JT Rubicons

[Spirits]

Question for JT Rubicon people: What made you go for a Rubicon?

I completely understand a 2 door Rubicon and it's uses, but the longer the wheelbase you start getting into and the type of crawling that a Rubicon was built for it seems like a waste to me for 99%+ of Rubicon owners.

I think Rubicon's are great for what they are originally designed for, I just couldn't convince myself to even consider one very seriously when I was looking at Gladiators. Is this just a genius marketing strategy for Jeep or a status symbol purchase from many buyers? Or both? I just can't wrap my mind around wanting a Rubicon that long.

And for what it is worth, I'm not a rock crawler guy but use my Jeeps for hunting.

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[JT1]

2 lockers get you through a lot of mud...

 

[ConqSoft]

Question for JT Rubicon people: What made you go for a Rubicon?

I completely understand a 2 door Rubicon and it's uses, but the longer the wheelbase you start getting into and the type of crawling that a Rubicon was built for it seems like a waste to me for 99%+ of Rubicon owners.

I think Rubicon's are great for what they are originally designed for, I just couldn't convince myself to even consider one very seriously when I was looking at Gladiators. Is this just a genius marketing strategy for Jeep or a status symbol purchase from many buyers? Or both? I just can't wrap my mind around wanting a Rubicon that long.

And for what it is worth, I'm not a rock crawler guy but use my Jeeps for hunting.

If you add enough of a lift and big enough tires, you can get over some of those limitations but yes, I hear where you're coming from.

My previous vehicle was a 2 door JL Rubicon, and it was great stock. I went with Mojave trim for my Gladiator because I don't do any serious off-roading, it arguably has a better road ride than the Rubicon, and one less locker to go bad.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Sway bar disconnects are useful in all types of terrain. Yes they can be added cheaply, but they won't be as convenient as the push button factory setup. Front lockers are useful in many instances from mid to deep snow to rocks and cannot be added cheaply at all. The huge torque provided by the 4-1 transfer case is beneficial in any slow type of terrain. The rubicon is the only way to get any of those options.

 

[Andy29847]

My 2 door TJ was a lot of fun, but when going up/down steep spots, I wished it was longer. In fact, one of the first thing Rock Crawlers do on a 2 door Jeep is stretch the wheelbase.

I bought the Rubicon because my wife said that was what she wanted. I like the stronger axles, bigger tires and wheels, 4:1 low range transfer case, the locking axles, and the pretty Rubicon trim pieces. The Rubicon is ~1-1/2" higher than the sport models too.

 

[CrazyCooter]

Lockers, sway bar disconnect, wide track axles, and aux switches. I didn't want the 4:1 transfer case, but it wasn't a deal killer.

I could have installed all of this myself, but at the time of ordering (Late 2020) there was no good limited slip or locker available aftermarket. My preference is Truetrac rear and E-locker front....been through Rubicon many times with that configuration without issue and it benefits me daily.

Plenty of sway bar disconnect options and aux switch kits on the market now.

Now maybe a Sport Max Tow would be my pick?

 

[raypla]

It was the only way to get a front camera when I bought my Rubicon. They hold their resale value well. High line fenders look better imo.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I wanted a Mojave, but I wanted a diesel more. Didn't really need the Rubicon, as we already had a JLURD.
The EcoDiesel I ended up with was the second diesel I could find that checked most of the boxes. Just so happened it was a Rubicon. Almost got a Willys instead, but dealer marked it up several thousand dollars for aftermarket tires and wheels. They weren't gonna include the factory take offs, but they wanted full price for the tires and wheels they added. Plus I didn't really care for the wheels they added. Found the one I have a few days later and started to wheel and deal.
Rest is history as they say.

 

[Zachanadandy]

My 2 door TJ was a lot of fun, but when going up/down steep spots, I wished it was longer. In fact, one of the first thing Rock Crawlers do on a 2 door Jeep is stretch the wheelbase.

I bought the Rubicon because my wife said that was what she wanted. I like the stronger axles, bigger tires and wheels, 4:1 low range transfer case, the locking axles, and the pretty Rubicon trim pieces. The Rubicon is ~1-1/2" higher than the sport models too.

The 2dr is too short on the hard trails, JT is too long. If only there was an in-between option with much better stability than the 2dr but not the length of a school bus...
I guess that's why we own a JLUR with full skids and 39s for the big rocks and a JT mojave for the desert. The JT would need 42s to hand with the JLUR and it still wouldn't be as good. Conversely the JLU will never be as good at speed off road because wheelbase makes a huge difference. You can try to get one rig to do it all... and it won't be a good at anything.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Question for JT Rubicon people: What made you go for a Rubicon?

I completely understand a 2 door Rubicon and it's uses, but the longer the wheelbase you start getting into and the type of crawling that a Rubicon was built for it seems like a waste to me for 99%+ of Rubicon owners.

I think Rubicon's are great for what they are originally designed for, I just couldn't convince myself to even consider one very seriously when I was looking at Gladiators. Is this just a genius marketing strategy for Jeep or a status symbol purchase from many buyers? Or both? I just can't wrap my mind around wanting a Rubicon that long.

And for what it is worth, I'm not a rock crawler guy but use my Jeeps for hunting.

Would the 5’ box in the back assist you with what you hunt or would that animal get strapped down on the hood ?

 

[Spirits]

Would the 5’ box in the back assist you with what you hunt or would that animal get strapped down on the hood ?

Yeah, I do a ton of predator hunting and I'm not putting a dead coyote, bobcat, badger, fox or mt lion inside a JLU lol. There is more storage for gear also when it comes to camping. And if I kill a black bear/elk/bigger game, I can quarter them and pack them out.

The Mojave actually makes an amazing hunting rig in southern Arizona and what it is good for (forest roads, washes, hunting paths) fits so well.

I got the Punk'n so there is no way I'm putting an animal on the hood lol. It will get more Arizona Pinstripes but I'm not looking to destroy it. Gladiator is a perfect hunting rig imo.

Edit: I should add that my 92 YJ would be a great little hunting rig for some things, but if I want to drive further out and use the freeways/highways my 92 isn't the Jeep for that. That YJ is a 55 mph top kinda rig. The 92 is way better suited for drives up Mt. Lemmon or small game hunting closer to the house.

 

[BlackRuby23]

For the lockers and other amenities. It was a no-brainer. The Rubicon is not strictly for rock-crawling.

 

[Spirits]

The Rubicon is not strictly for rock-crawling.

What are you doing that a sport won't handle?

 

[Splenda]

It was the only way to get a front camera when I bought my Rubicon. They hold their resale value well. High line fenders look better imo.

I agree on the high fenders. I couldn't own one with the low fenders. The high fenders are available on several models now though.

 

[BlackRuby23]

What are you doing that a sport won't handle?

First off, using the lockers in deep snow. The larger tires and clearance are necessary where I go. I am less than 30 miles from the Rubicon trail for 6 months of the year, and I've done thousands of miles off road thus far.

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