Should I buy a standard LJ or LJ Rubicon?

[Slip]

Hello I am new to the Jeep community. I am looking at either the LJ or the LJ rubicon. I am pretty torn between the two. This is will be a daily and it will be used offroad as well (mild to maybe harder stuff once i'm comfortable). The biggest question I guess is would it be worth just buying a LJ and upgrading it or just get the LJ rubicon out right. Thanks much appreciated

 

[Chris]

The premium on an Unlimited Rubicon is quite hefty these days. That being said, if you plan on off-roading, I think the Rubicon is well worth the extra money. Not only that, but it will always have a higher resale value as well.

 

[LONGJP2]

IMO, with the Rubicon you'll feel more comfortable doing medium trails knowing you're not pushing the limits of the vehicle; yet can if you have to.
No need to modify as much stuff when you decide to go bigger.
In turn, the less you have to modify, the more reliable it will be as a daily driver.

 

[cliffish]

it will cost you more to upgrade than to get a rubi out of the box. That being said, really evaluate your possible offroading needs and then decide if you are going to what a rubi offers.

 

[cliffish]

Also do you really need the extra space of a LJ? if not just look for a TJ rubi.

 

[MountaineerTom]

What you’ve described sounds like what I do with my non-rubicon unlimited. It’s taken me plenty of places. Where in NC are you located? Are you familiar with Uwharrie National Forest? I just went in December and rode the trails there, including the hill climb on Dickey Bell. I have a modest lift (2-1/2 inch) and 31” tires and and engine skid. No lockers. It actually performed way better than I anticipated.

I did not try Daniel trail though.

A Rubicon would be nice, but it wasn’t in my budget.

 

[Slip]

What you’ve described sounds like what I do with my non-rubicon unlimited. It’s taken me plenty of places. Where in NC are you located? Are you familiar with Uwharrie National Forest? I just went in December and rode the trails there, including the hill climb on Dickey Bell. I have a modest lift (2-1/2 inch) and 31” tires and and engine skid. No lockers. It actually performed way better than I anticipated.

I did not try Daniel trail though.

A Rubicon would be nice, but it wasn’t in my budget.

I'm in Statesville. I do plan on just doing mild stuff at the start cause since I am a newbie no need to push it to the limit. I do like however that the rubi does offer you that extra bit if needed. Just wanted to get more advise for veteran jeep owners

 

[AMS417]

I'm in Statesville. I do plan on just doing mild stuff at the start cause since I am a newbie no need to push it to the limit. I do like however that the rubi does offer you that extra bit if needed. Just wanted to get more advise for veteran jeep owners

Rubicon if you can justify it. They are hard to find in a nice example for a reasonable price. Demand is high, so are the prices. Hard to replicate for the cost though as noted above.

You live in an awesome area for Jeep adventures. I’ve been out there many times in the Huntersville / Statesville area for work. Took a trip to visit a buddy in south Charlotte last fall and toured along the coast down to Savannah. Did the BRPW over to Pigeon Forge on the way back during the Jeep invasion. I want to come back and explore more.

 

[CherokeeKid]

Hi Slip,
Welcome to the forum. Either a standard LJ or an LJ Rubi would be sweet. For me, it came down to price and intended use. If driving daily, selectable lockers would be my desire, otherwise some lunchbox lockers in the Dana 44/30 can be had fairly cheap and they are effective. If you see a need for the 4:1 crawl ratio as well, that makes your decision easy. Otherwise, 3.73 vs. 4.10 is a narrow gap, I feel if you thought the 3.73 gears weren't low enough you'd feel about the same with 4.10s. Around me, Rubi's command about $5K more than a standard TJ/LJ, if not more. Best of luck, I think you'll be happy with whatever you decide, so long as you get a decent deal on something without rust.

Just remembered, consider whether or not you want a hardtop now rather than later. LJ hardtops are hard to around my neck of the woods and are usually very expensive.

 

[Aviatortroy]

I wish I had a Rubicon. I’ll get that out of the way.

That being said, my standard LJ has reasonable miles (110kish), excellent condition, not one single speck of rust anywhere, and I have only had to do routine maintenance and it is pretty much perfect.

As far as capabilities are concerned, I don’t have a winch or lockers, and have never had any problems and have done basically every 4x4 pass here in Colorado plus many other more technical trails. I do have a 2.5 inch OMU lift.

I am considering an Eaton E locker at least for the rear although I’ve never really had a situation I couldn’t deal with without one.

So my 2 cents is if you find a non Rubi and it’s in great condition don’t hesitate! It’s more about rust, past maintenance, sensible modifications, and did I mention rust? Those are the most immediate concerns.

 

[L J]

LJR

 

[IPerkWVU]

I have a TJ rubicon and I’ve thought through that If I went with an LJ, it would be a non-rubi but a pretty comprehensive bolt on build for 35s . Start with a super clean, no rust auto LJ, Either HP Dana 30 or aftermarket Dana 44 with ARB front /rear and gears. 4” currie lift, savvy skids, and a rubicrawler +steering and other necessary upgrades.

