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Rubicon Prep

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by nwedgar, Apr 17, 2020.

  1. Apr 17, 2020
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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    Oct 26, 2005
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    I'm trying to make it to the Rubicon trip this year in July. My Jeep is already lifted about 2.5", on 33's, T18, 360, and has lockers. Must have's are a new skid for trans and oil pan, which I can fab up. Optionally, I was thinking about an in-tank fuel pump instead of the rail mounted that I have now for the TBI already installed.

    Seems like the in-tank Delco pump has high reliability...but at the same time, I can swap out a rail mounted pump quicker and can carry a spare. Not to mention that I'd have to fab up the in-tank pump, taking up time that could be spent prepping the rest of the vehicle.

    Just wanted to bounce that off the hive and see what y'all think about the fuel pump? Pros/Cons either way?
     
  2. Apr 17, 2020
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Jul 30, 2003
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    I'd stay with the rail variety.
    KISS.
     
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  3. Apr 17, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    Me too. Working well now? Carry a spare and call it good. Adding new stuff has a risk of some unexpected side effects ...
     
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  4. Apr 17, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    Agree with the both jpflat and Tim....sounds like you are set-up well for a fun trip...
     
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  5. Apr 17, 2020
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    Oct 6, 2003
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    1,201
    I installed TBI in my 75. I ended up going with the in-tank pump. Bought a pump from NAPA for a 92 GM truck. Pulled the tank and installed it.. My TBI runs on 12-14 psi.
     
  6. Apr 17, 2020
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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    Oct 26, 2005
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    The rail pump is working fine. I guess from an ease of access to change it perspective, and how cheap they are, it does make more sense to put off the in tank pump til later this year.
     
  7. Apr 17, 2020
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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    Ive got the same parts ready to go, but I’ll do it later after this trip I think.
     
  8. Apr 17, 2020
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    Mar 18, 2010
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    I'm not saying it's not a good idea, but I think many run without an oil pan skid plate, myself included. I don't recall any close calls or rock rash on the driveline anywhere near the oil pan. Again, it's not a bad idea.

    As far as the trans skid plate, I could not decide on how to build one that was functional and practical. In the end i thought to much and ran out of time, just bolted the original on backwards to my home built crossmember. It worked, took some hits

    Hope this helps. And remember what posi said, don't make any major untested changes before the Rubicon. It's not the ideal place to test and tune.
     
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  9. Apr 17, 2020
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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    Oct 26, 2005
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    Good advice. I think I’m going to model my skid after my TJ skid by Savvy Off-road. Thankfully my son in law is a metal fabricator/welder by trade so I’ll have some expertise to rely on.
     
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  10. Apr 18, 2020
    Lanny

    Lanny New Member

    Placerville
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    Jul 15, 2017
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    I would recommend transfer case skid plate for sure but as others stated if you don’t have time I wouldn’t worry about oil pan skid plate to much. Also not sure on your dates for July but the last full weekend 23-26 and the 1st weekend in august the trail is closed for Jeepers/Jeep jamboree. I live about an hour from the trail so if you have any questions about it I would be happy to answer them.
     
  11. Apr 18, 2020
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    Dec 17, 2002
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    I agree. I had a cross member skid plate and my cross member still got really bent up.
     
  12. Apr 18, 2020
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    Oct 6, 2003
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    My OEM crossmember was pretty mangled. And it hung down where it would catch things. I replaced it and the Crappola tranny mount with
    Mine too. I replaced the OEM crappola crossmember and tranny mount with an after market affair. Gained clearance and the round pipe lets stuff roll under it.
    Link below if interested.

    Universal Transmission Crossmember Kit
     
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  13. Apr 18, 2020
    roadhog304

    roadhog304 Member

    Leon Kansas
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    Dec 25, 2007
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    291
    Any pics?
     
  14. Apr 19, 2020
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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  15. Apr 19, 2020
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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    You have a T18 also...yes? Just wondering how well it fit and if a body lift was also required?
     
  16. Apr 19, 2020
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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  17. Apr 19, 2020
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    Nov 15, 2003
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    I can't tell from your pic if you have any but I strongly suggest rocker protection. Like others have said definitely need a trans skid plate but really no need for the engine.
     
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  18. Apr 19, 2020
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Lanny,
    Have you seen our Rubicon 2020 thread in the trail ride section? We would love to have you come along!
     
  19. Apr 19, 2020
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    Oct 6, 2003
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    Yes I do. I didn't do a body lift/. Just jacked the tranny up as high as I could get it. My bud did the same thing on his 74. I did have to re-lengthen the drive lines. And installed some shims in the rear spring plate
     
  20. Apr 20, 2020
    Lanny

    Lanny New Member

    Placerville
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    Jul 15, 2017
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    No I haven’t seen that but I will check it out. Thanks
     
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