JoeValkIS
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Joe
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2017
- Threads
- 15
- Messages
- 3,372
- Reaction score
- 27,031
- Location
- Arnold, MO
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018 Wrangler Rubicon, 2019 Can Am Spyder F3T
- Vehicle Showcase
- 1
- Thread starter
- #1
I just wanted to post this for the folks that might have been missing me. This morning, I turned over 10,000 miles on my '18 JL Rubicon. Almost every one of the miles have been happy ones. While I haven't had the mechanical issues that some of the others have had, I have chased a few gremlins and have my problems with it. I have also had a lot of fun in it.
Putting the order/build issues behind us (information about that is in my signature below), my issues have been a few glitches with the radio...like losing Android Auto...completely...until the next day...and Frame Bolt issues. I will get to those later in this post.
The good...first off...for me...was the looks of it. It is a stunner and I get complimented on it often. And she is damn near bone stock.
The performance is surprising. Yes, first gear is geared low...it is a Rubicon with 4.10 gears. But I didn't buy this thing for speed...I bought it because it was capable. I have had the chance to take it off-roading a few times in her first 10,000 miles. The first time was a forest service road in Arkansas. It wasn't nothing that I needed 4-wheel drive for but it was nice to have it.
Next, I took it to an off-road park west of St. Louis.
The last time was another off-road park south of St. Louis.
I also sustained my first damage at this off-road park. While trying to climb up a small rock ledge, I didn't have enough momentum to hop up the rocks. Unfortunately, there was a tree right behind me and when I let off the clutch to try to get another go at it, I tapped the tree and broke my taillight lens. That will be a $350 oops when I replace the light. (side note...if ANYONE has a LED tailight without the side sensor that you don't want...drop me a private message. I don't want to pay $350 but will entertain what you think it is worth.)
While on our trip in Arkansas...I had our first "OH F*CK" moment.
From the video, I was able to get the truck information and I called the dispatcher. I also sent them the video showing the truck clearly over the line on a 2-lane road. I doubt anything had been done about it but I tried.
It hasn't been all positive. I have the Rubicon Drift (or maybe it is the Wrangler drift) but I haven't asked my dealership to look at it yet. Next oil change, I will ask them to look at it and I am sure they will tell me it is within specs. Hopefully, the salesmen I dealt with can put a little pressure on them to try to fix it.
The biggest problem I have had is attempting to put Step Rails on it. I purchased a set of ACE Engineering Rock Rails and went to remove the first body bolt and I broke it off. Contacted my dealership and they ordered a new bolt and set up a date to remove the broken one. While they had it, I had asked them to install my steps. Well, the steps are still sitting in my garage and are not on my JL. They could not remove the other bolts. I have tried a couple of times to remove the other bolts but can't get them to move very much. I haven't tried heat but I think that is my next move. If that doesn't work...I will find an independent shop that will break the bolts, remove the broken bits, and install my steps with new bolts.
Overall, I am VERY pleased with my JL. It is everything that I have wanted in a Wrangler. It gives me a pretty good ride, handles off-roading very well, and even gives me decent gas mileage. On that topic, I have been getting 18-20 mpg with my mixed driving. A few weeks ago, I got 23 mpg just cruising around back roads keeping it in 4th gear running 45 mph. It has taken Monica and I on quite a few adventures and I am looking forward to many more adventures in the future.
Sorry this is so long...Hope you enjoyed reading it.
P.S. If the videos don't work for you, let me know and I will post again.
Putting the order/build issues behind us (information about that is in my signature below), my issues have been a few glitches with the radio...like losing Android Auto...completely...until the next day...and Frame Bolt issues. I will get to those later in this post.
The good...first off...for me...was the looks of it. It is a stunner and I get complimented on it often. And she is damn near bone stock.
The performance is surprising. Yes, first gear is geared low...it is a Rubicon with 4.10 gears. But I didn't buy this thing for speed...I bought it because it was capable. I have had the chance to take it off-roading a few times in her first 10,000 miles. The first time was a forest service road in Arkansas. It wasn't nothing that I needed 4-wheel drive for but it was nice to have it.
Next, I took it to an off-road park west of St. Louis.
The last time was another off-road park south of St. Louis.
I also sustained my first damage at this off-road park. While trying to climb up a small rock ledge, I didn't have enough momentum to hop up the rocks. Unfortunately, there was a tree right behind me and when I let off the clutch to try to get another go at it, I tapped the tree and broke my taillight lens. That will be a $350 oops when I replace the light. (side note...if ANYONE has a LED tailight without the side sensor that you don't want...drop me a private message. I don't want to pay $350 but will entertain what you think it is worth.)
While on our trip in Arkansas...I had our first "OH F*CK" moment.
From the video, I was able to get the truck information and I called the dispatcher. I also sent them the video showing the truck clearly over the line on a 2-lane road. I doubt anything had been done about it but I tried.
It hasn't been all positive. I have the Rubicon Drift (or maybe it is the Wrangler drift) but I haven't asked my dealership to look at it yet. Next oil change, I will ask them to look at it and I am sure they will tell me it is within specs. Hopefully, the salesmen I dealt with can put a little pressure on them to try to fix it.
The biggest problem I have had is attempting to put Step Rails on it. I purchased a set of ACE Engineering Rock Rails and went to remove the first body bolt and I broke it off. Contacted my dealership and they ordered a new bolt and set up a date to remove the broken one. While they had it, I had asked them to install my steps. Well, the steps are still sitting in my garage and are not on my JL. They could not remove the other bolts. I have tried a couple of times to remove the other bolts but can't get them to move very much. I haven't tried heat but I think that is my next move. If that doesn't work...I will find an independent shop that will break the bolts, remove the broken bits, and install my steps with new bolts.
Overall, I am VERY pleased with my JL. It is everything that I have wanted in a Wrangler. It gives me a pretty good ride, handles off-roading very well, and even gives me decent gas mileage. On that topic, I have been getting 18-20 mpg with my mixed driving. A few weeks ago, I got 23 mpg just cruising around back roads keeping it in 4th gear running 45 mph. It has taken Monica and I on quite a few adventures and I am looking forward to many more adventures in the future.
Sorry this is so long...Hope you enjoyed reading it.
P.S. If the videos don't work for you, let me know and I will post again.
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