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Wanting Rubicon have questions

5K views 36 replies 14 participants last post by  FrankTheTank 
#1 ·
Wanted peoples opion i have sold one car have on left to sell looking to pay cash around 15k for a rubicon no picky on year or trans or color, The question, Is it worth it to by the rubi for the dana 44s the beter transfercase and the other little quirks like the electric lockers or get a cheaper jeep and put the things on it? ya'lls input thanks
 
#3 ·
yea i want the lockers the axels and of course the skids, they are hard to find and not cheap lol 15k gets me a jeep stock, around 50-60k miles about 03-04:cool:
 
#4 ·
Rubi's are sweet, but I have also seen some REALLY nice built TJ's that had way better running gear than the Rubi for around 11-12k. I guess it just depends on how each jeep was used/abused before you get your hands on it. good luck with your search.
 
#5 ·
The Rubi's are great but it really depends on the individual Jeep you are looking at.
Condition and equipment is more important than the name alone. Check it out closely and get all you can get for your money. I do love my Rubi, but I also love the 06 TJ X. They all work!!
Best of luck to you!
 
#6 ·
yea the one i have found that i have seattled on is a one owner, all stock with the 5 speed its a 04 with 65k miles and its only 8 hours away, all dead stock accept for tires and they are oem size just different brand, spare is still the original, how much better was the 6 speed manual? over the 5 speed reliablity wise (and i know my spelling is awful)
 
#7 ·
If you can add the stronger/geared lower 241 tranfercase, D-44's with 4.10's with selectable lockers, (plus Trakloc in the rear) and disc brakes all the way around, install the heavier steering box, and an SYE and rear CV for $1500 or so, then go for it.

It's not just the name or stickers.

But still it needs quite a bit to be really trail worthy.
 
#9 ·
aslo the one im looking at is a 04 silver with the 5 speed manual, with 65k miles 3 previous owners, anything i should keep a eye out for
 
#10 ·
Rubi's are the best "out of the box" Jeep ever produced. However, if you have 37" tires or bigger in your near future, you're probably better off going with an X model. You'll be replacing most of the running gear to run 37's or larger. I think ALL X models came with the 4.0L six. Doesn't matter what the axles are, since you'll be nixing them anyway. If you want a Jeep capable of handling 35's without many problems, then the Rubi is the way to go. If there was a Rubi for sale near me and for what I paid for my Jeep when I bought it, I'd have jumped ALL OVER the Rubi.
 
#11 ·
thanks yea ill proble never go over 35s now i will probly do a small lift bumpers, winch, you know make it trail able, im not big on lifts more about articulation if i can get it with out a lift ill do it, No one said anything about the 5 vs 6 speed as far as reliabilty? geuss they are equal?
 
#12 ·
You might try searching the threads on this forum for the answer to your question about transmissions. Or find posts by Jerry Bransford and search thru them to find your answer. BTW, love my Rubicon. It's the heavily modified CJ I couldn't afford as a kid.
 
#13 ·
thanks guys but i think i know the answer to this but i see it alot of places the 04 rubi had electric lockers not air? i keep seeing air locker in reviews is this just a writer not knowing what hes tlaking about?

Also i know to check for rock rash and junk and under carpet for rust in the front and the RMS leak
 
#14 ·
I bought my 05 tj with 30k on it for 14.5k You can find good deals just gotta look. Honestly I think people that like to change parts and upgrade stuff buy a sport or x model. The rubricon has most of the major upgrades people do to a sport or x model! Just with out the blood, sweat, tears, and lots of beer!
 
#15 ·
The Rubi's have AIR lockers, at least till '06. The reason some people assume they are electric is an electric switch is used to turn on the small compressors.
Front and rear have their own compressors. They are located on the skid pan next to the transfercase. (at $340 apiece it's a good idea to relocate them out of the mud and rocks.)

They differ from ARB's because they only use about 10 lbs of air pressure, where ARB's need at least 90 or so.

They are no more electric than your air impact wrench. (You turn on your shop air with a switch.)
 
#17 ·
WOW thanks so it has 2 compressors thats awsome yea i would move them up under the hood seems like a bad idea to be underneath like that well i have to wait till next week to see if the deal goes though then get her the 452 miles home, and start putting things on it, CB radio, it has aftermarket bumpers, just needs D rings put on them find a winch and mounting plate,im planing on keeping the factory Rubicon wheels but going to 32"s it has a set of Dayton Timberline MTs OEM size on it now that look to be about half way, and start testing it out around here!
 
#19 ·
thats pretty cool, well im in wait till the GTO sells have some offers trying to get 8k out of it only problem it has for people is it has 144,000 on it and people dont want to give shit for it i have 6 grand cash sitting in my jeep box just need it sold
 
#20 ·
Actually the rubi will handle 37's with upgraded shafts. There's quite a few people running like that too. It all depends on how you are with the skinny pedal, if you have a heavy foot. Check out the rubiconownersforum.
 
#21 ·
32" will probly be the tops for my plans are once i get one home is a 3" lift winch and junk more than 3" for me would be silly being a DD and all
 
#27 ·
You might want to check with you state DMV & your insurance about the rebuilt title. Some people have had issues with that and it usually varies state to state as well as insurance.

Chris
 
#28 ·
ky isnt to bad just has to show that it was repaird back to factory standards get it inspected by the police and take the paper to the court house
 
#29 ·
Rubicons are hands down a great Jeep, but honestly I could go through 90% of the trails in Moab with my Dana 30 axles. If you are into the super extreme go for the Rubicon, but I have found that the dana 30 axles will get you through almost everything you will need it to go through. It is just a preference thing.
 
#30 ·
well I think this is the one can get it either with tradeing my car or selling my car out right want to sell becaue ill have 1,000 bucks left over for upgrades, its dirty but doesnt bother me really:

2004 Jeep Wrangler | Labadie Buick Cadillac GMC | Bay City MI

I plan to go pick it up it will give me a 10 hour drive to get familar with it lol
 
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