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Rubicon must haves

Matstock4

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Lol seriously if you're on the forum your basically going to convince yourself to get every option and spend a ton $$$. I was going to go one of 2 ways... Buy every option or get the stripped down version of the Rubi... I spend too much time on the forum so there's your answer on what direction I went. I don't regret it though!

The best advice I saw on this thread was get those few must haves. Then find a dealer that has those and if there a couple random extras so be it. They'll probably make a deal with you to get you in that vehicle versus waiting for an order, etc. Win-win! You just have to convince them you're really not interested in paying for something you "dont want" ;)
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Racer_X

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I'm grappling with just this myself. Trying to figure out what makes sense to get from the factory and what to debate aftermarket. My build I'm leaning towards:
1. Body fender flares. 1% of purchase price, and if I'm on the fence I should get them now because they won't match if I add them later. Plus the plastic looks a bit cheap on a $50k vehicle.
2. Cold weather package. Ski truck. 'Nuff said
3. Steel bumper. Easy add. About the mid price point of aftermarket. Finally able to get the 1200lb stump out of the mud back of my place.
4. Aux switches (due to this thread). Likely adding a light bar just 'cause
5. Trailcam - how cool is that? Plus no messing with wiring/etc.
6. 8.4" screen. Get it now, rather not wish I had it later and get the console torn apart.
7. Black hard top. Red hard top is too much red. ski truck.
8. LED lights - we live in deer+road country. LED required. Plus light bar for "safety" driving home.
9. Active safety, very useful in my first truck.

What I'm not leaning towards:
1. Cargo package. Will never use the outlet. Rails are mopar accessories for about 370. Going to get a bed locking storage solution
2. Leather. Turns out there's an offroad course near me. Neoprene seat covers, done.
3. Trailer tow package. ATV fits in the bed.
4. Hardtop headliner. I'll wear a coat. Plus it's a semi-daily driver. My commute is either 15 feet or the airport parking lot.
5. Tonneau cover. WAS interested. No way to get bed rack for skis plus tonneau cover. Going with in-bed locking storage instead.

I'm really curious to see what people think about the body fender flares on the Rubicon. Are these replaced often due to breakage or a typical mod?
 
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NateKY

NateKY

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Thanks for all of the responses. Y’all may have sold me on the LED lights for sure. Possibly the aux switches. Just because I don’t plan on it now, doesn’t mean I won’t ever add something.
 

bgenlvtex

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Color matched fenders look great until you knock one off doing Jeep things and then have to get one painted to match, which 3 or 4 years from now will never match in some colors.

Knock a black one off, buy one and bolt it on. I would find a better way to spend that $500.

I think the bumper, cold weather group, switches are the most useful and best deals.

That said, I bought everything the bastards at FCA would let me buy except the spray in liner and rail system.
 

Mr._Bill

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Order it with carpet and add the all weather mats later. I would suggest adding a tonneau cover later, if you want one, instead of ordering the factory one. I had the dealer add the $595 Mopar soft top tri-fold, and it works well and keeps the bed dry. Definitely add all the safety features, led lights, the remote start, proximity key, and adaptive cruise control. I like the factory bed liner, and the trail rails. If you want the headliner, order the Hothead with sound strips, it's about $200 less than the factory option. I got the 8.4 screen and the speaker upgrade. It doesn't make sense, to me, to try and upgrade it after purchase. The factory installed Alpines sound great to me. I would also recommend the cold weather group, and if you order one, add the block heater, the front camera, and tow package.
 
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RMiller

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I have decided to just say screw it and go with the JT Rubicon. I am just overthinking everything and worrying about little crap.

I don't really want to order one and wait 2 months, however I know that I will not find one on the lot with my short list of must haves. I am willing to buy one with more options if they are really worth it just to keep from waiting longer.

I want black hard top, tow package, automatic, and body color fenders. What options do you all have that you think is worth it or just couldn't live without? I know everyone will have something different, but it may help me look at things differently and come around to your way of thinking.
 

AggieJeep

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Thanks for all of the responses. Y’all may have sold me on the LED lights for sure. Possibly the aux switches. Just because I don’t plan on it now, doesn’t mean I won’t ever add something.
DO GET
LED lights
Aux switches

The value is there for these without any doubt in my opinion.

I strongly suggest the remote keyless entry, fob stays in your pocket. That has been much handier than I ever thought.

The rest really depends on your use and taste. I have the LE which has essentially everything. I love most everything but this short list I would not want to have missed out on.
 

willemlock

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One option I should not have gone with was the upgraded black polished wheels. I replaced mine after owning it 1 week... have a think about what mods you will do so you don’t waste money on OEM parts that will be replaced anyway.
 

AKDrifter

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Surprised to only seen it mentioned a couple times but the Trailer Tow is a good buy for a couple hundred bucks. The Class IV hitch with the 4 and 7 pin factory connections is worth that $250. You get the upgraded cooling with it as well. If you think you might pull anything anytime in your ownership buy that. The AUX switches likewise are super cool especially for the $. Cold Weather is a good buy. You can add leather later on if you want but not the seat heaters at least not that I've seen. I didn't buy into any of the safety junk or the stereo or nav. The LED is not a bad buy. The OEM LED headlights are $850 after the fact. But I don't like LED for headlights so I'll be retrofitting projectors with HID. If you don't want to fiddle with them the factory LED kit is a good buy. I feel you get a lot of practicality and truck usefulness type things from the cheaper options.
 

rafaelsmith

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Things I know I will get when I order my Rubicon:
-Tow Package
-8.4 radio
-aux switches
-bedliner
-cargo management
-black hardtop
-automatic
-steel bumper....although looking at Jeep's online build tool it is no longer a option.

