You bought the wrong vehicle.

[C.Sco]

One of the fun things about Jeeps is this kinda thing. Im doing EVERYTHING in my power to not lift mine but I think itll have to happen eventually. So far my 2 door Rubicon on 35s has gotten me everywhere Ive asked it and I like the current height it sits so skid plates are next and then maybe a small 1.5" lift to accommodate extra articulation from better control arms.

If you wheel (which clearly you do) I'm a big fan of not lifting unless you have to, and then only lift as much as you really need to. Get all tipsy on a trail next to a cliff one time and you'll regret getting that extra inch you didn't need.

I went with 3.5" lift just because I wanted the extra boulder clearance but it was almost too much lift, I've gotten some pretty close calls nearly tipping over and remember thinking "dammit did I really need to lift this high..."

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[yokramer]

If you wheel (which clearly you do) I'm a big fan of not lifting unless you have to, and then only lift as much as you really need to. Get all tipsy on a trail next to a cliff one time and you'll regret getting that extra inch you didn't need.

I went with 3.5" lift just because I wanted the extra boulder clearance but it was almost too much lift, I've gotten some pretty close calls nearly tipping over and remember thinking "dammit did I really need to lift this high..."

The whole time I was waiting on mine to be built I was lookin at 2.5" lift and 37s and beadlocks and all kinds of shit that now 1.5 years later Im glad I held off on. Only thing I regret is not having a winch sooner when I got stuck in some nasty SC mud that a tracked cat got stuck getting to me lol. But ordered a bumper and winch as soon as I got home thats for sure.

 

[The Chubbernaut]

Across 2 posts you say you need to spend a ton of money to go off roading, and claim going out off roading is something you would like to do.

You live in one of the better states to go do it in, yet instead of just getting out there you feel you need to spend money first which is just objectively false.

Make some Jeep friends and go hit some trails, in numbers you dont even need to buy anything other than gas and maybe a day pass to the park if you are going to one.

There is a difference in having caution in what you are going to do off the beaten path and another to just chicken little yourself thinking you need a lift/35s/GMRS/Tool Box etc to get out there.

I'm not arguing against your point. Unless it's a pretty light trail or a day trip, I generally don't off-road by myself. I follow the adage of proper pervious planning prevents piss poor performance. Do I need all that stuff to hit a trail? No. Would I feel more comfortable if I had it? Absolutely. That said, there are certain trails and events that do require a certain level of modification to participate.

Ultimately, I like having the goal to motivate the action. By putting a date on the calendar to run the Rubicon Trail, I will be more likely to budget and modify than saying 'some day' or getting a case of 'good enough'. This is a case of desiring extra capability as well as vanity.

 

[BXFXJeep]

The city streets are worse than off road trails

 

[yokramer]

I'm not arguing against your point. Unless it's a pretty light trail or a day trip, I generally don't off-road by myself. I follow the adage of proper pervious planning prevents piss poor performance. Do I need all that stuff to hit a trail? No. Would I feel more comfortable if I had it? Absolutely. That said, there are certain trails and events that do require a certain level of modification to participate.

Ultimately, I like having the goal to motivate the action. By putting a date on the calendar to run the Rubicon Trail, I will be more likely to budget and modify than saying 'some day' or getting a case of 'good enough'. This is a case of desiring extra capability as well as vanity.

dont let perfection stand in the way of good enough

 

[melendez69]

I just like the vibrations between my butt cheeks.

 

[Heimkehr]

The city streets are worse than off road trails

My exact reply when colleagues asked why I selected a dual sport motorcycle for the daily commute.

 

[OrneryBear]

I'm not going to complain about people doing what they want with their own vehicle they paid their own money for, but I absolutely will judge someone for complaining about "how bad the jeep is at xyz" when it's something that is inherent to it's design criteria of being the most capable offroader. If you don't understand what you are spending this much money on, I will judge you for your willful ignorance.

I'm sure when my wife is driving the rubicon with the kids in the back people probably look and think "what a waste of a rubicon, I bet that thing never goes off road" just because it's a woman driving it. when in reality she takes it off road more than I do, due to her business/clients.

 

[rdfact]

Hi, I'm Dusty. And I am a condescending jerk. Just wanted to get that out of the way before I continue. This post is my opinion, not a statement of fact. And I know that a lot of people are going to disagree with me. I'm okay with that.

