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Do you drive a stock Rubicon?

16K views 144 replies 65 participants last post by  jeffashford 
#1 ·
Tell me one thing you like and dislike about driving your stock Rubicon.

GO!
 
#2 ·
I love the Jeep overall, but as we all know it's not perfect.

The one thing I don't like are the M/T tires. It's 99% a highway rig, so the not-so-wonderful tires are not really needed. I plan on replacing them with some KO2s in the future.


Exco
 
#3 ·
I do drive a stock rubicon, only because I am waiting for winter time to come to do mods just because I have other things to do while the weather is so nice. Gives me an excuse to get out of the house and spend time in the garage while its not so nice outside. Otherwise I would be a hermit!

I have gone offroad with my stock rubicon. Nothing serious, but went on a few back country trails.
 
#5 ·
If you mean the Rubi rock sliders, then you are a little misled. Those are meant for a whole different purpose. The stepsides are still available, but I am not sure if they are compatible with the rock sliders without modification. I am sure people would be 100% willing to trade in your local craigslist or jeep group.
 
#6 ·
Not technically stocks since I added 7 pin trailer wiring, a brake controller,and CB,but it seems "stock" enough for the context of this discussion.

I don't really care for the lower ratio t-case since the main appeal of the Rubicon is the lockers which require low. Using a programmer to enable them in high fixes that but doesn't permanently change it, or am I again pushing the definition of stock? Yeah, other than the lawyer features I like it. If I had planned on doing a lot of mods to it, I would have bought a Sport. I only have a. Couple inches of clearance for the garage, so tire sizes are limited and a lift is probably out. Of course I'm not a fan of big lifts and huge tires anyway.
 
#7 ·
I have 3 Wranglers. One is a stock 15 Rubicon that we use exclusively for trips to the Smoky Mountains from Ohio. It is stock and there is nothing I don't like about it. ( Except the gas mileage. LOL and I really don't care about that. )
 
#9 · (Edited)
The stock MT tires on Rubicons are just horrible: they get noisier with each passing mile, they wander on-road and they suck in snow.

I fixed the weak headlights with a $50 PIAA lightbulb upgrade from Extreme Terrain.

And I hate those plastic bumpers: they implode at the lightest touch; they should be banned before they all end up in the ocean. The same goes for the textured black fenders; they look clean for about six weeks.

Everything else I'm fine with.
 
#32 ·
For what it's worth regarding the MT tires, Just bought a '16 JKU hard rock on 9/3 and hated the tires like everyone else. With that said, on Monday I called BFG and put in a warranty claim, as of today I have a brand new set of BFG KO2's and I only had to cover the cost of the spare no questions asked. Might I add my jeep has 1700 miles on it. It's worth a shot to call BFG.
 
#11 ·
I have a stock '15 JK Rubicon with a manual. I like this thing, and I have taken it seriously off road locally and I am immensely impressed with its capabilities.

I don't mind the tires, but I've never had them in snow. I don't notice much noise at highway speeds up to 80.

I think the plastic bumpers are cheap and designed solely to keep the weight low for EPA MPG purposes only. It's obvious they aren't meant to protect you from anything.

My biggest gripe is soft shocks. I think I get too much body roll with the stock shocks.
 
#12 ·
Daily drive a 2013 10A, which is basically a JK Rubicon Hard Rock. Regarding previous posts, I haven't had problems with the stock tires yet, but I haven't driven in horrible rain or snow yet. I'm really wondering if they're horrible compared to a normal 2WD car or just compared to a Wrangler with very good tires. Hoping to make it through winter before I swap them (will be at about 40K Miles, then). The gas mileage is annoying, but you go into it knowing that. Headlights are really not great.

What I personally like: I love doing light to moderate car mods... but not really intense mods. The Rubicon Hard Rock has most of the "heavy" mods I'd ever want already done. I can focus on other things.

What I personally don't like: Nothing yet. Maybe I'll come up with something in a few months. I guess a mild dislike is the interest people have in it. People have walked up to it and poked around. So far it seemed just good matured, but I'm worried about unattended security and will probably get a Viper alarm.
 
#13 ·
16 RHR.
1) headlights but that isn't limited to just the Rubicon. Changed them for Quadratek LED head and fog lights.
2) the delay in the lockers engaging and disengaging. Had it out this past weekend and I was either pushing the front end around turns or stopping and idling slowly till they would engage. I may try the switch mod to see if that makes them any quicker to engage and give more control over them.

Those are really my only complaints. I'll see how the MT tires do this winter, I hear good and bad about them. I haven't had any issues in the rain all summer with them.
 
#14 ·
I drive a 2015 JKUR and its pretty sweet. I've taking it wheeling a few times, and although I've dragged the breakover a couple times it is never bad. I know I drive a boxy, SUV, on stock bad breaking mudders and its all good. I have plans for it when I get the money, but for the foreseeable future (or while its still not paid off) I'm not changing much.
 
#15 ·
I have a 15 JKUR which I wheeled a little bit bone stock before making upgrades (wanted to see what it could do in stock form and where I wanted to improve first).

