Whats the difference between a 4 door Jeep Wrangler and a Rubicon?
 

What are the basic differences? thanx

A Rubicon is the most bad ass version because that's the one I own....

Joking of course - but it is actually.


Rubicon has all the creature comforts and all the off road upgrades - like push button lockers front and rear - and push button sway bar disconnect - and heated seats etc - and if you want the really bad ass version you order the Rubicon AEV versions -- which are lifted and fitted with appropriate suspension upgrades and other essential (that's what I told Gwen anyway) off road crap.



This is the AEV website.... they are to Jeeps what AMG is to Mercedes Benz - or Dinan is to BMW....

http://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/jk-wrangler

Don't get one and just drive it to the friggin' Mall either !!! That's for your Porsche....



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSC_4551.jpg






http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSC_4509.jpg

Rubicon's also have the D44 axles front and rear. On other models, the Sahara and X, the rear is still D44 but the front is a D30. The D30 is fine for the street and stock tires but once pushed off-road they'll show you why it's important to always carry good hiking boots.

If you've got the money call up AEV and get er built, best of the best! If you're not into the off-road thing and just hitting the mid life deal...grab a Rubicon with a small lift and some 35's.
:D

JEEP country.... this is a tough trip up to Boulder City... we had one "Jeep wife" crying...

A couple of the Jeeps were "street" versions... and they made the climb. I was certain we'd be winching them or they'd break. The rocks here will destroy your suspension and tires... and pound your driveline.









http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSC_4823.jpg

Thanx Greg, you never seize to make me laugh....the mall?!?! Wat do i look like? Pammy? hahaha. Seriously though, yes off road (Tahoe junkie) mostly for work. I'm gettin rid of my extra cab GMC (the one that replaced my stolen Trailblazer SS), like the shorter wheelbase and i have to go off road about once a week for work (yes, theres glass in those dar hills). And i've got the hankerin for some trail abuse since i've sold my KTM's....

Ha, no midlife deal here lol, i'm lookin for a TBSS replacement (see my response to dr weld) and need a shorter wheelbase than my extra cab GMC and need something a little more off roady, but not as short as a conventional Jeep......Saw one last year and this year at SEMA that caught my eye....4 inch (iirc) lift and some 35's, just like you said...It'll be mostly a work truck...

I'm a Cherokee whore...this is my 4th and newest. Small lift, lil armor, V8, heated seats....it's comfy! Wife drives it daily but I still manage to get out and get lost. Wranglers and Cherokees are just fun! Point and shoot kinda rigs with little hassle as long as you don't go crazy....:lol:

Mike,
I know this will have very little chance of helping, but stranger things have happened....
Skoal recently had a giveaway of a new Jeep built by Starwood Motors. Completely customized with all the goodies (Kevlar paint?). "Retail value" of over $100k. Also included are kayaks, tents, & other camping stuff. Total retail was over $125k.
A friend of mine's son won the thing. Problem is, he is in his early 20's, has had some driving issues, and currently has a restricted license. The insurance is out of sight. AND, although they gave him $37k for taxes, it isn't enough. SO, it has to go. It was delivered to him a couple weeks ago & is now sitting in his garage. 0 miles. He is going to work with Starwood Motors to sell it, but that costs money, & if it interests you, there is money to be saved.
Here is a link to one of their "project builds".
http://www.starwoodmotors.com/projectjeeps/nomad.php

It may actually be this vehicle, or one very similar. I'm not sure as I haven't seen it in person.
Anyway, if this is inline of what you are looking for, PM me. I will connect you. He is getting ready to ship it back to Texas for selling it, but it is in Minnesota right now.


Bill

The Starwood built Jeeps are just amazing.... Most are super custom! Many are way more hardcore than the AEV built offerings. My son wanted me to order one of theirs before I bought the AEV that was here on a dealers lot. Mike would be the coolest glass guy in the universe...

How dare you! That's like saying Gas Monkey builds a better Camaro than Steilow....SMH.

Good day sir!

I'll fall on a sword later today.....

Work truck? Done.

Sorry to say so, but the caption should be "I meant to put it in reverse....now what do I do?"


