Topic: Rubicon on 33's?

[2G4R]

1995 4runner
3.4 swap
Rear arb locker
front winch
1.5" lift on 33's - standard IFS
Can i do the rubicon?  Ive read various threads people saying yes and no.  Just want to check with the pros here and hear your advice.  Can I do it without too much body damage/ breaking my rig?

Thanks

[Mike_amthor]

Going all the way through ? Just to the lake ? I’d say yes you can do it. Highly recommend rock sliders and a strong rear bumper to protect your body, maybe some diff covers too. Might be pulling a winch here and there depending on your driving ability. Go for it ! Have fun be safe. Currently the forest is closed tho due to fires.

[Gnarly4X]

Hey 2G4R,

When rock crawling, the chances of getting body damage is there and unfortunate.

Too many times I’ve seen owners of beautiful brand new 4x4s begin their rock crawling journey and in less than 2 years their vehicle would be considered totaled by any auto insurance company.

I’ve done the Ruby twice in my 1986 Longbed automatic, on 33’s. Locked front and rear.

No rocker panel protectors, no diff covers, stock bumpers.

Both times with no body damage.

My buddy and shotgun was a highly experienced wheeler and excellent spotter.

Trails change, so maybe today the Rubicon is a terrifying rock crawling terminator?

Typically, there are 4 things that can cause body damage – the rock, the driver, and the spotter.  Oh.. the 4th thing is stupidity.

You probably can’t move the rock, but you can usually move your path or tire placement.

Unless you have eyes in your front bumper, rear bumper, rocker panels, and wheel wells, I’d recommend a very knowledgeable and highly trusted spotter.

That’s just my opinion – it may be worthless.

Gnarls.

[blackdiamond]

I don’t see 33s as a deal breaker, but you absolutely should expect some body damage if you don’t have sliders and a solid rear bumper. The big missing piece from my view is either 4.7:1 t-case gears or duals (or both) to give you better control.

If you’re a skilled driver then I think sliders and a bumper would do the trick.

I’ve only done the rubicon once quite a few years ago, but for the most part I found it rough and not necessarily technically demanding. My 4Runner was fully built with lockers and dual ultimate gearing on 35s. I rubbed a lot of paint off of my sliders and bumpers and didn’t see/do all of the more technical optional routes.

[Snowtoy]

If your rig is clean, and like to keep it that way, I would not recommend running it without rock sliders and solid front and rear bumpers, w/a wrap around style rear bumper.  A front locker, would also be useful.  If you have an auto trans, dual cases wont be as important, if not, dual cases will help reduce the risk of damage from having to hit obstacles at speed. 

As far as body damage and breakage goes, there is always a risk, you can reduce a lot of the risk by equipment and driving ability/style, but you still have mother nature and gravity to deal with on the trail.  If you are new to wheeling, I wouldn't recommend trying to run it yet, especially if you would be running it with a group of built rigs with drivers unwilling to go at your pace.