Shopping for a Rubicon

[TerryD]

So I posted to this thread about what my dream setup would be and it got me thinking. My Mom passed away in September 2015, three weeks after her 60th birthday, after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung and brain cancer a month earlier. My Mom and Dad both had heart attacks in their 50s and both of my Grandpas died of some form of cancer as well. I have hypertension (high blood pressure) and although I've never been a smoker, I've been around smokers the first half of my life.

So, the morbidity out of the way, my prospects look bleak. Right now I have more project vehicles than I'll ever get working to satisfy what I feel is a single need.

A K5 Blazer on 35s, double locked, flat bellied and still thousands of dollars from being a good family wheeler.

A 07 Xterra that's bone stock and needs thousands to get it capable off-road, but being IFS, will never be what I truly want.

Plus some other hotrod type stuff that's just taking up space and stressing me out.

So, the wife and I talked it out and we've decided to sell four vehicles, the K5, the Xterra, a 84 Monte Carlo SS, and a 96 Camaro SS, and put that money towards buying a new (newer) Rubicon Unlimited. The cars are advertised and we're beginning to shop now to decide what options and accessories we want when the time comes.

So far:
White with black hard top and soft top as well.
Automatic
4.10 gears
Touch screen radio but not the 9 speaker system
Heated seats and remote start
Power windows and locks

I also think, at this time, I want to get the dealer installed Mopar 4" lift that would be covered by the factory warranty and go with some tires in the 35-36" range on 17" wheels.

I think that this would satisfy both my wheeling wants as well as bring able to do overlanding and carrying the family around on trips and vacations. But with the added benefit of only having one vehicle to modify and maintain.

Now just to get the other stuff sold off so I can get serious about this thing!

 

[ASNOBODY]

So sorry for your loss man.

But...Good for you! Get out there with the family and explore. I think you'll be fully satisfied with a Rubicon :)

 

[boehml]

Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep sell AEV products. If you like AEV, you could look into having their parts installed in favor of Mopar which should also cover your warranty, so long as its installed at the dealer. I can't recall who makes the Mopar kit, but for some reason Teraflex rings a bell, but I'm probably wrong. AEV would satisfy your wheel 17" wheel needs, armor and lift.

I am not associated with AEV, I just like their products.

 

[Scott]

I too would look into aev parts and suspension when you buy one. Good luck selling your other vehicles bud!

 

[Glenn]

Good decision on a Rubicon and good luck with the search. You will probably find out like I did that them things hold value like crazy. I did not want to buy brand new, I figured I could save some thousands for upgrades but that aint the case so I ended up buying brand new. Even 2 year old models with 30-40k miles on them were selling only 2k less than brand new! Every once in a while you can find one reasonable but its hard. Sahara's are everywhere, but don't settle, get yourself a Rubi...they are totally different animals that look alike.
A week after I bought it, I had them put in the 3" Mopar Lift and yes its all Teraflex suspension parts with Fox Reservoir Shocks. Love the setup and I have put it through hell and back without problem. I run 35 x 12.50's on mine.

Teraflex knows there suspension ...

 

[Captain Chaos]

When I was shopping for a Rubi, I didn't know how hard finding 4.10s could be. The local dealer orders 3.73s for those looking for better gas mileage. I actually got into an argument with the salesman when he tried telling me that 4.10s were not an option anymore. I left and went to another dealership and found what I wanted. I love mine!

 

[Glenn]

Rubicons come with Dana 44 front and rear with 4.10's. The Saharas, X, Sports etc. are D30's and 3.73's

 

[Captain Chaos]

Rubicons come with Dana 44 front and rear with 4.10's. The Saharas, X, Sports etc. are D30's and 3.73's

Nope. Not anymore. I thought so too. Lots of Rubicon's have 3.73 gears now.

 

[Captain Chaos]

I believe all manual tranny Rubicons have 4.10s, it's the automatics you have to watch out for 3.73s.

 

[TerryD]

I believe all manual tranny Rubicons have 4.10s, it's the automatics you have to watch out for 3.73s.

