Shopping for a Rubicon

[boehml]

Hey All!

The site-moderating robot is telling me that I have to post a few times before I can post any links, so we'll see how this goes...

I shop around for Rubicons just for the heck of it because I am also curious about the new vs. used price differences. For example, KBB prices a 2015 Rubicon with most of the options and 35K miles at around $35,000. I've looked around and found actual vehicles that fit that example. New Rubicons can average around $45,000, so two or three years of mileage for a roughly $10K drop in price seems worthwhile --to me, anyway...

Depending on how the last owner treated that vehicle. I'm always weary about used, unless there is a detailed log of maintenance and receipts for all parts.

 

[Seumas]

And for what this might be worth to anyone, there is a fully loaded 2016 Hard Rock Edition that I saw at the local Ford dealer with less than 5K miles on it for around $41,000, which is a hair over the USED blue-book value. It's got an auto-trans with 4.10 gears, so there's that. It's also white with a matching top and fenders --not what I would choose, but it isn't the first all-white Hard Rock I've seen around town (maybe they're trying to take after the Defender 110... ). I haven't gone in to ask the dealer why the original owner sold it off so soon, but I did price a 2017 with the same equipment on Jeep's on-line confounderator, and I got a price of around $49,000 --an $8,000 difference for a practically new Rubicon. If anybody out there wants to look it up, the VIN is 1C4BJWFG0GL270674.

 

[Seumas]

Depending on how the last owner treated that vehicle. I'm always weary about used, unless there is a detailed log of maintenance and receipts for all parts.

Agreed. I will also ignore any vehicles that don't appear to be stock. Lots of lifts and goofy-looking tire and rim combinations out there --reminds me of that scene at the end of the movie Cars where the "urban Hummers" are going through off-road school with the old military Jeep and complaining about getting dirt in their wheels...

 

[9Mike2]

That is one thing about Wranglers, you would be better off with new and know you are not getting someone else's problem and there isn't much of a price difference, especially, with better financing rates on new...

 

[TerryD]

I've found some low mileage 2012+ Rubicons around but since I'm still waiting to sell some stuff, I've not been very active in going to see them, not until I'm ready to bargain. I don't want to fall in love with one and put myself in a bind by buying it before the other vehicles are sold. There's not much interest in my Xterra or K5 right now so I'm on hold for a bit.

I don't mind used vehicles, but the value retention of the Rubicon makes it hard to really get serious about getting a used one. If I could save $10k and get something with under 50k miles, I'd probably jump on it if it was optioned well though. With that low a mileage it's hard to imagine John Q Paymentpayer did a lot of damage to it, he just realized he missed IFS or didn't care for the "Jeep-bob" around corners or braking. I guess we'll see when the time finally comes as to what I wind up with.

The wife and I were discussing colors over the weekend and we've decided that white is what we are looking for. If we found a Gobi colored one that was perfect, we'd take that as well, but that's about the limit of what we are looking at. I'm not one for the flashier colors and I don't like dark colors since I don't like cleaning a vehicle. If the deal was AMAZING, like unbeatable amazing, I would probably take about any color, but since those deals are rare with Rubicons, white or Gobi it is.

I'm also rethinking the 4" lift. I've been thinking about a 2" and around a 33-34" tire for the slight unsprung weight savings and possibly improving towing and fuel mileage overall. With a good set or under body armor and a winch, I think I could make it work. I've got to find one on 4" and 35's to drive and see how much trouble the kids have getting in and out. It'll just take a little exposure to them in the field to get a better idea of where that balance point is I guess. My buddy with the lifted Sport said I should ride with him the next time they go out so we'll see how I like his setup. He is on 2" and 35's with high clearance fenders which is something I've considered as well. Always something to consider with this stuff.

 

[Glenn]

You dont want a 4" lift, that gets into another geometry problem with steering parts, linkages etc etc. I have 3" and that changed my steering enough to need new parts to correct. Ideally a 2 1/2" will get you where u want to be and leave you 35" tire option should you desire the clearance. Good luck in your search :-)

 

[boehml]

You dont want a 4" lift, that gets into another geometry problem with steering parts, linkages etc etc. I have 3" and that changed my steering enough to need new parts to correct. Ideally a 2 1/2" will get you where u want to be and leave you 35" tire option should you desire the clearance. Good luck in your search :-)

What Glenn said. Jeep JK's swallow up large tires because of he massive fender openings. 4" would be far too much a 33"-34" tire and you would have to correct all your steering.

 

[9Mike2]

2 1/2 lift is ideal, as said above it keeps you from a lot of problems, stress on the drivetrain components. Bump stops and a way to adjust your front lower control arms for alignment to get your caster back. This also keeps you away from the infamous "Death Wobble"

 

[boehml]

2 1/2 lift is ideal, as said above it keeps you from a lot of problems, stress on the drivetrain components. Bump stops and a way to adjust your front lower control arms for alignment to get your caster back. This also keeps you away from the infamous "Death Wobble"

No one is safe from death wobble... lol

 

[stoney126]

So if you go used, I'd look at 2014 and newer to avoid the head issue of the 12s and some of the 13s. I also wouldnt shy away from something already put together. Depending on the quality of components and a quick inspection of said components could save quite bit.

