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In wheelchair, hoping to buy used JK, dreaming of doing Rubicon trail

975 views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  Tara11 
#1 ·
I want to buy a used unlimited JK and am hoping to get some advice. I never owned a jeep, but had a blast renting a Rubicon in Arizona that we took on some very fun slick rock trails. This was before my accident (I am a complete T5 paraplegic), so I was hoping to re-experience some of those fun times. In a perfect world I could navigate a jeep across the Rubicon trail in Tahoe. My biggest dilemma is that I can barely pull myself into a stock Wrangler, so am hoping to keep the car as low as possible. Hence my following questions.

1. I plan to buy a used wrangler. Is it better/worse to buy a jeep that saw a lot of off-road time? On one hand the jeep is "tested" off-road, on the other it probably has a lot more wear and tear.

2. Could I do the Rubicon trail in a stock Rubicon jk (~2013)? Would it be significantly easier than doing it with a jk sport? I would do it with four buddies that could help guide me, but don't have any off-roading experience..

3. I plan to keep this jeep at my father's house in Tahoe, so it will primarily be used for going off-road. I have a strong preference to not get stranded with a broken jeep. Would it be better to get a say ~2012 rubicon with ~50k miles or a ~2014 Sport with ~20k miles (or only highway miles)?

Thanks a lot for the help..
 
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#2 · (Edited)
Kudos to you! I have a friend in a chair who is one heckuva wheeler.

1 Take someone with you who is an experienced wheeler/knows Jeeps to crawl around under it. Or take it to an Offroad specific shop for inspection. Any Jeep is capable Offroad, and any Jeep can break even on pavement.

2 I have not done the Rubicon but I believe a stock Rubicon can navigate it. I would strongly suggest hook up with some local Wheelers who know how to wheel and spot. Your buddies may have good intentions, but many things Offroad are counterintuitive if you don't know what you're doing. Ie say your Jeep is leaning heavily to driver side on a rock. Instinct tells you turn passenger to get out of the lean. This is usually incorrect Offroad and will flop the Jeep on its side. Turn INTO the lean in most cases. (Of course specific to the obstacle, but you should have someone with you that knows stuff like this.) I would recommend the Rubicon if you can swing it over the Sport - better geared, lockers, pushbutton disconnect and 4:1 Transfercase.

3 Offroad a broken Jeep is ALWAYS possible. Terrain is unpredictable. Doing a long trail like Rubicon I would take spares of some.of the more.common parts to break (ie hunt down stock takeoffs from a local Jeep club or shop from folks who upgraded if you can) and have someone in your group that can do Trail mechanics. Even 50k is fairly low mileage for newer vehicles.
 
#3 ·
1- for me it's more about how the vehicle was maintained vs it's use. I would rather have a vehicle properly maintained, serviced etc that's been used off-road then a daily driving 100% street use vehicle that goes 10k+ miles before oil changes, no service work etc.

2- other will know more however I would suggest getting a 2012+ so you get the 3.6L motor, it's much better vs the older 3.8L. Significantly more power

3-again goes back to how it's maintained and also mods. stock vs stock I would bet a rubicon would be a much safer bet for not getting stranded. However a base sport can be made stronger then a stock rubicon, however for someone to spend that kind of money, probably has a lift.
 
#4 ·
From my research, you can do the Rubicon in a stock Rubi if you are willing to accept minor body damage.

That being said, a modified Wrangler is also capable of suffering body damage.

I bought used (3.8L oh no) and it's fine. If this vehicle is only going to be used for offloading, I'd get a 2 door. Better breakover and better manuaverabilty.
 
#5 ·
Buy the Rubicon over a sport. It's much easier a starting point. I bought new because then I would know how it was cared for and what mods had really been done to it. Price of a used one was not that much cheaper than a new one with a really low interest rate.
 
#6 ·
So I found a 2013 Rubicon with only 20k miles for $33,500. The guy says he has all the maintenance records and that he has pampered it. It is a bit over my budget, but it feels like a tempting deal. It has a front receiver and a winch that attaches to it and a couple other extras, but other than that is stock. Here is the listing, https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5871947141.html

Is this a deal I should try to jump on?
 
#7 ·
I'm just curious if it'll be an mostly off-road only why not consider a tj? I love my jk but it's my dd as well. If I were getting one for mainly off-road I'd go with a narrower jeep and one that seems to have cheaper aftermarket parts. That's just imo and why I ask tho. Even a sport is incredibly capable but a rubicon (especially the jk) it is quite nice to have electronic lockers and swaybar disconnect. Ive never done Rubicon trail (yet!) but seems as long as you're going with an experienced group (with recovery equip) you should be good with that. Most wranglers are more capable than their drivers so if you just know what your capabilities (and level of comfort) are and/or go with a good coach you'll be surprised. I seem to hear complaints on 2012s (first year of new 3.6 engine) but before and after not as much. $33,000 seems steep in price to me but things in my area tend to cost less than CA so hard for me to say there. Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll love it and have a blast! Keep us posted what you decide and how your trip goes!



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#9 ·
That makes sense. Idk what the actual measurement difference is but know there is a difference. The inside of a tj is much "cozier" that a jk. If you're wanting to do a 4 door a jk (jku) as well as I don't think they made a 4 door tj unless it was custom. The electronic sway bar disconnect is definitely nice. They make the quick disconnects for sports but still not as easy as a push of a button! Sports are very capable off-road however, rubicon does make it much easier! I personally alway thought a sport was for people who either won't off-road their jeep or who want to pick there own brand/type of lockers, etc. I was the latter and my jeep is still in progress (so slowly but surely). My husband has a rubicon and when we off-road he has it so much easier! Best of luck!


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