Things I go back and forth on:

-black or color fenders...(I like the look of black better...especially with Punk'n...but here in FL the black flares fade and turn a ugly greywhite pretty quickly)
-leather or cloth....I need to sit and compare before deciding....not sure the rear fold down arm rest thing is worth the cost unless the leather is significantly more comfortable. Also, I will be getting seat covers.
-tonneau ...many better and cheaper aftermarket choices available...and I will want a hard one.


Things I can do without:
-safety groups
-adaptive cruise
-cold weather
-remote start
-remote proximity
-bluetooth speaker
 

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bgenlvtex

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Surprised to only seen it mentioned a couple times but the Trailer Tow is a good buy for a couple hundred bucks. The Class IV hitch with the 4 and 7 pin factory connections is worth that $250. You get the upgraded cooling with it as well. If you think you might pull anything anytime in your ownership buy that. The AUX switches likewise are super cool especially for the $. Cold Weather is a good buy. You can add leather later on if you want but not the seat heaters at least not that I've seen. I didn't buy into any of the safety junk or the stereo or nav. The LED is not a bad buy. The OEM LED headlights are $850 after the fact. But I don't like LED for headlights so I'll be retrofitting projectors with HID. If you don't want to fiddle with them the factory LED kit is a good buy. I feel you get a lot of practicality and truck usefulness type things from the cheaper options.

Tow package is a must have, I completely overlooked that.

Also the cold weather package does not include a block heater, which is $90.
 

spazzyfry123

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What I'm not leaning towards:
...
3. Trailer tow package. ATV fits in the bed.
...
I think for $250 this is one of the better deals to have - especially with a truck. You never know when you may be in need of a utility trailer or...whatever. Plus, you get an upgraded alternator, "heavy duty cooling" (whatever that is), the hitch itself, and zoom on the rear camera (actually not sure if this is available for the non-trailer hitch packages or not). You'd spend more after the fact at U-Haul and have the lesser alternator and "normal cooling."
 

Jay Gatsby

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Must have for me:

-Tow package
-Auto
-8.4 audio
-LED group
-Aux switch group
-Color hard top
-Trailer brake controller (hopefully)
-Tonneau
 

Racer_X

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Already have the upgraded alternator with the aux switches, plus an upgraded battery. I don't need a class IV hitch, the class II should be fine. So the only real benefit is the trailer zoom and "upgraded engine cooling" whatever that is. If they'd reduce the price of the options package to reflect stuff that's selected by another package it might be easier to justify.

I think for $250 this is one of the better deals to have - especially with a truck. You never know when you may be in need of a utility trailer or...whatever. Plus, you get an upgraded alternator, "heavy duty cooling" (whatever that is), the hitch itself, and zoom on the rear camera (actually not sure if this is available for the non-trailer hitch packages or not). You'd spend more after the fact at U-Haul and have the lesser alternator and "normal cooling."
 

willemlock

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I'm grappling with just this myself. Trying to figure out what makes sense to get from the factory and what to debate aftermarket. My build I'm leaning towards:
1. Body fender flares. 1% of purchase price, and if I'm on the fence I should get them now because they won't match if I add them later. Plus the plastic looks a bit cheap on a $50k vehicle.
2. Cold weather package. Ski truck. 'Nuff said
3. Steel bumper. Easy add. About the mid price point of aftermarket. Finally able to get the 1200lb stump out of the mud back of my place.
4. Aux switches (due to this thread). Likely adding a light bar just 'cause
5. Trailcam - how cool is that? Plus no messing with wiring/etc.
6. 8.4" screen. Get it now, rather not wish I had it later and get the console torn apart.
7. Black hard top. Red hard top is too much red. ski truck.
8. LED lights - we live in deer+road country. LED required. Plus light bar for "safety" driving home.
9. Active safety, very useful in my first truck.

What I'm not leaning towards:
1. Cargo package. Will never use the outlet. Rails are mopar accessories for about 370. Going to get a bed locking storage solution
2. Leather. Turns out there's an offroad course near me. Neoprene seat covers, done.
3. Trailer tow package. ATV fits in the bed.
4. Hardtop headliner. I'll wear a coat. Plus it's a semi-daily driver. My commute is either 15 feet or the airport parking lot.
5. Tonneau cover. WAS interested. No way to get bed rack for skis plus tonneau cover. Going with in-bed locking storage instead.

I'm really curious to see what people think about the body fender flares on the Rubicon. Are these replaced often due to breakage or a typical mod?
What ATV do you have? My kids has the Polaris RZR 170 and it fits in the back like a glove. Anything bigger will cause issues. Also I’m looking at either adding airbags or installing heavy duty springs as the ATV causes major sagging issues at 750lbs. I’m not sure what it’s going to look like at max payload lol
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