TJ Rubicon - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

billsta · #1 03-09-2002

man i havent been to JU for a while so i went and had a look at it tonight, (coz wooders bought it up) :D

look at these pics of the Rubicon

billsta · #2 03-09-2002

more Pics here

billsta · #3 03-09-2002

and another one here

billsta · #4 03-09-2002

assembly line pics here

TheDoc · #5 03-09-2002

So whats the story with these. Are they going to replace the wrangler, or are they a totally different model alltogether. I've seen the specs. Nice. Whats the AUS$ damage going to be? From some of the prices I'd heard it still sounded like it would be better value to line up a Wrangler and do the mods yourself?

billsta · #6 03-09-2002

well doc.
the rubicon has a Dana 44 in the front & rear, current has a dana 30 and a 44 rear standard. but in the US, think the 44 rear is an options, so me thinks that is sort of more of a bonus for the US.

then the rubicon has a 4:1 tranxfer case, not sure what it is, but the current standard NV231 has a 2.73 reduction, and if you want to go lower, you have to go a TeraLow (4:1??), or something else.

the diff ratio is 4.1:1 in the ruby i think, and the standard diff ratio in the AUS version is only 3.07:1

and some sort of factory diff locks... (ask wooders)

then the Ruby also comes standard 31" MTR's instead of 28" GSA's

thats all i konw, not sure about the price off the showroom here...

however, i do like the 44 front, but then again i rather modifying a current TJ, (although spending more money), its more fun and personalise than buying a Ruby TJ...

think wooders might have more info, but correct me if im worng.

cheers

[ 03 September 2002, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: billsta ]

BlackCat · #7 03-09-2002

According to various reports I've read they will initially produce only 8,000 units and all with lefthand drive, so that rules out Australia at this stage.

However, a mate involved with Chrysler Jeep Australia says they are lobbying like mad to get it released here as an additional model. Similar lobbying is going on in the UK which is significant because that's about the only other major righthand drive market.

He reckons that if they are successful, it will arrive towards the middle of next year.

While I can see that "building" a Jeep might be more fun, buying one with those items (lower range transfer case, 4 speed auto, four wheel disks, lift, bigger wheels and tyres, air lockers) totally under warranty has a certain appeal also - depending on price of course.