Rubicon trail on 31s with rear locker

[DaveF]

How come on the Jeep Jamboree USA site they say the following for the Rubicon trip?

“Any Jeep Wrangler JK Model with a stock factory rear axle is REQUIRED to install an upgraded rear differential cover and/or a rear guide plate. The following links show examples of the required equipment.”

Is the JK diff cover weaker than a TJ?

Having just done the JJUSA Rubicon trip in August, I can give you the answer they told others... because apparently the diff cover on the JK+ models has some sort of lip that can catch on the rocks and cause it to split open etc... I'm no authority but that's what I was told.

Also starting this year they require 35" or larger tires... I asked about that (it was 33 last year) and they said it was because they have too many Jeeps to get through the trail in a day, that they can't afford to spend too much time stacking rocks or winching.

I've only done it once, on 35's... and I would think it can be done on 31's, but may be a lot of work.

 

[Daryl]

I wouldn’t recommend it. You’ll be holding everyone up, you’ll beat the crap out of everything underneath, taking all the bypasses. I’m speaking from experience, I’ve done the Rubicon on 31’s.

 

[bobthetj03]

Prepare to do a lot of this,

And the weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for anything. This was us last September hitting the trail.

 

[Rubicon88]

Since you drive a Rubicon with D44s; of course you wouldn't think otherwise.
I have wheeled for many years with friends along with groups where a Jeep has a Dana 35 and a locker installed with tires 31"+; IF you don't get overzealous with the skinny pedal you may be alright, but most people want to power thru when they get stuck instead of finessing thru. When too much skinny pedal is applied or slow crawling in 4 LO up a boulder where increased torque is applied; the chances you will break an axle are increased. I have witnessed several catastrophic axle breaks where the entire locker needed to be removed and the axle splines pounded out. Not a pretty sight.
My recommendation was not a "what if"....; I am just being realistic and don't want to see him being dragged the remainder of the trail which is why I recommended carrying to spare axles.

I've owned exactly what the OP is driving. A few. I've had many AMC 20's behind 400 horse power with two piece axles that survived. Don't assume I'm suggesting he go for it because what I currently have.
I fix this shit every day.

I think it's funny you guys talking about his axles when the weakest link in his entire drive train is the AX-5.

The OP already addressed that he doesn't do the banzai on the trail.

The OP asked one question...can his Jeep make it as is. Yes or no.

You can "what if" and "maybe" a new Jeep with 37's.

The fact still remains he asked one question. Can his Jeep make it as is? Yes or no.

 

[CharlesHS]

I've owned exactly what the OP is driving. A few. I've had many AMC 20's behind 400 horse power with two piece axles that survived. Don't assume I'm suggesting he go for it because what I currently have.
I fix this shit every day.

I think it's funny you guys talking about his axles when the weakest link in his entire drive train is the AX-5.

The OP already addressed that he doesn't do the banzai on the trail.

The OP asked one question...can his Jeep make it as is. Yes or no.

You can "what if" and "maybe" a new Jeep with 37's.

The fact still remains he asked one question. Can his Jeep make it as is? Yes or no.

Then you are volunteering to bring him a spare axle when the axle breaks with no spare available and then explain to the members in the group why he is holding up the trail due to not being prepared.

 

[Rubicon88]

Then you are volunteering to bring him a spare axle when the axle breaks with no spare available and then explain to the members in the group why he is holding up the trail due to not being prepared.

Again...

He or she asked a question you've yet to answer.

The actual question was can he make it with being locked in the rear with 31's,
but an open front diff driving a 4 cylinder with 4:10 gears.
Yes or no.
The OP didn't asked for a preaching or scolding. Matter of fact the OP addressed pretty clearly some body damage is ok, if it breaks they'll fix it. They also stated having just done the Moab in it. While that is a different animal it still has claimed plenty of broken components.
He also stated he drives smartly as in a sense of feel. In other words not acting like a kamikaze driver.

I dont personally know them. You don't either. I'll take his or her word on what they've stated. That's all we got.

So can the OP Jeep make it as is? Yes or no?

Thats it

BTW...i don't know about the elitest group you run with but the ones I go with over the years think it's cool when someone comes along with a much less capable machine having a go of it.

Perhaps if I run into you someday you can introduce me to these ignorant 4 wheelers who need an explaining to because someone is trying something with a little less capable rig than them.

 

[Sancho]

... I go with over the years think it's cool when someone comes along with a much less capable machine having a go of it.

Yep.

Was farting around some cliff side mining roads this weekend.. filled with jagged rocks.


It was nice to see stock jeeps and non-jeeps try to play. They didnt venture into the more intimidating trails.. but kudos to them for being out there.

