Just got back from the Rubicon yesterday. Fun trip! I got the Trail Tough Double Toughs about a week before the run and got everything in and tight.

Whenever I could, I would back up and jam the tires and bounce the front end... Just beat the crap out of the front, but I can say I will never worry about Berfields on this rig again! BTW, I only broke a shock in half and another fell off, so it was an awesome trip.

I ran 33 Pitbull Rockers, 6.5 T-case, and 5.12 R/P's and I must say... That is a very nice setup to have on the Rubicon. The YJ's were a little soft... If I had a Trac-bar, I wouldn't worry about anything breaking in the next couple years.

You broke a stud in the back wreaking havoc on your breaks too :P

I rode shotgun (a lot) with the Bass Man last week. The rig is setup very well for Rubocon, and was one of the most reliable rigs out there (especially for the budget).

PS: His 5.125 R&Ps in the rear are in hybrid axle housing - which took a lot of abuse / draging and lived... unlike my rig... which is a whole other thread...

And where is this thread?

Bass Man any pics?

Sounds like a sweet rig

Compared to most it's badass, but compared to our group it's just a puppy... I wish Jeremiah would post or send me some pics!

reckon they'd hold up to doing some front burns on 33's with a tt rear disconnect ok?
(would go trying them on dry rock etc, mostly loose - low-ish traction surfaces.)

hey i run 33s and i have the first generation double toughs in my rig and they hold up just fine doin front digs. ive done it on dry rock, but its hard on the r/p so i try and stay away from that, but if there is alittle dirt where the tires can spin with out totally hookin up they will be fine. i love mine ive beat the crap out of them

Compared to most it's badass, but compared to our group it's just a puppy... I wish Jeremiah would post or send me some pics!

Patience. I just picked up the rig today. I have that starter issue I need to get resolved, and an SJ410 to prep to sell (don't like selling 1/2 working stuff). Will get pics posted / mailed later next week - PM me your mailing address please :)

reckon they'd hold up to doing some front burns on 33's with a tt rear disconnect ok?
(would go trying them on dry rock etc, mostly loose - low-ish traction surfaces.)

Locker in the front or open? And what are you running in your hybrid rear axle?

Justin has air lockers F/R...

We'll see how they hold up to 35's under our Purple Sidekick ;) How's that for a curveball, Jeremiah?

Justin has air lockers F/R...

We'll see how they hold up to 35's under our Purple Sidekick ;) How's that for a curveball, Jeremiah?

How about you, were you locked in the front? Were you running arb's also?

Did you guys see the gentleman from fort bragg that broke a rear shaft in his tintop? When I pulled up he just got a new one and was putting it in on the slabs. He was planning on going all the way through but considering he broke early and waited for parts that makes for a long trip:( Not to mention the kid who broke his J arm at the beginning of the slabs we helped get out. There was a decent amount of carnage this weekend.

I ran 33 Pitbull Rockers

I run the same tires, and I must say, best tire to run IMHO. Might as well have glue for tires.

I run the doubletoughs as well, with the CTM inner shafts (overkill), and couldn't be happier.

It's almost like I had too much traction... I was going easy on a lot of stuff because it would cause so much axle wrap.

I was welded in the front.

I didn't see anyone other than a guy in a Jeep Cherokee broke down on the top of the slabs. We were climbing that straight-up wall, Wednesday.

We'll see how they hold up to 35's under our Purple Sidekick ;) How's that for a curveball, Jeremiah?

You guys are building that kick after all? I think the ultimate setup right now is a Kick with TT's coil kit (or home-brew like it). 1.6L, FI, toy axles, more room than a samurai, but still small / light... and articulates like a mofo. I'm really shocked more kicks aren't built out there, but I guess I live in the only area where they're cheaper than Samurai?

Our's was $1500 from Rick Hawkins. It had been rear-ended, so the rear quarter panels were a little tweaked and the rear door was smashed. We got a rear door and cut the fenders to clear 33's. We also added a 3" body lift and a 2" coil lift (Honda Accord rear springs add 2" to the rear of Sidekicks, and we added coil spacers for the front.)

Locker in the front or open? And what are you running in your hybrid rear axle?

like toby said
im runnin arbs front and rear.
and my hybrid rear axle uses 4340 chromo ford 1/2 ton shortened and resplined shafts, with a custom sidekick/dana 44 arb/thrid member (removable) with a ford 9" r/p. and a custom axle housing. with rear disk breaks. its a one of a kind setup, i wanted something that i couldnt break no matter how hard i am on it.

doin front digs wouldnt work unless you were locked in the front.

