I factory ordered a 2000 TJ Sport (5-spd 3550 with Dana 30/Dana 44 combo) in Stone White, which of course predated Rubicon by 3 years. Subsequently prepped that for rough trails with the usual stuff incl; 4" lift with Currie upper/lower Johnny Joint control arms, ARB lockers on 4.56 gears, SYE with Tom Woods driveshafts, skids and in later years, TeraLow 4:1 kit, Currie HD steering, Vanco front Big Brake kit and more. That was in SoCal before moving to AZ's central mountains. During the same timeframe, my buddy and I both bought Can-Am SxS which we still own (2020 Maverick Sport Xrc 64" class). With the 2000 TJ parked nearly a year without usage (dedicated trail rig), sold that in late 2020 after 21 years. We also bought a pair of new 2017 JK Rubicon 6-spd (still own, now moderately modified and just 12k miles).
A few weeks ago, I bought this 2005 Rubicon (same Stone White) with notable features being; RE Long Arm kit, SYE with Tom Woods driveshafts, 5.13 gearing, Currie rocker sliders,1" BL, 35" tires, front winch bumper and a rear tire carrier bumper. Not a mall queen, showing typical trail usage on a 20 year old Wrangler. I'm in the process of sorting stuff now, including deferred maintenance. A change already in process is ditching the generic 35" mud terrain tires in favor of a set of 33" BFG M/T KM3. Although the suspension lift is plenty for 35" (or larger), the 42RLE auto trans clearly isn't in the happy zone with those tires. Not a good combo in mountainous elevation, thus I'd much rather lose ground clearance than live with the transmission bogging. Said buddy also purchased one recently (his being a 2003 Rubicon with RE Long Arms, etc), but that's another story...
A few weeks ago, I bought this 2005 Rubicon (same Stone White) with notable features being; RE Long Arm kit, SYE with Tom Woods driveshafts, 5.13 gearing, Currie rocker sliders,1" BL, 35" tires, front winch bumper and a rear tire carrier bumper. Not a mall queen, showing typical trail usage on a 20 year old Wrangler. I'm in the process of sorting stuff now, including deferred maintenance. A change already in process is ditching the generic 35" mud terrain tires in favor of a set of 33" BFG M/T KM3. Although the suspension lift is plenty for 35" (or larger), the 42RLE auto trans clearly isn't in the happy zone with those tires. Not a good combo in mountainous elevation, thus I'd much rather lose ground clearance than live with the transmission bogging. Said buddy also purchased one recently (his being a 2003 Rubicon with RE Long Arms, etc), but that's another story...
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