Offroading a brand new Rubicon

[Onyx Dragon]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the offroading adventures but not to cars/ motor-sports in general. I have a 19 Rubicon 4 door that I have taken to 2 off road parks. This last weekend while on a level 3 (out of 5) I really felt I needed a lift and larger tires to maneuver over the rocks. Most guys had 4" lifts and 35-37 tires. There were several tight spots and close calls and I'm really shocked I didn't scratch up more stuff than I did.
I know I'm gona get the comments like "oh Jeeps are supposed to be scratched" and "That's what their used for".... But I'm seriously considering getting a 05-06 TJ rubicon or a 08-09 2 door Rubicon and save my 50k Jeep for cruising around and light fire roads.... I can pick one up for 10-15k with 35" tires and not have to cringe every time I get really close to sliding into a tree.

What I'm asking from the knowledgeable Jeep community out here is whats a better buy? I know the 3.8 is under powered but is it worth staying with a 10 year older TJ platform to get the 4.0?

I've owned a TJ, 2 XJs, a JK and now a JL. I still have one XJ that my sister drives. There's not a day that doesn't go by that I wish I had a good TJ still (though not over my XJ).

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[Roky]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the offroading adventures but not to cars/ motor-sports in general. I have a 19 Rubicon 4 door that I have taken to 2 off road parks. This last weekend while on a level 3 (out of 5) I really felt I needed a lift and larger tires to maneuver over the rocks. Most guys had 4" lifts and 35-37 tires. There were several tight spots and close calls and I'm really shocked I didn't scratch up more stuff than I did.
I know I'm gona get the comments like "oh Jeeps are supposed to be scratched" and "That's what their used for".... But I'm seriously considering getting a 05-06 TJ rubicon or a 08-09 2 door Rubicon and save my 50k Jeep for cruising around and light fire roads.... I can pick one up for 10-15k with 35" tires and not have to cringe every time I get really close to sliding into a tree.

What I'm asking from the knowledgeable Jeep community out here is whats a better buy? I know the 3.8 is under powered but is it worth staying with a 10 year older TJ platform to get the 4.0?

I vote TJ , my worrying about scratches lasted exactly one week.....

 

[Martindfletcher]

I vote TJ , my worrying about scratches lasted exactly one week.....

After the first few, I got over it. It’s not a show truck. I do try to avoid body damage.. highly recommend a good set of rock sliders like ace engineering or similar. Helps keep the body away from rocks.

 

[mgroeger]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the offroading adventures but not to cars/ motor-sports in general. I have a 19 Rubicon 4 door that I have taken to 2 off road parks. This last weekend while on a level 3 (out of 5) I really felt I needed a lift and larger tires to maneuver over the rocks. Most guys had 4" lifts and 35-37 tires. There were several tight spots and close calls and I'm really shocked I didn't scratch up more stuff than I did.
I know I'm gona get the comments like "oh Jeeps are supposed to be scratched" and "That's what their used for".... But I'm seriously considering getting a 05-06 TJ rubicon or a 08-09 2 door Rubicon and save my 50k Jeep for cruising around and light fire roads.... I can pick one up for 10-15k with 35" tires and not have to cringe every time I get really close to sliding into a tree.

What I'm asking from the knowledgeable Jeep community out here is whats a better buy? I know the 3.8 is under powered but is it worth staying with a 10 year older TJ platform to get the 4.0?

Stay away from any JK with that crappy 3.8 in it. It's a total 50/50 crap shoot as to it's longevity. My wife has a 2018 Sahara JLU and she loves it. We've hit Windrock out your way and took on some pin striping and it sucks but oh well.
I have an '04 LJ (TJ Unlimited) and it is a beast off road. I only have a 2" OME lift, 1.25" JKS body lift with all JKS J-Flex control arms and 33s but I do have Dana 44s both front and rear off of a Rubicon as well as an Eaton e-locker up front. Have a tranny/oil pan skid and do a fair share of rock climbing with it at Uwharie. Personally I would recommend a TJ since they are a blast off road and quickly becoming an iconic classic look with the JLs out now, and I'd shoot for a Rubi if you can find one. If it's not a Rubi make sure the lift was done right. By that I mean if they went over 2" you need to watch out for drive train vibration. It can be solved by putting in a Slip Yoke Eliminator in the transfer case and a double cardan rear drive shaft.

 

[jayteal]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the offroading adventures but not to cars/ motor-sports in general. I have a 19 Rubicon 4 door that I have taken to 2 off road parks. This last weekend while on a level 3 (out of 5) I really felt I needed a lift and larger tires to maneuver over the rocks. Most guys had 4" lifts and 35-37 tires. There were several tight spots and close calls and I'm really shocked I didn't scratch up more stuff than I did.
I know I'm gona get the comments like "oh Jeeps are supposed to be scratched" and "That's what their used for".... But I'm seriously considering getting a 05-06 TJ rubicon or a 08-09 2 door Rubicon and save my 50k Jeep for cruising around and light fire roads.... I can pick one up for 10-15k with 35" tires and not have to cringe every time I get really close to sliding into a tree.

What I'm asking from the knowledgeable Jeep community out here is whats a better buy? I know the 3.8 is under powered but is it worth staying with a 10 year older TJ platform to get the 4.0?

Go with a TJ...I wish I still had my 03 TJ that I traded in for my JLUR but I understand where you're coming from. My last off road trip to Palo Duro in TX made me want 35" tires as well since I'm still using my stock 33". My skid plates took a beating (which is what they're for) but I do wish I had that extra 1-1.5" lift with a 35" tires. That would have made a big difference and reduced the times I got a little high centered and skid plated over an obstacle that the 2 door Jeeps and others with larger tires were able to clear better. I'm going to switch to 35" when I need new tires and ordered the EVO skid plate that covers the oil pan and exhaust loop. That said, there's nothing wrong with the JLUR as a daily and off roader....I'd say save your money and put it into bigger tires and better protection underneath.

