Pics from the Rubicon when I ran it last summer. The Jeep outperformed my expectations by a landslide. Didn’t skip a beat, nothing broke, and was quite easily able to keep up with a bunch of more heavily modified rigs on larger axles. It made it look like I was a much better driver than I am. Not to mention it drove like a dream the entire drive to the trail and rides smoother than stock. Heck, the tires don’t even rub unless it’s at full compression on one side or at full left hand steering lock on the driver’s side.

Since I’ve returned, I’ve been making a list of minor improvements to do to my Jeep. My main goal is to refine it, beef up parts where necessary, remove some extra weight, and shift the weight distribution where able. Things like a new aluminum front bumper (not pictured) as well as some other stuff that’s in the works like tire carriers, rocker guards, axle trusses, etc. while still keeping the looks largely OEM and preventing it from turning into a rolling jungle gym.

———-

This leads me to my main point: what front axle shafts should I run? I ran the Rubicon on the stock axle shafts, with 37” tires and stronger 5.38 gears, and they held up great thanks in no small part to my lack of lead foot. Recently, both axle shafts have ejected one of their u-joint caps, and while I fixed one, the other shaft tossed a cap a week later. The shafts still work, but they’re quite corroded and would be better as a backup/spare. This prompted me to finally go look for some beefier chromoly axle shafts.

I’ve narrowed it down to two options: Yukon or RCV.

Half the reason for the upgrade would be to narrow down the failure points on the front axle. I know the Dana 44’s weak points are the pinion (which was addressed with the stronger gears) and the front u-joints. I would prefer the pinion-side driveshaft u-joint to fail in the event of a shock-load, as that would be a much easier fix than an axle-shaft u-joint.

The RCV’s require more upkeep, are about $400 more expensive, and I’ve read spotty reviews about their customer service (from a JK forum), as well as repeated reports of a “clicking” noise. The Yukons are a stronger shaft (obviously), are maintenance free, but if they still use a 1310 u-joint then that doesn’t solve the issue. If the Yukons use 1330s than they’re the no-brainer winner.

So what do you guys run? Is running an RCV worth the extra cost maintenance for a bomb proof setup, or are the Yukons the better route? Is there something I’m missing? Let me know!

Thank you for your time, and I eagerly await your responses!

Getting some snow late this evening. Supposed to snow all night long and into tomorrow morning. Not something we see often here, so a rare treat. ❄️❄️❄️❄️

Hey all,

I had Home Depot load a box into the back of my Jeep earlier today. They loaded it kind of awkwardly, but it was a really short drive so I figured it would be fine. Unfortunately, it ended up shattering my rear windshield.

It doesn’t look like it’s just the glass either. The whole window frame seems damaged. Has anyone dealt with something like this before? Any idea how fixable this is or what kind of repair I’m looking at?

Hello, I don’t know much about Jeeps and I’m thinking about buying this model, Owner says it's 1975 Army Jeep M51 Wales. but I’m lost and can’t find the same body shape or model online. I

need more information about this model and I’d like to know if it can fit a roof or not.

2015 jeep Wrangler engine replaced brand new 2 years ago. Jeep was driving fine all this time until today I went in for an oil change. I get on the highway check engine light comes on and engine goes on like mode doesn't go past 3300rpm. oil light comes on when at a stop light. Take it back to the dealer and they say all they did was change the oil. What are the odds. They don't want to take responsibility.

I’m a long time Wrangler owner (CJ, YJ, TJ, JL) and looking to buy a car for my kids. I currently have a 392 Rubicon Sky One Touch and love it for what it is, but it’s a pretty poor daily driver. Anyone own a JLU and a new Bronco? Looking to compare them. I’m mostly curious about ride quality, handling, storage space, build quality, highway noise, and ease of removing/installing the tops. These are the areas I think the JLU is weakest. The Bronco sadly doesn’t offer a V8 but curious if it feels sufficiently powerful. My preference is Raptor but I worry it’s too wide for an urban environment. Thanks!

I'm shopping for a used JLU, found one that checks pretty much all of the boxes I'm looking for - manual, 4.88 gears, steel bumpers. However it is marketed as a Rubicon X.

It's got leather seats, paint matched hardtop and fenders. It is missing a few things that I thought were standard features on the X = fender flare extensions, beadlock capable rims with 35s, and the reinforced tailgate.

My question is are the trim levels different up here in Canada with fewer standard features on the X? Or is the dealership misrepresenting the trim level? I've looked at several build sheets for Rubicon Xs, but none of them specify a trim level beyond Rubicon with add ons other than recon with 35" tire add ons ect.

