MC VIDEO: Ditching Rubicon Express: Rich Upgrades to MetalCloak’s Duroflex Long Arm Suspension
In this MetalCloak video, we follow Rich — a professional off-road guide on the Rubicon Trail — as he replaces his aging Rubicon Express suspension with MetalCloak’s Duroflex long arm system. After noticing worn components, noise, and degraded performance, Rich upgrades both front and rear suspension, adds the UnderCloak integrated skid system, and rechecks his CTI score. With only control arms changed (no shocks), his CTI jumped noticeably, and he reports big improvements in on-road handling, reduced body roll, and increased confidence on the trail.
Complete Transcript with Time Stamps:
[00:00] This is Rich. Rich provides professionally guided tours for off road enthusiasts on the Rubicon Trail.
[00:08] Rich had previously upgraded only the front half of his Jeep from a worn out Rubicon Express long arm to a MetalCloak Duroflex long arm setup.
[00:18] His Rubicon Express rear suspension is now really showing signs of its age, and he's been noticing some significant noise and performance issues with his rig.
[00:27] Rich came to MetalCloak to get a solution.
[00:30] So Rich, you have Rubicon Express on the back half of your Jeep. You had it on the front half. Why did you replace it on the front half?
[00:38] A couple of reasons. One is I've noticed that parts started to wear out. I was getting some weird movement and a lot of odd noises coming out of the front.
[00:48] And you take new wheelers and old wheelers out on the Rubicon Trail in your personal vehicle.
[00:52] I do. There's no margin for error when you're taking new drivers out. I don't want inferior suspension products or some sort of a failure out there.
[01:01] We put Rich's Jeep on our patented CTI trailer to flex it out and get his CTI score and to take a look at some of the issues with the Rubicon Express suspension.
[01:11] The joints are just plain worn out and in serious need of a good replacement.
[01:16] His CTI score was just over eight hundred.
[01:20] But with some MetalCloak Duroflex joints, it can and will go a lot higher.
[01:25] We're gonna put a list together of items that we recommend, and we're gonna have those installed.
[01:30] And we're gonna bring your Jeep back down here, and we're gonna see what the results are.
[01:34] And I think you're gonna be pretty impressed.
[01:36] That's awesome. I look forward to it.
[01:39] While having the rear Duroflex long arm installed, Rich also added the MetalCloak UnderCloak integrated skid system for maximum protection for his Jeep's vulnerable underside.
[01:51] The replacement of the rear suspension is accomplished with our MetalCloak rear upgrade kit, which includes bolt on frame side brackets and, of course, the patented Duroflex equipped rear long arms.
[02:03] All MetalCloak control arms are equipped with a noise, vibration, and harshness dampening Duroflex joints.
[02:09] These self centering joints are low maintenance, easily rebuildable, and offer the most misalignment for bind free articulation.
[02:18] So we got the suspension on your Jeep now. We took the Rubicon Express off. You have the new MetalCloak rear upgrade system in the back of your Jeep, and you took it on some trips.
[02:29] And how did it do?
[02:31] It was amazing.
[02:33] I noticed an immediate difference just in on road performance. There was less body roll. It felt much more positive going around the turns. Just an all around better feel.
[02:42] So for daily driving, you'd say already there's a phenomenal difference in it.
[02:46] Oh, hands down. Phenomenal difference.
[02:49] So so how did it work on the trail?
[02:52] It just felt so much better. I felt more confident going over those obstacles.
[02:58] We took your Jeep now that it's been lifted up and redone with the MetalCloak rear system, and we re-CTI'd it.
[03:06] We've not changed any shocks or anything. We've only changed the control arms, and you went from an eight twenty five to over an eight seventy.
[03:15] Huge difference. Amazing. It feels like a new Jeep.
[03:19] And to be honest with you, if I would have known about the difference that those joints make, I would have done this upgrade years ago.
[03:27] Don't settle for subpar products. Get American made quality parts from the company that pros rely on.
[03:34] Give MetalCloak a call and let us help you build or rebuild your dream rig.
[03:39] MetalCloak, it's your Jeep, only better.
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