My biggest gripe are the crappy plastic bumpers and razor thin "skid plates" underneath. If I had to do it over again, I would definitely get a hard rock for the steel bumpers and enhanced rock rails.
 
#16 ·
Stock HR here.
Its not a daily driver nor a pavement princess.
No complaints about the K/M MT tires from me - perfect for how I use the vehicle which is pretty much only seeing pavement to get to the trailhead.

First thing I'll be changing is diff covers - would like to have seen something beefier from the factory. Took a minor scrape on the rear and fear its only a matter of time before I rip open the lip on the thin stamped sheetmetal stockers.
 
#17 ·
A bone stock Rubicon has been my daily driver for the last year, and I love it. I think it drives great, but I was coming from a mildly lifted 97 TJ. That TJ on road felt like I was riding in a dump truck, however the 58 Willys before my TJ felt like I was riding in a covered wagon.
This Rubicon feels like a 1976 Lincoln Town Car gliding down the tarmac.
Every new Jeeps I've had was substantially better than the last. I'm 51 now so I imagine this will be the last Jeep I ever buy.
 
#18 ·
I'm not sure if anyone on here is truly stock. lol

But I have a 2016 Rubicon with no lift and stock tires. My top complaints would be headlights (upgraded to HID projectors) which aren't specific to Rubicon, and tires seem to be getting louder (only 6000 miles).

What I like most about my Rubicon is being able to take the top and doors off. But that is any Wrangler. :)
 
#19 ·
my mostly stock JKR does just fine as a daily driver...

not a big fan of the doors though...
as such, the power mirrors/windows/locks kind of seem like wasted money...
although once the snow starts, I guess I could see a use for them...
but still, they cut into your elbow room...
anyone find a better option for the frigid arctic wasteland months of the year were going doorless really doesn't work? and frostbite becomes a very real concern?
 
#25 ·
When I say "stock" I basically mean no lift and stock tires. Adding a gas cap or some chrome is still "stock" in my eyes.
that seems like a rather odd cut over point?
lift I will give you as that makes perfect sense, you are changing drive line geometry and all sorts of stuff...
but tires? those are commonly wearing items, it is 100% guaranteed that if you keep your jeep long enough you will be required (and in some cases, by law) to replace your tires...
and just doing a straight replace, same size/style/brand/model/etc is just too boring that no one in their right mind would ever do that...
so basing your "stock" rating on tires alone, just seems so morally and ethically wrong.
 
#23 ·
16' JKUR HR manual.

Complaints:
- Stock headlights -> Went to JW speakers
- Stock "handles" to get in sucked (I'm short ish) -> Grabars
- The constant moving of the steering wheel is my biggest annoyance today. I think I may get the yeti for the steering. I hear it really helps.
- Seating position doesn't feel great, just okay. My calves/ankles feel tired driving the manual for long periods of time.
There are too many fun mods to do...which makes you spend money ;)
 
#24 ·
I haven't had them in the snow yet, but in the rain I haven't had any issues with the stock MTs. Don't see any noise issues either, but I've been driving Jeeps for over 20 years, so to me the JK is already very quiet. Same for the headlights. I'm in my early 40s, so I'm still young enough that my night vision isn't dropping off, but old enough to have driven for years with the old sealed beam units. They're obviously not as bright as some, but never an issue for me.

The nice thing is there are options from the factory or aftermarket to correct most of the issues if you really can't stand them. That's one of the best things about owning a Wrangler.
 
#27 ·
"Stock" 2016 HR. I don't qualify the puck leveling kit but it sure did made the stance a lot better.

Likes:
- i like the wheels, i want to stick with it even if i decide to go with 315s
- steel bumpers from the factory, good enough for me. It needs a winch though
- Side rails on the HR - my kids use it as a sidestep!
- Shiny Black Paint

Not as much:
- KM tires, Sure they look nice stock but an agressive AT tires would have been better option for majority of us -- especially for us living in snow land. Highly likely i'll swap this out, just can't decide what size i want to go with.
- Headlights - swapped out with JW Speakers
- Price - It's probably worth $10K just for the Jeep emblem but still bought one didn't I.
- Black Paint

Crap, you said one thing -- too late i already typed all that.
 
#28 ·
Mine is a 2013 and basically stock. It's my DD and I love it, but agree the KM tires sucked. I replaced mine with K02s and love them. I replaced the headlights with JW Speakers, they are great. I guess if I had to pick one thing I don't like, it would be the gas mileage. But hey, it's cheaper than therapy.
 
#29 ·
Currently more or less. I have a 2016 JKUR 5AT, 4.10s, connectivity, side airbags, and climate control. Premium soft top only.

I actually like the tires. My wife has a 2014 Willys and they did fine in the snow. They also aren't too loud on the highway. We are doing our first overland trip in a couple weeks... Im sure the stock rubicon will do just fine.

Future plan is 2.5"AEV lift and 35" duratracs and spidertrax wheel spacers.

I do have TruckLite headlights and bartact seat covers in it now.

Mike
 
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