Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Looking at a 2012 JK Rubicon, need some help

826 views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  bouche03 
#1 ·
Hi guys/gals,

I have a friend who is looking at buying a newer JK, after his 2001 anniversary edition TJ was totaled by some moron. I've offered to help him out, but I've never owned a JK, just know what I know from owning my own TJ. He's looking at the below JK Rubicon. Can you guys give me some advice on what to look for with this specific Jeep (since it appears to have been modified fairly heavily) and JKs in general? Thanks!

2012 Jeep Wrangler for sale in Hamilton - 1C4HJWCG8CL265716 - Rose Automotive

Below are the questions that I told him to ask the dealer in an email before he drives up there to look at it and drive it in person (it's about an hour away from us). I also added the dealer responses.


* Looks like someone set it up for some serious off-roading (or
made it to look that way) and then sold it before it hit 20k miles, I'd ask if they know why the previous owner sold it

Dealer stated they bought the Jeep from an auction and don't know why the previous owner sold it, it has had two owners​


* It looks like it has at least 33s or possibly 35s on it, which
typically require a decent amount of other work (longer springs and shocks, driveshaft replacement, etc.). It looks like it has Fox shocks installed in one of the pics, so I'd be curious what type of lift was done on it and what other work the previous owner did. If possible, find out what shop did the work for him to lift it

Dealer stated they did not know what shop did the lift work, but the Jeep actually has 37s on it and a 2 inch lift. They said "we inspected it to make sure the work was done right, everything looks good". I'm skeptical.​

* Also related to the lift, I'd ask what gearing the axles are.
I think Rubicons are usually 4.10, but I'd ask the dealership to make sure, or better yet, crawl underneath and look at the differential cover and see yourself what they are. With tires that big, it changes the gearing so your gears are taller, which means that the longer gears don't get as much torque from the engine, which can cause it to downshift a lot more than normal.

Dealer said they don't know what gearing is in the Jeep, but "it has Dana 44s" (yeah, no shit, thanks for the heads up)​

* The spare tire is unusable, as it has the stock size tire.
You can't put tires of different diameter on the same axle without causing problems, so if you wanted to use the spare, I'd make them replace that tire with a comparable one to what you have on the other 4 wheels

Dealer said they would add a spare tire of the same size (a win finally!)​

* Rubicons come with axle lockers, I would test those and make
sure they work, along with the 4wd hi and 4wd lo. I think the lockers only work in 4Lo though

Dealer said "4wd works". No response about the lockers​

* Looks like he has a pretty decent winch on there with
synthetic rope instead of cable (which is preferable). I'd test it out and make sure it winches in/out, and the winch clutch works properly. There may be in-cab controls, if so, test those out as well

Dealer said "winch goes in and out and does have synthetic rope"​

* Make sure the fog lights mounted above the hood at the doors
work

Dealer replied that fog lights work​
 
See less See more
#4 ·
I would also examine the wiring for a winch. May give you an idea of a half assed shade tree mechanic.

With 35s on the rear door, it's only a matter of time before the stock tire carrier peels away.

I believe dealers stick a paint pen on parts and bolts they inspect and install. You could look at one of their showroom "built" Jeeps to see if what color they use.

Crawl under and take a peak at the skid plates. They'll let you know if it was wheeled or not, while under there check the driveshaft boots.

Automatic Rubicon's are NOT guaranteed 4.10 it's possible it has 3.73s

Inspect ball joints for wear, tires for uneven wear.

Make sure he tries that rear wiper. Looks broken to me. In two pictures they left it hanging down.

Inspect the install of those rock sliders and body panels. A crap install on the tub stiffeners is going to cause a MAJoR rust issue. Especially in the salt belt. Not to mention if he decides to go boat sliders, or decides the powdercoating sucks on those and wants a different brand, the damage to the tub is done, and installing a different option may not be possible

In all honesty. Tell your friend to BE patient. There are, and will be much better deals than this thing. Two years ago I scored a 2012 Bone Stock Rubicon 2 door, with a manual transmission, 7k miles on the clock. All the right packages added. For 24k OTD
 
#5 ·
This is the tool I use when looking at purchasing a used vehicle. While no tool can tell the whole story, unless the dealer is willing to drop below 24k (9k off the asking price) I would pass. Auction vehicle end up there for a reason.

