I'm back in a Jeep... 2016 Wrangler Unlimited Black Bear Pass

[Frank]

I'm back in a Jeep, after a few years of playing with cars and doing the track/auto-x thing. I actually had to talk myself out of a Rubicon. I bought this vehicle with the intention of using it as a weekend (off the beaten path) family mobile and for the terrain I will be traveling, I felt a Rubicon was complete overkill. The additional ~$8k couldn't be justified. If I feel it becomes necessary, or if the family (for whatever reason) moves west, I might add an ARB locker.

We picked up a new 2016 Black Bear edition, which is basically a Sport model with an appearance package. Black wheels, black grill, special edition interior, rock rails, and a trac-lock/limited slip rear end. It also has the trailer package, which is somewhat a must have as I fully intend to add a trailer.

I like it, the wife likes it, the kid likes it...win, win, and win. :victory:

 

[tarditi]

Congrats! Great color choice!

 

[IndyRubicon]

Looks great...congrats!

 

[Frank]

Thanks! I love the color too.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Definitely a cool, cool Jeep. Tank is a great color. :beer:

So will you pull a trailer, or modify it to camp out of?

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Congrats!!

 

[Frank]

We will start out of the Jeep, but plan to move into a trailer of some sort. The tow package on the Jeep was a must, as I intended to use a trailer at some point. Maybe a teardrop?

 

[Mass_Mopar]

Great looking jeep! I also have tank and I love it!

 

[Copperhead14]

Nice looking Jeep. I did a 14 Rubicon because of color and it was a deal I could not beat. Unfortunately Indiana is limited on off road adventures.

 

[HRPINDC]

Nice! Welcome to the club!

 

[kojackJKU]

Awesome Jeep. Theres only so many times you can go around a track before it gets boring. At least now, you and the family can get out in nature and enjoy many many different places in the Jeep. Truth be told, the Rubicon is overkill for 90 percent of them sold, but that's a different story.

 

[Frank]

Thanks for the compliments and comments.

Awesome Jeep. Theres only so many times you can go around a track before it gets boring. At least now, you and the family can get out in nature and enjoy many many different places in the Jeep. Truth be told, the Rubicon is overkill for 90 percent of them sold, but that's a different story.

I drive on the track as part of my job, and it has yet to get boring. Regardless, my 6yo daughter has been practically begging to get outside more and I felt terrible for not being able to provide that for her. I drove a dual purpose car (track and DD) and my wife drives a Jetta diesel, both not ideal to traverse dirt and fire roads with camp gear. I could have made it work, but why work harder than I needed to. The dealer I bought the Jeep from did give me a great deal on my Jeep and almost bought me out of my car, leaving it pretty much a no-brainer to jump ship while I could. There will come a time when Dad isn't cool enough to be with on the weekends, so I'll take advantage of the time I have.

And I agree that the Rubi is overkill for about 90% of them sold. Maybe more than that. Is there anything wrong with that, absolutely not. Heck, I think a Subaru or another AWD SUV could be more than capable of doing what I am going to be doing with this Jeep. But, they aren't Jeeps

I'm really excited about this vehicle. By the way, I also noticed there isn't much content on the web about the 'Black Bear' edition. I think I will try go get a youtube video up in the near future.

 

[SSF556]

Does this have a button to lock the rear axle?

 

[Frank]

It does not. It has the trac-lock, which is a fancy word for a limited slip in the rear end. When the differential detects that a wheel no longer has traction, it transfers power to the other wheel.

This is an option that must be ordered by the dealer, to my knowledge.

 

[kojackJKU]

I have that option too. Works great with the brake lock diff setup. I was 100% kidding on the track thing! Ha ha.