New for me 03 Rubicon. Help identifying some parts

danwink

danwink

New Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2024
Messages
15
Location
Reno
Good day all! I have just purchased a 2003 Rubicon. It has lived in Modesto, CA its entire life with three owners. 71,000 miles.

The current owner bought it about a year ago and does not have a ton of knowledge of the upgrades. I won’t pick it up until Tuesday but thought I’d throw some pictures to see if anyone can help to identify what’s on it now.

It needs tires as they are starting to dry rot slightly. They are 33’s currently, trying to weigh if I can jump up to 35” or just keep it as is.

It is an automatic.

4.88 gears were installed in 2005

The driveshaft is not original, has a label on it. (No pcture)

I know it was built to run the Rubicon and did so a couple of times.

It has a 5 point belt for the driver

Transmission has a temp gauge

It is not a long arm and the top of the front shock mounts say JKS.

Shocks are bilstein, they are likely almost 20 years old now so…


Any of you see what I have here? I don’t believe I have enough lift to get to 35” tires. I didn’t check the brakes, but it looks like the original build was pretty solid.

I believe the baseline upgrades (maybe minus brakes) are all done, and I think I see a body lift (drivers side rear wheel well pic), but do I have enough lift to get into a 35?

IMG_3231.jpeg


IMG_3230.jpeg


IMG_3229.png


IMG_3192.jpeg


IMG_3191.jpeg


IMG_3228.jpeg


IMG_3190.jpeg


IMG_3189.jpeg


IMG_3188.jpeg


IMG_3187.jpeg


IMG_3186.jpeg


IMG_3184.jpeg


IMG_3185.jpeg
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Jason06, Tob, L J and 2 others
Looks like mostly budget parts, but looks pretty well done, especially given that they regeared it. It does have a body lift (guessing 1") as far as I can tell, plus some amount of suspension lift, perhaps 2.5" or so.

Going to 35s from here is going to be a lot of work and expense to do it right, but it can certainly be done. However, you may end up spending $5,000 on parts to do so.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tob and AndyG
You'll need to regear to 5.38 to run 35s with the 42rle transmission. Figure $2,300 for the regear, $1,000 for axle shafts, and $1,500 for tires plus upgrading the suspension.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickyd
@danwink. Congratulations! Good find!

It’s hard to know how much suspension lift you have, but you can measure the spring length front and rear and report back. You need 4” SL and 1” Body Lift to run 35’s. Eyeballing it it doesn’t look like enough.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper
The JKS thing on the front shock is a conversion piece from an eye mount to a post mount. It reduces shock travel for no good reason.

The Skyjacker Rock Lock is a fancy sway bar disconnect, not to be confused for a dual rate sway bar.

I see a normal factory 3 point seat belt for the driver.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Plumber1, Tob and bluescapegoat
Condition looks really good. Miles are good for the year.

Bucket to bucket with the Jeep on the ground 8” of spring lift is stock in back and 12” in front- anything beyond is lift.

Likely Adams or Tom Woods on the shaft.

03 is a good year as far opda and pcm drama

Appears garage kept at a glance

35’s really require a lot to run them - I’d go slow before I dove in and see what it needs as far as service and maintenance and sorting out. Everyone I’ve had has needed attention and I try to avoid all out dogs.

This forum can help you tremendously.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Danarch
You guys are nice enough! Appreciate all the help.

I’m just asking about the 35 thing cause it’s due for tires and as we won’t be putting a ton of miles on, would prefer to go there now if it makes sense.

That said, looks like the rig was built for 33’s and I’ll keep it there for now.

Some of my early research looked like 4.88’s might be a better match for bigger, but that may have been old advice.

At the end of the day, I want to refresh or improve on the suspension work. I don’t really have a need to step up beyond 33.

Once I get it home (Tuesday), I’ll dig in and see what else is going on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheBoogieman
danwink said:
....

Some of my early research looked like 4.88’s might be a better match for bigger, but that may have been old advice.

...
Click to expand...

33s and the 42rle automatic work well with 513 gears and better with 538, if you want to risk harmonic vibrations.
 
danwink said:
You guys are nice enough! Appreciate all the help.

I’m just asking about the 35 thing cause it’s due for tires and as we won’t be putting a ton of miles on, would prefer to go there now if it makes sense.

That said, looks like the rig was built for 33’s and I’ll keep it there for now.

Some of my early research looked like 4.88’s might be a better match for bigger, but that may have been old advice.

At the end of the day, I want to refresh or improve on the suspension work. I don’t really have a need to step up beyond 33.

Once I get it home (Tuesday), I’ll dig in and see what else is going on.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be in a hurry for 35s.
The 4.88s are just good enough for your worn out 33s.
If it doesn't have a transmission cooler, you should probably get one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper
Thanks- I do have a gauge, have not looked for a cooler yet.

Drive it about 60 miles tonight, rides nice. It is a Core 4x4 lift (3.5) with an unknown 1.25” body lift.

I ordered up a new set of 33’s as these are starting to crack in the sidewalls, will be a good combo.

I won’t have it home until Thursday, I can get it on my lift then and see what I have.

IMG_3259.jpeg


IMG_3258.jpeg


IMG_3257.jpeg


IMG_3256.jpeg


IMG_3254.jpeg


IMG_3255.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper
Drove her from Oakdale, CA to Reno via Sacramento.

Stayed for work in Sac the last 2 nights and had a new set of 33”x12.5 r15’s mounted (BFG KO3’s) as the tires were cracked.

It may not be the best Core 4x4 lift, but the Jeep really rides and drives well. I have owned a YJ and a JKR (OME lift and 35”), but this TJ is super sweet. Great articulation from the coils but so much smaller than the JK. Also, the 4.0 is just so nice…..

Really digging the Jeep.

IMG_3277.jpeg


IMG_3276.jpeg


IMG_3275.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tob, JMT, Andy-WhiteTJ and 5 others
Top Bottom
Back