2017 Wrangler Rubicon Recon

[haven]

Jeep will offer a beefed up Rubicon for 2017. The Rubicon Recon special edition includes stronger Dana 44 axles, an inch more ground clearance, and revised wheel wells so 35 inch tires will fit without further mods. There will be a number of interior trim changes and badges to make sure everyone knows this is a special edition.

Like special editions before it, the Recon will command a big increase in price. The two door Recon starts at $40,140. The Unlimited four door model starts at $43,940. That's about $6000 more than the base Rubicon Unlimited, and a whopping $16,000 over the $27,895 base Wrangler Unlimited.

 

[SilicaRich]

It'll be interesting to see how the trim looks actually looks.

 

[ivers]

Just a heads up, its 1.5 inch lift. and doesn't come with bigger tire, so there's no ground clearance added.

For me having the jeep always in the trail, having 6000$ of red accents color isn't my style. but yeah I wish a good purchase for everyone out there, until the JL finally shows up!

 

[Bobzdar]

My bet is you're getting the 2018 JL Rubicon axles on a JK...35's on a completely stock Jeep is pretty nice. Guess they have to move the JK's somehow with everyone remotely knowledgeable waiting for the JL.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Looks like a great update to the Hard Rock.
Check out the rock rails with the step plate. That's a nice addition too.
http://www.autoblog.com/2017/02/06/2017-jeep-wrangler-rubicon-recon/

 

[02rangeredge]

Like special editions before it, the Recon will command a big increase in price. The two door Recon starts at $40,140. The Unlimited four door model starts at $43,940. That's about $6000 more than the base Rubicon Unlimited, and a whopping $16,000 over the $27,895 base Wrangler Unlimited.

"Base Rubicon" that's a heck of an oxymoron

 

[cruiserdude80]

My bet is you're getting the 2018 JL Rubicon axles on a JK...35's on a completely stock Jeep is pretty nice. Guess they have to move the JK's somehow with everyone remotely knowledgeable waiting for the JL.

I agree, I think they are phasing in JL components as they start using up JK components.

 

[evilfij]

Man those rock rails would have been great for my parents. They ended up adding ACE ones under the rock rails to their hard rock (yes my elderly parents bought a hard rock -- they can flat tow behind their rv -- and it is my mother's daily driver and she loves it).

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Here's the press release: LINK

The highlights IMO:

• front axle upgrade, strengthened tubes and heavy-duty end forgings
• enhanced off-road rock rails that are shortened to accommodate up to 35-inch tires
• heavy-duty cast differential covers
• offered in seven colors: Black, Bright White, Billet Silver, Firecracker Red, Gobi, Rhino and Granite Crystal.
• half-inch lift
• dual-vented Power Dome hood
• red accent netting on front and rear door pockets and the center console
• red accent-colored seatbelts

 

[Alphonse]

There's nothing there that would have me paying the premium over a standard Rubicon. But I guess for a dealership it's an easy way to put a JK on the lot with dealership installed 35" tires and make a nice premium over a normal Rubi.

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

Man, these new jeeps sure are nice and seem to have alot of trim and upgrade options.

 

[406to417]

My bet is you're getting the 2018 JL Rubicon axles on a JK...35's on a completely stock Jeep is pretty nice. Guess they have to move the JK's somehow with everyone remotely knowledgeable waiting for the JL.

First thing that came to my mind.

 

[pingzingr]

What are the rock rails on this Recon? Are they another enhanced Rubicon rail or something like that?

 

[cruiserdude80]

Other than the hood and the enhanced front axle, you could buy a standard rubicon, add the recon springs, rock rails, and add aftermarket HD different covers and be well under the 6 grand price difference.

Don't get me wrong, I REALLY like the Recon, but it is not in the cards for me.

 

[Comanche Scott]

What are the rock rails on this Recon? Are they another enhanced Rubicon rail or something like that?

They "look like" the Enhanced Sliders with the rear shortened, and a step plate added to the top. That wrote, they may be entirely different. I've only seen the original pictures released by Jeep.

Other than the hood and the enhanced front axle, you could buy a standard rubicon, add the recon springs, rock rails, and add aftermarket HD different covers and be well under the 6 grand price difference.

Don't get me wrong, I REALLY like the Recon, but it is not in the cards for me.

Man, I totally get where you are coming from. When I first started looking at the Hard Rock (back then called the Rubicon-X). I didn't get it. But then I sat down and printed out all the standard feature differences between it and a base Rubicon, and the light bulb went off. I ended up ordering one with just a couple of extra options which were at reduced cost due to what already came on this model.

Other than the axles & stitching, Jeep really does a poor job of explaining the important upgrades on the Recon over the base Rubicon.
This appeals to the same person who would buy the Hard Rock. When you add up all that is included for the type person looking for those inclusions factory installed, it's a pretty decent deal. Especially when the costs of certain other options are reduced because of the up-contented start point of the Recon.
The key being the person wanting all the amenities it has to offer as standard.

At the same time, if a dealer puts a Recon in the show room, he can explain just how easy it is to dress up any other Wrangler on the lot to emulate the Recon through Mopar Performance Parts. So they get the advantage of up selling base Wranglers. That has a big profit potential, and moves some base JKs off the lot.