2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Suspension

2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Passenger Side View

We were in the early planning stages of Project 'Con Artist, when we contacted the crew over at Rubicon Express to see if they would be interested in putting a long-arm system on our JK. After all, we have always been impressed with the quality and performance of Rubicon's system on the TJ and they were the original innovator of Jeep long-arm suspension systems back in 1998. Two years before that, in 1996, Rubicon Express was formed and has built up a solid reputation of being one of the premier players in Jeep suspensions.

When Rubicon's JK Long Arm system was released, it quickly became one of the most controversial suspension systems on the market, utilizing a radius-arm design on the front (similar to the TJ) and on the rear, something that has been done on great factory four-wheel-drive vehicles such as the Range Rover, but never tried in the aftermarket. We heard all types of comments, from editors to armchair enthusiasts telling us why radius arms would never work off road, but none of them having real radius-arm experience to back up their claims. We decided to forge ahead and test the myths about radius arms.

We wanted a long-arm suspension for the advantage they hold over short arms, such as a shallower control-arm angle over the range of suspension travel, as well as the angle being closer to stock at an increased ride height, resulting in reduced squat. Radius arms have the added benefit of keeping the wheels from moving toward the center of the vehicle during droop and being self-canceling for torque, nearly eliminating troublesome axle hop on loose surfaces. They also result in more stable handling, because as the body rolls, the wheelbase increases on the outside of the turn and eliminates the front-end lift under hard acceleration.

Another plus is that Rubicon Express goes the extra distance in quality of materials, using chromoly for the arms, which is formed in a 100-ton press, not shaped in a bender, preserving material strength. They also specify rigorous criteria for quality of components, such as the consistency of the rubber in the bushings.

A competent shop should be able to complete the install over the course of a full day. Follow along as we point out some of the highlights of this suspension system and installation done at Rubicon Express' facility in Rancho Cordova, California.

1. The first step of our JK transformation was ripping off all the unneeded stock suspension components, prepping our Unlimited for a serious upgrade.
1. The first step of our JK transformation was ripping off all the unneeded stock suspensi
2. The muffler and fuel tank also had to be temporarily removed to aide in installation of the suspension.
2. The muffler and fuel tank also had to be temporarily removed to aide in installation of
3. This pile represents how inclusive this system is. These are the stock parts you won't need any longer.
3. This pile represents how inclusive this system is. These are the stock parts you won't

4. The stock transmission crossmember is removed and replaced with this new RE crossmember that will mount the front arms. The ingenious design allows the centersection to be removed separately to aid in servicing the transmission.
4. The stock transmission crossmember is removed and replaced with this new RE crossmember
5. To make the install look as clean as possible, we cut off the stock arm mounts from the frame. This is an optional step.
5. To make the install look as clean as possible, we cut off the stock arm mounts from the
6. With the stock mount removed, we cleaned and painted the frame for a factory look.

7. The Rubicon Express arms utilize greaseable and rebuildable uniballs on the frame side for maximum articulation.
7. The Rubicon Express arms utilize greaseable and rebuildable uniballs on the frame side
8. On the axle side of the arms are rubber bushings, with a specially chosen hardness and durometer. These bushings are the reason the RE kits have such low road noise and vibration transmitted through to the occupants.
8. On the axle side of the arms are rubber bushings, with a specially chosen hardness and
9. Once the RE transmission crossmember was installed, the front arms were bolted in to place.
9. Once the RE transmission crossmember was installed, the front arms were bolted in to pl

10. Next, the front arms were attached to the front axle.
11. The track-bar drop bracket was then bolted in to place, followed by the chromoly track bar itself. The track bar is designed to clear either the stock front axle or a Dana 60.
11. The track-bar drop bracket was then bolted in to place, followed by the chromoly track
12. Rubicon offers a 3.5-inch lift spring, but we opted for the 4.5-inch coil, even though we planned on running 35s, so that we would have the room to upgrade to 37s in the future.
12. Rubicon offers a 3.5-inch lift spring, but we opted for the 4.5-inch coil, even though

13. Rubicon used our JK for suspension tuning, culminating in perfectly valved, premium monotube shocks that are included with this kit. RE also includes correct-length stainless braided brake lines.
13. Rubicon used our JK for suspension tuning, culminating in perfectly valved, premium mo
14. Here is the finished front suspension. What isn't shown here is the recent high-steering upgrade to the kit that mounts the drag link on top of the passenger-side knuckle, eliminating the need for a dropped pitman arm. Also seen here are the new sway-bar end links that allow the disconnect system to work as designed.
14. Here is the finished front suspension. What isn't shown here is the recent high-steeri
15. Moving to the rear, with the rear arm mounts bolted to the frame, the arms are lifted in to place.
15. Moving to the rear, with the rear arm mounts bolted to the frame, the arms are lifted

16. In order to preserve strength, the rear track-bar relocation bracket drops from the frame side, rather than building off of the weak factory axle mount.
16. In order to preserve strength, the rear track-bar relocation bracket drops from the fr
17. Bumpstop extension brackets are used in the rear, along with new sway-bar end links, similar to the front.
17. Bumpstop extension brackets are used in the rear, along with new sway-bar end links, s
18. We measured the stock front suspension travel at just under 8 inches and the rear suspension travel at just over 8 inches. With the Rubicon Express system in place, we cycled the front suspension at 11 inches and the rear at just over 10 inches.
18. We measured the stock front suspension travel at just under 8 inches and the rear susp

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.
19. With the long-arm kit, you will need to change your driveshafts. Rubicon Express offer
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.
20. Because our wheels were backordered, Rubicon let us borrow a set of 37x12.50 Goodyear
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.
21. Eventually we mounted some 35x12.50 Toyo Open Country M/Ts to our stock wheels, which

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.
22. Because of the sophisticated sensors on the JK, Chrysler's StarSCAN tool should be use
Here is Project 'Con Artist in its stock form, ready for surgery.
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.
Below is 'Con Artist after the install, sporting 37-inch rubber in this photo. We also too

2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Front View Rocks

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.

SOURCES
Toyo	GOODYEAR P.O. Box 3531 Akron OH 44309
Don-A-Vee Jeep www.jeep.donavee.com	Rubicon Express rubiconexpress.com
Spidertrax N/A www.spidertrax.com	Pro Comp Wheels