New noob here with a quick question? Is there a way to verify that a TJ is a Rubicon? I’m looking at a 2003 that doesn’t appear to be a Rubicon from its markings but the owner insist it is one. Is there a spot on the VIN that identifies if it’s a Rubicon? Thank you in advance!
How to verify if a TJ is a Rubicon
- Thread starter SteamRollin
- Start date
Get the VIN and run it here:
https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/jeep/index.html?screenName=customer&country=us&emailUrl=goToEmailForm%28%27R%27%29
Click on “Equipment Listing” at the left of the page.
https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/jeep/index.html?screenName=customer&country=us&emailUrl=goToEmailForm%28%27R%27%29
Click on “Equipment Listing” at the left of the page.
Last edited:
You could use the vin to get a build sheet. Or if the jeep is close by see if it has a Dana 44 in the front with 2 hoses going to each axle (one breather one to activate the locker) and check the data tag on the transfer case, see if it says Nv241.
The axles and the transfer case are what make a regular TJ into a Rubicon.
—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
The axles and the transfer case are what make a regular TJ into a Rubicon.
—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
A Rubicon comes with an OE locker switch on the dash and both axles will have air hoses connected to them, the compressors are mounted on the transfer case skidplate just behind/below the transfer case.
This is what the OE Rubicon locker switch looks like. Those two orange locker switches on the side were added after I rewired the entire locker circuit, I no longer use the OE switch.
This is what the OE Rubicon locker switch looks like. Those two orange locker switches on the side were added after I rewired the entire locker circuit, I no longer use the OE switch.
Dana 44 front. Air lockers front and rear with locker switches as Jerry posted. Rubicon’s have a 4” flare vs a 3” flare. They have diamond rockers. And if they have the stock wheels. They have 16” wheels. 4.10:1 gears and a 4:1 transfer case.
And obviously a Rubicon decal on the hood. But that’s the last thing I would trust. People put rubicon decals on 4 cylinder base model Jeeps all the time.
And obviously a Rubicon decal on the hood. But that’s the last thing I would trust. People put rubicon decals on 4 cylinder base model Jeeps all the time.
The locker switch would be the first thing to check but don't stop there. On my JK I bought someone's Rubicon axles who told me he was building tons. I later found out he sold the jeep with my Sahara axles in it as a Rubicon so some unsuspecting sap. Most people are decent, some are scumbags, trust but verify.
—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
Will do! Thank you all for your input. I’ll post the results when I get back in town. I’m in Las Vegas right now enjoying the hiking and admiring all the Jeeps riding trails around Red Rock Canyon & Mt Charleston. WooHoo!
Here's the deal-you will see all these:
4 wheel disc brakes were only on Rubicon's in that year
Dana 44 front and rear axles
Factory airlock diffs as described above with factory switch
6th digit is "6" on vin
Stock tires were 31" (for the record)
I have a 2003 Rubicon with 22,000 original miles.
4 wheel disc brakes were only on Rubicon's in that year
Dana 44 front and rear axles
Factory airlock diffs as described above with factory switch
6th digit is "6" on vin
Stock tires were 31" (for the record)
I have a 2003 Rubicon with 22,000 original miles.
So what happened to "...but the new owner insists it is one"? Unless he fell for someone else's sales tactics, and bought it honestly believing it to be a Rubicon, then that means he was trying to con you into believing it. You figure out that it isn't, and now he's gonna be honest about the money he's invested and whatnot? Sounds a little shady to me. Keep both eyes open and both hands on your wallet until you're 100% satisfied with what you're seeing. Just my two cents worth...
I definitely see your point and I AM NOT 100% satisfied with it just yet. I probably need to just check out a few other ones before I look at this one anymore.
That's a nice looking TJ.
It's surprising to me that a parts guy working in a Jeep dealership would not know to run a VIN check at his employers website to get the original build sheet. Like others here have said, trust but verify. Use your judgement to determine if it's a case of an uninformed owner, or if there is an integrity issue.
Now that you know it's not a factory Rubicon, get the VIN, and run it at the site referenced above to see how it came from the factory. I'd even print it out and take with you when looking at the Jeep in person. Crawl under there and look at all the stuff these guys have mentioned...transfer case, axles, presence of lockers, interior switches, etc. Check if the rear has disc or drum brakes.
The transfer case should have a tag on it with the model & ratio:
Here is an extremely valuable thread on how to identify axles in Jeep TJ:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...d-what-the-difference-is-with-each-axle.9060/
It's surprising to me that a parts guy working in a Jeep dealership would not know to run a VIN check at his employers website to get the original build sheet. Like others here have said, trust but verify. Use your judgement to determine if it's a case of an uninformed owner, or if there is an integrity issue.
Now that you know it's not a factory Rubicon, get the VIN, and run it at the site referenced above to see how it came from the factory. I'd even print it out and take with you when looking at the Jeep in person. Crawl under there and look at all the stuff these guys have mentioned...transfer case, axles, presence of lockers, interior switches, etc. Check if the rear has disc or drum brakes.
The transfer case should have a tag on it with the model & ratio:
Here is an extremely valuable thread on how to identify axles in Jeep TJ:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...d-what-the-difference-is-with-each-axle.9060/
If they bedlined the under side I'd be very cautious. That could hide a huge number of rust issues. Personally given that he's been dishonest at the start (I refuse to believe that a dealer employee believed it was a Rubicon when it wasn't, and more that the service guys didn't tell him when they worked on it.) I wouldn't then trust that he's done all this work on a jeep that he's selling a few months after buying it, and that it's perfectly rust free... But you can't check for yourself. Think about the cost of a pro bedliner job, he's taking a bath of the bedliner and parts, the jeep is free...
—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
Thank you guys, I’m thinking the same thing you guys are. I didn’t pull the VIN while I was there, but I asked him for it after I left, he didn’t respond or acknowledge my request so I feel like there is some foul play at work here.
I would walk away the minute he first lied, if he lied about that what else is he hiding in it.