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My Jeep

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Out with the old, in with the new...

Times change, and vehicles change with them. After 9 years wheeling with my 2000 Jeep Wrangler TJ, it was time for something new. I needed more highway safety, more room, and less miles on the odometer. It wasn't easy to part with my old rig, but it had to be done.

For 9 great years I had a trail Jeep that could still go down the highway reasonably well. Now I need a highway Jeep that can still go down the trail reasonably well.

The answer, for me, was a 2008 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon.

Off the factory floor, the Rubicons come equipped with things that I had spent thousands of dollars installing on my old Wrangler: locking differentials, oversized tires, electronic swaybar disconnects, Dana 44 front axle, rock sliders, and a decent stereo to name a few. The Rubicons also come with a 4:1 transfer case, and a lifetime powertrain warranty. All this on a stock vehicle was unheard of until the introduction of the Rubicons in the mid-2000's.

This JK (i.e, 2007 Wrangler models and later are called "JK's") will cruise very comfortably (and safely) down the freeway, and still be able to do all the off-road trails I am ever likely to want to do. After several years of rockcrawling and crunching down trails in my old TJ, I am at a point now where I feel if I can't do it with this stock Rubicon, I don't need to go there.

So far, I am very pleased. I am particularly impressed with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), Traction Control, and Hydraulic Brake Assist features. During a recent trip over the mountains, I stopped in my favorite snow park to test these features out on the big, empty, ice-covered parking lot, doing things that would have made my TJ spin around like a top. The JK systems worked flawlessly, and made it almost impossible to fishtail or do "cookies" or any other radical maneuvering. The best part is, I can disable these things with the push of a button if I want to, for off-road performance.

Specifications

 

Options

  • Deep Tint Sunscreen Windows
  • Engine: 3.8L V6 SMPI
  • Federal Emissions
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual (NSG370)
  • Freedom Hard Top (3-pc)

Features

ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES
Speakers: 6 plus subwoofer
CD player
MP3 capability
Radio data system
AM/FM radio w/Sirius
SEATS AND TRIM
Leather steering wheel
Front seats: bucket
Front center armrest
Split folding rear seat
Rear seats: split-bench
Max seating capacity: 5
WARRANTY
Corrosion perforation warranty: 60 months/100,000miles
Basic warranty: 36 months/36,000miles
Roadside assistance coverage: 36 months/36,000miles
Powertrain warranty: unlimited months/ unlimited distance
CONVENIENCE FEATURES
Front cupholders
Rear cupholders
Passenger door bin
Speed control
Driver door bin
Air conditioning
Tilt steering wheel
BODY EXTERIOR
Skid plates
LIGHTING, VISIBILITY AND INSTRUMENTATION
Low tire pressure warning
Front fog lights
Trip computer
Variably intermittent wipers
Outside temperature display
Compass
Tachometer
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Brake assist
Ignition disable
Electronic stability
Dual front impact airbags
ABS brakes
Occupant sensing airbag
4 wheel disc brakes
Traction control
Integrated roll-over protection

Tech Specs

POWERTRAIN
Engine liters: 3.8
Torque: 237 lb.-ft. @ 4,000RPM
Limited slip differential
Cylinder configuration: V-6
Fuel economy highway: 19mpg
Sequential multi-point fuel injection
Number of valves: 12
Recommended fuel: regular unleaded
Transmission: 6 speed manual
Horsepower: 202hp @ 5,200RPM
Fuel economy city: 15mpg
Fuel tank capacity: 23gal.
Transfer Case: NV241 Rock-Trac 4:1
Drive type: four-wheel
SUSPENSION/HANDLING
Rear tires: 255/75SR17.0
Rear anti-roll bar
Power steering
Front tires: 255/75SR17.0
Alloy wheels
Front anti-roll bar
Wheel size: 17"
Tires: BF Goodrich Mud Terrains
SPECS AND DIMENSIONS
Curb weight: 1,957kg (4,315lbs)
Exterior body width: 1,877mm (73.9")
Exterior length: 4,404mm (173.4")
GVWR: 2,377kg (5,240lbs)
Rear hiproom: 1,440mm (56.7")
Compression ratio: 9.60 to 1
Engine horsepower: 202hp @ 5,200RPM
Rear legroom: 947mm (37.3")
Engine displacement: 3.8 L
Rear headroom: 1,026mm (40.4")
Passenger volume: 2,914L (102.9 cu.ft.)
Engine torque: 237 lb.-ft. @ 4,000RPM
Exterior height: 1,801mm (70.9")
Wheelbase: 2,946mm (116.0")
Front legroom: 1,041mm (41.0")
Rear shoulder room: 1,443mm (56.8")
Engine bore x stroke: 96.0mm x 87.0mm (3.78" x 3.43")
Turning radius: 6.3m (20.6')
Front shoulder room: 1,417mm (55.8")
Front hiproom: 1,412mm (55.6")
Towing capacity: 1,588kg (3,500lbs)
Front headroom: 1,049mm (41.3")
OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY
Approach angle: 44 deg
Departure angle: 40 deg
Ramp breakover angle: 21 deg
Ground clearance (max): 267mm (10.5")


In memory of my old TJ

Latest Addition:

Check out the "Backup Light" page for a short write-up on installing a super-bright, but very small, backup light in the center of your Jeep's spare tire!  WAY COOL!

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