WILDHOBO
Well-Known Member
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I did the Rubicon with 2 JK’s, 1 JL, and one other JT (forum member @jeep1 ) this week. It was a small jamboree expedition. The trip was amazing. The trail is as difficult as you’d expect, if not more difficult. All vehicles were on 37’s with dual lockers. The only non rubicon was the other gladiator, but it had been retrofitted enough to essentially be one now. Two tires needed to be changed, one on mine and one on the other JT, both ripped off valve stems. One caliper came loose and went through a wheel on a JK in addition. Multiple trail alignments were done at camp. Some had severe bumper damage, but no one had severe body damage except one guide who’s doors got dinged up a bit.
I used every LCA skid, shock mount skid, belly pan, and both diff skids repeatedly, meaning all day long for three days. When people say you can get through with stock vehicles or Jeeps on 35’s, they don’t mean without damage or a winch. With 37’s no one winched even once.
I took hard lines when they presented themselves and were even possible. I did the lower portion of little sluice, but lots of rocks were stacked after getting stuck on large boulders in front of the rear diff. But made it out. Cadillac hill was amazing. I got stuck on a really tough obstacle that had a bypass I didn’t notice for an hour or so, but eventually got over it without damage or any assistance except for great spotting.
I’ll be trimming, sanding, and repainting skids, LCA’s, tie rod, drag link, rock sliders, bumpers, etc for a very long time. My hitch skid saved the rear end, but on this trail, didn’t save the bumper from severe rash. It does however need to be replaced as I curled it up (1/4” steel) like a potato chip. When I put the badge on for this one, I will feel like it was truly earned. The trail absolutely does not disappoint. I recommend skids on both diffs, all 8 LCA mounts, both rear shock mounts, and a belly pan in order to avoid serious breaks. My LCA mounts would likely not have survived without protection.
Here are a few battle scar pictures. The rear LCA’s were brand new before this, without a scratch. The gladiator is forever changed. But it drove home at 78mph for 16 hours without complaining, after I centered the wheel in a parking lot I forgot to take a picture of the dent in the 3/8” steel sliders. Next stop, holy cross.
This was the trip of a lifetime.
I used every LCA skid, shock mount skid, belly pan, and both diff skids repeatedly, meaning all day long for three days. When people say you can get through with stock vehicles or Jeeps on 35’s, they don’t mean without damage or a winch. With 37’s no one winched even once.
I took hard lines when they presented themselves and were even possible. I did the lower portion of little sluice, but lots of rocks were stacked after getting stuck on large boulders in front of the rear diff. But made it out. Cadillac hill was amazing. I got stuck on a really tough obstacle that had a bypass I didn’t notice for an hour or so, but eventually got over it without damage or any assistance except for great spotting.
I’ll be trimming, sanding, and repainting skids, LCA’s, tie rod, drag link, rock sliders, bumpers, etc for a very long time. My hitch skid saved the rear end, but on this trail, didn’t save the bumper from severe rash. It does however need to be replaced as I curled it up (1/4” steel) like a potato chip. When I put the badge on for this one, I will feel like it was truly earned. The trail absolutely does not disappoint. I recommend skids on both diffs, all 8 LCA mounts, both rear shock mounts, and a belly pan in order to avoid serious breaks. My LCA mounts would likely not have survived without protection.
Here are a few battle scar pictures. The rear LCA’s were brand new before this, without a scratch. The gladiator is forever changed. But it drove home at 78mph for 16 hours without complaining, after I centered the wheel in a parking lot I forgot to take a picture of the dent in the 3/8” steel sliders. Next stop, holy cross.
This was the trip of a lifetime.
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anything you would change up for next time? Sounds like bigger tires maybe?