 

[TJ2018]

I dunno.. just me perhaps. But you got the Rubicon. Use the Rubicon. I didn't buy my Jeep to be a pavement princess (no offense to those who have). The rig can take it. Properly equipped and armored you should avoid most trail damage... though the most important tool for avoiding that is the one between your ears. Your $50k Jeep is far more likely to be hurt or meet its demise on the highways and byways than offroading.

I guess the question is would you spend more on a 2nd Jeep than you would on fixing any potential but not yet realized damage wheeling your JL?

 

[Carlton]

I see people beating on Brand new jeeps and personally never would do it. It is a waste of 50k+. Not a wise investment. I'll play in a little mud or snow but that is about it.

I think you would be happy with the TJ or JK. Find the best deal/vehicle condition for what you are looking for and buy. I wouldn't be set on one or the other. If you flip, or damage, a 10K vehicle it is not a huge deal, not like throwing away 50K.

 

[StrikeZ]

I love taking my Jeep off-roading. I might cringe when a scrape bottom or sides, but the thought that I will be cruising comfortably down the highway in this same beast adds to the value.

 

[Semaj]

Why not just lift your jl with bigger tires? Get the best of both worlds

My wife drives it a couple times a week. She’s 4’11” and I’m the medical field. Says if I turn it into a “redneck” Jeep she won’t drive it

 

[Semaj]

I’ve had jeeps all my adult life. My Rubicon is the most pricey vehicle I’ve ever had. Taking it off road for the first time I was cringing at every scrape. I got over it though lol. Pics from my first outing

That looks just like mine!

 

[Semaj]

I haven't had the chance to take my JLUR out yet, but I'm much in the same boat: This is the nicest vehicle I've ever owned and I'd like to keep it that way, at least for a little while.

That said, I have some perspective your situation doesn't: I traded in an '04 TJ Rubicon for my JLUR in December. It was the second TJ I built, daily drove, and wheeled some of the most difficult trails I could find on 33" tires in the Northeast from 2005-2018.

To answer your question: Should you pick up a TJ or JK? It depends on your application.

I've said it in other places, but I'll repeat here: I Loved my TJ's for what they were. If I was going to build a dedicated, hardcore trail rig? I'd buy the cheapest 4.0L Manual trans TJ i could find with a good frame, put a Rock Krawler Long arm kit, big axles, and tires under it, with armor and a winch, and go nuts.

That said- I need a daily driver more than I need another toy. I need a vehicle that can safely haul my family on road trips and vacations, and tackle difficult trails roughly once a month. Add to that, a lot of the difficult trails weren't really fun anymore. Sure, I had my favorites, but that was like 2. The rest were just punishing. And while I would have loved to build my TJ's into something close to an Ultra-4 car, I really can't/ couldn't justify the money for a truck, and trailer, and the space to store all of it, and the money and time required for maintenance on all of those things. So, I decided to take a couple steps back, and pulled the trigger on the JLUR so I could do all the fun stuff (road trips, adventure wheeling, etc) with my family and still daily drive a vehicle I loved.

I've got zero regrets and a pretty extensive 5 year plan to build this Jeep, starting with armor (Skidplates, bumpers, sliders, etc) and a winch. and progressively stepping up to a lift and larger tires. Will i be able to go 100% hardcore out of the gate? No. But I've been there (or close) and I'm good for now. I'll get there again eventually, I consider it managing my engagements.

Thanks for your comments. At the parks I’ve gone to about half the guys have dedicated rigs that they trailer and others have lifts and 35-37” tires on 2 doors and seem to be able to do just about everything I care to do. (Not the crazy stuff). I’d prefer to keep a Jeep that I can drive to the park (3-5 hours) have fun doing the course. And if I accidentally scrap against a tree I’m not beating myself up about it. I don’t want to have to trailer a buggy but I’m ok if it doesn’t have all the creature comforts my JL has because I’m only driving it once a month to the park.

 

[Semaj]

You specifically mention 2005-06, a few major issues plague those years. The TCM/PCM (auto trans) and OPDA (4.0)

The best TJ years were 1998-99 and 2003-04.

I’ve had both a TJ and JK, I prefer the TJ.

Thank you. This is the stuff I’m looking for. As I’ve been looking it seems the few Jeeps around here have been those years.

 

[Semaj]

Another way to think of it is you are doing trails with your daily driver that the others are using dedicated hardware on. Sure they might be quicker but you should find some enjoyment you're able to do it with a stock JLUR. I'm sure your drive to and from the trail was much more enjoyable

Part of why I love my JLUR is that it can do both; around town daily driver mall duties as well as off road trails that are challenging for other daily drivers to tackle. Put some 35s on it and enjoy it.

I also tell my family when the Zombie outbreak comes being in the JLUR is ideal as we can bug out directly and the LOD destroyer bumper is good for clearing the herds.

Haha. Yes I for sure enjoyed riding over in the Jeep I get to wheel.

 

[Semaj]

Maybe get one of those clear 3M wraps for it? That would be cheaper than an entirely new jeep and protect your paint from scratches. And think about it like this...your new Jeep isn't worth $50K anymore from depreciation. LOL

Haha. True more like 35k! I put a clear wrap on the hood, grill and windshield to keep rocks from breaking the windshield and paint. But it wouldn’t do much against a tree or rock.

 

[homebrew]

My lady gets a spa day after every trip because I’m obsessed like that lol

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