My new prospecting vehicle

Picked up my new 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited today!

Let the mods begin. I've already got a 2 inch lift kit installed (dealer installed), and I've got new wheels and fat mud tyres going on tomorrow. And my bullbar and winch on the 30th



Yes, it's a Jeep. And it might break down on me. But I still like it better than Toyotas (i've owned 2 land cruisers, a hilux, and two jeeps). Having said that, I don't go to remote places. If I did, I'd be in nothing but a Landcruiser.

And im not scared of scratching my cars either

Pictures dear boy!! pictures!!!!

Wayne.

I put a picture in my first post, is it not coming up? Its working for me. I'll try again, the link is here:

http://s13.postimage.org/arflydsdi/20130121_164014.jpg

That's one schmick vehicle, onthehunt. (I am a Toyota fan myself but some friends have Jeeps). All the mods can keep one poor!!

Annie

Cheers

This model (Rubicon) is the off road model of the Wrangler. Although the Wrangler itself is very capable offroad, this model has front and back diff lockers, lower gear ratios, bigger stronger diffs, and electronic disconnect front sway bar. So its quite capable right out of the box.

Hoping it will get me into some places others haven't detected

Nice one!...........by the way, what "donk" does it have ?

Cheers & beers.

3.6 litre v6 pentastar, which is apparently a pretty good motor (I know nothing about motors, just from what I've read).

It's got 285hp, im pretty happy with the power.

Upgrades are finished, ready to hit the bush! Hopefully this pic works

Nice looking wheels there onthehunt. Looks like it's just come out of the showroom. Careful with it though, don't want to scratch it too much....

G'day Onthehunt very nice rig you got there.. .. Be carefull going through the scrub black duco shows up the scratches. Good luck out there and looking forward to seeing some pics of your finds..

Cheers.

Mike.

Scratches give them character. Taking it up to Tallarook this weekend for its first scratches

hi onthehunt hope you have a good weekend 4 wheel driving and what do scratches matter thats the idea of a fourby go out get it dirty and if it gets scratched well doesn t matter the main thing is you will be a bit pissed of but not as pissed off if someone else scratches it have fun cheers Terry

Here is a pic of the front with the bullbar and winch

Yeah the first few scratches will make me cringe but It will be good to get them out of the way

Did that front end pass a roadworthy?

It hasnt needed one its brand new

Nice rig m888888888

Repeating Ark's question.

Valid enquiry there, the vehicle may be brand new but your earlier posts indicate that you have been modifying the vehicle since purchase and initial registration.

Be sure that any mods do not breach ADRs or it could cost you heaps to get legal again, many shops fitting after market equipment are after the business without due regard to the legitamacy of the conversion.....I have heard of occasions where a vehicle has copped a "Canary" because an add on breached ADRs and the installer has declared that he was asked to fit it by the customer, and beleived the customer had done his homework on the issue.

From the Photo there seems to be a question regarding the relationship between tyre width and mudguard extension what else may not be acceptable?
Cranky

The flares cover the tyres completely, the pic is misleading. That's why I spent $1500 on getting them installed

The bullbar is ADR compliant, including with the outer wings removed as pictured.

The only non roadworthy part of the vehicle (that I am aware of) currently is that the track width has increased by more than 25mm, but I have it booked in to be signed off by an engineer already after the Dana 60 goes in. He won't approve it without the Dana 60.

This is a better pic from the front, shows the tyres within the flares

I can't believe you are not going to have problems with that front bumper ! And why wouldn'tt you try to protect the wheels / wishbones in the event of hitting a big roo! Or worse still dragging a person into that area between the inside of the wheel and the end of the bar ?

http://www.doubleblackoffroad.com/jeep-wrangler-parts/DBOR-Jeep-JK-Front-Modular-Bull-Bar

ADR compliance has been achieved and tested with energy absorption brackets integrated into the mounting system which do not effect your jeeps airbag functioning or the strength of the bar.

If it's good enough for ADR, it's good enough for me.

The only reason I removed the outer wings (which are designed to be removed) was that I prefer the look. If I have any troubles, I'll put them back on.

It certainly does add to its Mojo not having the side flares on ! Glad to hear you have them if you need them
And reading the guidelines for bull bars ,yes typical gov. ,very loose ! But I would think you would have problems with the protrusions sticking out from the front with D shackles on them ! As I have read it is not the manufacturer that is responsible for the bull bar passing ADR,s but the owner of the vehicle , well that's the way I read it ! I could be wrong ,and often I am !
It is looking like some machine indeed ! I really do hope it gets you to where you want to go ! Best of luck out there !!

Thanks mate

Will see how it goes.

If I get a canary it won't be the end of the world, I'll just fix what needs to be fixed and move on. I know the guy who developed, tested, and installed this bar, and he has sold a LOT of them and said no one ever has any issues with the fuzz. The ADR compliance plate is attached to it also so hopefully that will keep them off my back.

Sounds like a plan !

Just got caught in a big hail storm in Melbourne, so she might have a few dents already. Will check when it drys

ouch !!!

Hi Onthehunt, I have a bit of a crush on the Rubicon and am wondering how you are getting on with yours? How is the ride on long trips say compared to one of the later model cruisers? Done any towing with it etc?
Sparrowfart.

I love it mate. It handles fine. It's certainly not as refined as a Landcruiser, but I didn't want refinement I wanted rough and tough. And that it certainly is.

I haven't towed with it yet. Last week I drove it from Melbourne to Sydney and back, and it wasn't the most comfortable car to do that length of trip in but it wasn't bad, just a bit bouncy.

I've put good quality suspension in it when I lifted it which gives me a better ride then stock.

Offroad, you won't find a 4wd more capable out of the box. It goes anywhere. I've owned Landcruisers and Hiluxes before and I know how capable they both are offroad, it certainly out does them (front and back diff locks, electronically disconnectable front sway bar, low range rock crawling gear box, all standard).

Hi Onthehunt, Thanks for the data, I have been watching those U-Tube vids made by Wayalife where they do the Rubicon trail and Moab in the States etc. Got to say it sure looks good. Right up my ally. I picture myself in one of these. I like the idea of having considerable redundancy in offroad ability so if I do something dumb (as one does from time to time) then I have a vehicle that can get me out of trouble with ease. On road comfort would be a big consideration as I often drive many hours to chase gold or go fishing etc. comfort is important as I get older.
Looks like you are running 35" tyres on yours, looks well balanced anyway. Nice rig.
Sparrowfart.