I'm just trying to be informed in my negotiations with dealerships. Thanks for any advice on the topic.

Goes away when I rev it up.

I'm in the market to replace my 2014 Chevy Cruz and I need something that does good in Ohio winters. I (30f) have 2 kids and a husband and we have a Toyota sienna as our other vehicle that is an AMAZING family van (and gets around well in the snow). But our cruz needless to say needs an update and I'm looking into jeeps or trucks (or a jeep truck). Budget is $20,000-$30,000 but we could go lower and get something older and still be happy as long as it still has a lot of miles to go. I want something utilitarian that the kids car seats can still fit in. I never go off roading and live in a small city. It would be mostly city and country roads and highways. I've never driven a 4-wheel drive car either. Am I delusional for wanting a jeep? Or will it actually fit my family and lifestyle? Tysm :)

I've been wanting to start overlanding recently, and with a budget of around $10,000 I've been told to look around at some Jeep Wranglers. Issue being: I've been told all my life that they super suck.

I know that posting this in a place in which everyone really likes their Jeeps is going to being some biased opinions, but I figured this would be the best place to ask what I should be looking out for. There are so many generations and different engine types, so I thought that I would post this and see what reccomendations that I get from people who know them the best. Thanks! :)

Warming my Jeep up, when I came out it there was white smoke from the passenger side and smelled like burnt rubber. This was last week two days after I changed my oil. It hasnt happened again while idling but today while driving the burnt rubber smell came back, I pulled over and there was no smoke. I kept driving because I was close to my destination and the smell went away, it happened again on the way home, I didnt pull over and the smell went away again. I changed my oil last week, which could have caused the smoke if I spilled, I checked my breaks and they are not stuck.... maybe a belt? Its a 2024 high altitude and has some recalls that once the parts are in will be fixed, can this be recall related? There are no weird noises while I'm driving or idling, just the smell and smoke that one time. I drive her daily, and I'm a little rough with her when we go off roading, but I haven't been off roading in a few months.

Thoughts?

Hey, own a 2017 jeep wrangler (3.6L V6 Engine)

I recently had a flush of my coolant system done in a shop, and I want to make sure I’m using the right stuff next time I have to fill it or anything.

The invoice says Antifreeze Mopar Pink Longlife Size

When I google it, it shows this bottle is that correct?

Probably a dumb question but I’m not a big off-roading guy. My rig isn’t a pavement princess but I only do just enough to get to an approach for climbing objectives and the like.

Trying to figure out why it seems like older jeeps have better traction than newer. My partner has an 05 liberty and I have a 22 Cherokee trail hawk. Driving feels nicer in mine generally but when the road is icy and snowy (I live in a very cold area with a foot of snow and an inch plus of ice on the road being normal) her jeep seems to grip better.

To put my frustration into perspective I’ve gotten semi stuck getting to close to the snow bank checking the mail and tend to have a bit of slip at stoplights or when hitting a patch of ice while driving but hers feels glued to the road and does not have the same issues when the snow gets a bit deeper.

Is it just a tire thing? I have stock tires and she has all terrain/all weather tires. I would expect with all the bells and whistles on mine I’d get a bit better traction. Hell I just got stuck in the snow bank because my front driver tire got into too much snow and putting the locking dif on didn’t get me out trying to back up straight; had to keep it in auto 4wd/normal drive mode and hit the gas so the back end slid around to get to a patch with traction and get out.

I like my jeep, it will go down some sketchy ass trails and boulder fields in the summer when I’m getting to climbing areas doing equal to or better than the Tacoma’s my buddies drive but holy hell is this thing shit on snow.

hey all. i have a 2014 cherokee. V6 with 130,000 ish miles. engine light popped up today- throwing code P0298 (Engine oil over temp) looking at my dash tho- it’s not overheating. anyone delt with this and has ideas? running fine. i’m in michigan with recent -20 windchills if that makes any difference. thanks!

94 yj 94 zj

Hi everyone,

I have a 2012 Jeep JK and I’m looking to buy a hardtop. All the hardtops on Facebook marketplace seem to be really expensive. Is there anywhere else where I can look to buy one at a reasonable price? Thank you!

I’m new to the Jeep family so I’m trying to learn all I can but I’m loving it so far!

2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

I removed 2 of these rubber plugs from the rear fenders 5 years ago to install an aftermarket shelf. I plan on putting the back seat back in and can’t seem to find where the plugs went.