2003 Rubicon build (Radical)

[Radical]

Ordered Rock Krawler long arm kit, Anti-Rock front sway bar kit, Rock Krawler track bar, 4:88 gears, Poison Spyder bombshell diff covers, new clutch... Will post pix later when Yrjan shows me how... Thanks to Bryan Barcom for helping me install all of it.

[Yrjan]

[Yrjan]

[Yrjan]

[SPR]

Looks like a lot of work. Why do you need wheel spacers on the front? Do you have them on the rear as well.

[Radical]

Funny you should say that about the spacers. The whole reason we are doing the project is to get rid of the spacers. (Because they are the only thing that is polished
). Smiles

[Yrjan]

Looks like a lot of work. Why do you need wheel spacers on the front? Do you have them on the rear as well.

He's got JK wheels on it. 5X5 R17

[TJDave]

Wouldn't a new set of wheels have been cheaper and a lot less work?

Interested to see the final result. Bryan does good work.
Curious what lift was on it before?

And welcome!

[Yrjan]

Wouldn't a new set of wheels have been cheaper and a lot less work?

Interested to see the final result. Bryan does good work.
Curious what lift was on it before?

And welcome!

The lift was a combination of pro comp and rubicon express note the rubicon express joint malfunction... The spacers and wheels were on it when he bought it.

[Yrjan]

As you all can tell I have been helping Scott out with his build thread... Word is RCV's were just ordered... Sick

[79chevy39.5's]

Mmmmmmm......I want 2 sets but my coin jar isn't that full

[Yrjan]

Latest update... Front locker toast. found a couple from "Brother Frank" in Benton City but they are different than the factory locker in Radicl.

Decisions, decisions....

Word is Scott ordered ARB's for front and rear with a pump to boot. Bryan is installing today. Rock Krawler stuff should be there monday and Radicl should be pounding the pavement tuesday evening.

[TJDave]

It's going to be nice. Can't wait to check it out. Guess that means I'll have to go on a run.

FWIW, the Rubi rear d44 axle I bought from Larry N. a few years ago has a 35 spline ARB in it. The factory Rubi locker fried long before I bought it. He said the 35 spline chromos and locker is probably overkill for a d44. The 33 spline upgrade would of been sufficient, and a little cheaper.

[Yrjan]

Front housing ready.

[Radical]

Hey Micheal, thanks for the photos.
Bryan can really lay down some nice welds. Geez you know when you love Jeeps if last sentence I typed begins to sound sexy. Sexy welds Bryan.

Seriously, Radical should be happy as the guys are taking good care of her.

RK long arms in the mail from New York so five business days may show Monday. There seems to be no end of the fun.

The main regret I have on this build is not giving Radicl her monthly bath before we tore into her.

Smiles and thanks for the views,

[Radical]

TJ Dave,

Thanks for the info! First hand experience is expensive, thanks for sharing it.

Scott

[tobyw]

Do yourself a favor and replace that UCA bushing before slapping that front axle back under there. Or better yet, since it's now the only upper attachment point in the front suspension system, replace it with a Currie joint. You risk fighting caster and subsequent wobble issues with a sloppy bushing right there.

[Wrench]

If he is going radius arm, death wobble will be a distant memory, even if the bushing is worn and his tires are out of balance.

[Radical]

Thanks For the advise Toby, we'll check it out.

Scott

[tobyw]

If he is going radius arm, death wobble will be a distant memory, even if the bushing is worn and his tires are out of balance.

Wait, wut? Can you elaborate on this a bit? I've been around a few radius arms in my day, and I can tell you for certain that a few of them had wobble... Early Broncos, mid-70's F-150 pickup, an '08 Super Duty, and even my XJ with the long arm/radius arm setup to name a few particulars I've battled. Heck, I even had wobble on my leaf spring flatty one time when I was experimenting with a shackle-reversal setup. Wobble is all about caster and tight suspension/steering joints in my experience.

[Lurch]

Adding hydraulic assist cured all my death wobble problems. Most of mine were related to tires. Hard to balance DIY bead locks.

[Wrench]

If he is going radius arm, death wobble will be a distant memory, even if the bushing is worn and his tires are out of balance.

Wait, wut? Can you elaborate on this a bit? I've been around a few radius arms in my day, and I can tell you for certain that a few of them had wobble... Early Broncos, mid-70's F-150 pickup, an '08 Super Duty, and even my XJ with the long arm/radius arm setup to name a few particulars I've battled. Heck, I even had wobble on my leaf spring flatty one time when I was experimenting with a shackle-reversal setup. Wobble is all about caster and tight suspension/steering joints in my experience.

Not sure why, but every ounce of oscillation I ever had with mine was completely eliminated when I built my radius arm setup. I dont even run a steering damper anymore. I also have my caster set pretty steep, for better front grip/lighter steering wheel input in the turns and to account for the larger tires.

I really didnt mean to derail this thread, sorry!

[White trash]

Wrench your death wobble didn't go away because the radius arm setup didn't allow it. It went away because there was a problem with the old suspension it replaced.

[Radical]

Radical Blue build is gaining momentum.
We are processing many small details, these take time. Bryan Really enjoys doing the small thing which are adding up to a amazing finished project.

Front housing Dana 44 upgrades including gusset ing, trus, 488 Youkon gears, arb's, drilled rotors, new hubs, Poison Spider diff cover, covered with awesome coats of semi black paint. I like things simple, however, Lance is the detail paint lead and when I was gone to tollgate he PIMPED my new rotors, break shoes, mad lift springs. It really does look cool. Thanks guys

Back housing is coming along good too. Waiting for the RC long arms and truss mount to weld on. The Brown Santa was supposed to show today (ups)
To no avail.

Some other details were the running of extra arb air compressor hose so we can air up tires if we like, however I did not chose to upgrade my on board air as I spent a crap load of cash already plus recently purchased a sweet portable Vivair 450.

[OldGreen]

What type and size of tires are going on this?