Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4 door

[Old Yella]

Hi guys, I 've been looking at buying a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and not knowing much about Jeeps, I thought I would ask owners instead of sales men what their thoughts are on these ?
What is the fuel consumption on the 3.6 litre Pentastar like ?
What size lift do I need to fit some bigger rubber, ie; 35's and are the transfer ratios and diff ratios on the Rubicon up to that ?
What are the Dana 44 front diffs and inner axles, uni's, like for strenght compared to other makes with cv's ? I've allways had Toyotas and don't know much about Jeep running gear.
And anything in particular a Jeep Noob would need to know ?
Cheers Rob

[GUtripper]

The 44 front on the rubicon is a better thing compared to the junk 30 on the lower spec units. That said, they can be made better easy enough.
You can fit 35's with only a 2" lift..... As far as ratios, I believe the rubi will handle it with it's shorter overall gearing.

Try talking to aftermarket specialists like Wooders Garage in Hornsby, or Double Black Offroad in Melb who do a heap of work on JK's in particular and probably build some of the best in the country at present.

Both of these places have a great reputation for advice and assistance.

Have you checked out http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

[Old Yella]

thanks GUripper I'll have a look

[simonsurf]

It's a jeep thing Bob

[Old Yella]

Lol Simon, might have been their marketing that got me thinking mmmmmmm ............. don't hold back

[jeepjk]

I have had my jeep for about a year now and absolutly LOVE IT!!!!!
Yeh, i'm experiencing deathwobbles and the hard top leaks abit but other then that she goes anywhere!!!!!
Thats with my crappy transfer case, d30 front diff and no lockers.
I only have the unlimited sport but with the diesel (crd) engine, if the rubicons were availible in aus with crd engines i'd own one in a heart beat!
So its pretty much a trade off between diesel and the awsome specs a rubi has....
I went diesel

But as the other bloke said jump on ausjeep, as i've noticed there aint many jeepers here.....
You will find your answer (or get more confused) over there...
http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Old Yella]

Thanks for the reply jeepjk.
The more I research the JK Wrangler, the more Questions I have ?
I have been on the ausjeepoffroad website, and most of the guys on there love their jeeps, but I would also like an unbiased opinion.

It appears that the Rubicon only comes in a petrol, and I've read very varied fuel consuption, but not a great deal on the Pentastar motor?

Also as I'd like to run it with at least 35 inch tyres, are the Dana 44 front ends up to this or do they need modifying, and chromo axles ?

I know my Toyota and Nissan front ends, and could rebuild them easily but don't know alot about Jeeps and there design attributes or flaws.

And I have read alot about the front end death wobbles, and the JK Wranglers having a problem with catching fire

I've always liked the look of Jeeps, and the capabilitys of the old CJ5's and CJ7's so maybe I need to look into them a bit more before I falk out over 50K

Cheers Rob

[GUtripper]

Thanks for the reply jeepjk.
The more I research the JK Wrangler, the more Questions I have ?
I have been on the ausjeepoffroad website, and most of the guys on there love their jeeps, but I would also like an unbiased opinion.

It appears that the Rubicon only comes in a petrol, and I've read very varied fuel consuption, but not a great deal on the Pentastar motor?

Also as I'd like to run it with at least 35 inch tyres, are the Dana 44 front ends up to this or do they need modifying, and chromo axles ?

I know my Toyota and Nissan front ends, and could rebuild them easily but don't know alot about Jeeps and there design attributes or flaws.

And I have read alot about the front end death wobbles, and the JK Wranglers having a problem with catching fire

I've always liked the look of Jeeps, and the capabilitys of the old CJ5's and CJ7's so maybe I need to look into them a bit more before I falk out over 50K

Cheers Rob

Fires in the jk's can mostly be attributed to auto models..... Don't turn off the traction control, in low range ( ie in sand like at Stockton), the traction system applies the brakes, toasting the auto, which then causes trans fluid to boil out the dipstick tube and straight on the cat converter.... Instant fire.

Sure there may be other causes but boiling trans fluid probably accounts for the greater majority of issues in this regard.

The 44 will handle 35's but it can be strengthened further.
Call Bill at Double Black Offroad in Melb, they are building more hard core Offroad JK's than anyone else at present, and are very good to deal with. He will give an honest, if not slightly biased run down on issues and where to correct potential issues.

[Old Yella]

Thanks GUtripper I didn't know that about the autos.
Will give Bill a call
Cheers Rob

[GUtripper]

No worries.... Of interest, I believe the trans dipstick wasn't fitted with any sort of hold down clip to stop it blowing out of the tube when the fluid reached high temps...... May have caused a lot of issues to be avoided I guess, as would a larger trans cooler perhaps?

I did actually see a jk on fire at Stockton beach in September 2008..... The guy posted on http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; about a month afterwards, confirming this was in fact the cause. Bummer.

I almost cringe at saying this, but JK's aren't a bad thing I guess Just too full of electronic BS for my liking, and i would prefer more robust driveline components from the factory. But in that regard, they are no different to every other new 4wd I guess.

In terms of reliability, should I mention Toyota injector or oil consumption issues, or Nissans ace 3.0 which is their only diesel offering?

I believe jeeps are still the most modified 4wd on the planet and the amount of bolt in/on aftermarket gear for them is mind boggling.

If you are going to buy one, or even just interested in them, get a subscription to JP magazine from the US.