Why Are Jeep Rubicons So Expensive?
Jeeps coming from the Wrangler subset of the brand are known to be more fun and suitable for off-roading adventures. However, with these adventurous perks comes a price, usually showcased in the prices of the cars. This is especially true for Jeep Rubicons, which tend to run $3,000 or more than most of their counterparts in the Wrangler category.
Jeep Rubicons tend to be more expensive than other types of Jeeps because they are fully geared for off-roading use as soon as they are purchased. A Rubicon includes several unique features that help the Jeep perform well on mountain areas and other off-roading sites, such as better axle ratio, as well as still enjoying benefits that all Jeep Wrangler class Jeeps have.
In the remainder of this article, we’ll discuss what makes Jeeps, specifically the Jeep Rubicon, so expensive, and whether they’re worth the high price tag.
Why is the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Expensive?
Jeeps come in many different models. However, the most well-known Jeep models are the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator collections. These Jeeps are known to be great cars for those that like off-roading and other activities that require a sturdy vehicle that can handle the elements. To be better cars for more extreme circumstances, these Jeeps are more expensive.
Of this jeep style, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the most expensive. Rubicons are so expensive because these cars are equipped with the most technology to make off-roading enjoyable but also safe for you and your vehicle.
What Jeep Rubicon Features Make it Expensive?
As previously mentioned, the Jeep Rubicon’s features are what make it best-suited for off-roading, but also makes the vehicle model more expensive than other Jeep alternatives.
Crawl Ratio
One of the distinguishing features that make the Rubicon such an excellent pick for rock-crawling and off-roading experiences, while also making it expensive, is its crawl ratio.
A crawl ratio is simply a comparison to the amount of torque produced by your wheels to the amount of torque produced by your engine. Cars with good crawl ratios have an easier time getting over rocks and other obstructions. The Rubicon has a crawl ratio of 73.1:1, which means that it is easier for Rubicons to go rock crawling, making them a good pick for off-roading.
Performance Suspension System
Along with a high crawl ratio, the Rubicon also has a better suspension system for off-roading than other Jeep models.
The Rubicon’s suspension system includes tunable valves and high-pressure monotube shocks. The shocks allow for better absorption of vibrations and shocks while the vehicle is going over rocks or other roadblocks, while the valves allow the system to be fully functional in different environmental situations such as when it’s raining and very muddy.
The suspension system makes it easier to drive the vehicle and provides a smoother ride while driving.
The Rock-Trac System
The Jeep Rubicon’s rock-trac system is a 4-wheel drive system, composed of multiple other part improvements, including the crawl ratio created by the torque differences. The system includes a lot of different factors that contribute to the overall stability of the car while it is in use.
Axle Ratio
The axle ratio in the tires allows for more torque to be produced in the wheel, which helps with rock crawling, while the differentials in the system give the car more traction. While these changes help in making it easier for the Rubicon to go rock crawling, it’s not as important of a feature for those who like to take their Jeep mudding.
The axle ratio is a significant contributor to the Rubicon’s rock-trac system. Your car’s axle ratio tells you how much torque is being provided to your wheels, which indicates how your car’s tires would hold up in less than ideal road situations such as slick roads.
The Rubicon has a low gear ratio of 4:1. Such a ratio means there is more torque going into your lower tires. This higher amount of torque allows the Rubicon to travel more slowly and safely over rocks or other obstacles.
Axle Suspension Settings
To make the vehicle more off-roading friendly, the Jeep Rubicon uses an axle/suspension mechanism called a Dana 44. These axles are used in most Jeep models, and for very good reason. The Dana 44 is a heavy-duty axle that allows for a reduction in joint angles in the driveshaft of the vehicle, which gives the vehicle a better ride quality than other axle models.
In the Jeep Rubicon, the Dana 44 models are put for both the front and back set of wheels, unlike other Jeep models; this allows the Rubicon to have better ground clearance.
Differentials and Tru-Lok
The differentials in the car contribute to its overall stability in 4-wheel drive and its crawl ratio. While most Jeep models use standard differentials, the Rubicon makes use of Tru-Lok.
