About 3 weeks ago I bought a 2005 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon...https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/did-i-just-buy-a-jeep-unicorn.23482/page-4#post-383574
Took it out on our first trail run together yesterday (Sat 7/6)...https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/washington-puget-sound-area-trail-run-sat-july-6th.23777/#post-390435
While getting ready for the trails, and while running them, I learned a few things about the Jeep.
1) It has a 4" Skyjacker lift installed, not the 2.5" that the PO said (he wasn't really into the details generally). I thought it looks a bit taller than that and the 33" tires fit well. The front coils are 16" as installed.
2) It also has what appear to be Skyjacker quick release swaybar links. They have pins at both ends. Need to do some research into how these work as they appear different from the ones I have seen when you disconnect only the bottom and pin them to the frame.
3) The installed ARB air pump works, it is just only a locker activator and not suitable for airing up tires. The PO told me it didn't work, but it does seem to work as designed, just not as he wanted.
4) The Jeep works very well. Didn't need my lockers until about halfway through the day when going up a rutted, deep V-shaped crevice. Turned both on and made short work of the obstacle. The lockers almost seem like cheating.
5) The Rubicon low-range T-case is very low. The only time 1st gear and Low were useful was over the rock barrier to Route 55. Then it helped to go very slow. Otherwise I mostly used 2nd gear in the transmission and even 3rd when wanting a bit more speed in even, flat areas.
6) Airing down on the trails. Yes, I knew about airing down but have always been cautious about going too low. The PO had the tires at about 36 psi. I went down to about 26 before leaving staging, but that was still way too high and made the ride and bumps very harsh. After going down to under 20, things were much smoother. I need to get some airdown tools.
7) Too much pressure on the road. I think the PO's air pressure was too high even for the road. Since buying it I have felt the ride was rather rough, especially for an LJ. After the run Saturday, I aired back up to about 30. Putting all 4 tires up to 30 pretty much killed the battery (my largest capacity) in my Ryobi air compressor, so that is good to know for next time. I had brought a spare, but that wouldn't have gone too much further. Anyway...the Jeep rides MUCH better on 30 psi! Way more comfortable and doesn't bounce so hard on rough road and joints. Is 30 psi too low for an LJ with 33x10.50 LT load range C tires? I may go a bit higher to 32 to see how that drives.
8) I broke the grab-bar handle climbing into the Jeep. I was parked over a "hole" so needed a lot of "up" to get "in". Damn webbing broke. Not sure if it was compromised or just weak. I had bought 2 news one already and was going to move this one to the back area. Oh, well.
9) After riding trails for a few hours, I felt much more comfortable/confident driving the Jeep afterward.
10) I need to decide how to handle removal and storage of my hard top so I can run the soft top and/or no top. Would have been a great day for top down and half doors.
11) My daughter (12) doesn't like the Jeep. She finally came out to look at it on Friday while I was getting ready. I had to lift her up. Then I picked her up from my mom's after the trail run and she got to/had to ride in the back. Again I had to completely lift her up. She said the back seat was the most uncomfortable EVER. Hated how it bounced. And said I broke her spine going over a speed bump while getting her a treat at Sonic.
That is all...for now.
Rob
Took it out on our first trail run together yesterday (Sat 7/6)...https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/washington-puget-sound-area-trail-run-sat-july-6th.23777/#post-390435
While getting ready for the trails, and while running them, I learned a few things about the Jeep.
1) It has a 4" Skyjacker lift installed, not the 2.5" that the PO said (he wasn't really into the details generally). I thought it looks a bit taller than that and the 33" tires fit well. The front coils are 16" as installed.
2) It also has what appear to be Skyjacker quick release swaybar links. They have pins at both ends. Need to do some research into how these work as they appear different from the ones I have seen when you disconnect only the bottom and pin them to the frame.
3) The installed ARB air pump works, it is just only a locker activator and not suitable for airing up tires. The PO told me it didn't work, but it does seem to work as designed, just not as he wanted.
4) The Jeep works very well. Didn't need my lockers until about halfway through the day when going up a rutted, deep V-shaped crevice. Turned both on and made short work of the obstacle. The lockers almost seem like cheating.
5) The Rubicon low-range T-case is very low. The only time 1st gear and Low were useful was over the rock barrier to Route 55. Then it helped to go very slow. Otherwise I mostly used 2nd gear in the transmission and even 3rd when wanting a bit more speed in even, flat areas.
6) Airing down on the trails. Yes, I knew about airing down but have always been cautious about going too low. The PO had the tires at about 36 psi. I went down to about 26 before leaving staging, but that was still way too high and made the ride and bumps very harsh. After going down to under 20, things were much smoother. I need to get some airdown tools.
7) Too much pressure on the road. I think the PO's air pressure was too high even for the road. Since buying it I have felt the ride was rather rough, especially for an LJ. After the run Saturday, I aired back up to about 30. Putting all 4 tires up to 30 pretty much killed the battery (my largest capacity) in my Ryobi air compressor, so that is good to know for next time. I had brought a spare, but that wouldn't have gone too much further. Anyway...the Jeep rides MUCH better on 30 psi! Way more comfortable and doesn't bounce so hard on rough road and joints. Is 30 psi too low for an LJ with 33x10.50 LT load range C tires? I may go a bit higher to 32 to see how that drives.
8) I broke the grab-bar handle climbing into the Jeep. I was parked over a "hole" so needed a lot of "up" to get "in". Damn webbing broke. Not sure if it was compromised or just weak. I had bought 2 news one already and was going to move this one to the back area. Oh, well.
9) After riding trails for a few hours, I felt much more comfortable/confident driving the Jeep afterward.
10) I need to decide how to handle removal and storage of my hard top so I can run the soft top and/or no top. Would have been a great day for top down and half doors.
11) My daughter (12) doesn't like the Jeep. She finally came out to look at it on Friday while I was getting ready. I had to lift her up. Then I picked her up from my mom's after the trail run and she got to/had to ride in the back. Again I had to completely lift her up. She said the back seat was the most uncomfortable EVER. Hated how it bounced. And said I broke her spine going over a speed bump while getting her a treat at Sonic.
That is all...for now.
Rob
