Is a Rubicon worth it???

[Capt Eddie]

I am loking for an Expedition rig to tow behind my truck camper. I am trying to stay under $20K. I think I want a Rubicon. I have had jeeps most of my younger life and now I want another. I do not live where I can hit the trails every weekend. But I do want a capable rig. The nonrubicons are about 3K less then the Rubicons. Are they worth the extra money? Or should I buy the cheaper unit and add locker myself.

 

[Colorado Jeeper]

If you feel you will need the lockers the Rubicon is the way to go. A good set of lockers will be close to 3k installed. I've had 7 jeeps, the last one was a rubicon. The jeep walked through everything but not being a hardcore wheeler I felt the rubicon was over kill and went with sport this time around. The base jeep is very capable off road. My vote is pass on the rubicon.

 

[goodtimes]

It all depends on where you want to go.

The Rubicon package is a good deal, if you are likely to end up installing lockers anyway. If you seriously doubt you will ever need/want them - then save the $$$ and skip it.

Personally, I put over 100,000 miles on mine. The combination of the low 4:1 transfer case and two air lockers made for an incredibly capable vehicle -- right out of the box. No need to 'build' anything. Just drive it.

 

[Bennyhana]

I bought the Rubicon package because for my type of offroading it was basicly done from the get go. Yes the rubicon can be overkill for 90% of the wheeling I do, but I went with the whole "better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it". Plus, Rubicons look better sitting at the mall than regular jeeps.

 

[haven]

The Rubicon package is more than lockers. As mentioned, you get a lower low range in the transfer case, plus lower gears in the differentials, stronger axles, and a 32 inch tall wheel/tire package. And don't forget the auto disconnect sway bar. It would be difficult to add these items yourself for $3000.

 

[Capt Eddie]

Thank you for the reply. I have found a 2004 Rubicon with 99000miles. It looks to be in excellent condition. They are asking $14500 with a 5 year 100000 warrenty. It has a lift and brandnew 35 inch tires. I am not crazy about that large of tires and lift.It is at a large dealership chain. I have not been able to find any Rubicons that cheap. Even a 2003 Sport is $16000. We have such a great economy down here all the toys are expensive.

 

[bob91yj]

Check the brand on the lift, look under the rig for evidence of hard use.

A cheap lift is exactly that, a CHEAP lift. I'm a die hard Jeep guy, but let's face it, they ride like crap right out of the box compared to any econo-box. A cheap lift will make that ride even worse, make you hate driving the rig.

If a lift andf 35's aren't what you need to meet YOUR needs, pass on it and keep looking.

 

[Bigjerm]

The Rubicons are a great out of the box Jeep. The D44 front and rear and 4.10 gears will handle the 35's pretty well. With the lockers you are pretty much set to go off road and get into / out of some nasty. I didn't go with a Rubicon but that is because my plan is to 1 day replace axles along with other parts that would have made spending more for the rubicon pointless.

 

[Brazos609]

Thank you for the reply. I have found a 2004 Rubicon with 99000miles. It looks to be in excellent condition. They are asking $14500 with a 5 year 100000 warrenty...

Are they going to cover it for another 100,000 or just the next 1,000? Most times a certified used car type warranty covers to the stated number, not adds that number to the current odometer number.

 

[goodtimes]

Thank you for the reply. I have found a 2004 Rubicon with 99000miles. It looks to be in excellent condition. They are asking $14500 with a 5 year 100000 warrenty. It has a lift and brandnew 35 inch tires.

That thing must be plated in gold.

 

[The Swiss]

A cheap lift is exactly that, a CHEAP lift. I'm a die hard Jeep guy, but let's face it, they ride like crap right out of the box compared to any econo-box. A cheap lift will make that ride even worse, make you hate driving the rig.

I strongly disagree. I had cheap budget boosts under my WJ and now my Rubi and a could not be happier with the ride quality of both rigs.

That thing must be plated in gold.

And I'd like to disagree again (I'm on a streak here ). For a Rubi in good shape that price is not too bad.

 

[Hawkz]

Two years ago I bought a stock 2003 Rubicon with only 51k miles, for $14,500. I am very happy with it and I bought a Rubicon knowing I would not go bigger than 35" tires. (Stock axles should be fine.) Like said above, if you plan to replace the axles, getting a Rubicon is a waste.

I would not buy any Jeep with 100k miles for that kind of money. I also wouldn't buy any heavily modified vehicle, period. I much prefer to do my own upgrades. I'm one of those crazy people that researches the heck out of things before I buy/upgrade. Plus, I like building/working on my own vehicles.

I researched Rubicons and watched the market for several months before I found one I felt was a fair deal. If it sounds like a Rubicon is the right model for you, you are half way there. Now you just have to find the right one.

 

[cdnabn49]

2 Cents - I am on my 5th Jeep - it's a 2004 TJ (Wrangler) Rubicon - by far it is the most capable Jeep I have ever owned... I love it. My first was 1980 CJ-7 Renegade.. I have had 2 Cherokee's which bone stock will go just about anywhere... we still have a 98 Cherokee LTD and I am on my 2nd TJ and love it - I have a 3" suspension lift - locker mod - and 33" BFG MT's on it and won't go any bigger - thats enough meat for my needs.
That being said it is no comfort machine as far as the family is concerned :smiley_drive: it is a Jeep and more true to their nature. It rides great for me, I can see everything, go any where in almost any weather and that for me is the most important thing... we have had more snow and crappy-*** roads recently - so you have to weigh the pluses and minuses... but if you're going Jeep go Rubicon get it the way you want it instead of paying after the fact... :costumed-smiley-007

 

[KA5IVR]

I am looking for an Expedition rig to tow behind my truck camper. I am trying to stay under $20K. I think I want a Rubicon. I have had jeeps most of my younger life and now I want another. I do not live where I can hit the trails every weekend. But I do want a capable rig.

A Rubicon would be worth it. You get the Lockers, but you also get a 4:1 transfer case and 4-wheel disk brakes.

If you an Expedition rig, you might want to look for a LJ with the longer bed. IMO, I would try to look for a '05 or '06.

 

[jaxs1984]

I just found an article discussing the same topic of rubi or not and they talk about the TJ, this might be helpful

It pretty much sums up what everybody here is saying, it depends on what your going to do


http://www.jpmagazine.com/featuredv...angler_rubicon_vs_regular_wrangler/index.html