Help me build my first Wrangler

[Blacktip]

I test drove a Rubicon Unlimited for the first time. It drives differently than my previous cars, but it is not as bad as many people makes it to be. It was not as loud nor uncomfortable as reviews and videos makes to be. Different steering, but I think I can get used to it. So, I am seriously considering ordering a Rubicon with Xtream package. I don't believe I will ever take advantage of the capabilities, but it is an insurance policy in case I stuck in the sand and need to us the lockers.

- any regret getting soft top instead of hardtop? I like the idea of removing the top when the weather allows it. My concern is safety and security specially in campgrounds when no one is around.

- Gorilla glass. Is it worth it?

- The car I test drove was a Rubicon with sky roof. How different it will be with standard soft top and Xtream Recon (handling and road noise)? I couldn't find one to test drive

- My build is: cloth seats, towing package, safety package, steel bumpers, 3.6 eTorque, auto, premium soft top. What do you guys think? Any other recomendations?

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[rcadden]

You'll get a ton of opinions in here, so I might as well start with mine.

• The Xtreme Recon package doesn't add lockers - lockers are a standard feature of the Rubicon trim. The Xtreme Recon adds 35" tires, a lift, and beefier suspension to handle the 35s (not a comprehensive overview, just high level). So if you're just concerned about needing lockers, you could save the ~$5K off the Xtreme Recon package and not really miss out on anything (For your stated needs).
• If you get the soft top from the factory, you will NOT get the wiring/tubing for the hard top wiper/defogger. If you think you might want a hard top in the future, you should get the hard top from the factory and then either the dual-top group or just pick up a soft top off FB marketplace or aftermarket.
  • Highly recommend you look at the Bestop Sunrider. It basically replaces *just* the Freedom Tops of the hard top with a little bitty soft top, so you can open up the front of the cab, but still have the protection of a hard top on the rest of the Jeep. If you buy it straight from Bestop (or from them on Amazon) you get a lifetime warranty.
• There are a few threads but overall I don't think Gorilla Glass is worth it in the long run.
• Can't speak to the road noise, but know that the Sky OneTouch can't be [easily] removed like the soft/hard tops. It's designed to be there all the time. If you want flexibility, that's not it. Save the ~$4K, IMO.
• I think your build sounds good aside from the steel bumpers - save the $1.2K. The front is great, but the rear is known to bind up into the body if it gets caught on a rock. You can easily pick up a front OEM steel on the marketplace for ~$500-700, and then use the other ~$500-700 to buy a better aftermarket rear bumper with better support.

 

[ColoradoMike]

You'll get a ton of opinions in here, so I might as well start with mine.

• The Xtreme Recon package doesn't add lockers - lockers are a standard feature of the Rubicon trim. The Xtreme Recon adds 35" tires, a lift, and beefier suspension to handle the 35s (not a comprehensive overview, just high level). So if you're just concerned about needing lockers, you could save the ~$5K off the Xtreme Recon package and not really miss out on anything (For your stated needs).
• If you get the soft top from the factory, you will NOT get the wiring/tubing for the hard top wiper/defogger. If you think you might want a hard top in the future, you should get the hard top from the factory and then either the dual-top group or just pick up a soft top off FB marketplace or aftermarket.
  • Highly recommend you look at the Bestop Sunrider. It basically replaces *just* the Freedom Tops of the hard top with a little bitty soft top, so you can open up the front of the cab, but still have the protection of a hard top on the rest of the Jeep. If you buy it straight from Bestop (or from them on Amazon) you get a lifetime warranty.
• There are a few threads but overall I don't think Gorilla Glass is worth it in the long run.
• Can't speak to the road noise, but know that the Sky OneTouch can't be [easily] removed like the soft/hard tops. It's designed to be there all the time. If you want flexibility, that's not it. Save the ~$4K, IMO.
• I think your build sounds good aside from the steel bumpers - save the $1.2K. The front is great, but the rear is known to bind up into the body if it gets caught on a rock. You can easily pick up a front OEM steel on the marketplace for ~$500-700, and then use the other ~$500-700 to buy a better aftermarket rear bumper with better support.

Agree with above about not needing the XR; get the XR if you think you will need increased ground clearance for doing big ledges and boulder gardens.

I will go further on Gorilla Glass: don’t do it. Complete waste of money. Tons and tons of stories on here about gorilla glass breaking right away. And I have well over a year with OEM with no cracks. It’s a crapshoot that spending more on GG will NOT solve.

