Wrangler Rubicon, what say you?

Win Heger

Win Heger

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Feb 29, 2000
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I've got the yearning for a Rubicon. We're starting to explore the northern Arizona and Utah deserts and canyons and I need a smaller, tougher vehicle than my Pilot. I've got my pricing in order and will probably pull the trigger on Monday.

Your insight, please.

Win
 
I always wanted a Landrover. Never got it. Bot, new, 1999 Wrangler with all heavy duty accessories. It is a piece of crap. Not really a vehicle more of a dream mangler. This pile of junk will break your heart.

Short wheel base is extraordinarily rough riding. Particularly rough when off road. Bucks like a bronco/mixer launching you in all directions. However, angle of approach and departure is the one benefit of swb.

Very noisey on road, even with road tires (Michelins). Cramped seating for two. No cargo carrying capacity.

Good tanning vehicle and carries my mtn bike on trailer mount.

With 50K miles have spent thousands in upkeep. Today the driver's door won't open. Had window replaced a few weeks ago and is probably related.

Just my $.02.

Best,

oregon
 
Sounds like a great choice. Serious off road capabilities in a stock package.

A bit more geared for off-road than on-road. My understanding is the short wheelbase can make for a bit of a choppy ride at times and the MTR tires probably going to give you some road noise as well. However, off road it would be hard to beat without a custom rig. The air-lockers all around give you serious capabilities, and the MTRs are going to pay off, off-road.

I suspect this is all going to be fine for around town, but might get a bit tedious if you do a lot of highway travel.

Hey, what other rig you going to get that has drain hole in the floor pan? :-)

I'd check out www.jeepwarehouse.com for good prices and Jeepsunlimited Forums for more info.

-john

Edit: Oregon, just be glad you didn't get the Rover! :-) I've heard tons of horror stories where they broke down on test drives! And not just one or two stories... Sorry about your bad luck on the Wrangler.

Win, make sure you check out the Jeepsunlimited forums and get a feel if you fit the Wrangler lifestyle. I do get the impression it is somewhat of a lifestyle! :-)
 
Get a Landrover, I know its a pain to buy them, but they have been and continue to be the best 4x4 in the world (except for perhaps a Range Rover) Get rid of the stock engine and get a decent 3L Jap Diesel out of a 4runner or similar.
 
I think you will be very happy with the Rubi. I bought an 04 Sport this last year with dana 44s and both tops. I passed on a soft top Rubicon because I wanted both tops and thought I would build my own trail rig. A year and half later I have added only a lift and new tires. If I had to do it over again I would have just bought the Rubicon. I just came back from the Black Rock Desert in Nevada and was very satified with it performance, although lockers would have been nice in several situations. Good luck on your decision and dont forget to wave :D
 
One of my friends got a new Rubicon recently. His is a "Limited" with the larger cargo bay.
-rides good
-looks good (black on black on black)
-lots of extras I didn't expect to see in a Jeep, nicest one I've seen
-hardtop is unwieldy and a pain to remove-his girlfriend tried to help him take it off yesterday, couldn't handle her side, and now he's got a gouge in a door
-geared low, pulls high rpms on the hway, even in 6th gear-great power but I'm sure his gas mileage will suck
-more interior room than I expected-like most mid-sized SUVs, but a 2 door
-typical jeep, high dash and hood which I didn't like
-rear seats fold down flush, lots of room if you only need to seat 2 w/gear
I'm not sure a Jeep is "for me", though I've always wanted one, just 'cause I think they're cool. I really like the Limited, though my idea of a Jeep is something stripped down, not loaded up.
 
We have a '00 Wrangler. Got in late November 99 had 12k on it in under a year. Then we put 9000+ miles on it on a three week cross country trip. Spent three days in Moab, a day in Death Valley, Big Bend, etc. and spent the last day traveling from Oklahoma City to Atlanta. :eek: :eek:

We'd do it again tomorrow.

Love the Wrangler. We got it with both tops also but took off the hard top the first month and never looked back.

Sure there are things that ride better on the street but with the new coils it rides pretty good. A lot better than the Leaf sorings did. Just take a little care of the truck and it will take care of you. Other than a better battery, a winch, and new tires; gas, oil changes and washer fluid are the only money spent on it so far. I need to get the trans fluid changed soon almost 70K on it now.

I'd get another tomorrow but I am waiting for the new [fingers crossed] Gladiator show truck[/fingers crossed] to get produced.
 
good choice, Win OL buddy!

theyre bad assed light 4x4 's for sure!

get the factory extra lights if you are really gonna do the offroad stff.

and the better tires/ suspension towing packages as well.

