So after very extensive searching I bear no fruit in my search for a LJ Rubi. I have found several, but none at a price I can think of paying a decade old vehicle, and none within a reasonable distance. So now I battle the question do I still search for an LJ or consider a TJ Rubi? I'm very torn in this. Anyone who has had any/both/or a combination of these, I would love to hear your input. ullinghair:
Wait it out. I went for an LJ and if I did it again, i'd search high and wide for a great LJ Rubi. I'd even fly someplace and drive it home if it was the right vehicle.
Hey man I just went through this in January! So I was looking for an LJ Rubi and same thing I couldn't find one for a right price and right distance. I then considered maybe a rubi TJ Over an LJ. I think an LJ is a great starting platform with its wheelbase. I decided to settle with an LJ and couldn't be more happier. Plus I wanted to build my jeep and I am going to add lockers and upgrade the axles anyway so it just made since to start with an LJ. IMO if you don't want to build it up but do off road a lot go with the TJ Rubi. But if you want to build your rig I would go with an LJ. Also for a daily driver the LJ tracks WAY better than a TJ. I have friends that have TJ's and the notice when we drive on the highway in my LJ that the ride is much smoother and it tracks way better. Can't go wrong with either way but I'm leaning towards the LJ. Then again im biased. Good luck on your search!
I want the Rubicon package because as I do plan to make a build out of it, I wouldn't be swapping out axles anytime soon. I don't do enough wheeling, or go anywhere, that would really warrant anything more than a 35" tire. The road manners and towing capacity of the LJ is a big factor for me as well. I also see so many guys with TJ's and LOVE them. But who doesn't love their Jeep, right?
Since you plan on building it up & don't plan on going over 35's I'd just get a regular LJ. I've had my LJ for 3 years & it takes me pretty much anywhere I want to go & I haven't regretted not holding out for a LJR.
I would say wait it out like the others have said if you can. I wasn't even on the market for a Jeep when the local dealer had a 06 LJ Rubicon pop up. I was just looking for a cheap used car at the time. Once I saw it though and the price they wanted, I couldn't pass it up. Drove to the dealer that day and bought it. Everyone I talk to that doesn't have an LJ Rubicon wants one. They always say if they would do it again they would have waited for the LJ Rubi.
It'd be nice to have a Rubi LJ, but I'd go for a regular LJ rather than a TJ Rubi if I could not wait. Regular TJs and LJs will take most of us where we want to go, including the (actual) Rubicon.
I'm also not willing to spend more than 15-16k for the ideal LJ Rubi, I can't warrant more than that for a decade old vehicle. There have also been 0 in Florida, so I also factor in travel expenses.
Check out the preowned jeep store in cartersville ( or canton, can't remember which, it is in between them) ga. Google it. I bought my 05 lj rubi from them 9 moths ago. Their prices are high. I was on their lot this morning as a matter of fact picking up mine for a repair and they had at least 2 lj's on the lot, can't recall if they were rubi's.
At least it gives u another place to look. All they do is jeeps and they move a lot of them.
I'm not affiliated with them at all, just passing along an option.
Another one is elite motors ( or 4x4?) in cartersville ga. I drove by there every weekend during hunting season and there were 2 lj rubi's out front. A silver and a black.
Hope it helps. Good luck with search - that's half the fun!
There were only 12,000 LJ Rubicons built. Good luck finding the right one close to home. And under $20K...... there are lot of guys willing to pay more than $16K for an LJR.
Thanks drrosenrosen I'll check it out!
And billiebob, I know how rare they are. But for 20k I could go way newer than on 05/06 wrangler. Appreciate the input though! :cheers:
Well I could be wrong on this but the only difference between Dana 44 and a Dana 30 is the Dana 44 has bigger housing that allows for stronger and lower gears. IMO a built Dana 30 can handled 35s just as much as a Dana 44 can. Now once you jump up to 37's neither is a good option. But I have just the regular LJ and I love it. I am doing a HP Dana 30 swap and going to throw (revolution gear & axle) 5.13 gears and eaton e locker. When building the Dana 30 keep the weak point in mind. In this case my weak point will be the shafts and u joints. Not to worry though I will carry spares of the axle shaft and unit bearing as a whole so it's just a couple bolts to replace and I'm back on the trail.
