Kevo's 04 Rubicon

[Kevo]

I don't have any pictures right now but I will shortly. Can't add pics at work. Right now I am just basically just tearing the axles down to see what the previous owner did.
2004 Rubicon, stock axles and ratios, 4 in suspension lift (guess) and 2 in Body lift. 35" MT BAJA MTZs. Poison spyder rear wrap around armor, rock sliders, and front tube fenders.
Here is just a basic starting point picture as I got it from the lot.
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/Jeep1.jpg

[korisu56]

looks like a decent start. haha. thanks for starting a build thread

[bluedragon436]

That does look like a very nice start... I wish I could have found something like that to start with... maybe my next Jeep will start off like yours... since my next Jeep purchase as of right now will most likely be a Rubi...

[distortedtj]

Post some pictures of the coils, control arms, well everything under your jeep. We'll let you know what is under there.

[Irish_Assassin]

nice lookin rubi!

[Kevo]

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_Copyofmisc058-1.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=Copyofmisc058-1.jpg)
here is the front suspenion, any ideas?
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_Copyofmisc063.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=Copyofmisc063.jpg)

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_Copyofmisc057.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=Copyofmisc057.jpg)
any ideas here?
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_Copyofmisc065.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=Copyofmisc065.jpg)
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_Copyofmisc059.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=Copyofmisc059.jpg)
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_Copyofmisc065.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=Copyofmisc065.jpg)

there it is guys. Thanks for your help with figuring out lift kit they put on it.

[distortedtj]

^^^^^

Rough Country 4'' suspension kit.

Link to it.....
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_tj_4.html

Also you have a 1'' or 1.25'' body lift...If you take pictures of the body bushings I'll let you know what it is also.

Also a picture of your rear upper control arms and a pic of where the tcase skid bolts to the frame...hopefully the PO wasn't dumb enough to use the tcase drop.

[Kevo]

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_day2rubi011.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=day2rubi011.jpg)
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_day2rubi008.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=day2rubi008.jpg)
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_day2rubi007.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=day2rubi007.jpg)
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_day2rubi006.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=day2rubi006.jpg)
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/th_day2rubi021.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/?action=view&current=day2rubi021.jpg)
I got the front axle completely of the Jeep and getting ready to send it out when I got the funds to do so.
THANKS alot guys for your help with this build. Makes having this jeep great even with out many around here.

[distortedtj]

All stock upper control arms. Front and rear. .....with a 4'' lift the rear uppers need to be adjustable so to correctly set the pinion angle.

He did not install the tcase drop.

And 1'' Body lift ...the stock bushings are 1'' tall...add 1''....you have a 1'' bl.

[distortedtj]

That is a HORRIBLE pinion angle.

I can't post your picture but the picture you have of your rear driveshaft and the angle it is at....:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

[Kevo]

Thats what I thought when I looked it. I planned on replacing the upper control arms and get away from that stamped stock stuff. Thanks for your help. Any other recommendations to do?

[distortedtj]

Adjustable lowers or flex lowers are nice. Fixed lowers such as the RC lowers you have limit flex and axle movement.

[Kevo]

I was on RC's website and found an upgrade to long arm system.
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_tj_663U.html
What do you think up going with that over just getting adjustables?

[Kevo]

I am looking at going back to stock style tail lamps. Anyone know if you can just go to tractor supply and get them or you have to use factory replacement. I found some that look similiar to it
http://www.tractorsupply.com/trailers-towing/trailer-parts/trailer-lighting/trailer-lights/blazer-universal-hd-stop-tail-turn-lamp-with-chrome-housing-0165486

[papsolddually]

hey kevin, do you have the flush mounts in it now? i think there is a guy on the other board thats wanting flush mount. maybe you guys can make a day of it and exchange lights.

[Kevo]

Yeah I have flush mounts from Poison Spyder and would like to get factory. I don't have internet at home and can't get on that site here at work, can you do some research for me? Thanks alot!

