Contemplating purchasing a 2011 Rubicon

[JPK]

Autos need transmission coolers! Fortunately, they are easy to come by, relatively easy to instal and not a lot of money.

Do a search on JKOwners.com forum and you will find plenty of information on what cooler and lines to buy and how to instal.

Also, 4 low pushes up the engine speed and so the transmission pump speed and so fluid through your to-be-installed cooler for hot days on the NC beaches.

JPK

 

[Hilldweller]

Nice vehicles on both counts!!! Were you having the overheating problems with or without the trailer?

My tranny only overheated once without the trailer; I had a 2-door though. I've seen JKUs have more problems.

Do install an auxiliary trans cooler. B&M has a few that are affordable and every dealer I spoke with said it wouldn't void any warranties if I had a trans shop install it. I had a cooler ordered and was about to install it when I decided to trade instead.

Look to Jeepforum and WranglerForum for advice and sympathy. Avoid JK-Forum; they sensor the members and only allow advice about vendors that support them. As a result, the forum is so full of bad information and nonsense that it boggles the mind.

If you don't tow, the JK is manageable and a great performer offroad. I even enjoyed roadtrips and daily driving with it; it suited me fine except for interior size and the engine/trans. Even with that, I liked it enough to keep it for nearly 3 years --- and I'm a known caraholic.

 

[Bigjerm]

87' I had the stock (in 07 a non Rubi auto had 4.10's). I was ok but a re-gear would have happened eventually if I kept it. Have a friend who towed a smaller camping trailer behind his 4 door JK Rubi on 37's with the stock 4.10's for awhile. HE did install an aux tranny cooler and I don't remember him having any issues after that.

 

[Bennyhana]

Awesome looking ride. Not sure if Jeep addressed the trans overheat problem for real yet but if it doesn't have one get a trans cooler installed and you'll be good. Previously the auto JK's didn't have a way to inform the driver the trans temp was getting to hot. They updated the computer to flash a hot oil warning but it did nothing to help the trans stay cool.

Wait till you check out the 4:1 transfer case on the trail....:Wow1:

 

[trail-explorer]

Look to Jeepforum and WranglerForum for advice and sympathy. Avoid JK-Forum; they sensor the members and only allow advice about vendors that support them. As a result, the forum is so full of bad information and nonsense that it boggles the mind.

Although not a treasure trove of information about the JKs, www.rubiconownersforum.com is a decent place as well.

I've heard about the censorship on JK-F too......

 

[Bigjerm]

Although not a treasure trove of information about the JKs, www.rubiconownersforum.com is a decent place as well.

I've heard about the censorship on JK-F too......

I would also toss in JKowners.com Another good forum with info but is a bit Pirate 4x4 like as well. Lots of good info on the web... Don't know how I keep up with all my forums sometimes.

 

[m(a)ce]

! What gearing did you have for the 35's? I am planning on a 2" lift and 35's sometime soon.

So, here's a (totally stock) first pic of it in my driveway before I bought it:

looking good. congratulations!

I run 5.13s on an auto/35s. I'm happy with it. Thought about 5.38s but thought pinion might be too small so I went with 5.13s to play it safe. I ran the 35s on the stock rubi gears for several months and it was tolerable on the flats but kind of a drag on the hills. just my .02

btw - if you're going to wheel it kinda hard, to run 35s on a true 2" you're going to need to go with flats (or really bumpstop it).

I'd second the JKO rec ^^^ & tranny cooler. JKF is informative on some things but just be aware of the censorship.

 

[87GMCJimmy]

I just ordered my lift! 3.5" Rock Krawler X factor midarm, 2" stackable bumpstop extensions (F&R), Fox external reservoir shocks, and matching Fox steering stabilizer!!! Can't wait for everything to come in! (no word on lead time for RK yet...) :ylsmoke:

 

[Mr. D]

congrats on your new toy have lots of fun

 

[87GMCJimmy]

Thanks bro! :ylsmoke:

I picked up a bunch of parts yesterday, found a great deal on some stuff that a guy had bought and then decided to return his Jeep back to stock and trade it on a '11 Camaro SS. Got a set of 5 Goodyear Wrangler MTR-Kevlars on 17" Mickey Thompson Classic II's (barely any miles on them, can still see the molding pattern on the treads!!!), a Poison Spider Customs Brawler Lite front bumper with skid and hoop, a PSC evap canister skid, a Warn xd9000i, and a little Warn recovery kit. Well, on to pics:

The stack of stuff:

The 35's vs the stock tires:

Couldn't resist rolling the tires by the Jeep for a sneak peek (got the lead time for the lift, it won't be here for a month):

 

[jeep-N-montero]

why a new JK?

