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When it comes to off-road rigs meant to take on the thrills and challenges of trails all across the country, we just can’t get enough. And while we’re intrigued by the wide array of machines in this community, from factory trail runners to $250,000 custom creations, it’s always the ones that get plenty of time off road with enthusiasts behind the wheels that we are drawn to most.
One such rig is the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon owned by Englewood, Colorado’s Tom Scott. Off Road Xtreme caught this bad boy on the red rocks of Moab, Utah earlier this year, and was impressed enough take a closer look!
Where It All Began
Scott has been immersed in the off-road scene for some 17 years now, wheeling since he was in his early twenties, but the inspiration for this particular rig didn’t come until his three daughters were old enough to go four-wheeling. With a Dad who’s very passionate about his off-roading adventures, all three of Scott’s girls grew up loving it too, and with that in mind, he built this rig specifically for that purpose.
“I wanted something that was family-friendly that could be driven down the street daily and still have a good time off road with my family,” Scott told us. “My three little girls love going off road.” With family fun in mind, the Jeep build started out with an axle-gear replacement for better off-road performance, then moved to the rig being lifted and fitted with proper tires and new driveshafts.
Safety equipment also came as a priority with the family involved, so a roll cage and safety harnesses came into play early on. Next, Scott equipped his ride with some sweet new bumpers, body armor, and a winch. With a full year into the initial build, Scott told us that his rig will never be totally complete, a sentiment most off-roaders share that no real build is ever truly done. “Everything works great,” Scott said. “[But there are] still more mods coming over time.”
Hard Parts
Though Scott’s Jeep hasn’t gone crazy with custom body work, it expresses a purpose-built flair using a PUREJEEP bumper up front and a Warn Industries bumper and tire carrier out back. You’ll find Smittybilt steel flat fenders on all four corners, while the lighting and Dark Green paint scheme remain as the factory intended.
Inside the cab, the Jeep remains stock except for the aforementioned custom roll cage made of 1-½-inch DOM steel tubing and safety harnesses, as well as a Garmin navigation system so the crew never gets lost.
The stock 3.6L V6 engine is wedged between the fender wells and topped off with a Volant Performance cold air intake and MBRB Performance Exhaust cat-back exhaust system for a little kick. This setup is backed by the factory automatic transmission fitted with a TransGo cooler and spinning Rubicon Express driveshafts.
The Jeep’s front axles are strengthened with Artec Industries trusses, RCV Performance Products shafts, and upgraded ball joints. Out back, the Jeep also makes use of RCV axle shafts. Both front and rear axles are filled with the factory electric lockers and custom 5.13 gears. The original brakes have been kept on the Jeep.
What was Scott’s favorite part of building his rig? “Picking a good long arm kit that works well on road and off road,” he told us. “Geometry is very important when building a kit. Rubicon Express works really well and had great reviews.”
Helping the Jeep overcome whatever Scott puts in front of it is a Rubicon Express 4-½-inch long arm lift kit, Bilstein 5100 shocks mounted all the way around, and a Pro Comp steering stabilizer. The Jeep also features Poison Spyder skid plates to protect its underbelly.
“[Special thanks] to my loving fiance for being patient with me, and to a couple friends Ryan Cagnina and Scott McGregor” -Tom Scott
“Getting things working together to create a well balanced vehicle takes a lot of time and patience,” Scott told us. “[I] still have a few things to work out on the Rubicon.”
Finished or just in a state of “finished for now,” this family-friendly Rubicon is the perfect combination of road warrior and off-road trail adventurer.
Check out more photos of Scott’s 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon crawling all over the rocks of Moab, Utah in the Off Road Xtreme Gallery below.
Photography by Stuart Bourdon.
