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Finding a good 4x4 shop in Los Angeles

2K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  Tribal Shark 
#1 ·
I'm trying to find a good 4x4 shop in Los Angeles for pricing out some work I'm interested in having performed if I buy a new stock JKU. I'm stuck in two minds. A thousand people have probably asked the same question so sorry in advance for doing the same, BUT everything in Los Angeles is so damn expensive.

Here is my dilemma. I almost bought a rubi unlimited this weekend. If the salesman hadn't been so snakey I would be picking out 35's right now online… but regardless of the bs with the sales manager, I also had some doubts about whether or not I was making the right decision on model so I didn't settle with the last min bait the sales manager was dangling.

I have read a ton of threads about the pros and cons of buying stock and building or buying a rubi and settling. The rubi has most of what I want but it comes with a premium price tag. Many threads here say you can buy stock and save money building (lift, suspension, wheels, tires etc.) I have the cash to go either way but feel like I can't make the right decision until I know what the alternative would really cost here in my back yard.

If anyone has gone through what I'm about to and they have some wisdom to share it's much appreciated.
 
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#2 ·
I waffled on that same decision. Came down to the Rubicon already had what I basically wanted. my jeep is a 90% Daily driver. I have the jeep warranty to fall back on (its a hard fall) for a few years to boot. If i went aftermarket the warranty goes out the window. I even went with the 2" mopar lift. My mostly stock JKUR keeps up with my buddy's purpose build TJ for the most part. Big bear is easily accomplished with a stock JKUR.

As for a shop.... I can not recommend Ronnie at Redlands Motorsports enough! great guy does mild to wild builds. I know not technically LA but pretty darn close.
 
#3 ·
Many threads here say you can buy stock and save money building (lift, suspension, wheels, tires etc.)
It's not about the lift or the wheels and tires since you're going to do that regardless of what model you get. It's that the rubi costs $7k more than a base sport and the big features are a front dana 44, lockers, and a 4:1 transfer case. For that $7k price difference you could get a currie front axle, air lockers front/rear, and a brand new rubi transfer case. So you'd have a much stronger setup and would end up paying about the same price at the end of the day. But this assumes you are doing all of your own work. Throw in shop time and labor charges and that $7k doesn't go very far. So a rubi might be the way to go. Just make sure you don't get ripped off or sold something you don't want. Don't pay a dime over 1% under invoice and don't pay a dime for options you don't want. And if you can't find something built to your liking, do a factory order.
 
#4 ·
Thanks Goos and GolfGunn for your feedback.

My gut tells me the safest way to go is probably with the rubi. It checks most of the boxes. Most people tell me that and back that up with the experience of doing what they do in one. I use my current 4X4 for getting to difficult places to fish mostly. I take very steep inclines and declines on roads and trails but after loosing an axel doing stuff I shouldn't a couple times in my Dodge Ram 4x4 I laid off the idea of moab and other rock desert adventures until I got something that could go that extra mile and perform properly. My hope is that day is about to arrive! I want something that will take me where I have feared to go.

I have been crunching the numbers like mad last few months. 2015's locally are still around and in pretty good stock surprisingly. A few places have been very receptive to a flat 12-15% off MSRP for a rubi unlimited if its on the lot. I had 20% from one place on a bright yellow until they started the usual re-negotiating to wear me down. I expect that BS from whoever I'm stealing from so it doesn't bother me but its professional time wasting also and that is a drag.

If I get the rubi - I like the leather, tow, AC and 4.10 with base all the rest / nothing else. Hard to find. Most of them have the ultra connectivity and painted freedom top with soft top to bump up the price $3K + 10K. The combos are ridiculous in some of these places. (plus out of my needs and budget)

I'd get cloth which then I could probably find more vehicles closer to my liking but with a siberian husky I have learned already that leather is very much preferred for easier cleanup which is all the freaking time! Leather seems to "passively" come with more stuff I don't want unfortunately as everybody has told me. Which always makes me want to order and get exactly what I want but I know I won't be able to get as good a deal.

There is a time window that will be closing shortly on 2015's and if I'm going to steal one from a stealership I have to do it pretty fast before inventory is gone. I'll probably be forced into a few things I don't need but if the discount off the top is enough I have told myself I can live with it.

That's why I'm trying to talk to guys that build themselves. There is a knowledge that only comes with experience and doing for yourself. I feel like there is a whole world I'm totally in the dark about and I can't make an educated decision until I know what it's really going to cost me to build as I go down the rabbit hole. Once I get started it will become an obsession. That much I already know… I have experience in this area from dirt bikes and street bikes last 20 years. :)

I have always worked on my motorcycles and been lucky to have a close friend who is a service manager / mechanical genius who likes to share knowledge and teach. Best of both worlds… I can tinker, learn and get bailed out when I get over my head. I've saved $1000's of bucks over the years staying away from shops. But that inside knowledge and help is missing for me locally in the jeep off-roading world.

I don't want to find out the hard way I could of been better off starting with a base and building up.
 
#5 ·
Unless you have a set plan of exactly what you want your jeep to be, and that set plan involves replacing most/all of the Rubicon parts, then I would say it's better to get the Rubicon and "grow with it". There are plenty of people running 37" tires on Rubicons with minor driveline modifications and that's one seriously capable vehicle.

As far as the leather, the factory leather option includes heated seats and the 9 speaker stereo. You will be better off having the dealership install Katzkins (same thing as the factory option) at half the price and you'll have more color choices as well.

And the tow package is a waste of money, go with the $80 Quadratec reciever hitch, it's 4 bolts and a plug-and-play wiring harness.

And then since A/C is standard, it looks like you want a stripper model rubicon, with the only options being an automatic transmission and 4.10 gears. You won't find something like that on a dealer lot, so a factory order might be in your best interest.
 
#6 ·
You nailed it, I don't have a set plan. The plan I did have has evolved as I learned more thanks to this forum and guys like you. I'm getting much closer if I can scratch the leather off the ticket. The leather issue has been bugging me because of the extras I have to take in the deal. I will check out the Katzkins and Quadratec.
Thanks man. :worthy:
 
#7 ·
I bought 2 jeeps from Huntington Beach Jeep. My Rubi for me and a used GC for our daughter. We were happy both times but the wife is a tough cookie when it comes to dealing. I love the Rubi. Yeah someday I might change out the 44's for something bigger but if I do then they will sell for lots more than a 30 and 44 with no lockers. I'm pretty happy with it and the resale is way way better on a rubi than a sport. Have fun. By the way I use Stan at JPI in Yucipa. Worth the drive and stands behind his work.
 
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