Rubicon Express Longarm Install on '03 Rubicon

Well even though RE does not have the longarm kits available for the Rubicon yet, we were not going to let that stop us. As the saying goes "if you can put a Viper motor ina Wrangler" you can do anything. Even if that was true, the modifications needed to do this install are not that difficult as long as you can cut and weld steel. Here is the new Rubicon we started with.

The skid plate configuration has changed for 2003 so modifying the RE skidplate will need to be done if you do not want to wait for the new kit to come out. I have provided quite a few photos of the mods we did to the skidplate. Clearance needs to be made for the 241 case and changing the location of the tranny mount. Also the stock skidplate mounting holes are further back on the framerail for 03 so we welded and bolted the RE control arm bracket onto the frame in the correct position. After that the Re kit installs like normal.

The slip yoke eliminator does not need to be done on the Rubicon but a rear CV shaft is needed. To do this we removed the harmonic balancer, installed a yoke from a Heavy duty SYE kit and simply bolted on the driveshaft. Easiest SYE install to date.

This Jeep got 4.5 " coils, AR767 on 15x8's, BOR front and rear bumpers and rock rails and 35" BFG Mud Terrains.

The lockers work nice and road handling actually improved with the addition of this lift. A very capable offroad vehicle indeed.

--Dan