Learn from the first TJR, build the 2nd one for what I want long term

 

[MountaineerTom]

I'm in Statesville. I do plan on just doing mild stuff at the start cause since I am a newbie no need to push it to the limit. I do like however that the rubi does offer you that extra bit if needed. Just wanted to get more advise for veteran jeep owners

Oh, you're not far from Uwharrie at all. There are plenty of easy trails that are fun. Which ever one you get, I'd recommend an engine skid. There were a couple places even on the easy stuff that I scraped the engine skid a little bit. Better than the oil pan though. : )

Welcome to the site and good luck in you're decision. Like as mentioned before, look for a clean rust free one, including and especially the frame.

 

[never monday]

As everyone said, it come down to condition and price. I can put together a very capable LJ for Appalachia for less than the cost of a decent LJR.
Other than the gears, locker and trans choice they are the same truck. If your upgrades take you to 33’s or 35’s both will need gears. If you go 37’s or larger both will need axles. @Jerry Bransford will chime in on the benefit of automatics and infinite crawl ratio. This makes the 4:1 LJR less desirable on our east coast fire roads.

 

[Jamesval035]

@Slip, from the southern pines area of NC, I often scour through Craigslist and marketplace and see LJ’s here and there. People want crazy prices here in NC for non rubi LJ’s. With that being said, your going to pay about 5k more for a LJR. My TJ sport does great at Uwharrie, but sometimes I wish I had the 4:1 TC.

In the end, I would say I am always looking for LJR/TJR on the internet’s to buy, thinking I’d Swap over the bolt ons and see my sport but just isn’t feasible.

My advice is to find a LJR or a decent priced LJ

 

[TheBoogieman]

If you don't need the really low NV241 4:1 t-case for crawling, just get the standard LJ.

 

[Jamison C]

If you don't need the really low NV241 4:1 t-case for crawling, just get the standard LJ.

Agree. Only thing that truly sets the Rubi apart is the 4:1 transfer case. Gears, axles, and lockers are easily added. Trying to modify a 241 or and Atlas to fit in place of a 231 is no light task.

If you get an auto LJ the Rubi Crawler is always a great option.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Hello I am new to the Jeep community. I am looking at either the LJ or the LJ rubicon. I am pretty torn between the two. This is will be a daily and it will be used offroad as well (mild to maybe harder stuff once i'm comfortable). The biggest question I guess is would it be worth just buying a LJ and upgrading it or just get the LJ rubicon out right. Thanks much appreciated

Welcome to the forum. Since you're new to Jeeps there really isn't an easy answer. It's almost like you need to have some Jeep for a while before you know what Jeep you should have bought.

The Rubicon and the non-Rubicon will both go off road as they sit from the factory. The Rubicon is like a heavy duty version but for me the 4lo is too low for the main off roading I do. We have considerably more mud to dig through than rocks to climb around here, at least the front and rear lockers tip the scale to me being happy that I have a Rubicon.

 

[JMT]

Hello I am new to the Jeep community. I am looking at either the LJ or the LJ rubicon. I am pretty torn between the two. This is will be a daily and it will be used offroad as well (mild to maybe harder stuff once i'm comfortable). The biggest question I guess is would it be worth just buying a LJ and upgrading it or just get the LJ rubicon out right. Thanks much appreciated

It depends on how big you plan to build your LJ. If you’re going max 32” tire size, a Rubi is a good deal. If 33” or larger, just an LJ, bc you’ll be replacing the gears anyway, and while you’re in there you can add better lockers, you can get an Atlas and sell your 4:1 TCase, et al...Just not worth it when your replacing everything anyway.

 

[AndyG]

Agree. Only thing that truly sets the Rubi apart is the 4:1 transfer case. Gears, axles, and lockers are easily added. Trying to modify a 241 or and Atlas to fit in place of a 231 is no light task.

If you get an auto LJ the Rubi Crawler is always a great option.

Said the guy shopping for a Rubicon.

A standard TJ/LJ is incredibly capable. A Rubicon, especially in rocks ...will eat it alive.

We have a good mix of Rubi owners here and buIlt non Rubis...most anything is possible with the aftermarket to make a tJ/lj what you want.

I tend to lean toward Rubicons because the lockers are already in it and the overall set up is really close to what I want..and there are usually enough things on these older vehicles that need attention, I want to do the least I can and enjoy it as soon can typically...In other words I don't want to install lockers if I don't have to and the 4:1 is basically not sold in stores. In 4 low a Rubi is is too slow for mud. Feels like suicide in slow motion.

Plus I like to drive around with the word Rubicon on my hood, because I'm the kind of shallow loser that thinks you can buy your way into most anything, and I want to be tied to one of the world's most treacherous trails to prove my machismo as I go to the Dollar General for hemmerhoid pads and laxative. Even if you aren't really that bad of a dude, you want people to think you are prepared to kick rear.

The Rubicon is likely the most capable production vehicle ever sold to the American public.

The nicest LJR I've seen this past year was in your state, 48,000 miles, gorgeous and well set up, and sold instantly.