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Advice to run 35s

2K views 22 replies 10 participants last post by  RoaminRubicon 
#1 ·
Hey all, I'm new to the forums and had a quick question. I have a 2011 JK Rubi 2-door with a 3.25" rough country suspension lift. I do mild off-roading, usually easy or moderate rated trails.

I'm planning to pick up a set of 35s over the summer hopefully, and read somewhere that the stock Rubi axles should be fine but some type of strengthening was recommended. I can't find the thread I read this on, so thought I'd ask here! What can I do with my stock axles to run 35s? Thanks!
 
#2 ·


Artec armor kit. The truss help from bending axles. The gussets help from bending the end due to bigger tires.
 
#5 ·
First you need understand the context of the advice you read. IMO, everyone is well intentioned but their context can be different. There are many hardcore off-roaders that traverse anything in front of them and there are those that just want to power their way through any terrain. For this type of JK owners beefing up the axles is important.

Adding supports to your JK is 100% optional and it depends on where and how you drive it. Gussets, trusses and the like are a good idea if you plan on rolling over large obstacles as in the course of rock crawling and traversing narrow stretches full of obstacles where you need roll up on the walls. In all of these cases, the axle can end up at an awkward angle (one wheel high and one low). This situation creates higher stresses on the axle. Lift kits provide more wheel travel and hence increase these angles and the stress.

The other thing to pay attention to is the shafts inside the differentials. If you apply too much torque which is easier to do with oversize tires you can strip the diff gears and damage the shafts. A common situation is to get wedged between obstacles and turn the wheels while apply too much throttle.

If you only do mild off roading as you state and are mindful of these situations you need absolutely zero upgrades on a stock Jeep; Rubi or otherwise.

There are plenty of threads on this subject. Read some of them and then you decided if you need to strengthen your axels.
 
#7 ·
IMO the Rubicon is already about perfect for the wheeling you describe and even the stock 32's are more than enough without the expense and added strain on suspension and bearings so unless your going for cosmetic effect I would leave it alone and spend the money you save on gas and enjoy.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the advice guys! Right now I'm pretty set on getting the axle armor, steering stabilizers, and 35s. (hopefully the stabilizers still fit with the armor)

It is definitely capable of handling the trails I've done so far without the mods, even before the lift, but I do want to have the option to push my comfort zone a bit. Obviously I want the aggressive look as well.

Thought I'd add a pic, this is how it sits currently.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Jeep Automotive tire
 
#19 ·
It's been great so far, I've had it about 6 months now. The ride is really good and the parts have held up well. I don't do anything really extreme, but I did hit a black Diamond trail a couple weeks after installing the kit. I swapped the 2.2 shocks that come with the kit for the n2.0 though.
 
#21 ·
2 questions. Auto or stick shift and what gears do you have now? I had 3.73's with an auto. I put the 35's on and it was doable for me. I did notice the difference though. I went to 4.56's and it brought back all the acceleration I had lost. I did the sleeves and gussets. If I was doing it again I would do a truss instead of sleeves. With the truss you can put in an ARB if you want to and use 35 spline axles. Your limited to stock diameter if you sleeve it. I went with RCV's and G2 rears. So far they work great.
 
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