I keep hearing that the moab and rubicon trails are one of the toughest here having a high roll-over potential. KJ's normally dont have roll cages so it might be a little dangerous, etc.. so my question is, what upgrades will make a KJ able to tackle 9 scale trails such as the moab and rubicon?

Moab
Lots of the trails in the area can be done stock. When Grumpy was stock I had it on a few trails there. I was running solo, took it easy and didn't have any trouble.

Rubicon Trail
This historically is a more difficult trail, but Jeep makes a point of taking stock Trail Rated Jeeps through it, many photos show they receive lower body damage though. To prep a vehicle for Rubicon I'd want a proven suspension lift, underbody armor, rock rails and tow points. I would not attempt this solo.


Based on what has been posted on this site, KJs do quite well in a roll over, just don't drop it off a cliff. We've seen more roll overs from highway accidents than we've seen from wheeling. If it looks dangerous, think it over, have a good spotter and don't be afraid to forgo an obstacle or get winched. Wheeling is more fun when you don't have to figure out how to get your vehicle back on it's wheels.

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Aaron

A vehicle isn't yours till you learn to wrench on it yourself.

2002 Jeep Liberty Sport (Eugene, I am the Passenger, And I ride and I ride.)
1999 Chev Astro 2WD (Green, Daily Driver)
1997 Chev Astro AWD (Grumpy "The Heep", $250 Rally Van, 335k miles, 2" lift, 31" tires)

If you make the KJ into a rock buggy you can maybe do the "9" rated trails in Moab. Lift, tires, locker in the rear, sliders and skid plates will get you on most of the 5-6 rated trails in Moab. ABQKJ did Hells Revenge with no assistance and he only has a lift, tires and traction control system.

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2004 KJ Limited
Eaton "e" locker front
Detroit Locker rear
Frankenlift II
245 75 16 Goodyear MTR's
Moabs
Al's UCA's
Boulderbars
Backbone with Warn XD9000i, Viking synthetic line
Rubicon Big Brother

2 KJ's ran the Rubicon from Tahoe side to Rubicon Springs and back out same way back in 06 w/ no problems. Running it from the dam to the springs is where it gets toughest but all types of mildly lifted Jeeps have done it w/ lots of careful spotting and some rock stacking, including a couple "stock" ones back in 01.

Moab is a blast in any mildly or heavily modified KJ! Lots to do there!

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal