Jeep YJ and TJ6 on the Rubicon Trail

Finally! After 14 years of talking about running the Rubicon Trail my friend Stephen and I have the opportunity to take it on!
My Jeep-
1991 Wrangler YJ Islander 4.0 auto, budget built, geared and locked on 35s
Stephen's Jeep-
2000 Wrangler TJ Sahara 4.0 manual, fully built and stretched with tons, ORIs, and 40s
Video Equipment-
Trail camera - amzn.to/3YVfvMR
Memory card - amzn.to/3EjAgIr
Main camera - amzn.to/44wmP2I
External mic - amzn.to/44zJqew
I’m an affiliate marketer with links to an online retailer and receive commissions for purchases made through these links and affiliated sites.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

This trail was no joke! "Relentless" describes it perfectly. It is so easy to lose focus and forget where your tire placement needs to be. Will definitely go again some day! YJ walkaround - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppSlgIyff9mEoJosi=p0m20Yf8Rm87RvgS If you want to see more of Stephen's TJ, head over to his new channel and give him a sub! www.youtube.com/@rivetinggarage

[@ricksteel6401]

It’s nice to see a couple rigs that didn’t cost 100k, make it through.💪🏻

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Haha yeah not our style, not to mention our budget. No sponsors here!

[@Motzistick17]

I like how it’s not so much about the rig, but the driver

[@RubiconTrailFoundation]

Congrats on reaching your dream. 0:03 - 1st Loon Lake Dam 0:17 - 2nd Loon Lake Dam 0:34 - Welcome to the Rubicon sign painted by Shannon Chard 1:46 - Kiosk 1:49 - Gerle Creek start 2:14 - Hot Rock 2:35 - Gatekeeper 5:31 - Granite Bowl 6:15 - Whale Bones 7:57 - Wentworth Springs Intertie 8:07 - Ellis Creek Bridge 9:08 - Cell Phone Tree (only cell service on the trail) 9:20 - Driveline Hill 11:29 - V Notch 13:03 - Buck Island Lake Dam 17:31 - Heckle Hill 22:33 - Rock birthing ;) 23:49 - SMUD Bypass 27:59 - Start of Big Sluice 31:31 - Scout Hole (Behind You) 31:53 - Green Bridge 32:37 - Rubicon Springs Main Camp 34:13 - Cadillac Hill (Post Hairpin) 36:38 - Buick LaSalle (That yes, is the "Cadillac" of Cadillac Hill) 37:33 - Observation Point 39:18 - Tahoe Staging Area

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! Will definitely be back!

[@SquareLyfe]

Awesome video and excellent edit. That feeling when you roll up to the Rubicon for the first time is one that sticks with you for the rest of your life. Alyssa and I said the same thing; "We're doing it!"

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! Yes it was definitely surreal.

[@cerberus45]

This is what it's all about! Hope to take my wife & kiddo some day too. Congrats on crossing this one off the list.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! Definitely plan to take our little boy when he is big enough

[@protacodan4225]

Nice work, I too believe the trail is hardest between Buck and the Springs, there is a bypass to that S turn that hung you up for a bit. Happy trails

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks, I was committed by that point haha

[@jackrussellville]

The short wheel base really shines in the section between the lake and Rubicon springs choosing lines is the hard part when doing this trail

[@emilegerungan3628]

Beautiful video I really enjoyed I love the YJ thank you 😊👍👍👍

[@SkiddingF350]

Great job. Nice to see hard work pays off.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks!

[@jamesgray4835]

Great video! Enjoyed watching you & Steven doing the trails.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thank you!

[@desertdog2282]

Good Job.

[@opie2.0henry_chancesR]

Darn good looking yj sir.. the tj makes me miss mine.. don't worry about other people think.. you build yours how you want it built and they can build there's (even if they have one) the way they want..

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! Definitely not worried, always easy to spot the people that have no idea what they are talking about.

[@discover4x4]

I 1st found one of your videos from 3 years ago and then this. Your video/edit skill has come a long way. Keep going and thanks for sharing your journey with us

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks!

