Rubicon Prep

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?

 

I'd stay with the rail variety.
KISS.

 

Me too. Working well now? Carry a spare and call it good. Adding new stuff has a risk of some unexpected side effects ...

 

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.

 

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.

 

Ive got the same parts ready to go, but I’ll do it later after this trip I think.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I agree. I had a cross member skid plate and my cross member still got really bent up.

 

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

 

Any pics?

 

Follow this link to pix on Dave's site. I can take some photos tomorrow if this doesn't answer your questions.

Universal Transmission Crossmember Kit

 

You have a T18 also...yes? Just wondering how well it fit and if a body lift was also required?

 

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.

 

Lanny,
Have you seen our Rubicon 2020 thread in the trail ride section? We would love to have you come along!

 

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

 

No I haven’t seen that but I will check it out. Thanks