Corpusfishing.com

Bighead

My wife and I recently traded in her 2010 Ford SVT Raptor for a very low mileage 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I know...crazy, but we will be without a car payment in 8 months, as opposed to 36, and that Raptor was just way too nice on the inside to take and abuse at PINS.

Regardless...I need to know what is the best way to set that thing up for beach duty in terms of tires, suspension, etc.

I was thinking about getting about a 3" lift and running a 33X12.50" BFG All Terrain tire on some aluminum wheels. I know I don't want mud terrains in that sand, and I figure the bigger foot print will make running in the soft stuff a bit easier.

As for carrying gear...I have a front basket/rod carrier for my F150 FX4, but it sits in a receiver hitch...I don't know if I want to put a front receiver on my Jeep or if I want to just buy one of the 6 rod carriers that bolts to the front bumper.

Any advice from those that have 'been there and done that' in setting up a beach jeep would be appreciated.

FYI, if you see an "Electric Green" Rubicon on the beach, stop by and say hi to Lord Humungus and my wife.

Bighead
_________________
Slow and steady wins the race...unless of course, it's an actual race.

obsessed · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1200

lift it for the deep ruts in the banks and big shell areas...

when you get your tires, get a little wider then usual, if not, get what you want, but air them down when you get on the sand...also carry a spare air pump of some sort to air them back up...DO NOT get mud terrain tires, all they do is dig, get the all terrain like you stated.

before you hit the beach, get the underside sprayed to fight rust...

a front hitch reciever can be good, bad part is, most of them mount under the front end to the frame which means they sit really low...get with the guys from Blue Streak Aluminum and see if they can make you some thing similar to fit your needs...
_________________
Trophy whitetail and exotic hunts on some of the finest ranches Texas has to offer, www.mcoutfitterstexas.com
www.baffinbayrodandgun.com

hickroots07 · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:58 am Post subject:

I remember reading a thread on extremecoast.com about rigging up jeeps. You might give it a shot searching there. It may have been in a thread about showing off beach rides. I dont remember. Good luck.

obsessed · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1200

also, if you are in CC, get with Nick at Breakaway and ask to see his jeep and setup for rod holders and stuff....he's got a good looking setup fo sho!
_________________
Trophy whitetail and exotic hunts on some of the finest ranches Texas has to offer, www.mcoutfitterstexas.com
www.baffinbayrodandgun.com

Bluffer · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:04 am Post subject:

Couple of 100w lights set up front is handy for the late night or early morning trips.
_________________
-STAY THIRSTY MY FRIENDS!-

rawlbay · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:04 am Post subject:

In terms of what works for the beach, I wouldn't change a thing. You would have to make some pretty poor decisions to get stuck on PINS in a rubi. Look at what the park rangers drive - stock suburbans and f150s for the most part... You are way ahead of that in your rubi as is. "If it ain't broke..."
_________________

Bighead · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:37 am Post subject:

Thanks guys...and yes, under coating is on one of my first things to do!

Bighead
_________________
Slow and steady wins the race...unless of course, it's an actual race.

horse51 · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:24 am Post subject:

my vote is for a 4" lift, 33 bfg all terrain, air intake, undercoating, replacement front and back bumpers and a roof rack. its probably a little over kill but it will function and look amazing. i made bumpers and lifted my sister jeep many years ago and it was unstoppable. even with her crappy driving and the bumpers were great when she rear ended people. (she isnt a great driver lol)
_________________
Chris Gonzales

ceejkay · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:53 am Post subject:

kweber · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 12:59 pm Post subject:

Bighead · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 1:22 pm Post subject:

The wife only drives about 3/4 of a mile to and from work...not much else, so 'driveability' isn't too big a concern, nor is fuel economy.

I'm looking at doing 'nothing' to it as it stands, maybe a way to carry some rods on the front, then just go and see what I need to do...that way I don't waste a bunch of time/money on poop I don't need.

Bighead
_________________
Slow and steady wins the race...unless of course, it's an actual race.

obsessed · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1200

ROBDOG · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 1:40 pm Post subject:

A 3" lift and 33's are perfect. You don't need them in a Rubi but then again they say jeeps aren't bought they are built. I agree don't get mud tires. I got some Duratracs on mine and they look a little more agressive than my BFG AT's but work great on the beach and are very quiet. Don't go cheap on the lift but don't go overboard. There are a lot of kits designed for major articulation/ rock crawling (long arm, short arm kits, sway bar disco's, etc..) which you do not need on PINS. When you start going higher than 3" on a lift you need to consider the drive angles which can cause issues and may require additional upgrades. I just bought a 3" Rancho Sport kit and installed it a couple of weeks ago. I installed Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks and it rides as good as stock. Go with a front reciever hitch. The extra space on the cooler rack up front is well worth it in a jeep. You may need to look into a tailgate re-inforcement kit for the spare if it is much heavier than stock. They are cheap, easy to install and it beats a warped tailgate that does not want to close and rattles like crazy. Roof racks look great and are awesome for mounting lights. The downside is additional wind noise and clearance issues. They can be a pain to load as well on tall vehicles. I am looking into an LED light bar to add to my jeep. I am on my 8th jeep and have loved them all. By the way there are tons of jeep forums with a ridiculous amount of info. out there. Good luck and keep us posted.

Rob

Bighead · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 1:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the input Robdog...that's exactly what I was looking for.

Bighead
_________________
Slow and steady wins the race...unless of course, it's an actual race.

obsessed · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1200

Robdog

when putting 33's on the jeeps, do you have to re-gear as well or does it still keep it's stock power and what not?
_________________
Trophy whitetail and exotic hunts on some of the finest ranches Texas has to offer, www.mcoutfitterstexas.com
www.baffinbayrodandgun.com