West
Monroe, LA - You'll see RED... in the Paramount
Pictures release of the Tomb Raider II movie with
its big debut on July 25th this month. The RED is the corporate
color of Skyjacker Suspension with headquarters in West
Monroe, Louisiana. The family owned & operated business
has come a long way in their 30 histories of building suspension
lift kits, components & accessories for a broad range
of popular vehicles.
Skyjacker
became involved in this much-anticipated blockbuster with
an established relationship with Chrysler that began back
in 2002. Skyjacker worked with both groups on a couple of
different 'Project Vehicles' for some very influential trade
shows for the automotive aftermarket. The most seen of this
project was a four-wheel drive 2002 Jeep Liberty - deemed
‘Project Liberty Freedom'. The success of this helped
establish a rapport with all those involved and continued
into bigger and larger projects. The latest of which is
the premiere of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon driven by the
Lara Croft character in the Tomb Raider II movie.
The
Chrysler Group's Jeep Design Studio team, in collaboration
with Kirk Petruccelli and Graham Kelly from the Paramount
Tomb Raider II production team, designed and built the customized
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon featured in the film. They actually
built 3 of these vehicles for the production of the film
and Skyjacker products were included on all three. It took
over 3,755 hours of customizing & installations to create
the three Rubicon's.
"To
create the vehicle, we took the ultimate off-road machine,
a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and tailored it to fit what aristocratic
Lady Lara Croft, would need to do her job as a tomb raider,"
said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President, Product Design,
Chrysler Group. "This specialized vehicle includes
original Rubicon features, after-market components used
by many off-road enthusiasts and unique never-before-seen
custom features."
Lara's
unique vehicle boasts an array of functional modifications,
such as a roll cage with grab bars, a skid plate with simulated
HID lighting and an interior with specially designed gauges,
shifters, instrument panel, console and door trim. The aftermarket
components used to complete the Lara Croft's Jeep Wrangler
Rubicon include Hanson Enterprises front and rear bumpers,
Mickey Thompson 35" Baja Claw tires and Classic II
wheel with bead locks, Warn winch, Bushwacker riveted fender
flares and a Skyjacker 4" Rock Ready® Long Arm
suspension lift.
"Wrangler
is the icon of the Jeep brand and continues to be the original
"go-anywhere do-anything" freedom machine that
provides maximum versatility and performance,"
said Jeff Bell, Vice President Jeep, Chrysler Group. "In
the movie, this vehicle will be showcased in many rugged
and extreme situations, highlighting key strengths of the
brand in a new and exciting way. You'll see the Jeep driving
80 mph across harsh desert and jungle terrain without any
difficulty. That's real Jeep 4x4 capability and that's Jeep
adventure."
The
4" Rock Ready® Long Arm suspension was there for
every inch of action. Many of the scenes that feature the
Jeep Rubicon were shot under the scorching sun of Kenya,
Africa. The blazing dusty plains, harsh jungles & parched
terrain was no match for the well-engineered Rock Ready®
system. Skyjacker showed-off it's durability and sheer ruggedness
throughout all the action. Every component of the lift system
stood-up to the test and let the heroine Lara Croft, played
by Angelina Jolie, make a 'quick get away'.
"Lara
Croft couldn't be caught in the movie and our competition
'can't catch us now'", declared Lonnie McCurry,
Jr. Vice President of Skyjacker Suspensions. "We
(Skyjacker) have been blessed to be involved with such a
terrific team as the Chrysler Group. The movie came at a
perfect time for the appearance of Skyjacker's newly designed
suspension system for the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. This genuine
innovation from Jeep, the Rubicon, is sure to be another
icon in Chrysler's long list of achievements."
"The
release of our (Skyjacker) Rock Ready 4" Long Arm Suspension
lift was not only designed for 'Lara Croft', but for all
the Jeep Rubicon & Wrangler owners out there"
commented Lonnie McCurry, Sr. - Owner & CEO of Skyjacker
Suspensions. "You can get a Skyjacker lift for
you Jeep in full confidence... that if 'I' or Lara Croft
can take it to the extreme and still come back for more,
you can too", he said with a sly smile. "Skyjacker
parts are built 'To Save The Planet'. Just ask Lara Croft,"
he continued with a grin.
Skyjacker’s
Rock Ready® 4” Long Arm System
•
New Front & Rear Softride® Coils
•
Lower D.O.M. Flex Links with 2-Piece Teflon®/Kevlar®
Line Spherical Rod Ends at Both Ends - This Links are 80%
longer than stock which dramatically reduce link angle during
articulation therefore allowing a minimum degree of caster
change through the full cycle of the suspension.
•
Upper D.O.M. Flex Links are Longer with 2-Piece Teflon®/Kevlar®
Line Spherical Rod Ends
•
D.O.T. Certified Front and Rear, Stainless Steel Braided,
Polyurethane Coated Brake Lines
•
Double Disconnect Front Sway Bar End Links
•
Extended Rear Sway Bar End Links
•
Adjustable Flex Front Track Bar
•
Integrated 2-Piece Sub-Frame Assembly
•
Heavy Duty Steering Stabilizer
•
Dropped Pitman Arm