[@jessebfly]

Just got my new rebuilt engine in my YJ and with an AX15 too. Can’t wait to hit some trails in the lovely Gold Country

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I need an engine ☹

[@jessebfly]

I went with another 4.2 inline 6. anice rebuilt one...I've got the weber 38/38 carb running great. @@HardEarnedBacon

[@jk_wrangler13]

That's awesome. I'm sorry you got some damage, but at least you could still drive it out of there.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Yeah no big deal

[@TJY2K]

Hell yeah man. I loved the video. I too one day want to do the rubicon. Slowly building my TJ. Your red YJ reminded me of when Jeremy Clarkson drove a red YJ through the rubicon on Top Gear. Loved to see how far this build has come. Been watching since the start. Thank you for the footage! Greetings from Las Vegas!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! I didn't know JC did that, must be a really old episode?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Ok just watched it, 1993 haha. I had no idea he did that.

[@ontherocks1491]

This was awsome! This would be my dream. Love the jeep.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks!

[@evsportsman5478]

Thanks for sharing!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks for watching!

[@adamshartley]

Its a bummer the ranger station was closed. Thats where they hand out the trash bags and maps. So glad you had the chance to run it. That is my favorite trail, so beautiful and peaceful. Thanks for sharing your trip. Stay safe man! 👍

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! Definitely something we've been looking forward to for a long time.

[@jeremyquaney5019]

I swear every offroad video I watch I find adam in the comments 🤣

[@adamshartley]

@@jeremyquaney5019 because we both watch good videos! Stay safe brother!

[@lewy1]

I don’t know how we missed you , but we were on the trail around the same time. That YJ had a broken motor mount that twisted the oil filter off.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Yeah I talked to the guy with the white JK after I found his video with us in the background and he told me that same thing. Sucks he didn't make it very far. We even had the same bear come through camp at Buck Island haha.

[@lewy1]

@@HardEarnedBacon Us too, we camped at the same spot. We have pictures of the bear at night.

[@emptypocketsoffroad]

Great video guys!!! You really showed some parts of the trail that I dont think ive seen in other videos.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks!

[@joshdoinggood8117]

Thank you

[@benjaminvaldez9466]

Awesome! So cool what kind of axles are you running on your Jeep ?

[@jessedavis4699]

I really hope to run the Rubicon someday. I also built a Tj6 and fabricated every piece myself. It is the best thing you can do to any Dan jeep imho. Great video!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Nice! And thanks!

[@AlarmedBready]

Hell yeah!!!

[@cerberus45]

Let's see a guest jeep walkaround with that sweet TJ too!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Haha I thought about that but we didn't have time. I have three other videos uploaded over the years that show progress of him building it.

[@mattprince6858]

Just found your channel and am liking it! What lift and seats do you have? Thanks

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! Lift is a hybrid but it's roughly 4.5" + 1" BL. Seats are Bestop.

[@BrandonArent]

Great video. I also did the Rubicon trail for the first time this year. It sounds like I may have done it just a day or two before you. It down poured on us all day on that Monday that the hurricane came through. You didn't happen to find a red 30' tow strap did you?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! Yeah we had planned to start Monday so we would've been on the trail at the same time, stupid hurricane. Didn't see a strap anywhere though.

[@rileycoyot42]

thats a sweet yj. That clattering sounds like the notorious timing chain slap, that or a bad lifter. ive had 2 of mine leave me stranded with a busted timing chain, gotta love those nylon sprockets!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Its piston slap on all 6 cylinders due to a bad rebuild by the previous owner. If/when it pops it will be coming out.

[@rileycoyot42]

@@HardEarnedBacon all 6?? Thats crazy. What will you swap it with? Diesel swap?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Yeah, I actually made a video of it and scoped each cylinder. Pretty disappointing but sorta expected. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3y2Z41te753Zq8 Undecided on what will replace it. Reman 4.0, home built stroker, LS, idk yet. Will come down to budget at the time I'm sure.