I like my oem steel bumpers and I believe you get stiffer springs if you order them. You DO get a steel bash guard under the front bumper instead of the plastic air dam, when you order the steel, which is nice. But I will be curious to see what happens the first time I come off a ledge and set it down on the rear bumper. Hoping I don’t do that, but I probably will some day.

 

[Tank the Jeep]

I would (did) add the steel bumper which comes with the LED lights. Cloth seats are a smart move. Convertible and black leather in the South is asking for a roasted ham.

 

[garyji]

Not sure about how you're going to use the new Jeep, but if you are doing some daily driving chores that require access to the entire back space, you will not be happy with that window blocking the space and having to remove it to load the back end. I love my hard top for that very reason. I'll take the raise-able glass back window any day.

G.

 

[Smoke Showing]

The cold weather group is a must have.

 

[aldo98229]

Welcome to the forum.

My replies are below in red.

- any regret getting soft top instead of hardtop? I like the idea of removing the top when the weather allows it. My concern is safety and security specially in campgrounds when no one is around. Rain droplets sticking to the rear curtain can hinder visibility backing up. When you get the soft top, Jeep does not include the rear wiper, the switchgear for the rear wiper and washer, nor the washer fluid lines. These are expensive to add after-the-fact. And depending where you are, security can be a real concern.

- Gorilla glass. Is it worth it? Nope

- The car I test drove was a Rubicon with sky roof. How different it will be with standard soft top and Xtream Recon (handling and road noise)? I couldn't find one to test drive Do NOT call a Jeep a car, please

- My build is: cloth seats, towing package, safety package, steel bumpers, 3.6 eTorque, auto, premium soft top. What do you guys think? Any other recomendations?

 

[QwikKotaTx]

LED Light package is really nice. Base lights not so great at night. I like the cold weather package's heated seats for back pain, they get really warm.

If you are picky about road noise I would get the hard top but it will still be a Jeep. Our soft top has been bearable on the highway as long as the pavement is not grooved but the noise I'm hearing could be tire related. It's fine on non-grooved highways.

 

[AcesandEights]

Not sure about how you're going to use the new Jeep, but if you are doing some daily driving chores that require access to the entire back space, you will not be happy with that window blocking the space and having to remove it to load the back end. I love my hard top for that very reason. I'll take the raise-able glass back window any day.

G.

You can raise the soft top rear window.

 

[AcesandEights]

If you drove anything other than a soft top, drive one before you buy one. They are noisy. It doesn't bother me, I don't notice it, but everyone that comes from a "car" notices the soft top allows you to hear a lot more road noise.

 

[Tank the Jeep]

The cold weather group is a must have.

Not sure where in NC OP is, but around Charlotte, the cold weather group is not needed. It gets coldish here for a few weeks. The NC Mountains have more of a winter.

 

[Jocko]

You can raise the soft top rear window.

Can you elaborate on that? My wife's Jeep has the soft top and we haven't noticed this capability in 3 years. Are we missing something? It's been such an annoyance that she opted for the sky one touch on her new one!

 

[Tethmes]

I haven't had my soft top in the winter yet as I just picked up the Jeep this spring, so I can't speak on that, but as far as noise levels go I was pleasantly surprised. Traffic noises are absolutely louder than a hard top, but as far as wind noise goes, even at expressway speeds I was coming in with my only experience being a rag top on a TJ. It's impressively quiet compared to my expectations.

That said. Don't have your expectation be that it's as quiet as a hard top. It's not.

 

[Punkn89]

Get the sunrider top and don’t keep anything valuable in your Jeep unless you have a locked, hidden storage compartment. I love not having a hard top. its a bitch getting a hard top off by yourself, unless you get a garage hoist. But then, if weather gets bad and you’re topless, prepare for a free the nip moment. Also, it is plenty insulated when you need heat/AC in the summer/winter.

no idea about gorilla glass.

Packages solely depend on what your luxuries and needs are.

If I had to do it all over again, I would actually opt for cloth seats. Leather seats, without ventilation in the heat - not my cup of tea. Got a towel to put over them.

 

[Industrialwrench]

I live in San Diego and love the cold weather package. Steel bumpers are crap. Well they’re crap of you actually use them. If your not going to use the capability, save the money and skip the rubicon. If you’re going jlu get the dual top option. Hard top is great. So is the soft top. For collectors get the smokers group. When’s the last time you saw a lighter in a vehicle…

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