2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon - Clearance King - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

For the decade or so when Daimler was teamed with Chrysler, many Jeep enthusiast hoped that just by chance the Mercedes-Benz Unimog engineers would team up with the Jeep Wrangler build team to create the ultimate high-clearance Jeep. Sadly, the two sides never emerged with a brainchild. Though if they did, it might have looked something like Matt Bishop’s ’04 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

Resting on 404 axles plucked from a Unimog, the Big Bird yellow TJ nets a tremendous amount of differential clearance thanks to the 44-inch Boggers and massive portal boxes fitted at the axle ends. Built by David Smith and his team at Terra Traction in Jacksonville, Florida, the Jeep was designed with big boulders in mind.

We recently got the chance to wheel with Matt and his Florida crew. After watching the monster TJ in action, we were impressed by how the well-thought-out terra tamer worked. And while Matt’s Rubicon is still undergoing a few final touches and tuning, we’d say that this Daimler-Chrysler merger is one that will be holding strong for years to come.

Tech Specs
2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Drivetrain
Engine: 4.0L
Transmission: 42RE
Transfer case: 4:1 NP241
Axles: Unimog 404, factory selectable lockers with custom air actuators, 3.54 differential, 2.13 portal, 7.56 end ratio
Suspension
Springs & Such: Custom 3-link front with a track bar, double triangulated 4-link rear, 14-inch travel ORI ST struts, suspension tuned for 4 inches of uptravel and 10 of downtravel
Tires & Wheels: 44x19.5 Boggers on 161⁄2x93⁄4 recentered H1 beadlocks
Steering: PSC fully hydraulic
Other Stuff: Custom tube chassis, Warn 9.5ti winch, 13⁄4x0.120-wall DOM cage, Howe radiator, Power Tank, K&N intake, Optima batteries, 115-inch wheelbase, 94-inch track width, 81⁄2-foot overall height

At 115 inches the Wrangler’s stretched wheelbase is now better suited for steep ledges and hillclimbs. Coupled with the extreme clearance that the axles provide and 44-inch Boggers, Matt can opt for lines usually reserved for more extreme buggies.
At 115 inches the Wrangler’s stretched wheelbase is now better suited for steep ledges and
Under the hood the factory Inline-six received a Howe aluminum radiator to help keep things cool. With the 4.0L mated to the Rubicon’s 42RE automatic and 4:1 NP241 transfer case, Matt Bishop has plenty of power and control to push him over the rocks.
Under the hood the factory Inline-six received a Howe aluminum radiator to help keep thing
To increase the suspension travel and control the 404 axles, a custom three-link was installed up front. Beefy multilink suspension is necessary when running Unimog axles, as the portal boxes generate more leverage than a conventional axle set.
To increase the suspension travel and control the 404 axles, a custom three-link was insta

Packed inside each portal box is a 2.13 gearset that when multiplied by the 3.54 differential ratio creates an overall end drive of 7.56. And while the portal boxes net the TJ 7 inches of lift, the ORI struts control the suspension cycle by offering 4 inches of uptravel and 10 of downtravel.
Packed inside each portal box is a 2.13 gearset that when multiplied by the 3.54 different
To actuate the Unimog’s factory selectable lockers, the TJ uses a small Power Tank to feed the axle-mounted actuator.
To actuate the Unimog’s factory selectable lockers, the TJ uses a small Power Tank to feed
This low-pressure setup gives Matt more control when maneuvering the 94-inch-wide Wrangler around the trail.
This low-pressure setup gives Matt more control when maneuvering the 94-inch-wide Wrangler