Hello all,
I'm looking at ordering a Rubi in Jan-Feb15. I'm looking for your opinions "if you could do it again" which options would you pass on or wish you bought.
The upgrade audio system is disappointing for sure. Will end up replacing everything but the head at some point. Since I took tires, bumpers, and rails off, changed the gears and put a new suspension on, I wish they offered a stripped down version that had lockers and 44 axles.
I'd get power windows and I'd get 4 doors(no kids and 1 dog). After 5 years with my jeep those are my only 2 complaints. Anything else can be added easily
ok this will sound strange, but I did this once and now everything I said I would change from the first time, I wish I had back.
Soft top over hard top. Nice to have both, but I have no place to store the HT Half doors over full doors. I had half doors on a Rubi, felt like I got ripped off without the power windows and hated the flimsy plastic windows on long trips. Wish I had em back now. Auto over manual. The auto sucked on the 07-11. My manual is ok, but its funky and no one else can drive my Jeep but me (I used to think that was a plus but there have been times I wish just the wife could have driven it) Painted fenders Not as good offroad, but last longer/look better everywhere else.
I have thought about a 4 door but still prefer the classic Jeep.
Thanks. I have seen that many people on the forum are disappoint with the audio system. Especially the upgraded alpine system. Is there a drop in replacement for the sub woofer in the cargo floor. I'm still on the fence about the audio. Thought about ordering the upgrade and changing out the radio for starters.
I like my premium alpine audio ('15 JKU) with the U130. It's my first Jeep but from reading posts on this and other Jeep forums I figured I wouldn't be able to hear with the top down, however it was no problem even on the highway. Now its not crystal clear perfect audiophile sound but I've heard its better than the standard.
I didn't have the option when I ordered as it was required, but I'm cool with it. Good enough to allow me to spend money elsewhere for awhile.
I like my premium alpine audio ('15 JKU) with the U130. It's my first Jeep but from reading posts on this and other Jeep forums I figured I wouldn't be able to hear with the top down, however it was no problem even on the highway. Now its not crystal clear perfect audiophile sound but I've heard its better than the standard. I didn't have the option when I ordered as it was required, but I'm cool with it. Good enough to allow me to spend money elsewhere for awhile.
I have a 14 rubi unlimited. I wish I would have gotten nav with it. I have 4.10, hard top, auto, heated seats, evic, tow package, auto climate (I would pass on that). pretty happy with it the way it is. I had a premium soft top but sold that. No regrets selling it either.
One thing I would add, is for the $495, get the connectivity even if you only go with the 130. It adds a lot of features that really make it worthwhile and even if you add the BT afterward, you dont get everything.
Mine came with a RES 130 and it was ok.
I tried an aftermarket and didnt really like it so I sent it back
I ended up going with a 430n and am happy with it.
I will second the connectivity addition it is worth it. I'm kinda torn on having a hard top, it is nice in the winter and good security but I have have limited space to store in the summer when it comes off. That's where the premium top would be nice. I did not want the nav, I figured I can (and do) get by with a portable GPS and/or phone GPS. It's worked well so far. I also don't really miss heated seats as much as I thought I would (cloth interior), but If I had leather I would most likely want heated seats.
Great input hawker and mike. I really appreciate it. I'm going with the connectivity pkg, the base u130 and the alpine upgrade, leather heated seats so far. Dropped the climate control cause of the feedback. Still a toss up on hard top or soft top.
If you tell us where you live, Rob, maybe someone who lives in that area of the country can give you some real world feedback on which top they prefer and why.
We both ordered our jeeps from the factory, so both were pretty much exactly what we wanted. Only regret is that we hadn't seen the new Premium soft top before we ordered, so Mike went with the hard top only. After I got my jeep with the Premium soft top, we wish we would have skipped the hard top on Mike's jeep altogether.
We lived in Florida and now live in Texas and the Premium soft top is perfect here.
If you tell us where you live, Rob, maybe someone who lives in that area of the country can give you some real world feedback on which top they prefer and why. We both ordered our jeeps from the factory, so both were pretty much exactly what we wanted. Only regret is that we hadn't seen the new Premium soft top before we ordered, so Mike went with the hard top only. After I got my jeep with the Premium soft top, we wish we would have skipped the hard top on Mike's jeep altogether. We lived in Florida and now live in Texas and the Premium soft top is perfect here. Good luck deciding!
Thanks, I live about 19 miles north of Memphis TN. I have plans on moving out to eastern TN, the Pigeon Forge , great smokey mountains area in 2-3 years and am planning on having a Great Trail ready jeep by then.
I'd pass on the Sahara trim altogether. I did not understand my options at the time, but I actually dislike the aesthetic. I've already pulled the silver off the bumpers.
