Can the CRD do the Rubicon?

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:11 am

Simple question here. For those in the know, think my Liberty can make it through the Rubicon, if appropriate bypasses are taken? Thinking seriously about taking it out for Jeepers Jambo.

bugnout · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:06 pm

They recommend at least 33 inch tires on the JJ website, which of course we can't do. I've never seen anyone on LOST claim to have done it in a KJ or KK.

I would think with a rear locker, sliders, skids and a winch, The Rubicon might be done. But go expecting to come home with scars.

I think there is a vendor there who rents Jeeps specifically to run the Rubicon. I think I'd go that way.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:45 pm

Can it be done? Yes. Jeep took some stock KJs across the Rubicon to prove their Trail Rated badges were for real when the IFS KJ just came out several years ago.

Can it be done without damage? That is the question. The KJs Jeep took through the Rubi had quite a bit of body damage when they came out the other end as I recall.

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:04 pm

Many different vehicles in stock configuration have run Rubicon successfully.
How much damage to body panels, etc. depends on the driver & spotters.

If you decide to do this, know that it is a rare thing to run Rubicon without sustaining
some type of damage. If you can live with that, then go for it. :JEEPIN:

If you can't get past the "fear" that something serious can happen to your ride....... then don't.

TomMudd has a saying: "It's not really your Jeep til you drill the first hole."

I'll go one up from that and say:
"It's not really your Jeep til you've got your first dent, or it's buried to the frame rails..... OR BOTH!" :JEEPIN:

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:00 pm

NewOldTimer wrote:

TomMudd has a saying: "It's not really your Jeep til you drill the first hole."

I'll go one up from that and say:
"It's not really your Jeep til you've got your first dent, or it's buried to the frame rails..... OR BOTH!" :JEEPIN:

Or, how about this. "its not yours till you've blown up two front diffs!"..........LOL!!!

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:11 pm

yellocoyote wrote:

NewOldTimer wrote:

"It's not really your Jeep til you've got your first dent, or it's buried to the frame rails..... OR BOTH!" :JEEPIN:

Hmmm... I've done both.

Maybe I should attempt the Rubicon next year. :shock:

You'll have fun!! :JEEPIN:

They laughed at me when I took my full size F-150 short bed........

......... they weren't laughing at the end... :rockon:

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:22 pm

yellocoyote wrote:

Maybe I should attempt the Rubicon next year. :shock:

I do have a map of the Rubicon on my wall at work, but then I was thinking about taking something weirder and less valuable.

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:46 pm

yellocoyote wrote:

I don't think taking Grumpy would be adhering to the Tread Lightly guidelines. :shock:

Remember... leave no trace! :ROTFL:

Scrapped paint doesn't count....... :ROTFL:

Fluid leaks on the other hand....................... :ROTFL:

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:33 pm

bugnout wrote:

They recommend at least 33 inch tires on the JJ website, which of course we can't do.

33" Tires Check :pepper:

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 7:08 pm

a pair of them did the last half from Tahoe to Rubicon Springs and back in 06. It can be done w/ good rock driving skills, spotting and rock stacking. I'd be prepared to swap in a diff on the trail if you try it.
I'd also be surprised if Jamboree or similar event would allow a KJ w/ less than 32's & frt & rr lockers, etc. to attempt it.

crappy pick but here they are sitting at the Springs amongst the JK's during the press show prior to release during the event we worked there for 2 weeks.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:22 pm

2 of the original prototype KJ's made it through the whole Rubicon trail,couldn't open the doors but they made it without breaking the drivetrain.Though both had D44's in the rear also but with 235/70R16's for tires.

teckman02 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:50 pm

they also ran the 2011 grand on the Rubicon

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-jeep-grand-cherokee-tackles-the-rubicon/#2669692

http://www.allpar.com/SUVs/jeep/grand-cherokee-after-rubicon.html

irollgen4s · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:58 pm

holy body damage batman :-)r

teckman02 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:48 pm

irollgen4s wrote:

holy body damage batman :-)r

they should have put some rock rails on the wite one lke they did with the black export model

irollgen4s · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 10:20 pm

definitely would have helped. on a side note, those 2011's look absolutely horrible...

teckman02 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 10:22 pm

irollgen4s wrote:

definitely would have helped. on a side note, those 2011's look absolutely horrible...

2x but i will say the 2011 compass looks good

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:02 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

a pair of them did the last half from Tahoe to Rubicon Springs and back in 06. It can be done w/ good rock driving skills, spotting and rock stacking. I'd be prepared to swap in a diff on the trail if you try it.
I'd also be surprised if Jamboree or similar event would allow a KJ w/ less than 32's & frt & rr lockers, etc. to attempt it.

crappy pick but here they are sitting at the Springs amongst the JK's during the press show prior to release during the event we worked there for 2 weeks.

The diff is something I'm not worried about anymore. Now, CV's are a different story. I carry spares now after the last time I took it out and busted a stub shaft at the hub. No part stores stock CRD axles, only gas burners.

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:16 pm

Ive done the "Con" before. For me to do it in my CRD I'd want a minimum of full steel skids, a rear locker (ARB that I could turn off when I didnt really need it as all that rock is very hard on ring and pinions) rocker skids and a winch.

I wouldnt bother without all that personally. Then again I love my truck and I dont want it bashed up.

dgeist · **Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:21 pm

teckman02 wrote:

irollgen4s wrote:

holy body damage batman :-)r

they should have put some rock rails on the wite one lke they did with the black export model

Might have been a good idea to put something on other than SR-As....no wonder they couldn't avoid the obstacles...there was no traction.

teckman02 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:30 pm

dgeist wrote:

teckman02 wrote:

irollgen4s wrote:

holy body damage batman :-)r

they should have put some rock rails on the wite one lke they did with the black export model

Might have been a good idea to put something on other than SR-As....no wonder they couldn't avoid the obstacles...there was no traction.

unless they wanted to test it as if it drove right off the show room floor

Can the CRD do the Rubicon?

Who is online