Extreme Recon-do I do it?

[Jake21]

Get a saw and raise the garage height.

Sponsored

 

[RedHooks]

if you don’t plan to extensively modify your Jeep then by all means get it. It’s a great package. However if you want to do a lift bigger tires etc I would skip.

Feels like most people who start with XR eventually go bigger, so why bother fooling themselves?

 

[Jimgolf1]

My JLR came with 33" tires, I knew I was going to go larger tires so ordered it with the tailgate hinge reinforcement. I needed an adjustable carrier as the standard carrier would not fit the 37x12.50R17 KO2 D and 17x8.5 Mopar wheels properly.

Have you tried 35” or 37” with your reinforced carrier? I’m just curious if you get the extended bolts and camera mount if you originally got 33” tires originally when you bought it.

 

[4xFUN]

Feels like most people who start with XR eventually go bigger, so why bother fooling themselves?

I am hoping I will be totally happy with the 35's when my JLR-X finally arrives...This package does have a lot going for it, especially on a short wheelbase 2-door!

I know on my '20 JLR when I upsized from the stock 33" KO2's to 35" KO2's (day 2 of ownership!) I thought this was a great size for the Ruby 2-door. Then suspension and wanted 37's and new wheels-did not like the 37" KO2's on the stock 7.5" wide wheels using spacers, really felt the need to re-gear...Bottom line is it took a lot of time (5 try's to get the suspension just right) and lots of $$$ in parts to make the 37's ride and handle the way I wanted...

 

[4xFUN]

Have you tried 35” or 37” with your reinforced carrier? I’m just curious if you get the extended bolts and camera mount if you originally got 33” tires originally when you bought it.

My JLR came with 33" KO2's from the factory and the second day of ownership I changed to 35" KO2's on the original carrier-a tight fit and I did have to lower the air pressure in the spare.

When I went to the Mopar 17x8.5 wheels I had to use a spacer between the carrier and wheel....I ordered the Teraflex Alpha HD when I went with 37" KO2's a little over two years ago and love the adjustability and the Teraflex comes with a back-up camera extender and CHMSL relocation kit. I also replaced the OEM bump stops from tailgate to tire with the Mopar extended bump stops and adjusted/trimmed for proper fit.

37x12.50 KO2 D's on Mopar 17x8.5 wheels W/Teraflex Alpha Tire Carrier:

 

[LARSONEM]

I wouldn't hesitate to do the XR package on my 2022 Wrangler Rubicon. So that's what I did. At the time it was $3995 more. I had about $6,000 into changing my 2012 to add wider rims, 315/70-17 tires, 2 1/2 in lift, HD tailgate reinforcement and I still didn't have 4.56:1 gear ratio or the preformance brakes. Plus everything is covered under the factory warranty. I know there are some quirks to building a new Jeep now with the Willys, Rubicon and Rubicon X packages, but if you are looking at a preowned 2023 the Extreme Recon package was pretty cut and dried. I had no idea how sporty the 4.56:1 gears make the Jeep feel; how quick the take off can be and how fast the performance brakes slow the Jeep down. All I'll say is it's incredible. Now if you want a totally smooth ride and something that handles quickly in corners; skip the Jeep and buy a performance car. As for me a mid 60's guy with a bad knee/hip and arthritis in my lower back, the Jeep is way easier to get in and out of than something like a Camaro and my soft top is down most of the summer cause if the weather doesn't look good I just take one of my other two vehicles.

 

[LARSONEM]

Well I actually just pulled out of this as the height will be too tight to clear the lip into the garage. You all bring up great points and I really appreciate it. I’m in chats with the dealership about new options. Fortunately this is one of the featured dealerships that is on @Ratbert spreadsheet. I’ll hopefully grab my first Jeep soon.

I have what is considered a standard garage door; 7 foot height. I have a soft top jeep and the tallest bow measures out at 80 inches with the XR package (don't know how tall a hard top is - I ordered the soft top that I wanted). My CB antenna is at 81 inches. My door opening to the bottom edge of the rubber molding on the garage door trim is 82 inches. It's tight with the 315/70-17 tires; I don't think it would fit with 37 inch tires. If I have the sunrider open, it is too tall to go into the garage, I have to close it before driving in. I've had one close call of forgetting that the open sunrider is too tall. Hoping I never have another one. It would bend a lot of stuff up.

