Using a Rubicon as a daily driver

[BlackRook]

Pulled the trigger on a 2018 JLUR as my daily driver 4 weeks ago and have zero regrets. I have an 85 mile round trip commute every day and driving the Jeep makes it a blast. This is my first wrangler (coming from a RAV4) and I think it rides very smooth with the stock 33” tires. I did need to air them down to around 36psi to smooth out the initial steering issues but think it drives great now. My drive is primarily back country roads between Fort Wayne and Warsaw, IN and I average 19.5mpg. I spend 10 hours commuting each week and love every second of it. You get my vote for JLUR for daily driver.

Funny, I say Moab, but I'm doing exactly this. Do as I say, not as I do? Lol :cwl:

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[PavementWarrior]

Hey, nobody can judge. You can enjoy it for whatever reason makes you happy. It's a cool machine!

Even if he lowers it and puts an angry bird grill? There has to be a breaking point, remove the front axle to save weight?... dont make me keep going, Bwuwhahahaha

 

[Chinarider]

FWIW, I’ve owned 7 jeeps, from my first 1979 CJ7 (I learned to drive on it!) to my current 2018 JLUR & have always had at least one in my garage at any given time. Right now I have both a Rubicon and a Sahara. While it’s just my opinion (and please just take it as that), I personally would not spend the extra money on a Rubicon unless you absolutely need it’s very specific off-road options. I opted for a Rubicon only after knowing exactly how I drive my jeeps, the terrain I regularly take them on, and honestly not wanting to be bothered with upgrading a sport or Sahara with aftermarket products. And I do use it as a daily driver as well. A Sahara will be more than capable in just about any extreme situation (go ahead and try to get it stuck - it’ll take some effort), and will be better appointed as a daily driver right from the factory.

While the difference in ride isn’t very significant (I honestly don’t notice much), you’ll find subtle differences between the two that might have the Sahara making more sense. I know it’s small thing, but if you have kids who like to stuff half their belongings into seat pouches (I speak from experience!), you’ll find them lacking in the Rubicon (you’ll have to pay extra for MOLLE system attachments). Small thing, for sure, but you want to get what’s right for you.

Also, don’t fall into the trap of thinking Rubicons are “top of the line”. While they may be that for mainly off-road use, it’s hard to argue that a Sahara is anything less than top of the line for mainly on-road use. And while Rubicons might have a more aggressive look, this comes at a cost, too. A factory Rubicon will not have side steps (you’ll get rock rails instead), and either small kids or anyone with mobility issues will have a harder time getting in. You’ll also see more debris & dirt kicked up by the front tires & hitting the door hinges and rear fenders without the added protection of side steps. Rubicon fenders are more open, too - great for accommodating 35s without a lift, but plan on spending extra time cleaning the wheel wells if you want to keep it looking good.

Jeeps are very different now than how they used to be. I don’t just mean how spartan and rough they were (any other old-timers know exactky what I’m talking about), but more that they’re not “one size fits all” in terms of their stock off-road options and capabilities. We’ve got a lot more choices & options to get exactly which Jeep will suit our needs - and they’ll all far surpass the capabilities of their predecessors. Get the Jeep that you want, with the features you’re most likely to use. Don’t pay extra for things you don’t need, as it’ll just be another thing to maintain.

 

[AggieJeepGuy]

Coming from an 07 JKUR my first thought was my 18 JLUR rides way too much like a car ...

 

[hutchman]

FWIW, I’ve owned 7 jeeps, from my first 1979 CJ7 (I learned to drive on it!) to my current 2018 JLUR & have always had at least one in my garage at any given time. Right now I have both a Rubicon and a Sahara. While it’s just my opinion (and please just take it as that), I personally would not spend the extra money on a Rubicon unless you absolutely need it’s very specific off-road options. I opted for a Rubicon only after knowing exactly how I drive my jeeps, the terrain I regularly take them on, and honestly not wanting to be bothered with upgrading a sport or Sahara with aftermarket products. And I do use it as a daily driver as well. A Sahara will be more than capable in just about any extreme situation (go ahead and try to get it stuck - it’ll take some effort), and will be better appointed as a daily driver right from the factory.