[@rileycoyot42]

@@HardEarnedBacon Oh ill check it out. Ive always wanted to do a Cummins 4BT swap, but thats got a lot of problems to work around

[@jshulch]

Awesome video. The Rubicon is definitely on my bucket list for sure, its just a long haul from AL lol. What would you say are the minimum requirements for a Jeep to run the Rubicon?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Depends on the Jeep but I would say 33s, a winch, and at least one locker with a good driver at an absolute minimum. Plus some rocker guards if you don't want to tear your stuff up. Also at least one other Jeep friend to help spot and occasionally stack rocks haha. A lift, bigger tires, and fully locked would make the trail much more fun.

[@MrRickstar321]

Great video! Definitely on my bucket list lol… What were you guys air down to?

[@MrRickstar321]

Also, does David have a channel for his build?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I was at 12 for this, any lower and I start to lose too much ground clearance. If you mean Stephen he actually just started a channel not long ago. He doesn't have much uploaded yet but give him a sub and let him know you want more! www.youtube.com/@rivetinggarage

[@adamshartley]

Put that bender to work and build a cage. I just got the same rouge fab bender and did a cage on mine. My wife almost died because of the stock cage. She got cut off on the street and rolled. Glad you made it safe man. I did the rubicon with my group dirtnation. Stay safe man i look forward to more videos. Next time ya gotta hit old sluce! 😆

[@HardEarnedBacon]

That's the eventual goal. Plan to install new PRP seats, harnesses, and steering wheel first though so that I get the cage placement and harness bar matched up perfectly to the new stuff. Just need to budget the time and expenses first haha. There was actually traffic stopped in the sluice so we went around, maybe next time.

[@adamshartley]

@@HardEarnedBacon i did the prps also and still have to do the harness bar

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Once I get the LJ caught up is when I'll probably start tearing down the YJ again, we'll see. Glad your wife was ok though.

[@ninja63639]

Do you have a video on your suspension setup? I'm on OME 036 leaves with 33x10.50s on stock '89 wheels now but want to go to 35s. Trying to figure out if I can throw on TJ flares and 35s and be good clearance wise. As of right now I don't run a sway bar or track bars and can fully flex without the tire touching at all so I'm thinking I should be good but I'm not 100% sure

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I made a walkaround video a few months ago that gives all the details

[@mattprince6858]

just found your channel, great content. what size tires are you running and are they stock axles? thanks

[@HardEarnedBacon]

35s, built D30 and 8.8

[@_Vexzz]

Just wanted to hear your opinion on something. I blew my stock dana 35 diff and was wondering if i should go with a dana 44 or a 8.8 ford rear end?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Either one is a good option. It will be easier to find an 8.8 and it will match your existing bolt pattern. Arguably the stronger axle too, when parked side by side it is noticeably bigger than the 44 in my LJ.

[@billybumpus1]

Good for you! I think y'alls wives walked the whole trail while filming.......LOL

[@OFFAxisBuilds]

What are the specs on that yj? I'm looking to go up there in July and wanted to see if my yj on 33's would do fine going over it.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Walkaround - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppSlgIyff9mEoJosi=p0m20Yf8Rm87RvgS

[@thomaskrawchuk4940]

Do you have the 3 speed? or 5speed? automatic

[@HardEarnedBacon]

YJ is 3 speed auto, TJ is 5 speed manual

[@joshdoinggood8117]

Are you running a dana 30 in front?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Yes

[@mr.blessing2155]

I just got my YJ and just found your channel… Bro I may be borrowing an idea off you… or two

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Haha sounds good

[@Mickale-Moranis]