There are tons of nicely built used TJ Unlimited Rubicons for sale that will walk all over a new JK on and off-road. Or build one of these

 

[dacjeep]

Hello all. I just registered for the site. I have read all the threads on this topic and a lot of great feedback. Here is how I look at HP (long time engine build up guy). You can always do some pretty in expensive things and gain some good HP to any engine. Intake air and exhaust are the to quickest and relatively easy. Get good gains, a little increase in GPM. Then from there is to the STROKER theme. Looks like he is on his way to being a true JEEPER... which is cool.... Good Luck with the new ride.

 

[Bigjerm]

87GMC... did you buy those MTR's from a guy on JKOwners? By the way I have a set sitting in my garage and they should be on the LJ tuesday, cant wait!

 

[87GMCJimmy]

There are tons of nicely built used TJ Unlimited Rubicons for sale that will walk all over a new JK on and off-road. Or build one of these

I actually had a (mildly) built ZJ (4.5" Rubicon Express short arm (shoulda gone long arm) with Bilstein 5100's, 33x10.50R15 BFG mud terrains, 231 swap (was a 5.2 V-8 and I didn't want the stock 249), Tom Woods driveshafts, rear Aussie Locker, Skidrow t-case and fuel tank skids, custom rocksliders, custom exhaust (not on in the pic), Kevin's offroad radiator crossmember and shackle mount), a couple years ago, I enjoyed it but, I like the ability to remove the Wrangler's top. As to building a LJ instead, I thought about it (even test drove a TJ years ago before the LJ came out) but, I really need four doors because I quite often am the driver whenever we go out with friends, also (as noted earlier on in this thread) I am getting married soon so, need a practical (or at least somewhat practical, LOL!) family kid mobile (no kids yet but, the fiancee wants us to start soon after we get hitched). Pic of the ZJ I had:

Hello all. I just registered for the site. I have read all the threads on this topic and a lot of great feedback. Here is how I look at HP (long time engine build up guy). You can always do some pretty in expensive things and gain some good HP to any engine. Intake air and exhaust are the to quickest and relatively easy. Get good gains, a little increase in GPM. Then from there is to the STROKER theme. Looks like he is on his way to being a true JEEPER... which is cool.... Good Luck with the new ride.

Thanks! I appreciate it! I am thinking about maybe a RIPP supercharger setup after the warranties expire (if I feel the need for more power), we'll see, I've got plenty of time to research! Stock right now, it's not fast but, it's not an impediment to traffic or anything, LOL! I miss the power I had with my DMAX but hey, it couldn't wheel or drive around topless so... tradeoffs, LOL!

87GMC... did you buy those MTR's from a guy on JKOwners? By the way I have a set sitting in my garage and they should be on the LJ tuesday, cant wait!

Yes sir! I certainly did, got them from JKHammer! Post up a pic when you get them mounted on your LJ, I love me some LJ's!!!! :ylsmoke:

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I actually had a (mildly) built ZJ (4.5" Rubicon Express short arm (shoulda gone long arm) with Bilstein 5100's, 33x10.50R15 BFG mud terrains, 231 swap (was a 5.2 V-8 and I didn't want the stock 249), Tom Woods driveshafts, rear Aussie Locker, Skidrow t-case and fuel tank skids, custom rocksliders, custom exhaust (not on in the pic), Kevin's offroad radiator crossmember and shackle mount), a couple years ago, I enjoyed it but, I like the ability to remove the Wrangler's top. As to building a LJ instead, I thought about it (even test drove a TJ years ago before the LJ came out) but, I really need four doors because I quite often am the driver whenever we go out with friends, also (as noted earlier on in this thread) I am getting married soon so, need a practical (or at least somewhat practical, LOL!) family kid mobile (no kids yet but, the fiancee wants us to start soon after we get hitched). Pic of the ZJ I had:

That thing is so pretty!! We have 2 other cars and I will never sell my Jeep, but I may buy a stock chassis and swap parts over, as I'm sure I have a few cracks in the "frame".