While the difference in ride isn’t very significant (I honestly don’t notice much), you’ll find subtle differences between the two that might have the Sahara making more sense. I know it’s small thing, but if you have kids who like to stuff half their belongings into seat pouches (I speak from experience!), you’ll find them lacking in the Rubicon (you’ll have to pay extra for MOLLE system attachments). Small thing, for sure, but you want to get what’s right for you.

Also, don’t fall into the trap of thinking Rubicons are “top of the line”. While they may be that for mainly off-road use, it’s hard to argue that a Sahara is anything less than top of the line for mainly on-road use. And while Rubicons might have a more aggressive look, this comes at a cost, too. A factory Rubicon will not have side steps (you’ll get rock rails instead), and either small kids or anyone with mobility issues will have a harder time getting in. You’ll also see more debris & dirt kicked up by the front tires & hitting the door hinges and rear fenders without the added protection of side steps. Rubicon fenders are more open, too - great for accommodating 35s without a lift, but plan on spending extra time cleaning the wheel wells if you want to keep it looking good.

Jeeps are very different now than how they used to be. I don’t just mean how spartan and rough they were (any other old-timers know exactky what I’m talking about), but more that they’re not “one size fits all” in terms of their stock off-road options and capabilities. We’ve got a lot more choices & options to get exactly which Jeep will suit our needs - and they’ll all far surpass the capabilities of their predecessors. Get the Jeep that you want, with the features you’re most likely to use. Don’t pay extra for things you don’t need, as it’ll just be another thing to maintain.

The real truth spoken here. Very well stated!

 

[mazeppa]

Also look into the Moab edition. Most of the Rubi looks, but a little less of the hardware underneath.

Post above beat me to my thoughts as I was typing.

I may have purchased a Moab Edition if it was available when I ordered my Rubicon.

 

[UrbanRogue]

Smile when you look at it and remember, "My Jeep is not a car....it is a Jeep!" And THAT is something to be proud of!

Inspired my Wreck it Ralph quote version.

This is the Jeep Affirmation.

“Its a Jeep, and that's good. Cars will never be good, and that's not bad. There's no vehicle I'd rather drive than my Jeep.”

Myself I had a 2014 JKU mainly because the JKUR was almost $6-9K more at that time and I couldnt justify it. Now I got a JLUR for my daily driver/pavement princess/Mall crawler because I wanted the Rubicon trim as it looks nicer to me. And the Rubicon option this time around came to only around $2K difference so it would be stupid of me not to.

Rides great to me. had to get used to a little wandering on the road, im thinking from the tire size and meatier rubber difference compared to old Sahara tires.

I Love my JLUR. Wouldnt trade it for anything. except another JLUR later.

 

[chiggerdude]

I DD mine. It originally came with BFG KO2's. Which are even less aggressive than my Nitto 37s. No issues either way for me.

 

[Wanderingwheelz]

Not neccassarily, when I lived in Missouri I had a neighbor who ran a large set of Bias ply street tires on his jeep two seasons out of the year. The gentleman took good care of his jeep and it looked Good with the street tires on it. During fall and Winter (Hunting Season) he would switch to Mud Terrian Tires. His jeep was a daily driver and he was well liked and his jeep was the envy of everyone in the neighborhood. It looked equally well with his daily driver wheels on it....or...with the Mud Terrian wheels on it.
Point being: Enjoy your JL....Put whatever wheels on it that you have a liking to, and worry NOT about somebody else's opinion of what they think looks appropriate or not.

FWIW, I’ve owned 7 jeeps, from my first 1979 CJ7 (I learned to drive on it!) to my current 2018 JLUR & have always had at least one in my garage at any given time. Right now I have both a Rubicon and a Sahara. While it’s just my opinion (and please just take it as that), I personally would not spend the extra money on a Rubicon unless you absolutely need it’s very specific off-road options. I opted for a Rubicon only after knowing exactly how I drive my jeeps, the terrain I regularly take them on, and honestly not wanting to be bothered with upgrading a sport or Sahara with aftermarket products. And I do use it as a daily driver as well. A Sahara will be more than capable in just about any extreme situation (go ahead and try to get it stuck - it’ll take some effort), and will be better appointed as a daily driver right from the factory.

