Hi i'm a newbie and just brought the 2012 Rubicon!

I'm planning to take it to some beginning/medium difficulty trails first and I'm wondering if I need to make any upgrades before I go.. I've heard I might need to get new differential covers. Not sure if this is needed or any other component upgrades so I can prolong my Jeep durability. Thanks guys!

 

They are a good idea to add, but if you be careful and make sure your tires are on top of all the rocks and just keep in mind where your differentials are in relation to your line you will be OK. I find that my covers help a lot when I am on such large rocks that you start sliding around, or when you get totally hung up on a breakover angle. Before you add those, you should add an oil pan skid plate or cover. See my signature.

 

Welcome to the club, and just hit the trails in that new Rubicon and you'll be fine. A suggestion would be to go to a Jeep Jamboree event or similiar for your first outing. They will keep you out of trouble.

 

x2 on that, go and enjoy it. if something happens then replace it afterwards. one of the biggest mistakes people make is replacing things before they realize how good their previous parts were, so wheel it find what's restricting you then replace. and enjoy

 

Most of your vulnerable parts are already covered. First upgrade should be oil pan cover but I don't know that anyone has one for the 2012 yet (someone chime in if you know if one). Next is the diff covers, but it seems rare that the stock covers get dented (it can happen though). Only other thing to watch is your electronic disconnect in the front, if you roll over a rock you don't want to hit the disconnect motor. I dented every stock skid on my 08 X and they all held up. I only skidded the oil pan, evap canister and rear diff.

All that said, if you are careful on tall rocks and how you drop off them, your stock Rubi is very capable and will get you through almost anything exactly as it is from the dealer.

 

Interesting, I've never hit my oil pan in all the years of 4x4ing.

Not the old YJ rear tank, I hit that alot till I needed a new tank. I the TJ I had, I put a armor on that right away.

On the new Jeeps, you should be fine, but as you said a front Diff cover is not a bad idea, although with all the stuff I've did to mine I havn't done DIFF covers yet.

 

The rubi is ready to rock and roll right out of the box. Remember don't straddle rocks, drive over them with your tires. There are lots of great 4x4 clubs in Ca. Join one of them or just go on a run with one and they will be glad to show you the ropes and it is a lot cheaper than a Jeep Jamboree. A Jamboree can be lots of fun but if it should get rained out you are out all the money you paid and they don't give you a raincheck for another date.

 

 

Rubicons are ready to wheel off the showroom floor. However, if you have a four door without a lift, I would suggest skid plates and a good rear bumper that will protect your rear corners. I have four door with 4" of lift and my skid plates take a beating. Let me know if you are looking for a place to break that thing in.

 

Gear/stuff you might need or is nice to have:
Portable Compressor
Snatch Strap
Shovel
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Water
Charles Wells books on California trails.

As far as Jeep mods go you should just run it as is so you can figure out what you need. Its recommended that you dont go 4 wheeling alone.