2009 Rubicon

[DNFjoe]

Today we set out to buy2009 2 door Wrangler Rubicon the 2009 blue Wrangler X we looked at last weekend. There was a couple issues with it the dealer was going to take car of. We took it for another test drive and the check engine light was on! They lost the sale. A quick search brought me to a 2009 white Rubicon for 1k more. I jumped on it. We are now proud owners and will test it out at Peter's Mill tomorrow.

 

[zuke]

Wow, glad you took that second test drive!

 

[DNFjoe]

So, here is an update on the 2009 Wrangler Rubicon owner experience. Owning an older "cheap/affordable" jeep is EXPENSIVE! Lol. Some of the additional costs were wants, like a teraflex 2 inch leveling kit, new 33 inch tires, and replacing the clutch to ensure i will not get stranded by it going out on me, the jeep did have 94k miles on it already.
Next were some expected maintenance items like some seals and gaskets, that were not cheap, but best to take care of before they became a problem.
Lastly were the unexpected issues like a leaking gas tank, might as well do a new fuel pump then, the oil cooler leaking, the catalytic converter, a blow axel seal, and new rear brakes, a different oil leak.. etc.
With less than a year's ownership, I am averaging 1600 a month in repairs, ouch!
I love the jeep and hope to keep it for many years, but seeing how expensive a cheap jeep is to own, I probably would have bought one with less than 30k miles and less than 4 years old if I was doing it again.

If I was physically able to, and had the knowledge to do so, doing some or most of the work I could gave saved thousands, but that wasn't my situation.

 

[Galactica]

If you run into maintenance issues, consider putting together or asking if someone is willing to host a wrenching party! Great opportunity to learn a thing or two and usually folks are willing to lend a hand!

 

[Sherman]

Looking forward to the next wrenching party. Word on the street is they are epic.

 

[DNFjoe]

If you run into maintenance issues, consider putting together or asking if someone is willing to host a wrenching party! Great opportunity to learn a thing or two and usually folks are willing to lend a hand!

I attended the wrenching party that you hosted and enjoyed it very much. I have bad knees and a bad back (7 trips to ER for back alone) and know most of the work requiring bending, squatting or being hunched over for any amount of time would do me in, and I couldn't just be a spectator watching someone else do the work on my jeep, that would be wrong to me.

 

[Stretch]

So, here is an update on the 2009 Wrangler Rubicon owner experience. Owning an older "cheap/affordable" jeep is EXPENSIVE! Lol. Some of the additional costs were wants, like a teraflex 2 inch leveling kit, new 33 inch tires, and replacing the clutch to ensure i will not get stranded by it going out on me, the jeep did have 94k miles on it already.
Next were some expected maintenance items like some seals and gaskets, that were not cheap, but best to take care of before they became a problem.
Lastly were the unexpected issues like a leaking gas tank, might as well do a new fuel pump then, the oil cooler leaking, the catalytic converter, a blow axel seal, and new rear brakes, a different oil leak.. etc.
With less than a year's ownership, I am averaging 1600 a month in repairs, ouch!
I love the jeep and hope to keep it for many years, but seeing how expensive a cheap jeep is to own, I probably would have bought one with less than 30k miles and less than 4 years old if I was doing it again.

If I was physically able to, and had the knowledge to do so, doing some or most of the work I could gave saved thousands, but that wasn't my situation.

I feel this pain all too well! I bought a 1972 ironhead (Harley) basket case for a “steal” about 12 years ago. It had a cracked case I didn’t know about that I had to get welded up professionally. Here is how it sits currently….i have yet to ride it. I’ve done all the work myself besides welding up the engine case.

 

[DNFjoe]

I feel this pain all too well! I bought a 1972 ironhead (Harley) basket case for a “steal” about 12 years ago. It had a cracked case I didn’t know about that I had to get welded up professionally. Here is how it sits currently….i have yet to ride it. I’ve done all the work myself besides welding up the engine case.

When I was looking at used jeeps, there were plenty of sport trim that were a 1 or 2k cheaper, but when I started scheming for lockers, lift, and tires it was worth spending a little more for the Rubicon trim and getting the lockers already installed. Then again who knows, maybe the sport model would not have had as many surprises in the maintenance area, lol.

 

[R3]

@DNFjoe Some thoughts on building. I started with a JKURR. lots of factory farkles. Ended up with A JKUR Monster on D60, long travel suspension, 6.2 V-8 wiht an 8 Speed. Looking back on this build I would have started life with a lower trim level as the modifications deleted the OEM equipment that Jeep installed for capability. Building a rig, for most is like building a house. You do it once and learn what you need and don't need along the way. Now thatyou done you would have done things differently.

I never planned to go V8 with my rig. things just evolved in to that direction. the current build more care has been applied with direction adn equipment. Just build it to be reliable and eliminate the probelm areas.

Installing lockers is not just a Shop job, you can do this over a weekend wiht some help. . The Job looks daunting but to be truthful it is just mechanics and simple follow the directions. You will need a few specilized tools but again reach out to the group and you can find these. I too have back issues lucky for me I have agood friend with a lift that for the big stuff I can schedule time with them to work in thier shop. WIhtout a lift pull the axles and put them on the bench. This way you can work on them at a comfortabel level. Locker are a long day each axle. wiht two sets of hand on each axle you can do both end in one long day.

Good luck wiht you build, if you need a hand reach out.

Cheers

 

[DNFjoe]

@DNFjoe Some thoughts on building. I started with a JKURR. lots of factory farkles. Ended up with A JKUR Monster on D60, long travel suspension, 6.2 V-8 wiht an 8 Speed. Looking back on this build I would have started life with a lower trim level as the modifications deleted the OEM equipment that Jeep installed for capability. Building a rig, for most is like building a house. You do it once and learn what you need and don't need along the way. Now thatyou done you would have done things differently.

I never planned to go V8 with my rig. things just evolved in to that direction. the current build more care has been applied with direction adn equipment. Just build it to be reliable and eliminate the probelm areas.

Installing lockers is not just a Shop job, you can do this over a weekend wiht some help. . The Job looks daunting but to be truthful it is just mechanics and simple follow the directions. You will need a few specilized tools but again reach out to the group and you can find these. I too have back issues lucky for me I have agood friend with a lift that for the big stuff I can schedule time with them to work in thier shop. WIhtout a lift pull the axles and put them on the bench. This way you can work on them at a comfortabel level. Locker are a long day each axle. wiht two sets of hand on each axle you can do both end in one long day.

Good luck wiht you build, if you need a hand reach out.

Cheers

Thank you. I have no intentions of building up the Rubicon beyond what it is today. It does what i want and need. It was just disappointing to see the amount of work it needed in less than a year's time. As a 2009 I knew it would need some stuff, but not like the amount it turned out to, lol.

 

[R3]

Like most toys/hobbies...it takes a minute to get them where you want them . Don't be disappointed. It is a journey right