[Kevo]

Paps- I found out I have to run the flush mount thanks to the PO cutting up the taillight area..thanks thought.

I got the axle apart and cleaned, just waiting on ring and pinion decision from Moser on if I can reuse my gears instead of buying new.

[Kevo]

Well I got the reverse lights replaced and completed the wiring the proper way. The previous owner twisted the wires together and wrapped in duct tape. Now they work properly and the bulbs are replaceable with standard lights unlike the old units they had on. I got the body armor off and cleaned all the dirt off. Looks overall good. Gong to order POR-15 and some bed liner from durabak that will closely match my jeeps color. Got a used but good ring and pinion, LCA brackets, gear oil, and misc stuff on order and should arrive this week. Then on next day off I'll run the axle over to get the LCA brackets replaced and then rebuild the axle assembly.

[Kevo]

Well I have ordered the POR-15 paint and Durabak bedliner today. I have the new hardware for the wrap around body armor. I should be getting the front axle back today after the 2nd shop sets up the ring and pinion. I had it at another shop this week getting u-joints and Rusty's LCA brackets put on. Should have the axle back today and in this weekend hopefully, then cleaning, prepping, and painting will commence the next weekend.

[korisu56]

Alright man, you're killing me. I need pics!!! haha

[Kevo]

I haven't done anything worth posting pics yet...I will as soon as I have something. Need to get the axle back so I can post those pics..sorry though.

[korisu56]

haha, no worries man. everything is worth posting pictures :)

[Kevo]

I'll get some pics of my shipments that are to arrive tomorrow from Durabak and POR-15 though..lol. Also if anyone around Fort Wayne area wants to stop by, send me a message. Could always use some help getting this thing cleaned and painted this weekend. Don't worry, Ill get plenty of pics for that process to make up for not posting any yet.

[Kevo]

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3068.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3068.jpg

Well the supplies made it in.

[Kevo]

Well I got the first 2 coats of POR-15 paint, waiting for them to try to apply the last coat. Then tomorrow its off to the bedliner stuff, and the interior. http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3075.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3069.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3073.jpg

[Kevo]

I have just got done putting on the Durabak silver bedliner and allowing to dry. When it is I will check it over and get some photos of it to show you guys. Looks pretty good. The armor and interior will be back in and the jeep will be close to done. Just need the front axle to get back from getting all its stuff fixed.

[Kevo]

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3097.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3098.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3109.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3112.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/JustHemi/day3110.jpg

[korisu56]

Did you tape off the outside or have a way of tightening up?

[Kevo]

Well I did tape it off, but when I pulled the tape, what you see is what I found. I got some brushes from work to do some touching up on all of it with some better tape if need be. Going to do that shortly. I was not that thrilled with the outcome. The inside is nice looking, and I found a key in the driver's seat when I put it back in and it works...SCORE!

[korisu56]

haha. awesome. yeah man, the inside does look great. what kind of tape did you use

[Kevo]

Well I got the front axle back on and the nice wheels and tires on. My Jeep looks complete. The neighborhood head person finally noticed the jeep without a front axle so I had to put it back on. So I did and turned it around. I will get pics of it tonight. I still have alot of little things to fix, but is pretty close. Of course the diff rebuild place magically misplaced the yoke for the front axle. So hopefully I will get that today or tomorrow, or they can order me a new one...something at least.
Tape- I went back to figure out the tape and it was some green tape in the paint section at Rural King. I am going to get tape somewhere else thats real and redo the back. The nice thing is the ugliness is on the armor anyways.

Thanks for your guys help/support

[Kevo]

I just ordered Ruff Stuff specialties D44 Diff covers that are 3/8th thick.
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/differential-covers-c-5.html

Thanks to the diff armor the PO put on the jeep, both front and rear covers have severe rust on them. The mud was packed in the armor and never cleaned out.