Rubicon Run Trip 08-10July2024

This is my fourth time running the Rubicon, and overall the Bronco did admirably when compared to the Jeep(s) that I've run the past. Here are a few pics if anyone is interested:

So awesome! This is a bucket list trip for me. Trying to make this happen for my 50th this year. What do I need to know with a close to stock Sas 4 door? Can it be run in 1 day or is 2 necessary?

Looks like you had a good trip, hopefully the heat wasn’t to bad. Glad to see some more Broncos out on the trail.

Looks fun. More info about your rig @OP.

Awesome to see another Bronco on the Rubicon. My least favorite part of the trail is Cadillac hill. How did you fare?

Alanp970 said:

So awesome! This is a bucket list trip for me. Trying to make this happen for my 50th this year. What do I need to know with a close to stock Sas 4 door? Can it be run in 1 day or is 2 necessary?

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I'd say my single biggest takeaway for the Bronco was the importance of skid plates, the most important of which would be the fuel tank. The belly is just too low and the wheelbase too long, so it drags everywhere, all the time... Aim for the big rocks, do your best to stay high and not drop down in the holes, and you'll be fine.

Can it be run in 1 day? Well... Certainly not in any rig that I've ever taken, but I guess that doesn't mean that it cannot be done. But, we always split the trip into at least two days, stopping at Buck Island and/or Rubicon Springs.

SS Bronco said:

Looks like you had a good trip, hopefully the heat wasn’t to bad. Glad to see some more Broncos out on the trail.

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Heat was absolutely brutal. My wife and daughter accompanied me in the Bronco, and my son and his buddy were in his XJ. Between the (5) of us, we consumed 19.2 gallons of drinking water, hitting the trail at Loon Lake around 0800 Monday and exiting the trail at the Tahoma staging area around 1400 Wednesday.

swamp2 said:

Looks fun. More info about your rig @OP.

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2022 Wildtrak, no front sway bar, SVC 2.25" front perch collars and 1" Amazon spacer lift, DIY front diff drop, DIY cut/raised rear lower strut brackets, 37" KO2's, 1.25" wheel spacers, DIY winch mount tucked inside DV8 bumper, DIY sliders, DIY FDU/trans/t-case skids, RPM Bronco aluminum fuel tank skid. I think that pretty much covers the highlights, let me know if you have any specific questions...

popo_patty said:

Awesome to see another Bronco on the Rubicon. My least favorite part of the trail is Cadillac hill. How did you fare?

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I actually had to tow my son's XJ up the majority of Cadillac because he blew the rear carrier out of the mighty Dana 35 I think the most damage I took came from scraping my way down Big Sluice... There are just some nasty squeezes and drops through that section that I'm sure glad we weren't trying to come back up!!

Alanp970 said:

So awesome! This is a bucket list trip for me. Trying to make this happen for my 50th this year. What do I need to know with a close to stock Sas 4 door? Can it be run in 1 day or is 2 necessary?

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Definitely a 2 day minimum in the Bronco but if it’s your first time then possibly 3 if something goes wrong. I trail guide on the Rubicon every year and run it at least 2-3 times a year.

Biggest enemy of the Bronco on the trail is big spacer lifts and binding up the front end and trying to push through the bind

popo_patty said:

Definitely a 2 day minimum in the Bronco but if it’s your first time then possibly 3 if something goes wrong. I trail guide on the Rubicon every year and run it at least 2-3 times a year.

Biggest enemy of the Bronco on the trail is big spacer lifts and binding up the front end and trying to push through the bind

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Since this is on my bucket list, will a 3" lift with the Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 suspension, a diff drop, and full skids on 315/70R17 tires be adequate for the Rubicon. I am a newbe at off-roading, so I would plan on 3 days to do it, but I did stay at a Bronco Off-roadeo once.

mpeugeot said:

Since this is on my bucket list, will a 3" lift with the Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 suspension, a diff drop, and full skids on 315/70R17 tires be adequate for the Rubicon. I am a newbe at off-roading, so I would plan on 3 days to do it, but I did stay at a Bronco Off-roadeo once.

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A stock Sasquatch can do it! You on the other hand… hmmmmmm

mpeugeot said:

Since this is on my bucket list, will a 3" lift with the Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 suspension, a diff drop, and full skids on 315/70R17 tires be adequate for the Rubicon. I am a newbe at off-roading, so I would plan on 3 days to do it, but I did stay at a Bronco Off-roadeo once.

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When you come out to check off your bucket list I will go with you. 35s work it's just more rubbing of the underside. I jacked my bronco up for the summer and have yet to hit the con.

tobyw said:

2022 Wildtrak, no front sway bar, SVC 2.25" front perch collars and 1" Amazon spacer lift, DIY front diff drop, DIY cut/raised rear lower strut brackets, 37" KO2's, 1.25" wheel spacers, DIY winch mount tucked inside DV8 bumper, DIY sliders, DIY FDU/trans/t-case skids, RPM Bronco aluminum fuel tank skid. I think that pretty much covers the highlights, let me know if you have any specific questions...

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I enjoyed the pictures looks like you had a good time.
Rubicon is on my bucket list for sure I would like to get it done in a year or two.
I have OBX SAS with complete RCI steel skids I like them but wish they were tucked up better also Goat Fab sliders. Been to Moab 4 times and definitely think its time for the Rubicon but long drive for me. Also no sway bar!

How do you like the SVC perch collars? I have some sitting on my desk but not installed yet. This should help get the belly up some and maybe go to a 37. Then I would probably need to reinforce the rack?

Snacktime said:

When you come out to check off your bucket list I will go with you. 35s work it's just more rubbing of the underside. I jacked my bronco up for the summer and have yet to hit the con.

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That would be awesome. I will have full skids including the transmission skid and I won't be bothered by dragging it over a few rocks.

Once I have the Eibach's in, I probably could put 37s on it.



I conquered the nursing home run today... LOL.

mpeugeot said:

That would be awesome. I will have full skids including the transmission skid and I won't be bothered by dragging it over a few rocks.

Once I have the Eibach's in, I probably could put 37s on it.



I conquered the nursing home run today... LOL.

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Just looks like one of the residents parked it.

mpeugeot said:

That would be awesome. I will have full skids including the transmission skid and I won't be bothered by dragging it over a few rocks.

Once I have the Eibach's in, I probably could put 37s on it.

I conquered the nursing home run today... LOL.

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I think you're ready for Fordyce.

popo_patty said:

Definitely a 2 day minimum in the Bronco but if it’s your first time then possibly 3 if something goes wrong. I trail guide on the Rubicon every year and run it at least 2-3 times a year.

Biggest enemy of the Bronco on the trail is big spacer lifts and binding up the front end and trying to push through the bind

Click to expand...

I’ll plan on three days especially since it’ll be my first time. I have a 1-1/2” perch collar lift front and rear. Where in the front end does the bind occur? Is it steering or CV’s or elsewhere? Is it easily recognizable as binding or does it just feel like you’re trying to climb an obstacle when something suddenly breaks?