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSC_4551.jpg


Bill

I like how he needed the little rock to get on the big rock:lol:

Off roading is not about being an idiot.... it's about "getting it done" - whatever that takes. You can't climb a vertical wall if the front of the vehicle engages the wall before your tires do. If you can just drive around, and up and over stuff, without getting out of the cab, then you're not really off roading. Stick to going to the mall.

Do yourself a serious favor and go out and drive that Wrangler in Bay Area traffic especially on a rainy day and decide if you really want to drive an ill handling POS like a Rubicon is especially in the rain on a highway. Disclaimer, I have owned TJ Wranglers since about 2006 and having had a TJ Rubicon on its OEM Goodyear MTR tires, I'm a little jaded. The XJ might be more civilian but, I'm thinking not. One good thing about a Wrangler, your never tempted to drive far enough over a posted speed limit to make the possibility of getting a speeding ticket a reality if you have any sane bones in your body. Then there is the old saying....JEEP....stands for Just Empty Every Pocket and this can be true on a relatively stock Jeep too.

Yeah, pretty badass for sure. Not lookin to go that highend however, but if the price was right :idea:


Their not? on the other hand, imagine googleing Steilow and coming up with this thread, like, wtf?

Exactly!! or an old scrambler that has a current driveline in it, hmmmm

A basic Rubicon wont be too bad, least not any worse than some of the trucks ive driven over the years....but ima keep it simple kinda guy, well, cept for the camaro...wait, it rains here? haha

The TJ (older) and JK (new style) are a night and day difference and the AEV is far better than the stock JK. I daily drove a lifted TJ, it wasn't fast, it was loud with no carpet and a soft top/bikini top. What it was.... a ton of fun off-road and on nice days.....I also had a VW Baja as a daily, dumb. The newer Jeeps feel a bit more solid and even with a soft top are a lot quieter. The only AEV rig I've ridden in was Weld's and I was impressed, nothing like a buddies LJ (long wheelbase TJ) on 35's. Speeding? No, more likely to get pulled over for mudflaps or lighting. I'd love to have a new Jeep Wrangler, nothing else made compares to how basic and capable they are. It's like any other hobby, if you get the bug it's going to cost you some coin.

Mike, if you like the looks of them and feel it may be a good fit for what you need, get one. A Rubicon with a basic 2" lift (get good shocks) will clear 35's and you'll have a great all around rig. The Rubi comes with 4.10 gears, with 35's you won't need to regear.

You'll be out stacking rocks and having a blast!

:thumbsup:

did seig photoshop that for you? :D

sitting on the little rock :lmao:

I would COMPLETELY agree with this statement! As for the poor driving - I disagree... is it my wife's Cayenne GTS? Hell no! Would I like to drive it from Sun Valley to Los Angeles? Hell no! Is it perfect for what it's made for? Oh Yeah!

I have a rubicon that was lifted 5 inches on 37's with the adjustable fox shocks and it drove great. It was regeared with 5.88's.

I have a stock 2011 with 35" tires and a teraflex lift. Love this vehicle. Slower than crap with the 3.8 V6. However, put the transfer case in 4 low and the JKU transforms into an incredibly capable off road vehicle. I daily drive the Jeep and we also drove from TX to Ohio pulling a trailer. Never skipped a beat or a gas station. HA!

If I was to do it all over again, I would find a 2012 or newer JKU Rubicon hard top for all the reasons Greg and others mentioned. 35" tires and simple lift. The 3.6 V6 has 285hp which makes a huge difference versus the old minivan engine in my 2011 making 200hp. Put electrical tape on the door latches to eliminate door rattles and enjoy.

Here is a pic of my JKU...

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...pseul6bwz9.jpg

Thanx Jay, appreciate the info/input. I'm looking for a white (matching my five work trucks) or orange (so i can be like greg) and black to match my KTM addictions....

I agree on 2012 or newer. In addition to the jump on 202HP vs 285HP I believe the same year they also dropped the 4spd auto for a 5spd auto

Also forgot to mention that resale value is so good on these you might look new.

I'll have you know that is COPPERHEAD..... not some ordinary old "orange"!!!
:lol:

I was thinking of going new anyways....gonna test drive a few.

Ok, so i was thinking "burnt orange" nonetheless. But Copperhead sounds sooooo much kooler...Funny enough, that was the original color of the Camaro, had a little more rust tinge too it. When i repaint it in two years or so, i may go back to that or the Z06 orange or keep it the blue it is now....dam first world problems...