LaBella, OUT!!!!!;)
 
OwenM said:
One of my friends got a new Rubicon recently. His is a "Limited" with the larger cargo bay.
Click to expand...

FYI, I think that is the "unlimited", not "limited". The unlimited has a longer wheelbase. "limited" is typically just a trim level.

Note the longer wheelbase will help reduce chop a bit on-road at highway speeds.

-john
 
LaBella said:
get the factory extra lights if you are really gonna do the offroad stff.

and the better tires/ suspension towing packages as well.

LaBella, OUT!!!!!;)
Click to expand...

FWIW, the "Rubicon" model pretty much has all the good stuff standard:

2005 Standard Features (source: www.jeepwarehouse.com )
* 4:1 Rock-Trac HD Part Time 4WD System
* Axle - Ft - Heavy Duty Dana M44/216MM
* Axle - Rear, Dana 44/226mm
* Axle - Tru-Lok Ft/Rear Lockers
* Axle Ratio - 4.11
* Brakes - 4 Wheel Disc
* Off Road Group
* Shocks - High Pressure Gas Charged
* Sill Guards - Diamond Plate Black
* Tires - 31" MT/R LT 245/75R16 BSW
* Wheels - 16x8 MOAB Silver
* Air Conditioning
* Doors - Full Metal w/ Roll-Up Windows
* Fender Flares Premium
* Speakers - 7 inc subwoofer/tweeters
* Transmission - 6 Speed Manual (NSG370)
* Windows - Deep Tint Sunscreen
* Air Bags - Front Next Generation
* Alternator - 117 Amp
* Antenna - Fixed
* Badge - Jeep, Lower Cowl
* Badge - Rubicon
* Badge - Trail Rated
* Battery 600 Amp Maintenance Free
* Bumper - Front & Rear, Black
* Cargo Tie Down Loops
* Carpet - Front Seat Area
* Carpet - Rear Seat/Wheel House/Cargo
* Console - Full Length Floor
* Convenieince Group
* Emissions - US 50 States
* Engine - 4.0L Power Tech I6
* Engine Controller - Next Generation
* EVAP Control System
* Federal Tier 2, Bin 9A Emissions
* Fog Lamps
* Front Frame Overlay - Black
* Fuel Tank - 19 Gallon w/ Tethered Cap
* Glove Box - Locking
* Grille - Body Color
* GVW Rating - 4600#
* Headlamps - Halogen
* Headlamps Bezels - Chrome
* Horn - Single Low Note
* Instrument Cluster w/ Tach
* Lamp - Center Hi-Mount Stop
* Lamp - Underhood
* Lamps - Courtesy
* Mirror - Rear View, Day/Night
* Mirrors - Exterior Swing-Away
* Monotone Paint
* Power Outlet - Auxiliary 12V
* Radio - AM/FM Compact Disc w/ Changer Ctrl
* Seat - Rear Folding
* Seats - Cloth High-Back Bucket
* Seats - Easy Access, Pass Tip & Slide
* Seats - Reclining Front
* Skid Plate - Transfer Case
* Skid Plates Shield - Fuel Tank
* Soft Top - Easy Folding
* Spare Tire - Full Size w/Matching Wheel
* Speedometer - 100 MPH Primary
* Sport Bar - Full w/Padding
* Stabalizer Bar - Rear
* Stabilizer Bar - Front
* Steering - Power
* Steering Column - Tilt
* Tire Carrier - Outside
* Tow Hooks - 2 Front / 1 Rear
* Upgraded OBD-II Connectors
* Windows - Front Door, Light Tint
* Windshield Glass - Tinted
* Windshield Wipers - Var Intermittent

Optional:

- Auto or Standard
- CD
- Various door and top options
- Engine block heater
- Foormats
- Locking fuel cap
- Security Group
- Sirius radio
- Smokers group
- Speed control
- Add-A-Trunk (lockable)
 
Thanks for all the input, seems like a good decision. We're not getting rid of the Pilot, just adding the Wrangler, it probably won't see many miles. Interesting input on the tops. I was thinking hard only, pretty dusty place and very hot in Summer.

I am looking at the longer wheelbase Unlimited, that's a must have. Not alot of options, hardtop and Automatic and a couple of smaller items. I guess it will be off to by "stuff' as soon as I get it.

Land Rover is definetly out. I've driven them and have friends that have owned them, not the vehicle for me.

I'll let you know what happens.

Win
 
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