I also ordered mine the way I wanted it. My only regret is that I went with the Sahara instead of the Rubicon. The Sahara has been great, but I'm now considering how to upgrade the front axle for lockers. Shipping a new axle to Alaska is expensive, and I'm leery about putting a locker in the Dana 30.
If I had to do it again I wouldn't have gotten a Rubicon. In fact, the only reason I got one is because at the time (2009) they had "emloyee pricing" and an additional rebate that brought the out the door price down below $30k. (Imagine that now!) By now I've removed or upgraded everything "Rubicon" except the lockers, rear axe housing and the transfer case. Even removed the stickers.
If I started from scratch I'd get the least optioned Sport I could order, replace the front housing with a Pro Rock 44, ARB, etc., install an ARB out back, maybe even a Pro Rock 60, an Atlas II 3.8:1 and go from there.
I've used the auto climate twice in 1 1/2 years, and didn't like it either time. It basically just turns the heat or cool on full blast. There doesn't seem to be any in- between. I can do that myself!
I went 2013 JKUR with 4.10, auto, 430n, and dual top. My only regret is not getting the heated seats. Saved some major $$ in passing on the max tow group, $300 for a $70 hitch.
I've used the auto climate twice in 1 1/2 years, and didn't like it either time. It basically just turns the heat or cool on full blast. There doesn't seem to be any in- between. I can do that myself!
I went 2013 JKUR with 4.10, auto, 430n, and dual top. My only regret is not getting the heated seats. Saved some major $$ in passing on the max tow group, $300 for a $70 hitch.
You might want to check the threads on here and you tube about adding heat to your seats. I have considered it but live in Alabama so it would be more of a luxury than a necessity.
And the tow package on non Rubicon models includes up grading from 3.21 to 3.73 gears which is well worth it.
I ordered the HR package so a lot of stuff comes with it. I really like the whole package although I wish the extended rock rails had a bit more extension so they could be used more easily as a step.
Don't get the tow package on the Rubicon, add it later and save a ton of money. I was suckered on that one, the dealer convincing me that the tow package also added a tranny cooler... Not true.
I added the 4.10 option to the auto tranny. Drives great and ready for larger tires.
I really like the new 9 speaker system. Sounds great to me. I got the 430N and, although it's old tech, it's working great, especially with a USB thumb drive. Don't use the Nav much at all so that part of it is wasted.
I'm glad I didn't get the auto AC, manual AC works great. I sometimes wish I'd ordered mine with remote start but only on the cold days when it's parked outside.
Glad I didn't get painted fenders because mine already have scratches and dings, especially the rears from gravel roads.
Huh, very interesting that a few of you wished you DIDN'T get auto climate control. I had that on previous vehicles and liked it so I wanted it on the Jeep as well, however I had to start cutting options in order to find a JKUR with everything else I wanted in a color I wanted. In the end the option that I ended up going without? Auto climate control. All of the other options I wanted I was able to get and I've been happy with. Nav, 9-speaker Alpine, heated leather seats, connectivity group. All worth it, IMO.
One thing I wish was available was Homelink. Oh well, at least there's the auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Huh, very interesting that a few of you wished you DIDN'T get auto climate control. I had that on previous vehicles and liked it so I wanted it on the Jeep as well, however I had to start cutting options in order to find a JKUR with everything else I wanted in a color I wanted. In the end the option that I ended up going without? Auto climate control. All of the other options I wanted I was able to get and I've been happy with. Nav, 9-speaker Alpine, heated leather seats, connectivity group. All worth it, IMO.
One thing I wish was available was Homelink. Oh well, at least there's the auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
In my wife's Chevy Avalanche, it was digital, and actually worked pretty smoothly. She had the dual version, and it blew hot and cold, high and low, and everywhere in between. It looked like this:
The Wrangler "auto climate control" is just an "auto" option at the end of the fan speed dial (on the left). Maybe I'm not doing it right, but when the "auto" is engaged, it blows two speeds: "Full blast", and "Off".
If I had to do it all over again I would have got the Rubicon X for the few thousand more but then I would have had to wait even longer as I ordered right at the end of the 2014 Run.
If I had any regrets it is the the leather seats. I wish I would have also upgraded to the katskin but wasn't aware of it at time of order.
A lot complaints about the radios and navs but I am happy with mine, did the poly fill mod and Nav and Bluetooth work pretty good.
I came from a 2005 Pontiac G6 GT Loaded, but no Nav or satellite or even a iPod connection, so even though it's sucks for many the 730n is speaker package is still a nice and decent upgrade for me that I am enjoying for what it is.
I find the auto climate control pretty worthless too. We stopped using it.
I could have done without the Nav system as well since I have used it twice in the year and a half we have owed the Jeep but I bought a 2013 when the 2014's were rolling out so to get all the other options I wanted I didn't have a choice on these two.
Love the climate control!!! Works flawlessly and as intended one of my fav options!!!!
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