LJ Rubis are rare and are only going to become more rare and more expensive. Even with an LJ and say 33s or 35s it is still pretty dad gum capable. Only thing it lacks is the 4:1 case, Dana 44 up front and lockers front and rear. If you are going to add bigger tires anyway even a Rubi will not be geared correctly for it. So you'll have to do a re-gear anyway. Also, for the amount of money you can save from buying an LJ over an LJ Rubi you can use that money to add lockers front and rear. Do it while you get the re-gear done and you'll save a lot of money.
I'm not trying to sway you away from the LJ Rubi by any means, if you have the time to keep looking and have another means a transportation then go ahead and keep looking. BUT if you were to get a normal LJ I don't think you will be disappointed. Your wallet will also thank you too
Nathan, that's probably the best opinion and input I've got on this so far. Never really even considered all of that... I think you have convinced me to be much more open minded in my search! I never really do anything too hardcore and 35's are pretty much where I think I'll be comfortable.
I agree with your initial instincts. I would never pay $20,000 for a 10 year old Jeep even with the Rubicon package and low miles. I know lots of people will, but in my opinion that's a lot of money for an old Jeep.
I could definitely see myself paying are 13-14k for a TJR. Low miles, clean, and unmolested.
The link you posted, 19k isn't unreasonable for what he has there. But still more than I can afford really. I'm finding the commonality to be a half raped, 140k+ miles, and some other crap that no one in sane mind would do to these LJ's AND they want 15k+ for it. Which just ain't gonna happen lol
A year ago I about tore my pocket off getting my wallet out when I found a 2003 Rubi with 112K, but one owner, and all OEM except for a snorkel on my local dealers lot for $12.5K. Got down there and found out it had been "sold", but was allowed to test drive it anyway. I have purchased several vehicles there and the sales staff knew me, so they put me on the list. When the deal fell through, they called me and asked if I still wanted it. Duh, yeah. But I was out of town, no problem they had my name one it. Two days later I picked it up. One owner, originally licensed in Chesapeak, Va, thee years later registered in Las Vegas, NV and six years later registered in Valdosta, Ga. Ding - Air Force. Two months after I bought it, I met the OP's wife at a Scout meeting and 3 months after that met him at a Scout event. Got some real good info on the history.
I had to replace the top because it flapped a lot and had developed three leaks. Went with a Bestop Sailcloth - no more buffeting and no leaks (as long as I keep the windows up). Next on the list is replace the tires, but for down here and my use going to stick with stock size.
:iamhappy:
It is pretty amazing how well these things hold their value, the 16k I paid form my Jeep was the most I have ever spent on a vehicle, but it is what I wanted. And should I ever decide to sell it is nice to know it won't lose too much value.
I paid $3500 for my '97 TJ, 4" lift, 33" Kuhmo tires in great condition, 4.0 manual, 146k miles. I've put less than $1k into it and I know I could get $7000 for it tomorrow. Sure it had/has some issues but what 18+ year old vehicle doesn't? Wranglers are the cheapest vehicles to insure, one of the easiest and cheapest to work on, have the best aftermarket support bar none and have one of the highest resale values of any vehicle ever made, still the most capable vehicle ever made and then there's the incredible history. Jeeps are just all around awesome no matter what kind you get. Oh and they're all convertible!
We did a frame off resto on my sisters 98, put an 8.8 in the rear, 4" lift, gears, etc., and she turned around and sold it for somewhere around 7500-8000. Even though I believe it was worth it, I would never pay it. Just like an 05-06 LJR with under 65k miles, all original, with a 6spd might be worth 18-20k, I would never pay that either lol.
I just bought a 05 LJ with 74K Auto, air 3.73 geared with Trac Lock in the rear. Honestly was a little old mans Jeep. Doors have never been off (paint still on the nuts) and I was the first one to take the top off. Not that I wanted black but it checked off every other thing I was looking for.
I would say that Jeep is pretty over priced considering the "upgrades"
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