While the difference in ride isn’t very significant (I honestly don’t notice much), you’ll find subtle differences between the two that might have the Sahara making more sense. I know it’s small thing, but if you have kids who like to stuff half their belongings into seat pouches (I speak from experience!), you’ll find them lacking in the Rubicon (you’ll have to pay extra for MOLLE system attachments). Small thing, for sure, but you want to get what’s right for you.

Also, don’t fall into the trap of thinking Rubicons are “top of the line”. While they may be that for mainly off-road use, it’s hard to argue that a Sahara is anything less than top of the line for mainly on-road use. And while Rubicons might have a more aggressive look, this comes at a cost, too. A factory Rubicon will not have side steps (you’ll get rock rails instead), and either small kids or anyone with mobility issues will have a harder time getting in. You’ll also see more debris & dirt kicked up by the front tires & hitting the door hinges and rear fenders without the added protection of side steps. Rubicon fenders are more open, too - great for accommodating 35s without a lift, but plan on spending extra time cleaning the wheel wells if you want to keep it looking good.

Jeeps are very different now than how they used to be. I don’t just mean how spartan and rough they were (any other old-timers know exactky what I’m talking about), but more that they’re not “one size fits all” in terms of their stock off-road options and capabilities. We’ve got a lot more choices & options to get exactly which Jeep will suit our needs - and they’ll all far surpass the capabilities of their predecessors. Get the Jeep that you want, with the features you’re most likely to use. Don’t pay extra for things you don’t need, as it’ll just be another thing to maintain.

Well done.

I wonder what would happen if Jeep offered a “Rubicon Appearance Package” for Sports and Sahara’s, along the lines of what other manufacturers do (think M on a BMW)?

Perhaps offering Rubicon wheels, seat stitching, and the hood stickers that read “RUBICON”, even if the air quotes were very hard to see. This might satisfy a large number of people who only want a Rubicon for the “alpha” factor.

 

[Tex117]

Well done.

I wonder what would happen if Jeep offered a “Rubicon Appearance Package” for Sports and Sahara’s, along the lines of what other manufacturers do (think M on a BMW)?

Perhaps offering Rubicon wheels, seat stitching, and the hood stickers that read “RUBICON”, even if the air quotes were very hard to see. This might satisfy a large number of people who only want a Rubicon for the “alpha” factor.

Oh, I don't know. Seems like more of an aftermarket thing to me.

I ordered the Rubicon, but actually am not the biggest fan of the more aggressive styling.

 

[Wanderingwheelz]

Oh, I don't know. Seems like more of an aftermarket thing to me.

I ordered the Rubicon, but actually am not the biggest fan of the more aggressive styling.

Then it perhaps out to go both ways. Rubicon buyers can “delete” things like model designations as Porsche allows for its buyers. They don’t charge anything to delete items.

 

[Jeep'N]

My 2015 JKUR DD:

My husbands 2007 JKUR DD:

 

[bizzle2005]

OP, If you want, and only if you insist, I will take the pain of swapping out the axles, suspension, wheels and tires from my sport s. I will do all this for free just to see you be comfortable on the road. It will be a pain and uncomfortable as hell for me on the road. But I am willing to do this for you.



Edit: Before anyone start yelling at me, I meant this as a joke. OP, you will be fine driving around on the tires they come with.

 

[Kahdir]

I daily drive my 2018 JLUR (Auto)... gearing hurts fuel economy a bit (in the 17s) but I'm fine with it (smoother than my lifted 2007 Sahara and wife's sorta stock 2009 X).

Mods will come later when I take it off road next spring

 

[ps2baseball]

So my decision came down to this....

I didn't really love the red dash, so I almost went Sahara and planned to order 33s and a Rubicon hood, as well as fenders. To me the higher stock fenders make the look. But by the time I priced everything out I would have spent as much if not more for basically a black leather dash. I also wanted cloth seats. I went JLUR without even a test drive. Now I love it, even down to the red dash. 5+ years out I likely will try a few lower level trails, but not brand new...

But now I have all these off road capabilities. Some days I go to the mall, disconnect the sway bar and drive over parking lot medians. Not because I want to, but because I can!

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