I know it seems like the trip is a long ways away, but really.. it'll sneak up quick just like Colorado did. So, what do you HAVE to do before you are Rubicon ready? And, what do you WANT to do?

For me,

HAVE TO

Build rock rails for the Dodge
Buy 5 new tires for my trailer
Fix hydraulic brakes on trailer or replace with electric
Plugs/Wires for the GMC
Save lots of money.

WANT TO
Trim rear 1/4 panels/build custom rear bumper for Dodge
Buy two new MTRs for Dodge
Buy a locker for Dodge
Replace the decking on trailer
Install winch (already have) on trailer
Do a couple up grades to the GMC to increase power


Assuming I can get the time off, I think I'll be able to swing this trip.

ok here's my list:

HAVE TO

radiator
rear main
bump stops front and rear

WANT TO

valve cover gasket
finish wiring tail lights
upper control arm bushings
plate upper control arms


DONE

rebuilt lower control arms
rear spring bushings
installed rear shackle

what are your ideas on radiators?

I dont want the plastic tank replacement, so that leaves either full aluminum or full metal with brass and copper.

Think I'm pretty much good to go... we'll see how much crap I break in Cortez, but for the most part, gas her and go!

BTW, with my XJ I finally went with the all aluminum radiator along with an electric fan on a switch and a 160 thermostat. After all that she never ran hot (well, never ran too hot... it is still an XJ after all, but she ran "steady" temps when crawling that weren't scary.)

Thanks for the info Alan. I'll go aluminum.

Now all I have to do is show up and hitch a ride :)

60/70 swap
Rims and tires
ball joints
all new ujoints
bushing kit for control arms
brakes?
Rear shocks
oil change
air filter
ac seals and charge

Motor mounts
Trans mount
evap can

sliders

cb mount

alanzona wrote:Think I'm pretty much good to go... we'll see how much crap I break in Cortez, but for the most part, gas her and go!

BTW, with my XJ I finally went with the all aluminum radiator along with an electric fan on a switch and a 160 thermostat. After all that she never ran hot (well, never ran too hot... it is still an XJ after all, but she ran "steady" temps when crawling that weren't scary.)

Well... uh... I kinda cut my entire tub, back half of the frame, and the entire cage off. Once we get a new cage and a stretch done I should be good to go.
Oh, and reverse doesn't work anymore so I have to fix my transmission with Mr. Joe Daro or swap over to an AW4 and pick up more gear on the high end. Still deciding on that one.

So, you know, rebuild the entire jeep and transmission and I'm good to go.

this showed up today
:))



I just realized that it does not have a filler neck.

Chris from Champion radiator already called, said they'll take care of it, no problem. Sending the shipping label and then the right radiator as soon as they get this one back. They said they've had the same thing happen before so I suggested to update the amazon description to indicate it is for a closed system.

Impressed with their response time and willingness to fix it, hopefully the radiator is as good as their service.

Just ordered new eng and trans mount. Time to buy my axles.

rear main seal is in. it was much easier than I expected. Spent most of the time scraping all the oil and dirt off or stuff underneath. The old seal didn't seem to be bad. It was not hard or damaged. It also looked to be a double lip seal like the new one I put in. There was oil behind the seal, but I guess it could be from the valve cover.





I laid underneath and watched it while running with no leak and then watched it leak some after shutting the motor off. Not sure if the seal needs to swell still or if it's the valve cover. I ordered a new valve cover and gasket, also going to hook the PCV back up to the air filter box incase it's related to pressure build up there.

Of course there is the chance that I jacked something up too. Bob, you may get to follow the smoke screen on the Rubicon after all. :))