| Author | Message | ||
     Neo Intense (Neointense) New Member Username: Neointense Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2003 |
Hi guys, What are my options...I'm about to equip my LWB with the necessary hardware to make it Rubicon ready. Since it has the EAS... I'm assuming this is where I want to start? Do I go with a Rovertym kit or OME? is 2inch enough or do I need 3 or more? Tires? BFG MT's? or another brand? What a good size/compromise between additional lift and articulation? Once the suspension and tires are complete, what's next? Front bumper and winch or under body protection? | ||
| Steve Cooper (Scrover) Senior Member Username: Scrover Post Number: 315 Registered: 09-2002 |
Fugedabowit, just take the ML320  | ||
| Dan Armbruster (Dan_armbruster) Member Username: Dan_armbruster Post Number: 133 Registered: 04-2003 |
The X5 would be a more sensible option Steve. For serious wheeling, I'd go with a 3'' OME just because its' easy to find. Tires are determined by what terrain you'll be traveling. Will your LWB be a daily driver? If you have the $$$, look around and find a slightly used bumper AND underbody protection. The two go hand in hand, and as for the winch I'd wait to see if you actually need one, in which case you would for serious off-roading. Don't forget sliders- | ||
| Jon Santana (Mustache) Member Username: Mustache Post Number: 42 Registered: 09-2002 |
I would suggest going 3". a long wheel base vehicle is going to need to compensate with lift. The Rubicon dictates a softer compound tire with aggressive tread pattern. The favorite of rock crawlers is the Goodyear MTR. 245/75/16 (31") is going to be the size of choice if you don't want too much rub or don't want to shave your fenders. Make sure you buy 5 and have a way to air them up. A high powered pump is a good idea as you may unseat a bead out there. You will then want to relocate your steering dampener up and out of the way. Then you will need to sleeve or upgrade your tie-rod that is behind the front axle. I would strongly suggest that you carry a spare tie rod either way. Next step is to armor your diffs. Do your homework with this, don't go with the cheapies... buy quality. Sliders are most certainly on the menu as well. After the Rubicon with no sliders, you might as well paint it orange and slap a big ol confederate flag on the roof ;) next you should upgrade your rear trailing arms to something a bit more substantial than stock. If you don?t want to afford a good after market bumper, you can simply remove the air dam from your stock front bumper, this will provide the same clearance as an ARB or the likes. But this will of course be dictated by your choice of weather or not to outfit a winch. If you do get a winch, go with at least an 8,000lb. Weather or not you go with a winch, carry plenty of straps, shackles and have solid anchor points on your front and rear. Many people believe that you should not attempt the Rubicon with out at least one locker. In this case you should also carry extra axles. A locker will put severe strain on your driveline and in particular your 10 splines. A buddy. An experienced wheeler is an indispensable asset in this situation. You will need someone to spot you through a lot of the trail and to pull you through the spots you cant make under your own power and skill. Practice and brainpower. Get out there and hit the trails as much as possible before attempting the Rubicon. Don't give the Jeeps another reason to hate Rovers. J Good luck and have fun! Jon S. | ||
| Will Bobbitt (Rkores) Senior Member Username: Rkores Post Number: 289 Registered: 09-2002 |
Jon, Not to bust on you, but the LWB's have the 24 spline axles. I would still recomend upgrading anyways, but the 24's are still stronger than the 10's. Will | ||
| Jon Santana (Mustache) Member Username: Mustache Post Number: 43 Registered: 09-2002 |
thanks Will, i thought all the older rigs had tens... good to know. Jon | ||
| Jon Santana (Mustache) Member Username: Mustache Post Number: 44 Registered: 09-2002 |
aaaa haaaa! will, ya got my wheels turning. i shuld have asked what year our man is running. rangerovers.net reports: 10-spline axles to mid-1993; 24 spline from then on looks i might be going to the junkyard! Jon | ||
| Jon Santana (Mustache) Member Username: Mustache Post Number: 45 Registered: 09-2002 |
and yet again... i stand corrected. lwb introduction vs 24 spline in 93 means you, sir, are correct. thanks again, will. jon | ||
| Ozzie Silvera (Ozzie) Member Username: Ozzie Post Number: 76 Registered: 11-2002 |
Usually if your 1993 LWB was made before about June 1993, it will have the 10 spline axles, Mine was the earlier version and sure enough I've broken 3 axles, and 2 front Diffs all 10 spline before upgrading to D90 axles and true Trac diffs front and rear.No problems since then. Best, Ozzie | ||
| John Booth (Jboothmtnbkr) New Member Username: Jboothmtnbkr Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2003 |
Just returning from Moab and driving my LWB on some moderate to extreme trails (3+ to 4), I highly suggest a gas tank skid plate. I run 32" 235/85 tires with a 3" lift and really didn't bang underneath but the hitch and gas tank kept dragging on the drop-offs. Also, consider the sliders as I popped half the rivets on the driver side plastic when I slid down a step and caught the side of a rock. I was pretty impressed how well the traction control worked compared to everyone elses lockers but there were a couple of places I couldn't climb and had to go around so if you don't go with lockers just be aware that you may have to occassionally find an alternate line. |
