This post explains the mods we did to increase 4×4 trail riding prowess. A stock Jeep JK Rubicon is an excellent 4×4 vehicle. Unless you’re heading on some gnarly trails you probably don’t need any mods. But if you want to head into the harder stuff, these mods will get you there.
Our Jeep modified with the exact equipment in this post, crossing the Golden Crack in Moab, UT
Note that I own and personally installed 100% of the items below. Feel free to ask questions.
Protection
Skid Row engine/transmission skid plate. Jeep added some skid plates on the Rubicon, but not under the transmission or the oil pan. If hit hard enough, one is very expensive to fix and the other will leave you stranded. The Skid Row system is 3/16″ thick steel and requires no drilling to install. After dozens of hard clunks on this skid plate there is not a dent to be found.
Rugged Ridge Heavy Duty Differential Skid Plates for both front and rear axles. Your diffs hang low and are expensive to fix. Spend a few bucks to cover them in 3/16″ thick steel.
Rock Hard Full Width Front Bumper with Winch Mount. This bumper performs four functions over the stock, plastic Jeep bumper: 1) it increases your angle of approach; 2) it’s steel, so it’ll take hits; 3) you can mount a winch and 4) Blue Ox tow bars hook directly into it, removing the need for a Blue Ox base plate.
Lift kit
AEV 2.5″ DualSport XT lift kit. Extra ground clearance to handle those big tires that are the inevitable next step.
The AEV geometry correction front control arm brackets greatly improve the ride and handling of your Jeep when not off-roading. Highly recommended if you install the AEV lift kit.
Big Tires and spare tire holder
35″ BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires mounted on AEV Pintler wheels. The exact size of the tires is 35″x12.5″x17″ and I can confirm they fit no problem with the AEV 2.5″ lift. Even under maximum suspension flex there is zero rubbing. No wheel spacers are required.
TeraFlex Heavy Duty Spare Tire Carrier. The stock Jeep spare tire carrier cannot handle the additional weight of moving to a 35″ wheel and tire, so you need something like this. I added the optional accessory mount for a hi lift jack and extra fuel containers. There is apparently now a 3rd brake light extension bracket to increase the height of the brake light. Back in 2012 when TeraFlex’s spare tire carrier was new, I had to substantially modify a different metal bracket not designed for this purpose to elevate the 3rd brake light.
General off-roading equipment
Warn VR8000 Winch. If you get serious into off-roading, you’ll eventually need a winch. I would consider the synthetic line version if I were starting over.
Rugged ridge winching accessory kit. The basic goodies you’ll need in winching. I would add an extra tow strap.
48″ Hi-Lift jack with off road base. Useful in a variety of ways, from stacking rocks under a tire to functioning as a winch (albeit in a pinch).
Mopar jack base. After adding a lift and big tires your stock jack will no longer lift the tire off the ground. Kinda a bummer if you get a flat (yes, the Hi-Lift jack could be used, which is another reason to get one). This base adds 3.5″ of lift to the Jeep’s jack so you’re back in business.
