Checking My Math? JL Rubi Build

[VolCntry73]

Wow, I didn't know it's not offered on 2 doors. I wonder what the logic behind that is.

Not sure if this is the reason, but some say shipping limitations. On a 4 door, if you get the dual top, it ships with the hard top on and the soft top is in a box in the jeep. The 2 door is too short to ship the top inside of it. At least that is the theory. Maybe it will be available for the 2019 model year, but wasn't for 2018.

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[cjaama]

Not sure if this is the reason, but some say shipping limitations. On a 4 door, if you get the dual top, it ships with the hard top on and the soft top is in a box in the jeep. The 2 door is too short to ship the top inside of it. At least that is the theory. Maybe it will be available for the 2019 model year, but wasn't for 2018.

That's as good of a theory as any. You should have seen me trying to transport a TJ softop with a frame in my LJ. It was difficult to do even with the LJ's top down.

 

[jeepin]

Is the HARDTOP hard to sell? Are a lot of people seeking used JEEP OEM Hardtops?

Not at all. I've seen them selling for 1400-2k. Sold my jks awhile back for similar amount

 

[Vawildjeep]

Good thread for those of us who are still deciding on our builds. I have lots of the same questions. Leather? Matching hard top? The struggle is real haha.

 

[ads75]

I ordered yesterday. I had some similar concerns. I added the LED lighting, based on the reviews on this site. It is also my understanding LED lighting includes all the lights, not just the headlights. I also work rotating shift work, I want the best chance I have to see those deer or other critters at night or the early morning. I added the Mopar floor mats, you can look at it as $150 plus interest, or just put $150 down (or purchase them separately at a later date if you don't like the stock). I debated on the steel bumpers also, but I do like the steel bumpers, and there isn't much available right now aftermarket that I do like. If something comes along, I can buy aftermarket and sell my steel bumpers. I went with a 2 door Rubi (premium soft top), so the dual top group wasn't an option. I also debated on painted fenders, and got them, but down the road I may want to replace them. But I feel like the painted fenders may look better long term, so I won't be in a rush to upgrade them. Or the painted fenders will chip and scuff so I will replace them sooner . I pretty much went with every option other than leather (I don't like the stock leather, plus I am worried it being unventilated and too warm, and after market options are there if I want - but the leather may be easier to wipe clean if needed). I also added the Safety and Advance Safety Groups, I didn't think it made a huge difference in the end.

 

[asudchiman]

I am traveling today for work, but I will update the build sheet with the adjustments and several of the ideas listed here. I have to admit, for all the guys/gals posting with LJ (not a typo) photos in their user ID, I guess this is the first Jeep we are all willing to leave our LJ for... maybe its the letters, maybe because we saw so many years of JKU's with 4 doors that it is okay now to own a new Jeep. lol
Not really sure the reasoning, but I do find it interesting.

 

[asudchiman]

How hard is it to install the soft top? For those with the dual top purchase. Thanks

 

[jeepin]

How hard is it to install the soft top? For those with the dual top purchase. Thanks

I haven't done it myself but I watched some videos on youtube and it looks very straightforward. Install door surrounds, install bracket on rear rollbar, attach softtop. May have skipped a step or two but wasn't overly complicated.

 

[cjaama]

I have to admit, for all the guys/gals posting with LJ (not a typo) photos in their user ID, I guess this is the first Jeep we are all willing to leave our LJ for... maybe its the letters, maybe because we saw so many years of JKU's with 4 doors that it is okay now to own a new Jeep. lol
Not really sure the reasoning, but I do find it interesting.

The JL is the first Wrangler that is refined enough for me to consider daily'ing and unloading the LJ.
I had been toying with the idea, but I knew I wanted adaptive cruise on my next vehicle. When it was announced that ACC would be available on 2019's it sealed the deal for me.
I'll definitely miss the LJ, but hopefully not enough to regret my decision.

