Alright I'v always wanted a jeep now that i finally pulled some money together i went and bought one. Its a 2006 Rubicon I've bin looking for lifts but im just not sure which would best suite my needs. Im in the navy so i will have some highway travel so i dont want anything that will suck on the road but i also want somthing thats capable to get some nice articulation for hills climbs and rocks. i've bin lookin at rubicon express, rock krawler, and bds but im not sure which brand and type of lift would suite my needs like long arm etc any info would be helpfull thanks..

Welcome to

You picked a good place to ask your questions, but let me ask you some first...

How much do you want to spend?

How much wheeling experience do you have?

How much more do you want to spend?

Where are you going to wheel? (Desert, mud trails, look good at the mall, ect.)

How much more do you want to spend?

What tire size do you want?

How much more do you want to spend? (Notice a trend here?)

That's just the basics. In general, most here will recommend that you wheel first, so you know what your new Jeep can do, then see what shortcomings you may want to overcome. A Rubi is more capable than many older Jeeps after some mods, there's no rush.

Primary concerns are safety, go with somebody more experienced who knows the trails, get some recovery equipment like a jack and/or a winch, tools, maybe basic camping stuff and a good first aid kit. I've seen a guy out in the SoCal desert who bought a new Rubi, took it to the local shop and had a lift, big tires, bumpers and racks put on, and headed out into the desert. Unfortunately he rolled because he had no skills, just a fat wallet. He seemed a little upset when I came down the same hill with my Jeep, no lift or lockers, and had no problems. He also had no recovery equipment and had to depend on the courtesy of strangers to get upright and out of there. You don't wan't to be THAT guy.

If you are capable, I recommend you do your own mods. You'll know your Jeep better, and when it breaks on the trail, you can fix it yourself. Use the auto hobby shop on base, having a lift, specialty tools, and knowledgable folks is a great benefit that most don't have.

Welcome to the expensive world of Jeeping! Feel free to ask us questions, but understand we can't make the decisions for you. One thing I've learned is in this area more than many others, you get what you pay for. A $600 lift will not perform as well, nor be as safe or complete as an $1800 lift. Research your choices here, look at the various manufacturers websites, shop around for prices, and really take your time.

By the way, I'm in the Navy too, where are you stationed at?

HTH,
Mark

I'm goin to be stationed at Norfolk. (first off) i do most of my wheelin in PA bc thats were im from we usually mess around in valleys hill climbs mud etc. i havn't really went anywhere else bc i havn't had the time yet. I'm pretty much up for anything so if you happen to be stationed there also we'll have to get together..

Not sure what the wheelin' is like in Norva, right now I'm in Memphis, TN. Not much around here, I'm used to the desert out in San Diego, and also up in Washington. Seems like the nearest desent place to wheel is Hot Springs, AR. Not used to have to pay to play.