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2007 JK + Upgrades or 2009 JK Rubicon – Help Me Decide
Scenario:
I have about $ 35,000 to invest in a second vehicle. I have always enjoyed Jeeps. I previously owned a 1989 YJ and a 1991 YJ. I presently have a commuter car so this purchase is purely a recreational choice. I will be using it around town for some errands, occasional off-road, camping, and maybe a Jeep Jamboree. Dilemma: Buy either a 2009 relatively loaded Rubicon or buy a 2007 and upgrade it. The 2009 would certainly do the trick for my needs but would the 2007 be a better choice? To give you an idea of how I am thinking please see my advantages and possible choices. 2007 Advantages – Potential engine swap, color choice (Putty) 2009 Advantages – Warranty, Ready To Roll (minor upgrades needed) Possible Choices: 2007 Used Wrangler Unlimited 4x4 ~ $20,000 Configuration – Dependant On Used Vehicle $14,000 Upgrade Budget (Lift, Tires, Lockers, Gears, and maybe a engine swap – no Hemi) ;-) 2009 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4 ~ $34,000 Configuration 4-SPD. AUTOMATIC VLP 42RLE TRANS AM/FM 6 DISC DVD MP3 RADIO DUAL TOP GROUP ENGINE BLOCK HEATER HALF METAL DOORS WITH LOCKS REMOTE START SYSTEM SUPPLEMENTAL FRT SEAT SIDE AIR BAGS TRAILER TOW GROUP POWER CONVENIENCE GROUP FREEDOM TOP 3-PIECE BLACK HARD TOP (VKX) Exterior color (Undecided) DEEP WATER BLUE PEARL COAT (PBS) - New for 2009 RED ROCK CRYSTAL PEARL COAT (PEM) SUNBURST ORANGE PEARL COAT (PV6) - New Color for 2009 |
With that budget, and assuming the Jeep was a dedicated secondary/pleasure vehicle I would buy a good used rig, and modify it. If you use your $20K number for the used Jeep, $15K can go a long way to lifting, larger tires, stronger axels, other than maybe a supercharger I'm not sure what kind of engine swap would be able to fit in there though. This also assumes building a big JK (like on 37"+ tires). If you're going to stay 35" or less then you might well be better served to buy the Rubicon.
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Thanks for the input so far!
I do think I would stay 35" or less on the tires. I am a bit worried about going with 35" on a new rubicon on engine power (not being enough). Can anyone chime in about 35's on the current V6? Thanks! |
Originally Posted by edevaney
(Post 636709)
Thanks for the input so far!
I do think I would stay 35" or less on the tires. I am a bit worried about going with 35" on a new rubicon on engine power (not being enough). Can anyone chime in about 35's on the current V6? Thanks! IMO once you regear...you won't get a sports car, but it will be better than stock on/off road... BTW...I went the route of buying an X to upgrade vice a Rubicon...but, if I had to do it all over again I would have bought the Rubicon...the mods on the X really add up quick... |
Originally Posted by edevaney
(Post 636709)
Thanks for the input so far!
I do think I would stay 35" or less on the tires. I am a bit worried about going with 35" on a new rubicon on engine power (not being enough). Can anyone chime in about 35's on the current V6? Thanks! With 35's, auto, re-geared (key) you'll be fine, get the new Rubi, it's the Corvette Z06 of Jeeps :thumbsup: Or you could get a 2wd 07 JK and build it better than Chrysler ever considered, RockJock 60's, Atlas T-case, LS2 or LS7 vette engine (way better than a hemi), but that's not the point, you are looking for a warranty, built rig off the showroom floor and the ability to run 35s...re-gearing ($1k with parts/labor) Get the Rubi :cool: |
I was facing the exact same dilema as you. For what it's worth, I picked up my '09 Rubi on Saturday and despite the fact it rained all weekend here, couldn't be happier.
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I'm giving serious thought to Portal Tek axles with 3:1 R&P and 2.06:1 portal reduction for a final drive of 6.12:1 with 37-38" tires on a 2007, too.
