Thinking of going either the pickup or JKUR route...

ut_prosim

Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2015
Location
Hillsborough, NC
Hello all,

My valiant steed, a 2WD '94 F-150, is about to shuffle off this mortal coil after 290K miles. Thus, my search for its replacement has begun. There's a used '12 Rubicon Unlimited nearby that has me questioning whether I actually need a pickup again, but I wanted to get some opinions first, maybe from those who have experienced both. I know that a 2-door would leave me wanting for space badly, but the 4-door has me interested.

I commute about 30 miles every day; I'm a nursing grad student who may be going to clinics or hospitals that don't shut down due to (what NC considers) winter weather, so my 2WD truck has led to some hairy drives before. When I'm not being coughed or urinated on for pay, I'm a trail distance runner, as well as an amateur nature photographer - both pursuits involve off road (but not necessarily rockcrawling) trailheads.

Would a shortbed pickup significantly limit me on the kinds of trails we have in NC/VA? Adding lockers is not necessarily out of the question, as I could probably pick up a truck for less than what JKURs are selling for used.

Anyone ever make the transition, and hate it?

Thanks!
 
First question I have is do you know what makes a Rubicon a Rubicon and how to identify a fake??
 
I was planning on checking the axles when I was underneath it looking for corrosion, but the photos I have of the interior show the disco and locker buttons to be where I'd expect them to be :)
 
1-tonmudder said:
First question I have is do you know what makes a Rubicon a Rubicon and how to identify a fake??
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Good point. Ran across a couple of fakes while I was searching used. Sticker on the hood does not make a Rubicon. They priced it like a Rubi, though.



I bought a new Rubicon back in November. One of the best vehicles out of the box I have ever had. So much more maneuverable than my F250 crew. And a heck of a lot better gas mileage. Got 8 vehicles here to choose from to drive...the Jeep has become the 'go to' everywhere driver.
 
Best thing to do is go drive the vehicles you are thinking about. You will not be sure to you have done this. Jeep, toyota either way will be plenty capable with your intentions.
 
kaiser715 said:
Good point. Ran across a couple of fakes while I was searching used. Sticker on the hood does not make a Rubicon. They priced it like a Rubi, though.



I bought a new Rubicon back in November. One of the best vehicles out of the box I have ever had. So much more maneuverable than my F250 crew. And a heck of a lot better gas mileage. Got 8 vehicles here to choose from to drive...the Jeep has become the 'go to' everywhere driver.
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Ive saw more than one that was labeled a Rubicon that had a Dana 35 under it.People around here are too cheap to buy the real thing but will buy the sticker.
 
frankenyoter said:
TRD crew cab Taco would give you possibly the best of both worlds.

4 doors, a bed, and a locker
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I had thought about that - and they're a lot easier to find in manuals, too - but I keep reading that they're underpowered at interstate speeds. I don't know if that's just people expecting to tow 5K pounds at 90mph up hills or what, but I think I need to test drive one.
 
Loganwayne said:
I'd say a jeep is underpowered to add a small lift and tires and you'd really notice it
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If I change my Dodge from 285s to 315s it makes a big difference. And the Dodge makes twice as much power as the Toyoter.

Biggest issue I see with the Rubicon is the stock BFG MTs. They're fine for an MT, but they're shit on wet roads, and not particularly great on dry roads. I have a real problem keeping right rears from going bald. :rolleyes:
 
I think you need to drive both. I have a JKUR and a Pickup. They are two different animals. My JKUR isn't really daily driver friendly anymore but when it was I would drive it over my Pickup. In fact I still drive it sometimes when I have to go places I don't feel like parking my truck.
 
Definitely some good things to think about here.

I know this will be heavily condition-dependent, but what would you guys think is a fair offer for a '12 JKUR in stock form? I realize ultimately it's "whatever the seller will accept", but the one I'm interested in is 3 hours away, and I'd like to save myself from sticking my foot in my mouth immediately on arrival :p
 
ut_prosim said:
Definitely some good things to think about here.

I know this will be heavily condition-dependent, but what would you guys think is a fair offer for a '12 JKUR in stock form? I realize ultimately it's "whatever the seller will accept", but the one I'm interested in is 3 hours away, and I'd like to save myself from sticking my foot in my mouth immediately on arrival :p
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Options, miles, etc? Without more info, anywhere from 5k-35k
 
DSM Turbos said:
Options, miles, etc? Without more info, anywhere from 5k-35k
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66K. Looks like color-matched fenders & hardtop, but no other additions. 6-speed.
 
ABadJeeper said:
I can tell you I just got my buddy one for 26,900 with 65K on it at a local car dealer. Loaded minus leather, Dual tops, navigation, etc. Still even had the factory soft top for it. It had brand new 285's on it and was in good shape.
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I was hoping to pay around $26K. Part of me is thinking the manual makes it less desirable, but then again, for the people who typically look at Wranglers... :p
 
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