If I get a Rubicon TJ

[rubiconcherokee]

Lookin into maybe gettin a Rubicon while I'm in CA for the Coast Guard and I was just wondering what you all thought bout this. Really want an XJ but I dont wanna build another one and then have to leave it there when I get stationed elsewhere(possibly east). Would like to leave my 97 2 door at home to get built into a real Rubicon XJ(D44s and tcase). Just wondering if I would be a traitor. Thing is I wanna be able to do Rubicon while there, not have to worry bout to much breakage, and still drive it home(cross country)

[RichP]

I'd find one now instead of waiting for the redesigned 07 model, find an unlimited rubi, preferably with a hard top, it's more practical and has alot of room for storage.
If you go for an 07 wait till the mid year 'updates' when they fix all the stupid stuff the early first models have... 97TJ's were the same way, about mid year they redesigned the heater/ac controls from sliders to rotary, changed a bunch of other body stuff you only find out about when you replace fenders, grills and such..I rebuilt one, my sons, after he rolled it, his was an early 97.

[johnlv6]

I'd get a Rubicon in a hearbeat if i was willing/able to spend the money at the moment. My $.02...you worry too much about what others think, do what you like.

[steel58ers]

I'd get a Rubicon in a hearbeat if i was willing/able to spend the money at the moment. My $.02...you worry too much about what others think, do what you like.

I agree Id get one too if I could afford it, Very sweet looking jeeps

[Matt S.]

I got one for sale... check your PMs.

[rubiconcherokee]

I'd find one now instead of waiting for the redesigned 07 model, find an unlimited rubi, preferably with a hard top, it's more practical and has alot of room for storage.
If you go for an 07 wait till the mid year 'updates' when they fix all the stupid stuff the early first models have... 97TJ's were the same way, about mid year they redesigned the heater/ac controls from sliders to rotary, changed a bunch of other body stuff you only find out about when you replace fenders, grills and such..I rebuilt one, my sons, after he rolled it, his was an early 97.
Thanks for the info. Probly get a '03/'04 preferably already lifted(decent lift RE/FT) Buying a new one is way too expensive. Love the Unlimiteds but if I take the rear seat out I'll get better results without having to deal with the longer wheelbase. I don't need the extra seating just yet. Took the rear seat out of my XJ and laid the rest down and its perfect plus i can always put them back in.

[Bradlybob]

If you get a Rubicon TJ..... Then you'll be cool like me!
Rubi's are starting to hit the used market here in Cali. All the urbanites who bought them a couple of years ago 'cause it was cool are now selling them because now it's uncool and a new Prius is cool. Don't believe all of the Rubi hate out there either. They don't explode as soon as they leave the pavement and they aren't just for chearleaders anymore. They're not anymore unreliable than any other wrangler or XJ for that matter. Yes the front axle isn't a pure D44, it's sort of a mixture of D44 and D30 stuff. The lockers aren't as weak as some think but they're not as strong as D/C thinks they are. If you put 35's on it and bounce up slickrock with both lockers locked somethings probably going to break. The 241 t-case is da bomb and CV driveshafts for the funky vibration damper are available. The disc brakes are OK for stock size tires but for some reason D/C insists on carrying on the Jeep tradition of crappy brakes. Someone at D/C thought it would be cool to omit the zerk fittings from the driveshafts so if you plan on mudding be prepared to replace the u-joints and the centering ball in the front double cardan joint. My biggest complaint is the limited slip in the rear axle. It works great, when you don't want it to, like in the snow. Talk about squirrely. Why would you put a limited slip and locker into the same axle. It's almost useless on ice. Get the LJ if you're going to carry stuff and get the hard top too. You can always buy a soft top or bikini later.

[RichP]

Thanks for the info. Probly get a '03/'04 preferably already lifted(decent lift RE/FT) Buying a new one is way too expensive. Love the Unlimiteds but if I take the rear seat out I'll get better results without having to deal with the longer wheelbase. I don't need the extra seating just yet. Took the rear seat out of my XJ and laid the rest down and its perfect plus i can always put them back in.

Look around in NJ, for some reason the best jeep prices are there and ct, I found both ours thru autotrader.com, took a couple of weeks but they were gems. One at a ricer lot who didn't have a clue and the other was at a private seller in ct. Saved a couple of grand that way. I would still go with a LJ, the extra space is well worth it, I've go both a 98XJ and a 97TJ and I wish it, the TJ had more space [and air but Oh well]... There are also a couple for sale on blue mountain jeeps web site www.bmja.org and they crop up on a regular basis for some good prices..

[Krazors001]

I'd say go for it. I would love to have a Rubicon but can't get rid of the XJ. I would do it in a heartbeat if I could keep both. I almost traded in on them when D/C was doing the 0% APR but didnt' want to start payments over just as i was finishing mine up. Also wanna check out what the '07's look like in person. Like the idea of 32's stock.

[rubiconcherokee]

"Rubi's are starting to hit the used market here in Cali. All the urbanites who bought them a couple of years ago 'cause it was cool are now selling them because now it's uncool and a new Prius is cool." - Bradlybob
This is hilariously true because last night i was just browsing on ebay and somebody had their Rubi for sale in Cali and guess what they had in the driveway right next to it....yes thats right a Prius. Trendy Californians:D