Hi all, just found and joined this forum. Last year we ordered a new GC Ltd Hemi and we love it... Did not know the Unlimited Rubicon was coming and when I saw it - I decided I needed one.

We camp/hike a lot and need to use 4WD roads to get to some of the trailheads. We're not going to used the Rubicon for hardcore rockcrawling or intense trails, but will do moderate 4-Wheeling once in awhile. I think the Sahara will definitely fit our needs, but just can't resist the Rubicon...

My question for Rubicon owners:

How's the Rubicon for traveling? We live in the midwest, but head-out to Rockies and Southwest Canyons every year to play. How would the Rubicon be on a 2,500 mile trip? I'm not concerned about creature comfort so much as stress on the drive-train because of all the pavement driving.

 

Shouldn't be any harder on it than on an X or Sahara with 4.10's

We're heading for Colorado with ours from the land of tall corn...

 

So what is it about the Rubicon anyway? I don't understand the facsination with them when you admittedly won't use any of its features except the Rubicon sticker on the side?

Let me back up and say that I'm not bashing in any way. I just have a different mind set I guess. Why people want to pay thousands more for something that looks the same when they are not going to use it for more than general off road use. I know this has been discussed on the forum.

Maybe I'm just jealous

Seriously though, if you think you may eventually take it out on trails just to tackle the trails and not as a destination vehicle and you don't mind spending the extra bucks GO FOR IT! The Rubicon is awesome...

If not, a Sahara with trac lock should get you anywhere you want to go.

Disclaimer: No malice intended toward current Rubicon owners on this list!

 

first of all if you doing mild 4 wheeling once in a while you dont need a rubicon. if you want to go wheeling every weekend and more then the rubicon is a must to get out of some sticky situations plus if you're puting 35's to 37 inch tall tires then the dana 35 up front in the X or sahara is way too weak to hold up with a lot of stress

also the 4:1 transfercase is really only for the rocks and to me it sounds like you just need a good trail rig so any kind of jeep is good for that (except ofcourse those useless 4x2 ones)

 

I think a lot of it, at least for me, is that it have the capability from the start and if and when I need it, its there. I have already used the front and rear lockers at a friends property but did not need the sways disconnected but could have. It probably would have done even better over some of the things I climbed.

For just a few thousand, you are done at least for my uses.

If I had a lesser model, unmodified and I got stuck, I would have always wondered what if...

 

FYI, it is a Dana 30 front axle standard on the X and Sahara, the Dana 35 is a rear axle

 

Probably aren't many McLaren drivers that have found out the max speed and true handling of the vehicle either.

Bottom line - get what you think you'll need and realize that even if you do that - and you're talking about a Jeep - you're just starting!

We went Rubi - not because we 4 wheel all the time - but because I have a tendency to go places and get into trouble enough that I don't want it breaking on a trail somewhere - especially out of the country!

I have already had it a couple of places to play with the sway bar disconnect - nice feature but not required however it sure was nice! However the extra lift that came stock has saved many a scrape on the underside!

If it is only going to see gravel - the Rubi is probably only good for resale. But if you start really getting hooked - I can't ever seeing us not having a Rubi!

 

yeah i couldn't remember because i don't bother with either since they're both useless, unless your stock or driving straight down the road with oversized tires

 

Remeber also that the Rubicon's computer is programed for 32" tires. I feel that gives you a slight advantage in the way the vehicle handles itself. I could be off base on this, but I don't thing the X and Sahara is set for this.

I have driven both and my Rubicon seems to have a little more pep. I could just be that it's RED though.

 

maybe the other one you drove didn't have 4:10 gears like the standard rubi