Jeep added the Rubicon trim level to the Wrangler in 2003, and then in 2005, Jeep came out with the Rubicon Unlimited. With the recent production of the Gladiator, the Rubicon is now also available as a trim for Jeep’s newest pickup truck. What’s so special about the Rubicon? The Wrangler already had pretty great off-road chops for dominating almost any terrain, and is widely considered the best off-road vehicle available, so why add a trim level like the Rubicon with more equipment? It’s a Jeep. Anything to make it a better conqueror of the countryside is a good thing. Because Jeeps hold their value so well, you can save a little cash on the purchase price and buy a
used Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, like the original 2003 model or the more recent 2020 one, so you can enjoy all the benefits of the best off-road vehicle on the market without having to pay full price.
When you buy a Rubicon, you’ll get a set of features that elevate the off-road experience above the other Wrangler trims. The extras you gain will make it possible even for newbies to off-roading to feel confident on trails, though it’s always smart to take along an experienced driver. Of course, you get all of the features that everyone loves about a Jeep, like the fold-down windshield, removable doors and top, water fording, four-wheel drive, and exceptional approach and departure angles. Every year since the first Rubicon was produced has added new features, but one thing has remained the same: it can go anywhere. Here are our top five reasons you should buy a used Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
#1. Electronic Stabilizer Disconnect
Modern vehicles have sway bars attached to the axles to prevent rolling when you take a turn, especially at high speeds. The sway bar, or stabilizer, is necessary to keep your vehicle from turning on its side when you corner. While traveling on the road, you want the stabilizer in place. On the trail, the stabilizer can prevent good articulation on uneven terrain and can prevent good wheel contact. Since you want as much contact as possible when driving over rocky, uneven trail conditions to maintain torque, the sway bar is best disconnected.
With a standard sway bar, you will have to do this manually. That means bringing tools and having to stop to disconnect the stabilizer before you get on the trail. Rather than having to spend the time disconnecting and keeping track of tools, the Rubicon from 2007 on comes with an electronic disconnect for the stabilizer bar. Hit the button, and now you can have articulation over those rocky trails while you crawl at low speeds. When you’re ready to get back on the highway, hit the switch again so you can drive safely home.
#2. Rock Rails
Every trail has moments where objects or obstructions can potentially scrape the underside of the vehicle, which is why skid plates are so important for off-road vehicles to keep the vitals of the underside protected. The Rubicon takes an extra measure of protection with rock rails that shield your Jeep when the bottom edge of your vehicle meets a rock. Much like a skateboard grinding along a rail, the Rubicon’s rock rails will slide across the rock to keep your Jeep intact. Mopar rock rails that come standard on the Rubicon are factory-installed and made from high-tensile steel to offer the best possible protection against damage of doors and the side body of the Jeep that might otherwise get scraped or misshapen from impacts. These rails run between the wheel wells along the full length of the bottom side panels, so no matter where contact is made along that edge, the Jeep has extra protection.
#3. Dana 44 Axles
Jeep has always used Dana 44 axles because they are strong enough to handle the intensity of off-road terrain, which often incurs harsh bashing, bouncing, and sudden drops. When the Rubicon was introduced, however, Jeep added supplemental strength to the already tough axles so they would be even better suited to the type of extreme off-roading enthusiasts want to enjoy. All Rubicon models received an upgraded Dana 44 axle right from the earliest production, and in 2015 the axles received another upgrade to further improve stiffness with greater diameters and placement for stability. An added measure of protection for the Rubicon also comes with having the Dana 44 axles on both the front and rear. Other Jeeps have the Dana 44s only on the rear axle. For Rubicon models after 2015, the addition of a stronger axle housing offers another level of security against the inevitable tests of the trail.
#4. Low-Range Transfer Case
With a 4:1 ratio for low-range driving, the transfer case of every Rubicon model is superior for crawling over rocks or scrambling over uneven terrain at low speeds. Off-roaders know the importance of the improved ratio for the best performance when it comes to utilizing the torque to get up and over inclines. Taking rough terrain, especially rocks, at low speeds is a must in order to maintain control and avoid unnecessary scraping or experiencing too much pitch and roll.
The power of the transfer case allows the driver to flip on the four-wheel drive when it’s needed, and then each axle spins on its own power to get the most traction. With the Rubicon, even if one or two of your wheels aren’t making contact with a surface, the Jeep will still keep moving because the traction will take hold. No need for fancy driving modes when you have a solid transfer case to handle whatever the trail can throw at you.
#5. Electronic Locking Differential
While it is true that Jeeps come with a rear differential, only the Rubicon comes with a true locking mechanism. Off-road enthusiasts know that the lock on the differential is especially important when you get stuck on an obstacle because when you engage the traction, the wheels not making contact will spin while the wheel that’s stuck won’t get any power. In order to gain traction, the differential needs to be locked to effectively make the wheels operate all at the same time. This action will give power back to all the wheels again and regains the ability to get traction to the wheels that can move where they can make contact. Most of the time, you want tires to be able to operate freely so they can gain traction with the least resistance, which is why the locking mechanism is typically a benefit only in situations where road or trail conditions prevent movement. In the Rubicon models from 2016 and onward, this locking differential is electronic.
Bonus Points
Aside from the off-road equipment in the Rubicon models, Jeep gives the interior a far more comfortable ride with more conveniences. Leather seats, upgraded audio systems, and more powered accessories are all part of a Rubicon’s standard equipment. Even when you rough it on the trail, you’ll have a Jeep with an upscale feel and technology to both entertain and help guide you in remote, unfamiliar areas.
The exterior will display the Rubicon badging, and Jeep often pairs the Rubicon with special edition details that can vary from year to year. Larger wheels and bigger all-terrain tires will further make the Rubicon the ultimate off-road Jeep, ready to go anywhere as soon as you start the engine. Of course, the Rubicon can be equipped with any style roof available, which means you can off-road the way a Jeep was made to hit the trail: with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. When you are ready to get behind the wheel of one of Jeep's top adventure machines, come and visit Dan Cummins of Georgetown and check out our impressive Wrangler Rubicon selection.
