Traded the 392 for an "18" JLU Rubicon. WTF am I doing thread.

FYI the stock Rubicon "rock rails" actually attach to the body. Best to get some frame-mounted sliders if you want real protection off-road. They are relatively cheap, just $400 for a set of bolt-ons already powdercoated: https://www.quadratec.com/p/rugged-ridge/rrc-rocker-guard-kit-jeep-wrangler-unlimited-jl-4-door

 

Yup. Aware of that.
No mods for the Jeep atm. Amazing all the aftermarket stuff avail for the JLUR already.
And relatively inexpensive compared to Tacoma stuff.

 

Chin spoilers plowing snow. Saw this in the ramp at work.

Lol

 

Im digging it man. No issues with it so far and they got the track bar issue fixed early on.
Top down in the freedom position and fully retracted as well as a 20 min job removing all 4 doors.
No future plans on any modifications but i really like the Dynatrac 2" lift and 37's.

Miliage mixed is 19.0 I drive about 9.5 on the highway and 9.5 in the city downtown on the way to work.
I hit 20mpg on the way to visit my folks in Ohio a few days after I bought it which was on par with my 6.4
Challenger.

I actually put the pedal to the floor the other day on this 3.6 and it sounded beastly...and it fckn MOVED!
surprised the shit out of me.

I really wished I waited on the Gladiator prior to buying the JLU Rubi but at the time, it seemed like a pipe dream.
Will prob trade in, in 3 yrs.

But I seriously love my JLU Rubi.

 

All cleaned up from trying to pull Pops out of the swamp on our property in Ohio. 600 up 600 down. Jeep did well. Some shitty gas mileage mostly from wind and I had the top back in freedom mode for a while.

Impressed with the tires in the mud. It could have turned out really bad but we made it but unfortunately, his dodge 1500 ended up a casualty and had to be pulled out by the neighbor with a Ford 9n.

 

Hiya Rich ,

I'm back ... and contemplating trading the Ram on a 2019 Wrangler JL 2 door Rubicon with the 2.0, imagine that. I want to go wheeling with a very active Jeep group formed up on base. What's your advice?

 

Hey @MQQSE
Glad to see you back in the loop and hope all is well.
I can give you some info on what I've learned so far regarding the Rubicon.
The 2.0 turbo is a new motor to the JL lineup.
Something I would personally stay away from.
The 3.6 has been used for several years and is proven, with only some head issues early on. On paper, they pretty much are the same hp/tq wise.

The biggest thing would probably be that I'm 6', 180lbs. It fits me pretty good as far as leg room and width. The seats are bolstered pretty good and very comfortable. My Dad is a pretty big boy. Maybe 5'9 and 250, short legs and he rode passenger one day and he looked pretty cramped.

Best advice is to go test drive one. There are plenty of 2018 left on the lots around here. You could probably find one heavily discounted for probably $41k for the 4 dr, and considerably lower for a 2 dr. Since its the new model change, get the 6 yr/70k warranty.

If you are absolutely set on the 2 door, go for it. The 4 dr has a ton of cargo area for gear and whatnot, folding rear seats, etc.
I was actually in the market for a 2 dr till I drove one and realized it just wasn't big enough for me and I was afraid the short wheelbase would be a little sketchy with a lift and 35-37's and would feel sketchy on the trails.

Manual vs auto.
Obviously that's a personal preference.
After 3 years of dealing with the manual in my Challenger, I just didn't want to deal with it anymore.

All in all, the Rubicon is Jeeps flagship vehicle and holds the best resale of the other wranglers. Could I have been fine with a Sahara or Sport? Probably.
I've already used the front locker and sway bar disco on the trail and find them invaluable.

Conclusion.
You're going to have to go get some seat time in a Rubicon. It might have quirks you have to get used to or you may not like the fit of it. Take a lengthy test drive or see if you can rent one for a few days.

Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck!

 

https://youtu.be/ZJ4olPa_2-A

 

Thanks Rich, I already drove one this week...I was concerned I wouldn't fit well, but I was surprised how comfortable it was for me. I want a 2 door because it fits my garage, truck does not. Kristi's Highlander takes up the long side of the garage, and is slightly too long for the short side. If I want to go back to garaging during Winter, I need something that fits in a 180" long stall, due to how my garage is configured. I liked the feel of the 2.0, and I'm a fan of the 8 speed auto from having it in my truck. Caught the Jeep bug from a friend at work. They go off roading year round. I fish and hunt through the Summer then have a tendency to coach potato over Winter. Thought about paying off the truck, then buying a Jeep and keeping both, but the last time I tried that, Kristi nix'd the idea, and her reasoning kind of made sense, although I wasn't happy about it. I can deal with a two door, it's just Kristi and me, likely the only time I'd even put the backseat in is when the grandkids come to visit in Summer for 2 to 4 weeks. I need to do some more research. I'll touch back here with you as I go along.