 

[Jeep Wick]

Been looking to get my first Jeep and set on Willys pkg and most likely have to go pre owned. Been searching prices engines etc for months as I was waiting for taxes done to see what I could grab. That said, I recently put a deposit on a 23 extreme recon. Never even considered as I liked the look of the standard Willys pkg. I never figured to be going off road much but famous last words. That said, this one has lower mileage and priced lower than the standard Willys I’ve been seeing. It has the 3.6. Would I be a fool not to grab it? The factory pkg seems to be a great value provided I use this as intended. Ha

Low mileage, lower price, sounds like a winner. Scoop it up!

 

[Whaler27]

Just want to comment on the MOPAR swing gate reinforcement.... It is not great, I was surprised how much my spare rattles the swing gate as I expected it would be better than when I had heavier tires on my JK's with the stock carrier... but seems like the same crap.

Other than that I think the XR package is pretty good!

I agree. When I saw the price tag and the parts for the reinforcement kit I was amazed. I don't expect much for my dollar anymore, but almost $900 for a dozen bolts, a small piece of cast steel, and some spacers is nuts.

 

[FDA44]

Wow, you must have a short garage! My '20 JLR W/2.5" lift and 37" KO2's fits in the standard garage of a track house I leased close to where I am building my new home...I would double check height of your garage and if it is a sectional garage door, there are adjustments you can make to pull the door up just a bit for more clearance.

I measured a few times. I think it is very close but when the tires hit the lip coming in it may cause it to hit the roof.

 

[FDA44]

Good catch on your garage height OP! The good news is if you go standard Willy's you can always add nice 285/75r17's (34x11.5) with no lift if you find yourself wanting bigger tires. Then you can add some nice aftermarket shocks that are meant to work at stock height to improve the handling.

Or you could just get a Mojave haha! I'm in a 23 Rubicon XR, it's a nice Jeep I do find myself missing the Mojave though...... Sorry to toss that craziness in there!

Happy shopping.

That’s a good point. It’s so damn close on the height. I haven’t driven a Mojave yet but when I was entertaining a Gladiator that was my choice for being able to add 35s without having to get a lift or regear. Pretty nice pkg out of the box as is also.

 

[FDA44]

I wouldn't hesitate to do the XR package on my 2022 Wrangler Rubicon. So that's what I did. At the time it was $3995 more. I had about $6,000 into changing my 2012 to add wider rims, 315/70-17 tires, 2 1/2 in lift, HD tailgate reinforcement and I still didn't have 4.56:1 gear ratio or the preformance brakes. Plus everything is covered under the factory warranty. I know there are some quirks to building a new Jeep now with the Willys, Rubicon and Rubicon X packages, but if you are looking at a preowned 2023 the Extreme Recon package was pretty cut and dried. I had no idea how sporty the 4.56:1 gears make the Jeep feel; how quick the take off can be and how fast the performance brakes slow the Jeep down. All I'll say is it's incredible. Now if you want a totally smooth ride and something that handles quickly in corners; skip the Jeep and buy a performance car. As for me a mid 60's guy with a bad knee/hip and arthritis in my lower back, the Jeep is way easier to get in and out of than something like a Camaro and my soft top is down most of the summer cause if the weather doesn't look good I just take one of my other two vehicles.

I’ve had sport cars and I’m really eager to get my first Jeep. This one was great and I’ll probably be kicking myself for not getting it. The search continues. Still open to a Gladiator as it gets me a bed but love the shorter length and off-road potential for the wrangler.

 

[ACAPECE]

Get a saw and raise the garage height.

I’ve considered just selling my house?

 

[4xFUN]

I measured a few times. I think it is very close but when the tires hit the lip coming in it may cause it to hit the roof.

You could be right, my current drive is smooth with no lip or change in height going from driveway to garage floor.

 

[ACAPECE]

That’s a good point. It’s so damn close on the height. I haven’t driven a Mojave yet but when I was entertaining a Gladiator that was my choice for being able to add 35s without having to get a lift or regear. Pretty nice pkg out of the box as is also.

Mine just rubs the rubber seal at the end of the garage door. I’ve been waiting for nicer weather to see if I can modify it, and my garage needs to really be cleaned out. I ended up putting in a bolt hood lock and a mopar locking gas cap so everything is keyed to my Jeep key. And I installed a cut off switch for a little piece of mind.

I’m really happy I went with the XR, I have a great platform to learn and grow my off road skills with. It also makes getting back and forth to work a little more tolerable. ?

Sponsored