upgrades.

What I have:
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 3.6l
2.5” mopar/35s

Just purchased 38s, possibly going to 40s down the road. This is my daily driver, but it will occasionally see mud/Moab etc.

My plan is the following:

4.5” long arm adjustable lift (preferably bolt on) - looking at Evo/Teraflex/MetalCloak/RubiconExpress

Fox 2.5 shocks - best ones I found that aren’t on endless backorder (king/falcon), open to suggestions

5.13 gears - dana spicer bcs I’ve heard they require less shimming to setup, which I will be doing myself

Axle upgrades, not as crucial as on the JK, from what I hear. But possibly shafts, u joints

Fox steering stabilizer?

hydro assist?



What I’d like to know from you experienced Jeep guys is which lift kit you’d recommend one go with, along with which axle upgrades are needed to comfortably wheel on 38s-40s without a dana 60 swap.

Any and all advice appreciated!

Read and stalk this guy:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/building-a-mojave-on-40s.52961/

He’s done/doing EXACTLY what you are trying to do, I think.

Edit: don’t stalk him in like a creepy white panel van/ice cream truck sorta way.

 

[Sparty]

Edit: don’t stalk him in like a creepy white panel van/ice cream truck free jeep parts sorta way.

Fixed that for you

 

[RidinDirty]

I'd cap out on 38s. Exponentially you escalate so many things when you go to 40s.

Truss, RCVs, shafts, brakes, 5.38s, driveshafts, etc and you have not even gone to 60s for the 40s.

Don't forget PSC to keep everything turning.

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