My 14 rubi is regeared to 4.56 from 3.73s. If I had the 4.10s I wouldn't have bothered. I picked up mine used in 2015 with 17k miles. I performed the inspection on it when I worked at the dealer. I was originally going to do just a 1 1/2 inch lift to get the belly from scrapping. Then thought a 2.5 inch kit would be better but ended up with 3.5 from metal cloak. Running 35s so far has not caused any excessive wear but it's not a daily driver and I don't beat on it regularly. I don't regret going with the 35 and 3.5 kit. Loading and unloading hasn't changed with the lift and tires, honestly the doors not staying open is a pain. And paying extra for rubi is absolutely worth it in my opinion

 

[9Mike2]

Metalcloak lifts are nice, but you don't need a 3.5 lift unless you plan on doing the trails I mention before. You will find (as you said you are getting older) that climbing in an out of that high of a lift gets tedious, especially for a DD. It's funny that even stoney went to 4.56 for the 35s . As I said before the only thing that you get with a Rubi is the lower ratio Transfer Case. Even with a Sport you can make a better Rubi that fits your needs. I just feel paying for a decal is a lot of money that you can use to make it the way you want. If you want proof ,check out the videos a friend makes under the name "Not a Rubicon"

 

[scubasteve2002]

Ask yourself do you need a Rubi, or can you build up a sport. If you were to leave it alone, the Rubi. But if you are talking 35's ,a lift, a regear, a Sport will work fine. And the guys going on about 30/44 to 44/44 better yet 60/60, are crawlers and have been sold on it, AKA as Way--Life D bags claim, use their stuff or you will be stranded,( which is funny because they have a mechanic with parts follow them around ) . Then you will hear the Rubi has lockers, so get them when you regear. ARB's are great and then you have a compressor on board (to air your tires) and your lockers work above 15 mph and in both high and low range , not just low. The electrical swaybar disconnect is a joke, most guys replace it with manual knob. I could go on and on , but it is best if you weigh out your needs. As a car guy I think you would enjoy building your Jeep into what you need. PS don't call a Jeep a car, everytime you do they kill a kitten!!!!

Hahahaha I remember when I first got my 08 Sahara I joined wayalife. Omg I hated that place immediately. Oh you need this lift but if you can't fork out thousands then you are a dweeb and have no say on this forum. I was sold on I need 60s, that 33s were too small, and I need to get lockers, oh and the only two companies I deal with should be EVO and Poisenspyder. It was such a crock of crap. I have enjoyed my Sahara so much since I finally realized my 33s are plenty and my axles are definitely strong enough and I really don't need to be locked. It all comes down to driver capability. I mean how do you think the Billy badass of the past got open diff cjs through the rubicon!?

 

[9Mike2]

I see I am not the only one that got Flamed by wayalife, D-Bags for the very reasons above and I had just asked the question. And the group has it out for the founders of this group here.And that is part of the reason I checked out Overland Bound, and found a really great group of people here.. And here I am just trying to point out that you don't need all that to enjoy getting out there and having fun.. Just enjoy, and tread lightly!!

 

[Captain Chaos]

I never joined the wayalife group, I read enough about having to run such and such wheel and this and that. I wanted a 4:1 transfer case and 4:10s. Most of the time you don't need the sway bar disconnects, but I have that option, whether it works when I need it has yet to be determined. If I build a toy, it will have d60s. I don't need them. I prefer this overland thing to rock crawling now. There is so much of this world that I long to see. And I'm going to see as much as I can, and I sincerely hope all of you get to come along at some point. And as far as those other D-Bags, they can have it out for me as much as they want.

 

[Anchor Mtn]

I personally bought a 2012 JKU Sport knowing i was going to modify it. Yes, mine had the head go bad at 20k but Jeep fixed it without batting an eye. I doubt there are any sub 20k mile, early 2012 JKs still running around out there so you should be fine buying one if thats the route you choose.

Many 2015+ JK rubicons have been having problems with bending the flanges on the rear axle without even wheeling hard. IF you test drive one with a brake squeak in the rear... its not the brakes that are bad.

 

[TerryD]

The Monte Carlo sold pretty quick, quicker than I expected. No interest yet in the K5 or the Xterra but I'm being patient. I've got to get down and get the Camaro out of storage now and ready to sell. I've kinda slowed down shopping since I'm not getting much interest in my other vehicles. I don't want to loose too much on them since I've got quite a bit of time and money into them but I realize I'll be taking a loss on them.

 

[TerryD]

This is killing me! I'm dieing to mod a rig and sitting on this nice Xterra but not wanting to put money into it since it's for sale is such a drag. Man I hope this stuff sells quick before I go nuts...

 

[TOMB]

I have 2010 Rubi 2dr, with BDS 3" lift, Shrockworks font and rear bumpers, with stock rims and tires. Yup stock, they take me wherever I want to go. I will probably get 33's next go around. I don't rock crawl unless absolutely have to. Not my thing. Large tires look good, and do help in some cases, just for me it's not worth the trade off. Oh, and I love my Rubicon. Just remember its a Jeep, and all the things that come along with owning one. Same as any capable 4wd regardless of make. You will be taking it out and making it do what most vehicles can't do. So proper maintenance is crucial. It's not just about the destination, it's also about the journey. From cradle to grave, make the best of it.


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[TerryD]

I'm getting close to just keeping the Xterra. I've had no interest in the K5 and only super low ball offers on the Xterra and if I'm honest, I'm really liking not making payments right now.

My wife is going to school and once she graduates and gets a little experience, funds will be freed up and my oldest will be getting ready to start driving so I could pass the Xterra to her and get my Rubicon then I think.

I'm afraid that even with good money management, we'll be so strapped that we won't get to travel till after my wife finishes school of we get the Rubicon now. I'm still in the fence but may be ordering Xterra parts this weekend unless I get some interest soon...

 

[9Mike2]

We all are budgeted on what we can do, I sorry your thoughts of a Rubi are not coming to fruwishion (ms), but you can still have fun out there!