:) Just something to think about. I agree that the engine is not the main reason you'd have trouble running 35's and the gearing in the portals is more than enough for any reasonable tire you could possibly want to run. Sorry, I think I busted your budget, though... |
Originally Posted by rob4607
(Post 636797)
Like Sasquatch said get the Rubi, I did. 30k out the door, go the last day of the month dealers are dying to get sales #'s up. Oh, and it was fully loaded, the only two options left that I could have got were the dual top option, and side airbags. I went Saturday with Sasquatch and some of his friends off roading, they are all lifted, bigger tires and on and on, I had no problems following them up, over, through everything they went through in my 4dr and they were 2drs. The old guy was impressed that I wasn't afraid to get my 2 month old muddy and I mean MUDDY, it was alot of fun. Besides everything that most put on here aftermarket you can get on the Rubicon covered under a lifetime warranty, HELLO! And yes I got the lifetime bumper to bumper warranty, don't pay too much for it either. I would not change a thing about mine. Good luck with either route you take, I am sure you will be happy either way.
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I would also go with the Rubi and regear with 5.13's with 35's. The motor is ok but with the gears its almost great. Granted RubyDoo has the 6 speed. She almost tried to take a v8 powered camaro and when she cherped second he romped on it and left me.
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Originally Posted by jkkat
(Post 636978)
I would also go with the Rubi and regear with 5.13's with 35's. The motor is ok but with the gears its almost great. Granted RubyDoo has the 6 speed. She almost tried to take a v8 powered camaro and when she cherped second he romped on it and left me.
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i would def take the 14,000 and make the jeep your own by doing an engine swap and adding lift tires gears and what not. but thats just me. drop a turbo diesel in that puppy. !!!!!!
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Originally Posted by Offroadme
(Post 636987)
i would def take the 14,000 and make the jeep your own by doing an engine swap and adding lift tires gears and what not. but thats just me. drop a turbo diesel in that puppy. !!!!!!
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You could buy this '07 JK: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-suspension-112/07-unlimited-x-rubi-axle-37s-winch-more-50976/ which is already modified and still have a whole lot more $$$ to play with...;)
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Originally Posted by Renegade
(Post 637018)
You could buy this '07 JK: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50976 which is already modified and still have a whole lot more $$$ to play with...;)
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Originally Posted by armycop
(Post 637078)
x2 nice rig! You could supercharge and regear to 4.88 and come under your budget.
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Originally Posted by SASQUATCH
(Post 637090)
what he said, very nice rig, should have no problem selling it :thumbsup:
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First I think you need to sit back and honestly come up with how long you intend on keeping the Jeep. If you honestly feel you are going to keep it a very long time buying the 07 could be an option. If you feel there is a possibilty that you will trade or sell the Jeep within a few years buy the Rubicon. The resale will be much higher. People just do not get out of their Jeep what they put into them. The only way to get your moneys worth out of a moded Jeep is by using it.
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Wow, great feedback so far - much thanks!
Renegade that is an awesome rig you got. Good luck selling it and I would be interested but I will probably be buying more like October and doubt you want to wait. As for how long I am keeping the Jeep - my goal is very long. It will be our fourth vehicle (for just two of us) and it will be a recreational one. I like the idea of building but honestly don't think I have all the labor hours available and in me right now. Renegade's rig with some mods would come under budget and that is always a possibility. If I do buy an 07 I would like it to be the discontinued Stone Putty color. Tough decision but I think I am leaning new + small mods. Regardless, it sounds like I need to regear. Does anyone have any input on the lifetime warranty from Jeep and if you regear - do you void the warranty? |
I went the 08 fully loaded Rubi Unlimited route. I thought about used and building up but decided the Rubi was the best route.
I've since dropped about $6K into it with the lift, tires, and bumpers and it seems to be a never ending project :p If I were to do it again, I wouldn't buy fully loaded but I would go with a Rubi if I were buying new. More than likely though, I'd pickup a gently used "mall crawler" and spend the $14K on a lift, tires and some rockjock. Then as the budget allowed add bumpers and a winch etc. You gotta go with what's best for you. I love my Rubi, funnest vehicle I've ever owned :ya: |
Why not find an '07 rubi? I've seen some out there in the low 20s. If it has under 36K miles on it, you can still buy an extended warranty.
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