Outer Limits 4x4 Board

So my old man is looking into buying one of the new 4 door jeep wranglers, seeing we have only every really owned toyotas we dont know much about jeeps, it would be good if someone could tell me about the reliability of these new jeeps and there performance.

Also which would be pick, the 3.8 petrol engine or the 2.8 turbo diesel and he will be getting it in auto.

One more thing is how do the Electronically controlled, disconnecting front sway bar and the Tru-Lok® front and rear electronic remote locking diffs perform?

Any information on these would be really helpfull

Cheers
Kyle

Rubicon is only available with the 3.8L V6 at the moment.

2.8TD is also only available as an automatic as of this year. They are a good match. But the Rubicon is the pick if you're a 4wder and don't want to spend money upgrading the driveline.

THe electro front swaybar disconnect is cool but I dont see the point. I wouldn't pay extra for it anyway. Its controlled by the computer and speed you're doing. ALso also affected by water.

Electric lockers are also controlled by the computer and can only be used in Low range and under a particular speed. Can't select between front or rear. It is Just rear locked or twin locked. They perform well and don't leak air , but the jury is still out for how long they last (only been out for 3yrs now). The D44 with Tru Lock in the rear is a bigger diff with heavier duty bearings than the D44 with no locker. Front Rubi D44 is just a bigger diff compared to the D30 in the Sport (but is considerably bigger and stronger). Tubes aren't that much stronger and the steering knuckles/hubs are actually the same as on the D30. Rubi has slightly heavier Unis in the front axle but they're still not greaseable or free-wheeling so they still have a short expected lifespan imho.

I went a 2.8 TD auto Renegade pack (hardtop and premium sound system) and fitted ARB lockers to the 3.73 diff ratios. After putting the figures on paper I regret not getting a Rubicon with all the stuff I wanted from the factory - i also would have had less issues. My air lockers leak and have caused havock with the diffs. I know this is due to installation retardation, but you don't have to worry about that as much with the factory equipment.

As it is when I go 4wding I worry constantly about killing my front diff and unis. But I came from a Patrol, so I never really worried about mechanical failures until now. lol

I also had a Gu but had issues with the Gearbox, the bomproof rear diff and the 3.0. All brands have their issue.
I also have the td auto, great combo especially on sand.

since i've owned jeeps never had mechanical failures in the bush,

when i owned a patrol i broke around 9 cv's, 5 hubs, and the rear diff gears.

thanks for all the advice, he ended up ordering the manual 2.8L sport unlimited with the lockers and disconnects. Should be getting it next week
thanks again
kyle

wompy wrote:thanks for all the advice, he ended up ordering the manual 2.8L sport unlimited with the lockers and disconnects. Should be getting it next week
thanks again
kyle

Does it have a front locker?
I though the Rubicon only came in Petrol due to the American market.

Sounds like you have the offroad group.

wompy wrote:thanks for all the advice, he ended up ordering the manual 2.8L sport unlimited with the lockers and disconnects. Should be getting it next week
thanks again
kyle

Keep us posted what he thinks of it, as i'm thinking about it myself.

Tell him too get the Mopar lift springs. As with the length of wheelbase it needs at least 2" more height. With the rear locker and front swaybar disconnect they are extremely capable. In fact we have a diesel unlimited without lockers in SCJC that has ome spring, Long travel shocks and 33" Mtz that makes me wonder why i bought the Rubicon sometimes. My only dislike about the ome setup he is running is that it is very soft compared to my dobinson toughdog setup and sways on side slopes way more than mine(he does have 2" more travel though ). The lockers work faultlessly so far on mine and i have not really heard anybody griping about them too much. I have only had one episode of the electronic swaybar not working, this was on the weekend after it had been regulary submerged underwater on the test track and cruiser canyon at Landcruiser mtn. A quick fiddle with the fitting plug and liberal wd40 spray and it was working faultlesly again.

Thanks again for the advice, my dad ended up getting the wrangler unlimited sport 2.8TD with rear locker and the sway bar disconnects. He has just got the standard suspension because it is a lease car but we are really impressed on how it goes, went on a long trip up past bourke fully loaded with 2 motorbikes on the trailer and it towed really well going over the blue mountains. The lockers and the sway bars work well and you can control them when your in 2wd,4wd,high or low range.

wompy wrote: The lockers and the sway bars work well and you can control them when your in 2wd,4wd,high or low range.

Unless they are aftermarket, that is incorrect.

Swaybar release only works in 4H and 4L and rear locker only activates in 4L.

I was talking to the jeep dealer on church st at parramatta and they said they are bringing out a diesel version of the rubicon but it is not called a rubicon though. It is to have diff locks, stronger front diff (same as rubicon) but i dont think it comes with the sway bar disconects (which is no great loss)

Mark.

Or just give us the diesel unlimited rubicon they sell elsewhere...
http://www.jeep.de/wrangler_unlimited/m ... on_28_crd/

A diesel rubicon would cost about $5000 more than the petrol. Wouldn't be good for sales.

Also, Chrysler AU have ditched the Off Road Group which was the 3.73 ratios (for manuals), electronic front swaybar disconnect and electric locking rear diff for 2011 models. Means if you want factory lockers you've got to get a Rubicon.

Yom wrote:A diesel rubicon would cost about $5000 more than the petrol. Wouldn't be good for sales.

Also, Chrysler AU have ditched the Off Road Group which was the 3.73 ratios (for manuals), electronic front swaybar disconnect and electric locking rear diff for 2011 models. Means if you want factory lockers you've got to get a Rubicon.

I would pay it. The petrol is useless for my needs.

Yom wrote:

wompy wrote: The lockers and the sway bars work well and you can control them when your in 2wd,4wd,high or low range.

Unless they are aftermarket, that is incorrect.

Swaybar release only works in 4H and 4L and rear locker only activates in 4L.

Its a diesel wrangler unlimited (not rubicon) and it has the offroad group, lockers and swaybars are factory and yes they work it all situations, 2wd, 4h and 4L
thanks

wompy wrote:

Yom wrote:

wompy wrote: The lockers and the sway bars work well and you can control them when your in 2wd,4wd,high or low range.

Unless they are aftermarket, that is incorrect.

Swaybar release only works in 4H and 4L and rear locker only activates in 4L.

Its a diesel wrangler unlimited (not rubicon) and it has the offroad group, lockers and swaybars are factory and yes they work it all situations, 2wd, 4h and 4L
thanks

It cannot be a production line offering then and may be dealership or aftermarket fitment.