If you bought a Wrangler and you do not go off road, you bought the wrong vehicle. There are so many posts here, with owners complaining about things that are just inherent to how a Wrangler is constructed. "My Jeep rides worse than ____, my gas mileage is bad after lift and tires (duh), it's noisy inside, my steering is funny, etc, etc..."

Not all of these posts are uncalled for, but some of the people have a rather unreasonable expectation. And some wish for Jeep to change the Wrangler to be more in line to what they are expecting. That's where I don't agree with folks. Several times people have expressed the wish for the Wrangler to have IFS, fixed windshields, even a fixed top. If that's what you want, those vehicles already exist. There are other options from most manufacturers that fit those categories. But there is only one vehicle like the Wrangler. The "quirks and features" to quote Doug Demuro from YouTube are what makes the Wrangler unique and desirable. It's the only SUV still available with a solid axle. It's the only one that has a folding windshield. One of only 2 that has a removable top. The body on frame construction makes it heavy, but rugged. The recirculating ball steering has a heavy feel and combined with the sfa can have rough handling and steering problems compared to IFS. But it's much stronger and easier to modify for improved performance off road. The problems that most people complain about, are part and parcel with the attributes that make the Wrangler such a desirable vehicle to people who want to use their Jeep off road on the trails. But it makes it a bad choice for a daily commute vehicle if you don't intend to ever go wheeling. Especially if you have modified it for larger tires to look cool, but did not consider how that would impact the daily drive.

Rant over. Again, this is just words from a judgmental prick. Feel free to completely ignore me. But maybe, just maybe after reading this you will think about what I wrote and if there is a kernel of truth to it.

I immediately agree with OP on 2 points:
1) "I am a condescending jerk"
2) "this is just words from a judgmental prick"
I kid, I kid.

It is sad if a Jeep never gets to fulfill it potential by going off pavement. But some people just like the looks and that they can take the top off.

 

[Punkn89]

 

[Odyssey USA]

Love mine on and off-road. I think they ride good lol. I did put on pizza cutters on the Sahara for budget reasons but was happy that it got me 2 solid mpg for more overlanding range. Had two JLU’s until last year. Just the Rubicon now. It’s stock and I get to happily start over.

 

[Remorseless]

I'm not arguing against your point. Unless it's a pretty light trail or a day trip, I generally don't off-road by myself. I follow the adage of proper pervious planning prevents piss poor performance. Do I need all that stuff to hit a trail? No. Would I feel more comfortable if I had it? Absolutely. That said, there are certain trails and events that do require a certain level of modification to participate.

Ultimately, I like having the goal to motivate the action. By putting a date on the calendar to run the Rubicon Trail, I will be more likely to budget and modify than saying 'some day' or getting a case of 'good enough'. This is a case of desiring extra capability as well as vanity.

100% go try the Jeep out stock. They can do a LOT more stock than you think they can, comfortably, without issue. Not saying go run the Rubicon stock, but find a mild trail or set of trails on which youy can get familiar with the Jeep off road before you modify it. Hard to know what to modify before you know what works and what doesn't with what you've already got. They're fun to play with stock...

 

[JJ_WA]

Is this really and different from someone buying a pickup and never load anything into the bed, or a minivan and never take kids to a soccer game?

Their money, their choice.

 

[Remorseless]

Is this really and different from someone buying a pickup and never load anything into the bed, or a minivan and never take kids to a soccer game?

Their money, their choice.

And our opinions of their stupid choices!

 

[Rubi6mt]

100% go try the Jeep out stock. They can do a LOT more stock than you think they can, comfortably, without issue. Not saying go run the Rubicon stock, but find a mild trail or set of trails on which youy can get familiar with the Jeep off road before you modify it. Hard to know what to modify before you know what works and what doesn't with what you've already got. They're fun to play with stock...

100% agree. Bought a 392 back in January and already pinstriped from offroading. Have a 2 day trip planned with my club next month.

Still bone stock so have to be a bit careful with the oil pan and exhaust but frikkin love it offroad.

Mods scheduled to be added later this year into next (skids, long arm, 37s, steering etc etc).

As for those who complain on it being a Jeep I just ignore them or get a chuckle out of theor warped perception of what a Wrangler is.

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