This is what I've found. The non- rubicon models seem to all come with 3.21 gears unless ordered with the 3.73 gears. Automatics Rubicons come standard with 3.73s and you have to pay extra for the 4.10 but that's what I want.

I've seen the same issue with ordering new vs buying slightly used, for the couple grand difference you get the full warranty plus you can get the options you want. I found a few dealerships with substantially lower prices though so when the time comes there may be some traveling involved to pick one up.

 

[Comanche]

Sorry for your loss. My mom and dad passed away recently and it's a rough time but it gets better. I have a unlimited Rubicon and I really like it. I would get the Alpine speaker package It is amazing. The 4.10 gears is also a good choice with the auto if your going to run 35 inch tires or pull a trailer.
The heated seats and remote start can be added later if you want them.
So far mine is still bone stock and I think it's perfect for over landing.

 

[TerryD]

I like Teraflex stuff pretty good. I had a set of their coils in the front of my old Cherokee and was always happy with how they performed. I'll look into the AEV stuff though, they seem to be quality pieces as well. I just want the best setup I can get and still be a reasonable DD.

 

[Captain Chaos]

I wouldn't settle for anything but 4.10s. I'm really happy with the jeep, and I'm sure you will be too. I hope you can order one soon!

 

[Glenn]

Nope. Not anymore. I thought so too. Lots of Rubicon's have 3.73 gears now.

Well that's news too me. I had not heard of any Rubi's with anything other than 4.10's. Must be something new since '15. I will have to look it up. That sucks though because the 4.10's are right on the edge with 35" tires. I really want 4.88's but I cant justify the money on re-gearing. I was going to go up to 37's and that is a definite re-gear. Glad I didn't go 37's now that we have the RTT...that would have been way too tall ! LOL

 

[Glenn]

I like Teraflex stuff pretty good. I had a set of their coils in the front of my old Cherokee and was always happy with how they performed. I'll look into the AEV stuff though, they seem to be quality pieces as well. I just want the best setup I can get and still be a reasonable DD.

AEV is good stuff but WAY overpriced and you would not know the difference in your rigs ride or performance. In the last couple years, the suspension options have come a long way.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Well that's news too me. I had not heard of any Rubi's with anything other than 4.10's. Must be something new since '15. I will have to look it up. That sucks though because the 4.10's are right on the edge with 35" tires. I really want 4.88's but I cant justify the money on re-gearing. I was going to go up to 37's and that is a definite re-gear. Glad I didn't go 37's now that we have the RTT...that would have been way too tall ! LOL

I was shocked when the dealership told me one of the Rubicons we were looking at was 3.73. I thought he was wrong, until I researched a bit. Glad he told me, I would have bought a 3.73 geared Rubi and been pretty mad. I don't want to go any bigger than 35s, so I'm satisfied with the 4.10s. If I have to regear, I would probably just swap in d60s instead.

 

[Glenn]

I was shocked when the dealership told me one of the Rubicons we were looking at was 3.73. I thought he was wrong, until I researched a bit. Glad he told me, I would have bought a 3.73 geared Rubi and been pretty mad. I don't want to go any bigger than 35s, so I'm satisfied with the 4.10s. If I have to regear, I would probably just swap in d60s instead.

D60's? You really hate your wallet ! Yeah I hear ya though, I would have been mad as hell to find out 3.73's. Buyer Beware

 

[TerryD]

D60's? You really hate your wallet ! Yeah I hear ya though, I would have been mad as hell to find out 3.73's. Buyer Beware

Oh, I considered getting a X or Sport and saving $10k initially and throwing a pair of locked Rock Jock 60s under it geared 5.13 for the difference and run 4" lift, the high clearance fenders and 40s. Thought that might be going a touch far for a DD.

 

[TerryD]

Oh, not even ready to start dealing and I've already upset a salesman by throwing a lower price in their face with more options. I got a the paragraph email about why I should pay them more for less Jeep. This is gonna be fun...

 

[Captain Chaos]

The guy I started dealing with made it so I will never, ever return to their stealership. He even tried to sell me an older tj sport for $14000. This was after I said rubicon or nothing. I thought that was nice of him. He didn't like it when I told him that Craigslist had better prices on tjs than him!