Jimmy's Old blue one is like that. Sidekick 10-bolt rear 5.12, Trail Tough custom Ford 9" axle shafts (one is acually twisted!) and disc brakes.

i run 4.88s but ya its a killer rear axle. ive hopped it about a foot and a half in the air doin a steep climb, and it held up. i still run stock drive shafts too.

See, driveshafts are our weak point because of our YJ spring. It's got a LOT of axle-wrap, and that just eats those $65 peices up.

like toby said
im runnin arbs front and rear.
and my hybrid rear axle uses 4340 chromo ford 1/2 ton shortened and resplined shafts, with a custom sidekick/dana 44 arb/thrid member (removable) with a ford 9" r/p. and a custom axle housing. with rear disk breaks. its a one of a kind setup, i wanted something that i couldnt break no matter how hard i am on it.

doin front digs wouldnt work unless you were locked in the front.

Damn thats a nice axle justin

Damn thats a nice axle justin

thanks!!!!!

Toby ive only twisted one rear drive shaft. and that was in 4th gear smokin the tires. other than that i havent had problems with axle wrap. sure its there but not bad enough to cause some serious problems.

i wont have any problems with axle wrap cause im stretchin the rear end and 4 linkin it.

I think we are building our 93 Sidekick... Should be fun next year!

YGPM Jeremiah.

I think we are building our 93 Sidekick... Should be fun next year!

YGPM Jeremiah.

If you don't like axle wrap & bouncing around, you're going to be happy with that coil setup. I think Ford Ranger coils will work too if you're sill looking for springs.

We need to have about 5-6" of frame lift at least to fit 35's and stretch like we want to.

I think we are just doing YJ's for the time and then probably doing something different later.

I tried talking figures with my dad, and I figured it would only be $5-600 for 4-link, or spend about $200 getting the YJ's under it. I'd have to do all the work, and working full time and only having a year to rebuild the engine, get a kicker 3, get both D-shafts rebuilt (for Kicker 3, you have to, right?), fabricate a way to keep axles under it, figure all the steering crap out, and get it legal, is gonna make it a little tight for Rubicon or any other wheeling next year.

Sidekick = slip joints out of t-case. Kicker 3 will switch you to flanges. I think this is good since you don't have to worry about spilling t-case fluid if you need to disconnect a front or rear driveline (as I had to). Custom d-shafts shouldn't be a problem for you guys, but I'm researching myself on how to do this. Don't go with 2wd u-joints :mad3: Kicker 3 can be home-brewed - just remember you need fine spline to use your existing slip yoke as a coupler (changed around 95 / 96).

Yep. I think I am gonna try to do something like what that guy did to yours, but do it right :P
I think we might have a D-line shop make them and add an inch or 2 for slip.

BTW, did you check to see if you had Nissan axles?? Matbe they just look slamm under your rig, cuz you bought "Toyota" gears for them and they both fit...

I don't like the slip yoke - I'm looking to get away from it... but that's me.


Not had time to check the axle thing out - still trying to figure out why the damn thing won't start without jump starting it :( Also working on my SJ410 and other Tracker to get the preped for sale. Too many projects right now... *sigh*

Well, you know it's not your starter, so you need to go to every safety switch and make sure they work (like how you have to hit the brake(WHAT?!?!) to start it?)

I presume it's not the break 'cause the break lights come on. It may be the sensor that goes to the "park" position, but I need to crack open a book to figure out which it is.

What's interesting is I can hear a relay (in a black box behind the driver's speaker in lower part of dash) clicking when I go to the "start" position. I would think this wouldn't click if one of the switches wasn't working. Anyway, it's strange and I'm looking into it. Not leaving my dad's property for the next few months, and I have a way of starting it, so that's getting back-burnered.

If you're worried about it, just run a wire to a push-button toggle and there you go!

Got Pics? (http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i246/Jeremiah_Junkins/Camping/2008/Rubicon%20July%2008/)


Where's everyone else's pics?

Nice pics Jeremiah! Wish I could have made it.:( Maybe next year...

Bump for Izzy.

John says they got a badass movie already made up and they would like to see some of your stuff.

Sweet, the Rubicon looks like a fun place, never been.