Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives New Wrangler Unlimited

I had a 1999 wrangler I bought new and drove for 12 years and nearly 200,000 miles. It was pretty reliable despite all the reviews I read to the contrary. I've been jeepless for a few years and miss having one so I'm looking at one of the new Wrangler Unlimited models, probably a Rubicon. Anyone have one? Any complaints about it?

They seem to be good...I have a '15 Willys edition that I have mod'd a lot and use for off-roading and overlanding

They are very popular, maybe more so than the 2 drs. around here.
They don't have the break over angles that the 2 drs. have. But a 2 inch lift kit will take care of that.
The Rubicons are hard core rock crawlers. If that's what you wnat, fine. But for a hunting rig, I much prefer the Willys Wheeler Package. You get the same wheels, tires, suspension, bumpers, rock guards, and rubber floor mats as the Rubicon. But you get 3.73 axles, instead of 4:10's, and the standard transfer case instead of the 4:1 unit in the Rubicon. Those ratios are alot more useful for a hunter, or at least they are for me.
I've had a 2 dr. w/ Willys Wheeler Package for two years now. Couldn't be happier. I got the auto transmitions as well. Alot more user friendly than a stick for hunting. E

I think if u can afford the upgrade to the rubicon it's worth it....not really a hard core rock rocker just has the front and rear lockers, the better transfer case and a Dana 44 in the front vs the Dana 30 e everything else has.

Lockers can come in handy for the hunter...I have a ram power wagon which comes with the locking front and rear diff and by no means is it a rock Krawler setup. I bought it specifically for hunting, don't intend to use it like I do my jeep...

Definitely get an automatic, the manual is ok but if u get into deep water and press the clutch u risk sucking water in via a vent in the bottom. Plus it's easier to use in off road conditions.

PM me if you like to talk more about it....I've done lots to my jeep and I wish I would have gotten a rubicon.

I have a 2013 Unlimited Rubicon, haven't really done anything to it. We have had it about a year and a half, did have the battery go bad on us, but other than that we have had zero issues. It is amazing off road, with the lockers and the 4:1 low range. I will definitely surprise you where it will go.

I thought the Rubicon had the Dana 60 front and rear.

Rubicon's run Dana 44s front and rear

My 2015 unlimited rubicon has been excellent, trouble free. Just got back from a hunt in snow up to 6" deep, no issues with stock mud tires on it. I used 4wd but did not lock either diff--that would be for horrible mud, etc.

This my 2014 Rubi.



Drove it for almost 3 years. In shop for oil changes only. Traded at 33,000. Two trips to Colorado.

Brought this one last weekend, Called a hardrock Rubi. Think I will like it.


2017 model

I have a 2014 Rubicon unlimited. love it! 35K no issues. Averages about 20-21 MPG. Stable on the highway, and great off road. I have been up and down some trails that made me think WTF am I doing here, but the Rubie handled them with ease.

By far one of the best vehicles I have ever owned.

Lefty C

Very nice wtxj!

Thanks you Sir. It's really not that much different from the 2014.
Suspension, hood, front and back bumpers oh and different rock protectors on the side. Has a kind of running boards (bars) on the side. Doesn't have any hail damage.
Wanted white with black top, but I guess March delivery was too much for me to wait for.
Suspension runs just a bit rougher on HWY, may be cause it's new or because it's just different.

I have had a Jeep in the house from 1980's until now. Always have at least one.

The springs are stiffer and the shocks are better than the regular wrangler. I like the hood you have as well, very nice.

Thanks, guessing I'm going to have to find some rocks sometime in the future.

Just an FYI, but a new Wrangler(and Wrangler pickup) hits the market next fall. Here's an article that does a good job of summarizing the known changes to date.

Click Here

I have a 2014 Sport with over 40,000 on it and no problems so far. Wish it was 4.10 rather than 3.73, but prefer the transfer case on the Sport for my uses. An AEV Dualsport 2.5" lift greatly improved both on and off road performance. The front ball joints are something to watch, especially if you put on oversize tires. If they go, don't replace with OEM.

The new ones look interesting. If they can maintain the off road performance while lightening it up and improving gas mileage, it should be a winner. I'm really nervous about first year production of any model though.

Thanks for the info.

Mine pic above has an auto and the 4.10. Don't know about gas mileage yet as I only have 200 on it. After I get to 3,000 to 5,000 miles I'll get a good idea.
Going to be a fun one.