These situations might include climbing very steep, rocky hills, bashing over deeply rutted trails, climbing over logs, tree stumps or large rocks, or even through deep streams of water. All of these chores are accomplished without so much as a second guess as to whether or not the Rubicon will make it out the other side. Just point and go. Getting sucked into a rut? Water slowing your progress? Just add wheelspin and get the Mud Terrain tires flinging their treads clean for best results.
I've only listed a bit of the additional hardware, but in a nutshell, the Rubicon does for the Jeep brand what the SRT designation does for the Dodge brand- namely bringing unhindered, pure performance to the table for the job at hand. What SRT is to a race track, Rubicon is to rocks and muck.
Unfortunately, even with the capability afforded by it's cache of boulder bashing hardware, my first attempt at tackling trails was cut short. Though no fault of the Jeeps, I carelessly placed the rear driver side tire directly over the top of a rock shaped like the business end of an axe, slashing about four inches out of the sidewall and rendering the Rubicon paralyzed. Thankfully, it included a full-sized spare and a genius jack kit, allowing a full tire change in only a few minutes.
Brave as I am, I'd now have to spend a few days on the roads until my new tire arrived.
The experience while there was a unique one.
I must admit to having expected a far less forgiving experience. The ride is obviously a bit jerky and harsh, but it's not jarring, and certainly the extended wheelbase of the Unlimited model helps soak up pavement upsets. The steering lacks precision and has trouble tracking straight at higher speed- though the turning radius is good and the action is very light, making parking lot chores fairly easy.
The interior has adequate room in each direction, though the small backseats are best left for little ones, as those over about five-foot-ten will wind up with a roll-bar directly in front of their foreheads. The added doors and seats are ideal if you've had a few young ones but have decided not to give up on being a Jeep owner. They're not entirely large and easy to climb in through for an adult- though it's great to have them available if needed. The only relevant complaint I was left with regarding the interior dealt with entering and exiting it. If you like to kick your feet off before getting into a car as I do, you'll need to nearly lie down in your seat before getting in.
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| Sharply dressed! |
I've only listed a bit of the additional hardware, but in a nutshell, the Rubicon does for the Jeep brand what the SRT designation does for the Dodge brand- namely bringing unhindered, pure performance to the table for the job at hand. What SRT is to a race track, Rubicon is to rocks and muck.
Unfortunately, even with the capability afforded by it's cache of boulder bashing hardware, my first attempt at tackling trails was cut short. Though no fault of the Jeeps, I carelessly placed the rear driver side tire directly over the top of a rock shaped like the business end of an axe, slashing about four inches out of the sidewall and rendering the Rubicon paralyzed. Thankfully, it included a full-sized spare and a genius jack kit, allowing a full tire change in only a few minutes.
Brave as I am, I'd now have to spend a few days on the roads until my new tire arrived.
The experience while there was a unique one.
I must admit to having expected a far less forgiving experience. The ride is obviously a bit jerky and harsh, but it's not jarring, and certainly the extended wheelbase of the Unlimited model helps soak up pavement upsets. The steering lacks precision and has trouble tracking straight at higher speed- though the turning radius is good and the action is very light, making parking lot chores fairly easy.
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| The dashboard is simple but lacks storage spaces. |
The interior has adequate room in each direction, though the small backseats are best left for little ones, as those over about five-foot-ten will wind up with a roll-bar directly in front of their foreheads. The added doors and seats are ideal if you've had a few young ones but have decided not to give up on being a Jeep owner. They're not entirely large and easy to climb in through for an adult- though it's great to have them available if needed. The only relevant complaint I was left with regarding the interior dealt with entering and exiting it. If you like to kick your feet off before getting into a car as I do, you'll need to nearly lie down in your seat before getting in.