The Tru-Lok system allows drivers to lock in their car’s axles, thereby locking their tires in place and preventing any sliding. This gives the car more traction and makes it easier to get out of atypical road conditions such as muddy or black ice-covered roads. You can typically activate the Tru-Lok system from within your vehicle. The extra traction in both front and rear tires makes the Rubicon more adept in off-roading use.
Low Range Transfer Case
Another part of the Rubicon that aids in helping assist the rock-trac 4-wheel drive mechanism is the low range transfer case.
A transfer case works in 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive systems to transfer power by using the drive shafts. The power is transferred from the transmission to the front and rear axles to help stabilize the wheels. The transfer case also helps keep the rotation of the wheels in tandem to prevent uneven road wear and instability. Transfer cases with low range gears are better suited for rocky terrain driving.
Electronic Front Sway Bar Disconnect
Sway bars are often installed in bigger cars and off-roading vehicles to keep them from tipping over. They’re often called “anti-roll” mechanisms.
In the Rubicon, the sway bar is connected to the two front tires and will press the tires into the ground when it is engaged. This usually keeps the car’s tires from leaving the road altogether.
In addition, with the Rubicon, front sway bar can be disconnected and reconnected from within the car. When driving on normal roads or at low speeds, the bar is not needed and should be disconnected. When you are off-roading, you should connect the bar so you can have more control of the vehicle.
Rock Rails
Rock rails are also called rock sliders or rock guards. While these are an add-on for most Jeeps, they come with some Rubicons.
Most cars have some kind of plastic sidestep on the side of their car. While these plastic sidings make it easier to get into your vehicle, they also help protect and hide the part of your car where the body was seamed together with the rest of it. If you take your car off-roading, the flimsy plastic sidings are most likely going to get damaged.
A rock rail is usually made of heavy steel that replaces the plastic siding if they aren’t already built-in. Not only are rock rails sturdier, but they also help deflect any rocky terrain, further protecting your vehicle.
Off-Road Ready Tires
To keep assisting with a better off-roading experience, the Jeep Rubicon also comes with better tires. The Rubicon uses a 17- inch polished aluminum mineral gray wheel rims. To put on these rims, Jeep uses 32-inch BF Goodrich mud-terrain tires. The tread patterns in the BF tires and large and deep so that the tires can get more traction in muddy areas.
While they are marketed as quality off-roading tires, they also work well on main roads. This also means that the tires would be an excellent choice for those that aren’t looking to go off-roading but live in areas with heavy snow or more gravel-like roads.
Hill Start Assist
This mechanism, while present in many cars, does help add to the cost of the Jeep Rubicon. If you’re planning on taking your Jeep on any mountains, this feature is also essential to have.
When you are driving on a hill and come to a stop, you must keep your foot on the brake, or you’ll start rolling backward. With Hill Start Assist, you can take your foot off the brake and move it over to the gas pedal without the car starting to roll back. This is done using sensors that determine when a car is on an incline.
Some versions of the software will also stop your car from rolling forward if you are on a decline. This is very important if you go rock crawling because if your car starts rolling backward, you could find yourself stuck in a crevice that is hard to get out of.
Ring and Pinion Improvement
Another benefit for off-roading in Rubicons and a feature that adds to the price tag is the use of the ring and pinion gear.
A ring and pinion gear is a type of gear that will spin the wheels and axles in a car forward and backward. This is done when the pinion in the drive shaft spins and the ring, which is essentially attached to the wheels and axles, spins in tandem. The movement creates torque, which is then used to give extra power to the wheels. This helps the wheels stay stable and move slowly when crawling over rocks or traveling over gravelly or muddy roads.
These gears can be a bit difficult to replace, so it’s essential to keep them in working order for as long as possible.
Other Rubicon Features that Affect Price
While most of the Rubicon extras that lead to its higher price have to do with making the vehicle more off-roading friendly, some of the vehicle’s expense also comes from other elements. These elements are more focused on making the ride comfortable, stylish, or more convenient.
