Pirates Off Road

[jsodam]

Just got word that I have bad belts in 3 of my tires...

But the good news is that I was waiting until I needed new tires to put on a lift.

Does anyone know a good shop to do the install? I'm thinking about the RE 5.5" long arm w/ tri-link, and I'm thinking its a little too in-depth for my shallow technical knowledge. I found Pirates Off Road in Radcliff, anyone familiar with them?

And is there anywhere decent to wheel around here?

[armymedic]

I recommend Moab off road in Louisville or McCormick motor sports also in Louisville.

http://www.moab-offroad.net/ Phone: 502.962.8141 Ask for Max

http://www.mccormickmotorsports.com/ (502) 584-1981 Ask for Matt

Some will come back and tell you they are expensive but with the lift your looking at I can tell your wanting top notch equipment and with that you should want top notch service. At least call them and give them a chance just tell them Armymedic from K&I sent you. Disclaimer I get nothing for the referral. As far as wheeling goes I have access to some private land within 40 min of here and my club goes somewhere once a month. This weekend we will be in slade KY from Fri - Sunday. I have tried to set up several runs with the fort knox group but never get more than 1 or 2 rigs wanting to wheel.

[jsodam]

Thanks for the pointers.

I figure I may as well go big now so I don't want to redo it later. I think that lift and some 35s will well outstrip my wheeling ability for some time. I've only been getting my stock Rubicon stuck for a year now, minus the year in Iraq. If I outgrow it I'll just build a buggy.

Tad expensive though....

I've been spoiled living at Riley with a state ORV park 30 min from post. Everything around here is a few hours out. Adds up when you get 12mpg without the lift. I can't even find any dirt roads so I can get dirty and act like I've been wheeling.

[armymedic]

I'd recommend going with a small lift and some 33's to 35's I go most everywhere the big rigs go with open open and 33's It will make you a lot better driver if you start this way. Big lift's get you in trouble on the KY trails before you know it you will be replacing tops, door channels and windshields from leaning into the trees on the tight trails. you could do i RC 2.5 and a 1.25 body lift and clear the 35 easy then do a tummy tuck you would be set. The money you would save on the lift would pay half the tire bill. And we could do the lift in the driveway. I have done 3 RC 2.5 inch lift did mine in 4 hours by my self.

[HillBillE]

I'd recommend going with a small lift and some 33's to 35's I go most everywhere the big rigs go with open open and 33's It will make you a lot better driver if you start this way. Big lift's get you in trouble on the KY trails..........

I agree w/armymedic. I run 33" tires and 4" lift (3" spring/1"body-but you need that to clear 33's on a CJ:D)

I'm now locked front and rear, but was open/open on 31's.

On 33's and small lift you can run the bigger trails/obstacles. And it improves your driving skills:D

I can see your point about 'Doing it right' and 'not wanting to redo it', but you can be happy and wheel a lot of places for a long time on 3" lift and 33-35" tires.

[rocket83]

Pirates is your best bet. Moab is where your paying for the top guy in the area. Pirates offroad has been the growing rapidly over the last 3 or 4 months and is only getting bigger. And then again theres always doing it yourself. Fellow jeepers are more then willing to help on a free saturday at the shop on base and as long as one of the people working on it has the safety card, your good.

Also with your lift you pretty much only need about a 4.5'' long arm. 33's depending on your rear but definitly if its a d35. You can go with 35's if your careful. But just like armymedic said, you can go where all the big boys go with 33's. Went to 35's myself and a 9'' and Im thinking now it wasnt such a good idea. Mainly cuz its just alot harder on everything. Also 33's are a little easier on a stock, slightly worn(assuming) clutch if you have one. Though that is the same for an auto, though I suggest you regear to 4.56's(manual) or 4.88's(auto) in the future. Pirates will do the complete install minus your parts, for $180. And yes it is good work for such a cheap price. He backs all his work and so far I havent heard any complaints about the gear installs Ive sent to him, let alone mine have been running fine since he installed in march.

[armymedic]

A Tri-link install for 180 you sure about that? Also he said he was in a Rubicon so D44 not D35.

[rocket83]

A Tri-link install for 180 you sure about that? Also he said he was in a Rubicon so D44 not D35.
no i said a full gear install minus parts. Tri link I dont see being more the $250 to $300 but dont quote me.

[jsodam]

I wouldn't mind running a shorter lift. My wife wouldn't either considering she is 5'2" and has voiced concerns about being able to get in the Jeep. I was under the impression you needed something more than 4" to run 35s. Of course most of that advice comes from people who sell lift kits.

I also wouldn't mind sticking to 33s for a while if I can still fit 35s down the line. It'd give me a chance to beef up the clutch and axle shafts and whatever else tends to break when you throw on 35s.

Trees will give me an excuse to get some tube fenders...

For reference its a 05 Rubicon- D44s and locked at both ends, 6-spd manual, 4:1 t-case, stock except for some seat covers.

Whats the damage on gas mileage? I live 40min from post and I'm burning an average of a quarter tank a day round trip. I'm just wondering if its going to go much lower than that.

[armymedic]

With 35's you will see another significant drop 33's will give you a small drop. With 35's you will hardly ever use 6th gear. If you have never wheeled with a large group you should come out with me sometime and check out the rigs. We have everything from stock with 31 all terrains to fully built rigs running 42 inch tires and built ls1's. We have at least 1 sock jeep going this weekend running street tires, we never leave anyone behind and we have enough winch's to get you threw or around all obstacles. Like i said before we are going to Slade Ky this weekend.