Most capable Rubicon?

[Zandcwhite]

I wonder if they would cover the 392 XR with twisted shaft under warranty. Or would they say the Xtreme Recon was meant for other usage lol

Unmodified they'd have to cover. A good dealer would still cover if you went to 37's, but you might get some pushback. That being said, if you're using your jeep hard enough to twist shafts you wouldn't want stock replacements anyway. Upgrade to chromoly and be done with it.

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[BeepBeepIssaJeep]

I voted 392, especially if we are factoring in the xr package being available. For the guys arguing that the 392’s weight is the deciding factor, they'd likely argue the lightest JLUR is the most capable. With that line of thinking they'd go soft top, manual, etc, and the 700lb difference would still apply. As far as towing and payload, the axles, breaks, etc aren't upgraded on the v8, which is likely the limiting factor. My truck has the 5.7L hemi and a 10k towing capacity, clearly the 392 isn't power limited.

When comparing standard JLUR (with the items mentioned) vs standard 392 that is fair, but I don't agree that their weight saved argument provides greater capability. You can always take things off the standard 392 to suit the occasion (doors, roof, rear seat, hood, spare, steel bumper extenders) if the weight has become a liability.

The Jeep website says the V8 has upgraded brakes "Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Performance Brakes" over standard JLUR "Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc HD Brakes." Further explained by Jeep "These performance brakes feature large pads for optimal stopping distance." I don't know how accurate and up to date that stuff is though.

 

[Zandcwhite]

When comparing standard JLUR (with the items mentioned) vs standard 392 that is fair, but I don't agree that their weight saved argument provides greater capability. You can always take things off the standard 392 to suit the occasion (doors, roof, rear seat, hood, spare, steel bumper extenders) if the weight has become a liability.

The Jeep website says the V8 has upgraded brakes "Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Performance Brakes" over standard JLUR "Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc HD Brakes." Further explained by Jeep "These performance brakes feature large pads for optimal stopping distance." I don't know how accurate and up to date that stuff is though.

It is possible they run a different pad, but the axle is the same. I was hoping to see an upgrade for the 392 like they did for the trx rear axle vs standard rams.

 

[BeepBeepIssaJeep]

It is possible they run a different pad, but the axle is the same. I was hoping to see an upgrade for the 392 like they did for the trx rear axle vs standard rams.

Originally thought they were going to. ?

 

[entropy]

I voted 392, especially if we are factoring in the xr package being available. For the guys arguing that the 392’s weight is the deciding factor, they'd likely argue the lightest JLUR is the most capable. With that line of thinking they'd go soft top, manual, etc, and the 700lb difference would still apply. As far as towing and payload, the axles, breaks, etc aren't upgraded on the v8, which is likely the limiting factor. My truck has the 5.7L hemi and a 10k towing capacity, clearly the 392 isn't power limited.

You are right. 392 with 35s is beast.

Also FYI. The other day I was looking at weight if hardtop vs softop. Theyre surprisingly about the same weight. You dont shed weight off the top with the oem softop unless you go with the bestop trektop. Nuts.

 

[BobW]

Just curious to see what most people view as the best Rubicon Off-road platform.

The 2 door with the Shorter wheel base.

The 4 door with the longer wheel base.

The 392 4 door with the longer wheel base and v8 engine.

Just curious to hear people's opinions.

It's a little like astronomy... the best telescope is the one that gets used.
The best Rubicon is the one that gets on the dirt!

 

[F-1shakey]

If you want the most capability , there likely ain’t any factory rubicon equipment left on the Jeep.

 

[NekoTruong]

The diesel engine should really be part of the conversation here. IMO, the 4-door diesel Rubi is the most capable version of the Wrangler. Lots of low-end torque make it great for low-speed crawling over obstacles and allow it to handle increased tire size without regearing (37s on stock 3.73 gearing!) The increased fuel efficiency also makes it desirable for overlanding use. I recently had mine on the trails at Rausch Creek in PA and paired with the 4:1 tcase and 8hp75 auto transmission, it practically walked itself over some seriously rocky trails. That's my vote.

You right. Base on my diesel rubi, the think made me worry the most is the exhaust system of the diesel. (that thing doesn't come cheap =.=!)

 

[VKSheridan]

“Most capable“ is in the eye of the beholder. A soccer parent or an overlander would typically vote for the 4 door hands down. A Jeeper that hates pounding dents every Sunday would vote the 2 door for trails that have tight turns. A trailburner that can’t carry enough fuel would vote the 4 banger while the guy that doesn’t worry about nose weight will vote more cylinders.

We all have our reasons. That said, the 2 door Rubicon with the 2.0 is one zippy lil’ enchilada and takes less people to flip back over…..LOL

 

[AcesandEights]

mmmm, enchiladas...

 

[wibornz]

NOTE, I did not read all 16 pages, but I am thinking the Step Child from the Lite Brite Youtube channel may be the most capable Rubicon....... Is there another Rubicon that has wheeled all the places and trails that that JLUR has? Not sure. Internet may provide an answer.

I saw the Step Child in Wisconsin at the races and staged a couple pictures.

 

[jdegrave]

Depends how you define that. For its namesake (Rubicon as in Rubicon trail) I would say the 3.6 2dr. I personally own an Unlimited because I need the extra room for my family (I like the looks too). They’re all great though.

 

[betsy]

I would have to stay with the 2 dr. Back when the Rubicon trail was considered a jeep trail it was run with flat fenders and the trail was a lot more extreme than it is now, I think that a Rubicon 2dr. Would probably be a lot more fun ( in stock form) than just crawling over everything on 40” tires.

 

[Outrun]

 

[m5guy]

I will say that our 392 was less capable than our 3.6 JLUR in mud, deep water and climbing. And it's all because of the weight.

However, I wouldn't trade my 392 and go back.

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