 

[Plumber1]

I am sure he will be fine

 

[Plumber1]

Ok what the hell happened and why do my pictures show up like this ^^

 

[Daryl]

Ok what the hell happened and why do my pictures show up like this ^^

It’s part of the “upgrade”. Click in the thumbnail after you upload the picture and you have a choice of thumbnail or full screen.

 

[DrDmoney]

You can run the trail on 31’s and an open front, you can run the trail in shorts and flip flops too (Might rain/snow this weekend) Campfires are not allowed. The weather for Thursday looks great, not so much for Friday and Saturday. Highway 50 is closed so there’s a fairly long detour around to get to your tow rig, if you tow to the trail when you come back take highway 89 to 88 Westbound to E16 (Mormon Emigrant Trail) To Pollock Pines and back to the trail. You’re more likely to smash your oil pan on a rock than break an axle, although it’s a close second. Recovery gear is a must if you are by yourself, go prepared...Just the facts 100% opinion free.

 

[TheBlackPearl]

Update! Installed some Rubicon Express adjustable lower control arms for a little extra flex. Also, added a 12,000 lb winch. I purchased the HF Apex Badland winch. We will see...
Now the bad news. I measured the height of my 31” tires at street pressure (33 psi) and they are only 29.5” tall!!! Aired down to 15 psi, they are probably 29”. This makes me more nervous about tackling the Rubi.

 

[jjvw]

...
Now the bad news. I measured the height of my 31” tires at street pressure (33 psi) and they are only 29.5” tall!!! Aired down to 15 psi, they are probably 29”. This makes me more nervous about tackling the Rubi.

That is typical.
This is a brand new 35" (actually 34.8") at 25psi street pressure.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Update! Installed some Rubicon Express adjustable lower control arms for a little extra flex. Also, added a 12,000 lb winch. I purchased the HF Apex Badland winch. We will see...
Now the bad news. I measured the height of my 31” tires at street pressure (33 psi) and they are only 29.5” tall!!! Aired down to 15 psi, they are probably 29”. This makes me more nervous about tackling the Rubi.

While you were down at your tires measuring them did you also take that picture of your Dana 35's hub flange that you can see through the center wheel hub opening? If so, please post it. With knowing if it's stock or upgraded you will know whether you can relax a little more or be nervous while on the trail. Or are you willing to bet that the two who have never been on the Rubicon Trail who kept telling you your locked Dana 35 will be ok are correct?

I'd be more concerned about an axle shaft breaking than installing a winch or different control arms. The bottom photo in post #48 above shows what you have to do to keep the wheel from falling off with a broken Dana 35 axle shaft.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I am not at all disputing what Jerry or the other veterans are saying. I am doing my research to prepare for a trip cross country, and through Utah, Colorado, ending at Rubicon with my JT in 2022. I came across this video, thought it was appropriate for this topic...

The CJ has a 30 front, and a flanged 44 rear...

 

[Plumber1]

That is typical.
This is a brand new 35" (actually 34.8") at 25psi street pressure.
View attachment 194626

Are you sure it looks more like 33.8" not 34.8"

 

[1J4FY]

Have fun OP and be sure to post a writeup with pics!

Here is a TJ going through the Old Sluice and Little Sluice on 31's BFG ATs and ARBs in the Dana 30 and Dana 35. It has a 2" lift, 1" body lift, and belly-up t-case skid. These were probably around 2002 when the Little Sluice was more challenging than it is now.

Since these pictures were taken, the Jeep has been on the Rubicon maybe 15+ more times and the Dusy-Ershim twice. Yukon 1541H shafts were swapped in this summer prior to hitting up the Rubicon and there was not even a hint of spline twist in the stock shafts. Front and rear spares are carried but have never been needed.

I guess this was just a lot of luck. I'd rather have the Dana 44, of course, but I wouldn't let the Dana 35 keep you from wheeling it.

FWIW, most of the breaks I've seen out there were on well-built rigs with heavy-footed drivers. Honestly, I'm pretty sure I've seen as many grenaded driveshafts than axle shafts.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I am not at all disputing what Jerry or the other veterans are saying. I am doing my research to prepare for a trip cross country, and through Utah, Colorado, ending at Rubicon with my JT in 2022. I came across this video, thought it was appropriate for this topic...

The CJ has a 30 front, and a flanged 44 rear...

Fun video!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

... I guess this was just a lot of luck. I'd rather have the Dana 44, of course, but I wouldn't let the Dana 35 keep you from wheeling it.

The difference here is his Dana 35 has a locker in it which can exactly double the load placed on either of its axle shafts.

 

[1J4FY]

... I guess this was just a lot of luck. I'd rather have the Dana 44, of course, but I wouldn't let the Dana 35 keep you from wheeling it.

The difference here is his Dana 35 has a locker in it which can exam double the load placed on either of its axle shafts.

The TJ I posted has ARBs front and rear as listed in my post ... and they are old style 3-piece case design. [edit] Formatting issue here. My post is the first quote above.