How are the folks back home?

Rob

PS: I forgot to add, the few times a year I actually have need of a truckbed, I can swap rides with DIL, Randy (fish/hunt partner) ... or hell, rent a U-haul $19.95 local day pickup...or whatever they charge these days. Also on MT vs AT ... my "trick left knee" worries me...it goes out randomly any more.

Bottom line, I think I'd get a lot more year round enjoyment out of a trail capable rig.

 

Sounds like you know exactly what you want and what your needs are. @Acerwin had a 4 dr, 2.0 turbo as a rental I believe and he found it quite peppy.

Folks and gram are good. Pops retired in December and they built a house near farm property near Zanesville, OH. So it's really difficult for me to see friends up home in Indiana, then make the 5 hr drive to Ohio, then back here to SC.

I've been up twice so far. Once in Jan, and for memorial day weekend. Both times with the Rubicon. Headed back for our week shutdown 1st week of Aug. Which also is my 20 yr anniversary here at work. My retirement date is 2028.
I'll be doing Ohio to Indiana and back. Lotsa time on the road.

I forgot to ask by I'm assuming you are going for the hardtop considering the weather up your way.

 

That's a long loop for sure, but I reckon' you still get some enjoyment out of road trips?

Good to hear they are well, tell Gram "the Alaska Mooseman is still a fan." Congrats to your Pops, hope he's enjoying doing what/when he wants.

Hardtop is my preference, although rumor is the soft top is just as warm and actually quieter. Some technological advancements change the old accepted givens.

 

i test drove a JLUR 2.0 and came away kind of meh.

Some takeaways for me were:

1: Seat didn't go low enough. Felt like it was cutting into the back of my knees. A notch or two lower would have been perfect.
2: trunk/hatch space is lacking. Seemed smaller vs my old '10 JKU.
3: Rear Hip/Shoulder room is tight. So 5 passengers would be cramped.
4: Wind noise was really high at 75mph. Mileage was also very poor. Maybe 18 real time vs 20-21 from my old Tacoma.
5: Speaking of wind, had a bad buffeting sound that was hurting my ears. This may have been vehicle specific but was bothersome.
6: lane keeping was difficult. Again, I've owned quite a few jeeps and this felt bad compared to my 10 JLU or 02 TJ.
7: Power was adequate but the engine sounded wheezy. Not sure if this one had the etorque but from what I've read, the '20 Rubicons lose etorque and are just a standard 2.0T.
8: No rattles and it felt solid. Didn't like the red dash. Preferred the Sports shiny grey.
9: Exterior door handles felt flimsy compared to my JKU.
10: Fit and finish on some of the panels was off. Saw 3 at the dealer lot that the plastic wasn't put together correctly near the rear fender and bumper and the tabs were hanging inside out.
11: Can't beat the mods. You could tinker with one forever.

 

Rich ,
So, dealer shenanigans pissed me off ... I walked. Decided to keep truck and pay it off sooner, then buy, from different dealer in Anchorage, soft-top Rubicon toy/retirement rig in 1-3 yrs. At least that's my current idea.

Just so you know ... hell, if the gladiator diesel pans out ...
Rob

 

Well, atleast you have a plan. Honestly, I'm a fan of the Gladiator and kinda wished I woulda held out and waited for one.
The proportions look a bit odd but so did the 1st gen, dc, short bed tacomas. A lift, 35's/37's and some armour fixeTacoma's.

Keep us in the loop brother.

 

I was watching You-tuber Trail Recon's latest video of him and his buddy field testing their new JT's and didn't realize until the end that his buddies 2" lifted JT was on 37's. That huge wheelbase swallows the tires.

 

Funny part is they actually met me on price of both trade in and Jeep sales price. But they pissed me off with this EVTS dealer installed on every vehicle and, now, they refuse to remove it and make the buyer pay for it ($1295). 3 yrs ago same dealer removed the system from the truck when I bought it there. New sales manager thinks he's slick and went into this speel about financing through them etc. I didn't walk over $1295, I walked on principle and slick Tim's attitude. He seriously misjudged what a truly GOB I can be.

 

Ahhh yes. The red and black Gladiators. My buddy sent me that link yesterday and I havnt watched it yet. Just realized it's Trail Recons.
Watching it now.

 

Off subject, but I recieved my 20 yr certificate this week. Been a long and winding road but certainly well worth it.