19. With the long-arm kit,...
19. With the long-arm kit, you will need to change your driveshafts. Rubicon Express offers new quality driveshafts that utilize a stainless steel transfer-case adapter and new yoke.
20. Because our wheels were...
20. Because our wheels were backordered, Rubicon let us borrow a set of 37x12.50 Goodyear MT/R tires, mounted on a set of 17-inch Prop Comp Series 1089 wheels for our initial testing.
21. Eventually we mounted...
21. Eventually we mounted some 35x12.50 Toyo Open Country M/Ts to our stock wheels, which required the use of some Spidertrax wheel spacers in order to clear the RE long arms. The billet Spidertrax spacers run smooth and true and are an excellent and affordable option for those who want to keep their stock wheels.
22. Because of the sophisticated...
22. Because of the sophisticated sensors on the JK, Chrysler's StarSCAN tool should be used for alignment. We recommend a quality, aftermarket-friendly dealership, like Don-A-Vee Jeep, in Placentia, California, to align your Jeep.
Here is Project 'Con Artist...
Here is Project 'Con Artist in its stock form, ready for surgery.
Below is 'Con Artist after...
Below is 'Con Artist after the install, sporting 37-inch rubber in this photo. We also took the opportunity to ramp our JK in stock form on our 20-degree RTI ramp, scoring an impressive 706. After the new suspension system install, our JK improved by about 10 percent to 776.
So far we have wheeled from Moab to the Mojave over just about every terrain imaginable, including rocks, snow, mud, and sand. In every situation, our Rubicon Express Long Arm suspension has inspired confidence in good lines and in bad. Having the strength of chromoly arms is a huge benefit, especially since the arms can be used as skids to help ramp the rear wheels up to a shelf. Another area the RE system excels is in fast washes and over small whoops. Just because it has solid axles does not mean it can't be enjoyed in fast terrain.
In every day driving we have had no issues with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) or the Brake Assist System (BAS) activating and we have been pleasantly surprised that the Rubicon Express system has enough flexibility and stability to get us over the gnarliest rock gardens, yet is compliant enough to take a Four Wheeler editor on a 50-mile commute through LA's concrete jungle. Perhaps this is the reason Mopar has decided to private label the Rubicon Express lift and offer it through your neighborhood Jeep dealer. It is that good.
Whether it is bombing down a wash or crawling around in 4-Lo, we haven't once been disappointed by our decision to go with Rubicon. In the near future we'll be trying out a new wheel-and-tire package on the 'Con Artist and we'll let you know how it goes.