Power Convenience Group
The power convenience group is not offered on all Rubicons. However, the overall system is excellent to have and can be a reassuring time saver. The group refers to a series of parts and functions of the car that make it easier to open and lock.
- The power door lock system allows you to lock or unlock all the doors of the car simultaneously from the driver or passenger side.
- The power window buttons allow you to roll up and roll down the window automatically, instead of using a crank. The car is also equipped with a button that allows you to heat your side view mirrors, which is essential if you live in a colder climate and need to remove ice.
- The system also has remote keyless entry and a security alarm on the vehicle. These systems can also be added to Rubicons that don’t come equipped with them.
Fender Flares
When you buy a Rubicon, the fender flares come in an accent color that you can change for an additional cost. While fender flares add to the stylistic look of a car, they also serve an important purpose if you plan to take your Rubicon off-roading.
The flares help keep debris that bounces off tires while you are driving from making their way into the bottom side of your Jeep, potentially ruining all the gear that helps make the Jeep a great choice for off-roading.
Great Speaker System
Along with being a great ride for the outdoors, the Jeep Rubicon also aims to please on the entertainment level. The Jeep comes equipped with an 8-speaker sound system. The audio controls are on the steering wheel, and the audio system has SiriusXM, or satellite radio.
Another benefit of the Rubicon is that it has a built-in audio jack, so you can plug in your phone and listen to Pandora or other previously downloaded songs while you are driving. The eight speakers aid in helping the car provide quality sound at louder volumes for when you take the Jeep off-roading.
High Tech Storage Area
The central console area of the Jeep Rubicon comes with a locking storage compartment. It has always been a challenge in Jeeps to get suitable storage areas because they are very open in their design and fairly easy to get into. To combat this problem, lots of people have bought storage boxes or the like outfitted specifically for Jeeps online. With the Rubicon’s locking storage, buying a locking storage compartment is no longer necessary.
Great Engine
A good thing about Jeeps, in general, is their engines. The Jeep Rubicon uses a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine. These engines have been used in cars since 2009 and are considered one of the most reliable engines in cars to date. Not only does the engine provide more power than earlier models, but it also uses less gas, making it better for the environment.
The engine is also relatively small and weighs less, which is useful if you’re looking for a car that isn’t nose-heavy. The extra power also helps get the car up tricky terrain. (Note: This engine type is more or less the same across most Jeeps.)
Are there cheaper Jeep alternatives?
Many Jeep buyers feel like buying the Rubicon over other Jeep models would be a waste of money. Many of the Rubicon’s components can be bought separately and installed on your own vehicle yourself. For example, the rock guards are easy to buy and replace, and you can always just bring your own speakers to play your music while you’re driving.
While some of the car’s benefits are easy to replace, others would be more complicated. Changing the car’s axles or putting in the pinion and ring gears would prove to be difficult for any person. However, mechanics might have a better ability to install these changes. They would just need to buy the parts and then put the parts in themselves.
While it is more plausible for those who know cars, ultimately, making the changes necessary to make another Jeep model the same as the Rubicon would end up being a more expensive endeavor for most people.
The parts can be in and of themselves expensive while knowing the correct way to put in the new parts and which ones need to be removed would be a headache for even skilled mechanics. The best option for getting the benefits of the Rubicon is just to buy the car.
Conclusion
Jeep Rubicons are more expensive than other Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator class vehicles because the car is optimized to be the best choice for off-roading activities such as rock crawling and mudding. This is made possible because of the Rubicon’s rock-trac system, which includes the tru-loc differential system as well as a low range transfer case, that allows the car to function in a more stable manner.
Along with the rock-trac system, the Rubicon uses performance suspension and an electronic front sway bar to allow the vehicle better movement in off-roading situations, such as going over a big rock. The hill start assist mechanism also helps the car in off-roading.
Besides the off-roading benefits, the Rubicon is also more expensive because of convenience inclusions such as the power convenience group parts and the locking storage. While many of the Rubicon upgrades can be bought and self-installed, the complexity of the systems makes paying for the Rubicon the most cost-effective option.