Rubicons are the pinnacle of Jeep engineering. They are packed with features that allow them to tackle the most challenging terrain, and they are built to withstand years of abuse that naturally happen when driving off-road.
Jeep Rubicons tend to be more expensive than other types of Jeeps because they are fully outfitted for off-roading stock from the factory. A Rubicon includes several unique features that help the Jeep perform well off-road, such as lockers, sway bar disconnect with accessories such as off-road tires, sliders, slight lift due to suspension, and higher fenders.
As a result, they command a premium price tag. Here are some of the reasons why Rubicons are so expensive:
-They come with a beefier suspension system that includes larger tires and shocks.
-The transfer case has been upgraded for better crawling performance.
-Rubicons come standard with front and rear locking differentials.
-They also come with a winch-ready bumper and skid plates for protection against rocks and other obstacles.
– Off-road features such as sway bar disconnect, and off-road tires that are better than the cheaper street tires.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicons Are In High Demand (Very Popular)
Jeep Wrangler Rubicons are popular Jeeps and therefore in high demand. Their popularity is due to their features and capabilities. Some of these capabilities include four-wheel drive, Dana 44 axles, and a gear ratio that is beneficial for rock-crawling.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicons can be driven in any terrain, making them perfect for off-road adventures. They are also fairly reliable and have a comfortable ride, making them good everyday vehicles.
Most vehicles are currently in high demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay-at-home orders have people searching for ways to pass the time and many are turning to outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Jeep Wranglers are popular vehicles for these activities because of their four-wheel drive and off-road capabilities taking people to places they wouldn’t be able to go with a traditional vehicle.
What Adds To The Cost Of A Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Over The Sport Or Sahara Models
Several things add to the cost of a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Let’s investigate some of the mechanical components and accessories that add to the additional expense.
Off-road Enhanced Suspension
The Rubicon’s suspension provides an approximate 1″-1 1/2″ lift compared to the stock suspension that is on the Sport or Sahara models. The suspension of the lower models is geared more towards on-road use and can be occasionally driven off-road. However, they likely will not last as long with continued off-road use.
The Rubicon suspension also looks pretty cool given that it is red in color and stands out more than the black suspension components that are on the Sport.
Electronic Front Sway Bar Disconnect
Jeep Wrangler Rubicons have a disconnect system for the front sway bar that allows you to remove the sway bar from the vehicle without having to disconnect the links from the frame. This makes it much easier to get the bar out of the way when you’re off-roading.
With Jeep Wrangler Sport and Sahara’s you have to crawl under the vehicle to disconnect the links from the frame.
The electronic sway bar disconnect is a motor that operates a set of linkage arms on each side of the vehicle to disconnect the sway bar links. The system is controlled by a switch located in the cab of the vehicle. The Rubicon has this system and it’s great as you don’t have to get muddy or wet since you completely avoid having to crawl under the vehicle.
Factory Rock Rails
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has factory rock rails that give you extra protection from rocks and other obstacles when you’re off-roading. The rails are made of steel and are fairly strong.
They cover the pinch seam which is visible on most Sport models. While the factory rock rails are not designed to be a primary means of protecting the vehicle from damage, they do a great job of adding an extra level of protection.
You can purchase after-market rock rails that are heavier-duty and offer more protection, but the factory rails are a good starting point.
All-Terrain Or Mud Terrain Tires
All-terrain tires offer many benefits over standard tires, including improved traction and durability. All-terrain tires are designed to handle rugged terrain and rough roads that normal street tires wouldn’t be able to tackle. These tires are common on off-road 4×4 vehicles such as Jeep Wrangler Rubicons, Ford Broncos, and Toyota 4Runners.
Mud Terrain Tires, just as their name says, are best designed for use when you will be encountering a lot of mud. They aren’t the best for snow and/or ice where all-terrain tires usually are the better choice.
With that said Jeep Wrangler Rubicons can be outfitted with either all-terrain or mud terrain tires from the factory whereas the lower-end model Jeeps are usually outfitted with street tires that aren’t that good off-road.
In other words, this is a long way of saying these more aggressive and better equipped off-road tires cost more money which adds to the overall cost of the Rubicon trim.
Electronic Locking Differentials
Rubicons have electronic locking differentials in the front and rear of the vehicle. This gives you more traction when you’re off-roading and allows you to get up steep surfaces that other vehicles would have a difficult time with.
The electronic locking differentials are engaged by a switch on the center console of the vehicle. When they are engaged, the differential locks the two wheels on each axle together so that they move at the same speed at the same time versus open differentials which can result in one wheel spinning faster than the other.
Crawl Ratio
Crawl ratio is the ratio of torque at the wheels to the engine flywheel torque. A crawl ratio gives you an idea of how a four-wheel-drive vehicle will perform under different off-road circumstances.
Essentially, the higher the crawl ratio, the more control the vehicle will have to go crawl over obstacles while a lower crawl ratio would be better for daily driving. Having a balance of off-road and on-road handling is important unless your Jeep is a dedicated off-roader.
The Rubicon has a high crawl ratio of 84.1:1. This makes it easier for Rubicons to get over rocks or other obstacles.
Rock-Trac 4×4 System
The Rock-Trac system is an improvement over the standard four-wheel-drive systems. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon equipped with a Rock-Trac system has a “4LO” ratio of 4:1. Non-Rubicon models have a Command-Trac 4×4 system with 2.72:1.
Jeep Wranglers Hold Value – What Factors Determine This?
Jeep Wrangler Rubicons do hold their value when compared with the average vehicle.
Many factors influence a car’s resale value. The most important factor is the demand for the vehicle. If there are many potential buyers interested in the car, then it will hold its value better than a car with less demand.
Other important factors include the vehicle’s make and model, its year of production, its mileage, and its overall condition.
Cars that are made by well-known and respected brands such as Jeep tend to hold their value better than lesser-known brands.
Similarly, newer cars and those with low mileage also tend to be more valuable than older cars with higher mileage.
Finally, a car’s physical condition is also a significant factor; a car with dents, scratches, or other cosmetic damage will sell for less than a comparable car in good condition
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a Jeep that can handle off-road trails and obstacles, the Rubicon is likely your best option. However, be prepared to pay a bit more for the added features. Have you had any experience driving or owning a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon? We’d love to hear your opinion about why they are priced at a premium.