Hey, nice video. Yah,, bears were out in the dark. But see you weren't attacked at Buck Island by the misquitos. No comment on the bathrooms? Wrinkles are expected on rock trails, on any trails. This is where upgrades come involved. The thin sheetmetal gas tank skid, yah, flaky rusty on one side make wrinkle holes. Similarly, the exhaust tip...that's no big deal. Its not flat enough to be a 'bee'. Use a cut-off wheel to make an angle cut little farther back from the shackle/gas tank skid (some 1" or so). Just be happy that backing up didn't push it forward finding a bend moment to bend a tube or go farther up near the cross-over. BTW, did you add a TJ downpipe? Can't remember. TJs' downpipe brings the exhaust in front of the oil pan sump and then back to the converter vs under the trans in front of the skid plate. At 17:25, since you have front/rear lockers and gears, look to climb that rock face, where you buddy Steven is standing, with your passenger tires. Little offcamber but doable and fun. That 'S' turn was great. I helped 3 Gladiators get through it. TJ on 35s did well. Yah, it was dry for me. Have you thought to place the shifter from the column to the floor for quick reaction action? Meaning, I have a 97 TJ 2.5/auto. I go from 1st to neutral by slapping the shifter to the neutral gate. This lets off the tc and any momentum forward, helps with gravity to let your front back down, and I just have to push the side button to pop into reverse. I've been wheeling this TJ since 06 on the same suspension and gears/lockers and tire size (35" MTs). Actually did the Rubicon in mid-July this year with it. Slipped off Soup Bowl, and with the group I was with, didn't' have time for another attempt nor the Little Sluice. Took the 'by-pass'.

[@mattprince6858]

What gears do you have? Thanks

[@HardEarnedBacon]

4.56 Yukon

[@josevega591]

👍✌️💪👌💯

[@HardEarnedBacon]

🤘

[@toddhinson1973]

Are you still running a 30 up front with lockers?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Yep

[@toddhinson1973]

@@HardEarnedBacon Thats awesome. Dana 30/35's don't get enough credit. My YJ is on 33's I want to install lockers and 35"s next. I appreciate all your videos. Your doing a great job. #savethesquares!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

@@toddhinson1973 thanks! Rear is an 8.8 on mine.

[@toddhinson1973]

@@HardEarnedBacon yes sir. I watched that video. I have an old 8.8, but I haven't committed to it yet. I want to keep it streetable as possible right now.

[@toddhinson1973]

@@HardEarnedBacon let me ask you something. According to Google you can pass the Rubicon Trail in a stock Jeep with 33's by taking the bypasses. Is that true?

[@mcguireskaratetheartofsurv1942]

The visitors were quiet throughout the night

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Ninjas

[@williamhaggerson5490]

What air pressure were you guys running? Seemed a little high.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Several people have asked this- 12 psi. Any lower and I start to lose too much ground clearance.

[@williamhaggerson5490]

Love the YJ glad folks aren’t scared to use them!

[@MrAjc407]

Hello sir. Just bought a 91 yj. Can you help me out with the suspension set up so I can clear the 35s. Thanks thank you very much

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I have all the details in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppSlgIyff9mEoJosi=YrW8R9wXh-vN01R3

[@kidd7359]

No soup bowel coverage???

[@HardEarnedBacon]

We actually drove right by it without noticing it, then went back to check it out, decided it was way too wet and muddy, and kept going. Maybe next time.

[@darylhicks7008]

Good video. Trail sections would have been a lot easier if you aired down those tires. Looked like they were full air pressure.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

They were at 12.

[@NunyaBSniss-py1oz]

Wtf is a TJ6?? We just making names up now..?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Not sure if joking or noob lol

[@NGWrenchin]

It would literally have been faster to just google TJ6 and actually learn something than it was for you to post this comment

[@NunyaBSniss-py1oz]

@@HardEarnedBacon enlighten me.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

@@NunyaBSniss-py1oz a term that has been around for over 15 years to describe a TJ that has been stretched to the overall length of a LJ but with a longer wheelbase. Based on the CJ6 name. Has been used to describe TJs with this type of stretch by Jeep guys, forums, magazines, KZbin channels, fabrication shops, etc for a long time and is nothing new. Hope you are enlightened.

[@NunyaBSniss-py1oz]

@@HardEarnedBacon hope your butt is enlightened.