BKGM Jeepers said
I dont run rear coilovers because they are not needed. The fronts make a huge difference on ride. The rears are either limited by a sway bar, or your on road ride is impacted. You should ride in Jason’s jeep to see what a properly set up full coilover jeep rides like. Then ride in mine to see how fronts only feel like. Both are good.

Brad, do/did either you or Jason go to the crossover 4-link rear or do you both still run track bars?
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BKGM Jeepers said

Front and rear are both radius arms. Neither end has true upper control arms.

Good to know! Thanks!!
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Gregulator said

All great points! I appreciate the input. I’m petty sure I’d like to make my way to 38-40 inch tire range. With that goal, I think it kills the rubicon idea because the front axle would need to be replaced.

Brad raises a great point of being able to sell the Rubi parts, but dealing with craiglisters like I have been the last couple weeks leaves me no desire to do that.

Greg, make me a deal on your front D44 and I could take that off your hands ... hmmm, maybe both.
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Greg,

Sorry haven’t been on the board in a while so I missed this topic. Here are a couple of comments suggestions. As most answers to questions are “it depends” on what you want. I will propose two scenarios budget and non-budget:

Budget: If I was on a tight budget and wanted the best bang for the buck here is what I would do..
Model: I would get a salvaged JK from Copart or browse craigslist for the cheapest JK with 4wd I could get. I wouldn’t care about half doors or full doors or options just the cheapest body. ( I picked up the White Jeep for $9500)
I would source some used Rubicon axles (people are always pulling these off to put on D60s) I picked up a pair for $2800 that were already regeared to 5.38. I added a “broken” Rubicon swaybar disconnect with a hand release for ($150).
Lift kits, I really like the EVO stuff but its pricey the game changer from Metalcloak is pretty stout and if you get the plain shocks (not the 6 pack) its half as much. ($1900 plain, $3900 with 6 pack) I got the EVO bolt on coilover front and rear at around $4k. Going this route for less than 20k you can get the Jeep, axles & lockers, sway disconnect, & lift to fit 37s. (just trim the fenders with a saw) While you may not find one for 10k I have seen several 07s and 08s in stock form going for 13-15k with under 50k miles. Everything you pull off you can sell and get a little money back on. Full doors are traded for Half doors all the time on the forums and vice versa. Same with Hard Tops/Soft Tops/ used bumpers etc.. Most programers can disable the electronics so no sensors will be effected in the wheels or the stability control systems.

Non-Budget: Look for the mall crawler. They guy that bought a 12′ Rubicon and its sitting on some budget boost with polished rims 35s. I see lots of these low mileage vehicles for in the low 20s. This vehicle will only need a lift and to trade up to some better rims and tires, but not immediately. A Rubicon with 2-4″ of lift and 35s can do 95% of whats in the area including the Rubicon front to back. 37s would be better, but with this rig at least your wheeling right away and you don’t have to worry about the previous owner. He probably didn’t know how to work the lockers anyway and never got it dirty.

Lift Kit – Primarily make sure you have 3.5-4.5″ of lift minimum. At that height it will clear 37s or 38s with some cutting. You will want to get a long arm kit. The JK comes with essentially a mid-arm setup. The long arm will give it better road manners and articulation control. I like the Metal Cloak Game Changer (2-4k), I like the EVO Bolt On Coil Over (4k), I’ve heard rock crawler is very popular.

Coil Overs – This is all about the ride quality. having coil-overs won’t mean greater ability (unless the coilovers are larger in articulation compared to a similar coil and shock setup) it means a better ride on the trail. They absorb more bumps and can do so at higher speeds. if you are going all out they are the must have items for huge articulation and going fast, if that is not the goal then I wouldn’t spend the money on them. I agree with Brad on take a ride in his Jeep or mine or the white one to see the differences.

Axles – The factory D44s are pretty awesome. With minimum upgrades they can run 37-38s all day. Jeff knows Nate from Grassvalley, he and his friend John run 38″ MTRs on the factory axles and have been doing all our trails plus going to MOAB every spring for the past 3-4 years. Good C-gussets, LCA skids are all that is really needed. The rear is pretty solid as is. Better shafts are nice but I wouldn’t replace them until I broke them. If you are going 38-40s for sure then get some D60s or if you got the pennys a PR80 in the rear. If you go the Junkyard axle type all that is needed is a press on tone ring for about $80 a pair. They can be put on 14 bolts, 60s, 70s, etc..

Electronics – There are TPMS sensors in the wheels a good programmer will disable that. If you don’t have tone rings then your stability control will be affected. This too can be disabled with a good programmer. I have a friend who replaced his rear axle with a 14 bolt and just tied the rear sensors into the front sensors and doesn’t have any issues. The JK computer just needs a signal. You could actually tie all four into just one sensor and trick the computer if you wanted to.

Transmissions – If you “love” a manual get one, I prefer the automatic for drivability both on and off road but that’s me. This is purely personal preference.

Tire size – If you are getting a 2dr 37s are great, you don’t need any bigger. If you are getting a JKU I recommend 38s to 40s. Just because of the added length between the wheels. 37s would be a minimum on a 4dr.

IMO: The things that start to add to the cost are all the extras. Your going to want a nice set of sliders ($600), Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier ($1000-$1500), Front Bumper ($600), Winch ($400 – $1400), Better Skid Plates ($750), CB Radio ($100), Air Compressor ($150-$450), Rims ($1000-$2000), 37+ ($1500 – $3000), hydraulic steering ($1500), the list goes on and on..

PS. If you do start getting ready to make some purchases let me know. I might be able to save you a buck or two.

Huck