 

[caged]

because of the redesign on the JL soft top frame and roll bars, the soft top can not be installed under the hardtop on the 2 door, like it was on previous wranglers, therefore it is shipped in a very large box. one that fits fine in the length of a 4 door JL, but will not fit in the shorter 2 door.
i went with the hard top option, and will purchase a soft top once bestop and FCA's non compete clause is up. but will likely wait till spring, hoping more options will be available.

i also ordered with steel bumpers, but wish i didn't, they are very thin and week, and if landed on a rock while offroading, which happens quite often, has been known to bend into the tub causing damage. so mine will be coming off and selling to purchase some real steel off road bumpers.

 

[asudchiman]

The JL is the first Wrangler that is refined enough for me to consider daily'ing and unloading the LJ.
I had been toying with the idea, but I knew I wanted adaptive cruise on my next vehicle. When it was announced that ACC would be available on 2019's it sealed the deal for me.
I'll definitely miss the LJ, but hopefully not enough to regret my decision.

I agree. My LJ should be sold by Monday. Then to decide for sure if I want to pay cash for a JKU or have a modest car payment again for the JLU. I haven't had a car payment in many years. My one financial concern is the JT or Scrambler truck coming out this year. I really think it could bite into the Wrangler sales. If it does, the 6% below deal may get even better. Any thoughts? Do we know when the JT will hit the market for sale?

 

[Mjmi69]

Katzkins, can be ordered for 2019 from the factory, MSRP is 1750, less than you can get them done at the dealers.
Chriswell is 7% below invoice on all orders and a low doc fee. You must go thru Marco Brown, that is the best deal Hands down, I have e-mail almost every dealer from NY to FLA and out to TX, they have the best deal, next is Dave Dennis in Dayton then Farris, Tri-Cities in NC

 

[asudchiman]

OEM vs Aftermarket (Katskin, etc.) -- I prefer not having the red dash on the Rubicon. I know that will go against many peoples wishes, but for this reason, the only way to get a silver dash is to get the tan leather. Black cloth or fabric results in getting the red dash. My other alternative is to paint it or to vinyl wrap it. I think the cost of Katskin + changing the red dash would be more expensive than just getting the factory leather.

 

[asudchiman]

Okay, here is the updated build sheet and pricing.
I dropped the steel bumpers. I do like the look, but it is expensive vs aftermarket options that will be coming out. Plus, there is a good chance I could buy the steel bumpers from someone taking theirs off.

The two options I am struggling with are the Dual Tops and the Safety Group.

Dual Tops - I just don't know that I need the hard top. With the active noise cancellation, the soft top was really quiet when I did my road test. Also, where in the heck would I store it? I guess I would have to build a lift but that may not work well in my garage due to a large steel beam going across the garage??? Help me decide.

Safety Group - Would this beep constantly when offroad? Seems like every tree, rock or log would set off the proximity alarms and make the Jeep beep or flash at me for hours on end while riding trails? Am I right, wrong?

Other than these two issues, I think I have it pretty close to what I would want. Take a look, see if I am missing anything, or mispriced any items. Thanks in advance!

 

[cjaama]

OEM vs Aftermarket (Katskin, etc.) -- I prefer not having the red dash on the Rubicon. I know that will go against many peoples wishes, but for this reason, the only way to get a silver dash is to get the tan leather. Black cloth or fabric results in getting the red dash. My other alternative is to paint it or to vinyl wrap it. I think the cost of Katskin + changing the red dash would be more expensive than just getting the factory leather.

Yeah, vinyl or even plastidip are options and I might go the same route.
There was someone with the red dash in the Northeast regional forum that was asking if someone wanted to swap for grey and he had a couple takers, so that's always an option too. I'm planning on getting mine in firecracker red and the more maroon dash will clash.
I don't think the Scrambler will be coming until 2020 at the absolute earliest. It'll be pretty pricey. I don't expect much better deals on JL's to be had in the next bunch of years even once that does come. I mean, they're not exactly giving away the JK's sitting on dealer lots and that's a 11 year old model that is lesser in almost every way to the JL.
I'm selling my Mopar/AEV Rock Crawler bumper off my LJ tomorrow. That is step one of the long goodbye.

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