14 Rubi... Money pit!

[Wrongway]

Gonna try and cover most of the things that are already done. No joke when they say "Jeep = Just Empty Every Pocket"..

Conception - Purchased from local dealer. Year end sale, got a really good deal on it. (better than u think). 2014 Rubi 6 speed, 4.10's. Basic model.



Will follow up with additions as they went in order..

[Wrongway]

First to go on was the lift kit.

After researching as many as possible. ie: Metalcloak, Teraflex, Rusty's Offroad, Rubicon Express, Pro-Comp, Rancho etc.. I decided on a lift kit from AEV-conversions.com

I wanted street drive ability with the best possible off road abilities as a second duty. With that in mind, I chose the JK DualSport RS Suspension 3.5"/4.5". 2 Door provides 3.5 of lift as I wanted to run 37" tires.

About a week later.. I welcome the brown truck... Purchased from Quadratec due to free shipping.

[Wrongway]

Average wrenching skills.. I took on the lift kit myself. Total time of installation was about 8 hours. (helps to have a lift) I would imagine much longer if using jack stands.

I was impressed with the kit as all the parts fit well and there were no issues. Later on I found that the remote reservoirs on the rear shocks had loose fittings which caused a little bleeding of oil. Not enough to effect the shocks, but noticing it early helped.

Stock



Lifted



Stock height:


Lift height:

[OldGreen]

That AEV kit is very, very nice.

[Wrongway]

That AEV kit is very, very nice.

I'm very happy with it. Seemed a bit strange that most message board members advised it was the most expensive kit out but I found it to be cheaper than any competitors comparable kits. Metalcloak being the most expensive.

[OldGreen]

The thing about the AEV stuff is that it is actually designed by engineers. If I could afford to build a JK, I would just beat the crap out of it with the AEV parts list.

[Wrongway]

Next were the fenders. The stock plastics were driving me nuts!

I did find the Metalcloak fenders to be decent looking but too expensive, I also looked at the bushwackers, but just not feeling the style.

I ended up going with some Poison Spyder crusher aluminum flairs. Was only slightly more money than the steel version but much lighter.

Old removed.


New Crushers.. Oh and what a PITA they are to install!


At this point all the fenders and lift were done. I know... The bumpers and *white* inner fender wells are hideous..

[Livin4Today]

Great start keep us fed... We love watching other guys spend and wrench...

Lookin' good so far, but I'll bet there's more to tell...

[Wrongway]

All around what I thought would be best were 37X12.50 Goodyear MT/R with the Kevlar sidewall. It was a toss up between IRoks, but I figured the GY would be better on pavement.



Wheels... Big mistake by listening to a certain person at Les Schwab. I'm sure there are some knowledgable people there, but not this guy.

I purchased some black wheels made by "Fuel" and measured 17X9 5X5 bolt pattern with a 5" backspacing. (stock being 6") When asking the "expert" at les schwab, I'm running 37x12.50 tires.. Will they rub with these wheels anytime lock to lock? *expert* "nope, just put a set on a 2 door rubi just like yours with 38's and there was no rubbing". Don't take his word for it. Do some research.

Needless to say, I had to purchase some 1.5" spacers to stop all the rubbing. Decent looking wheel, but I wasn't happy with the transaction and customer service.


Notice the fender wells... (black now)... info later on that.

[Wrongway]

Inner fender wells.. Grill..

Yeah, so the white was just too much and not right for the theme.

I did some research and found this... https://www.dipyourcar.com/home.php

I'm surprised as to how durable it is. It takes a beating! Gravel roads at 60.. not a mark inside the wheel wells.

Anywho.. until it proves me wrong, (winter maybe?) I will use it. The white was just too much!



Oh and got the windows tinted. Won a tint job at a raffle. Free stuff is good!

[Wrongway]

After getting all the tires, I then needed to figure out the spare mount. Stock would end up ripping off the back tailgate so something had to be done.

Teraflex to the rescue.. With optional Hi-Lift/CB Antenna mount. No rattles or shaking. Decent mount.

[Wrongway]

Great start keep us fed... We love watching other guys spend and wrench...

Lookin' good so far, but I'll bet there's more to tell...

Yeah, it's kinda turned into a small obsession. It has taken almost a year to get to where it is now with no end in sight.

[Jafo]

Looks good bill, for a JK..... I kid I kid

[Wrongway]

Looks good bill, for a JK..... I kid I kid

[Wrench]

Yeah, it's kinda turned into a small obsession. It has taken almost a year to get to where it is now with no end in sight.