When I bought Olive, I found her at an Audi dealership. One owner trade in with 16k miles. Previous owner had stuck over 65k in custom paint, exhaust, lift, winch, tires, wheels and etc............. I asked what the owner traded in for. They told me he ended up buying a 2015 Audi R8. After purchasing Olive I did speak to the previous owner. He said he loved the Jeep but just wanted a sports car more. I paid 2k less than i see cars showed as market value with out mods. I had been looking to trade my 2009 Chevy Silverado LTZ for the right Jeep for about 19 months. If your friend can wait he can get a much better deal IMO. Waiting is the hard part though. :)
 
#7 ·
* Looks like someone set it up for some serious off-roading (or
made it to look that way) and then sold it before it hit 20k miles, I'd ask if they know why the previous owner sold it

Dealer stated they bought the Jeep from an auction and don't know why the previous owner sold it, it has had two owners​
sure, anytime something is questionable, "we bought it at an auction". Anytime I see tires/lift that big, and such low miles, I tend to think previous owner cobbled together what they thought looked cool, and drives like shit, but who knows?


* It looks like it has at least 33s or possibly 35s on it, which
typically require a decent amount of other work (longer springs and shocks, driveshaft replacement, etc.). It looks like it has Fox shocks installed in one of the pics, so I'd be curious what type of lift was done on it and what other work the previous owner did. If possible, find out what shop did the work for him to lift it

Dealer stated they did not know what shop did the lift work, but the Jeep actually has 37s on it and a 2 inch lift. They said "we inspected it to make sure the work was done right, everything looks good". I'm skeptical.​
they "inspected" it, and all is good, but they don't have any info on component type or brand? Come on

* Also related to the lift, I'd ask what gearing the axles are.
I think Rubicons are usually 4.10, but I'd ask the dealership to make sure, or better yet, crawl underneath and look at the differential cover and see yourself what they are. With tires that big, it changes the gearing so your gears are taller, which means that the longer gears don't get as much torque from the engine, which can cause it to downshift a lot more than normal.

Dealer said they don't know what gearing is in the Jeep, but "it has Dana 44s" (yeah, no shit, thanks for the heads up)​
again, they "inspected" it, it wouldn't take much time to peel off a cover and count, especially since the tire size is so massive. Also, for 37s I think you're going to want some beefing up, not just gears.

* The spare tire is unusable, as it has the stock size tire.
You can't put tires of different diameter on the same axle without causing problems, so if you wanted to use the spare, I'd make them replace that tire with a comparable one to what you have on the other 4 wheels
tells me the owner builds halfassed shit
Dealer said they would add a spare tire of the same size (a win finally!)​
and a tire carrier made hold he size and weight with it?

* Rubicons come with axle lockers, I would test those and make
sure they work, along with the 4wd hi and 4wd lo. I think the lockers only work in 4Lo though

Dealer said "4wd works". No response about the lockers​
shady, it only takes a second to check

* Looks like he has a pretty decent winch on there with
synthetic rope instead of cable (which is preferable). I'd test it out and make sure it winches in/out, and the winch clutch works properly. There may be in-cab controls, if so, test those out as well

Dealer said "winch goes in and out and does have synthetic rope"​

* Make sure the fog lights mounted above the hood at the doors
work WTF are the top ones aimed at?! Since the owner halfassed on spare, did they buy cheap lights and brackets? Did they wire properly?

Dealer replied that fog lights work​


Looks like your buddy passed on it, good call. I don't buy modded vehicles, and suggest others don't as well, unless they plan to take to a shop to go through everything. I agree with Trailblazer, I'd buy a stripped down stocker, over a cobbled together pile of poo.
One look at that rear wiper tells me the lot is shady, no respectable place would have such an obvious defect on their lot (maybe hidden in back lot until repaired).
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top