Well, you're on your own; you're the only one here who resembles that remark.

[Livin4Today]

All around what I thought would be best were 37X12.50 Goodyear MT/R with the Kevlar sidewall. It was a toss up between IRoks, but I figured the GY would be better on pavement.



Wheels... Big mistake by listening to a certain person at Les Schwab. I'm sure there are some knowledgable people there, but not this guy.

I purchased some black wheels made by "Fuel" and measured 17X9 5X5 bolt pattern with a 5" backspacing. (stock being 6") When asking the "expert" at les schwab, I'm running 37x12.50 tires.. Will they rub with these wheels anytime lock to lock? *expert* "nope, just put a set on a 2 door rubi just like yours with 38's and there was no rubbing". Don't take his word for it. Do some research.

Needless to say, I had to purchase some 1.5" spacers to stop all the rubbing. Decent looking wheel, but I wasn't happy with the transaction and customer service.


Notice the fender wells... (black now)... info later on that.

Great tire choice, so-so wheel choice, specifically back spacing. I found through research that 4.5" was the top choice, and believe mine to be about 4" the higher the number the more tire inside the well. Your tight spots will most likely be rear sway and rear inside lip of the well itself, not to mention the bumper. You might go back and make them get you awheel with less back spacing, but you'll most likely change out the back bumper. And make sure your bumpstops are long enough to keep you out of the upper wells...

Are your arms adjustable? That will help with rubbing front to rear because you can center your axles in the well.

Let's go put it through the paces...

[Jafo]

Lance, bill isn't really a jeep noob.... Geeesh.

[Livin4Today]

Lance, bill isn't really a jeep noob.... Geeesh.

Okay, but the older members continually point out how alien these JKs are... Besides it makes me feel special to share...

But you're right I shouldn't re-educate a non jeep noob, too fast. Since most of the JK stuff is contrary to old school stuff... LOL

[OldGreen]

Alien? They are just a giant TJ with a mini van motor.

They have done wonders for the aftermarket.

[Yrjan]

Watching this build...

[White trash]

Alien? They are just a giant TJ with a mini van motor.

They have done wonders for the aftermarket.

Fact. Ain't a dang thing revolutionary about them, other than the ring & pinion that makes a real dana 44 just a little bit better.

[Livin4Today]

Fact. Ain't a dang thing revolutionary about them, other than the ring & pinion that makes a real dana 44 just a little bit better.

So You're sayin' our (JK) 44 are "REAL-ER" than the others? I like it!

[79chevy39.5's]

JK dana 44 ring and pinion are 33 percent stronger than traditional.... large ring and pinion



Digging 2 door JK rubi

[Wrongway]

All around what I thought would be best were 37X12.50 Goodyear MT/R with the Kevlar sidewall. It was a toss up between IRoks, but I figured the GY would be better on pavement.



Wheels... Big mistake by listening to a certain person at Les Schwab. I'm sure there are some knowledgable people there, but not this guy.

I purchased some black wheels made by "Fuel" and measured 17X9 5X5 bolt pattern with a 5" backspacing. (stock being 6") When asking the "expert" at les schwab, I'm running 37x12.50 tires.. Will they rub with these wheels anytime lock to lock? *expert* "nope, just put a set on a 2 door rubi just like yours with 38's and there was no rubbing". Don't take his word for it. Do some research.

Needless to say, I had to purchase some 1.5" spacers to stop all the rubbing. Decent looking wheel, but I wasn't happy with the transaction and customer service.


Notice the fender wells... (black now)... info later on that.

Great tire choice, so-so wheel choice, specifically back spacing. I found through research that 4.5" was the top choice, and believe mine to be about 4" the higher the number the more tire inside the well. Your tight spots will most likely be rear sway and rear inside lip of the well itself, not to mention the bumper. You might go back and make them get you awheel with less back spacing, but you'll most likely change out the back bumper. And make sure your bumpstops are long enough to keep you out of the upper wells...

Are your arms adjustable? That will help with rubbing front to rear because you can center your axles in the well.

Let's go put it through the paces...

All good info. I do not have adjustable arms but the AEV kit came with geometry correcting brackets that position the front axle back to center. Now the rear axle is another story. I might find myself getting adjustable arms some day to make some adjustments in the future. Currently it's working out pretty good.

As for the bumpers... next post!

[Wrongway]

Quick view of the geometry correction brackets. This was my one concern as to possible "hang ups" but after reading posts about other peoples concerns, it seems it's a non issue. Maybe having to back up over something, I could possibly see getting caught up.