07-11 rubicons vs 12-13 rubicons

4944 Views 35 Replies 20 Participants Last post by jamnmon66, Sep 13, 2013

Ziloh22

Discussion Starter · Sep 3, 2013

I know the whole motor and hp difference and the interior change is big. But if you guys had the chance to get a good deal on a 07-11 JKU rubicon, would you consider it? Or would you just wait until you find a 12-13 model ?

Thanks guys

1 - 20 of 36 Posts

ALASHA

· #2 · Sep 3, 2013

Comes down to how crazy you plan to get. If you plan on doing a suspension upgrade, bigger axles and wheels/tires and possibly a motor swap than save the money and take the better deal on a 07-11 Rubicon.

If you plan a more mild build like sticking with the motor and running the 44 axles, then pay the extra money up front for the better motor and improved creature comforts of the 12-13 model

shockwaveaz

· #3 · Sep 3, 2013

^^ That's a great response.

Sent from AutoGuide.com App

Ziloh22

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 4, 2013

Yea def want it up a few inches and be my weekend warrior. So I def agree w waiting and getting that new motor. It's just nuts how much the 07-11 rubicons have dropped in price

artayay

· #5 · Sep 4, 2013

Agreed w all above..
However, the 11's have the newer interior.

itsthelaw

· #6 · Sep 4, 2013

Also need to consider how long it will take you to make the mods you want. If you are going to drop big cash in a short period of time to build the beast, go with the 2011. If it will be modified over time, I would get the newer engine. I went with a 2013 and have been making mods over the past few months. Really happy, but everyone's goals are different. Enjoy the trip!

Espo78

· #7 · Sep 4, 2013

It's been awhile since I drove a 12+ but I can say that even though the 07-11 is underpowered, the 12+ isn't going to wow you unless you like to live high in the rev range. It's not a low range torque monster or anything. It you drive it normally, you will probably never notice the power difference. Now when you floor it, the 12+ will leave the older ones in the dust. But a Jeep isn't a race car, after all.

Ziloh22

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 4, 2013

Thanks for all the help so far guys

Rubiconquered

· #9 · Sep 4, 2013

Honestly if i was to do it all over again, I'd buy an 07-11 Sport and do 60s, with custom suspension. And an atlas tcase

But i got a pretty good deal on my Rubicon and i will eventually build it more to my likings

RiverCityOffroad

· #10 · Sep 4, 2013

If you're going with a six speed then I think you'll be more than happy with either one.

If you're going with an automatic there is no way I could ever recommend a 3.8L JKU (07-11) again. My 2012 surprises me every time I'm in it and I have 37s with 3.73 gears in it right now. (Swapping in 4.56s in the next month or two.)

The motor is an improvement, but the transmission really shines. It is always in the right gear and when I need more power and speed it is ready to go. Yes, this motor will rev, but I drive it easy around town and when I get on the highway I'm trucking along at 75 - 80 MPH without any drama.

I say find a good deal on a later model JK and enjoy the extra power and added creature comforts.

Marcus

Espo78

· #11 · Sep 4, 2013

Good point about the automatic. Mine is a manual and there is no way I would buy an auto 3.8

LeftHandRubi

· #12 · Sep 4, 2013

Alasha said it.

If I was building primarily a trail rig, then I'd get whatever is cheapest because I'm going to put more HP, 60's, armor, atlas, etc on it. In fact I'm doing this right now.

I have a couple of '12s. Even though they are built, we treat these with care on difficult trails. I really hate breaking or denting them.

A wall like this is OK for a '12, nothing to fall into.

The gekko wasn't allowed into things like this, but with an "older" jeep I don't mind. Body damage can occur, and with a new jeep it sucks.

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BADGER

· #13 · Sep 4, 2013

Marcus is right about the auto vs manual thing, but personally I don't think the new auto trans is all that good. It seems good, because the old one was so bad. The new trans has a better ratio spread, it's good at holding lower gears on hills, and it works well off road...but that's about it. It is terrible in rolling hills and on the highway. You come up on an incline or need to speed up...give it throttle and it starts moaning like a camel in its death throes, refusing to downshift. More throttle...more moaning...so you stab it enough to force a downshift, and it shifts abruptly and you now have too much throttle. So you back off, it upshifts again, goes dumb, camel death moans....and you're back where you started. Guess I'm used to BMW and Audi transmissions that actually work like they are supposed to and have some semblence of good programming. I've recalibrated with the ProCal to my setup several times, to no avail. It just isn't very good.

In fact I hate the auto enough that it is one of the primary reasons I'm getting rid of my '12 auto and ordering a '14 manual. But, I digress. If you're going with an auto go for a 12+.

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itsthelaw

· #14 · Sep 4, 2013

I have a 2013 auto and love it. I have wheeled it mildly, but in various terrain. I drive it daily and have spent plenty of time on the highway with it. We live in western NC, so there are plenty of changes in elevation...even in town. Mine has 3" lift with 35" Nitto Grapplers and 4.88 gearing. Shift pints seem very good to me. I have had 3 Audis in the past, and they have their own issues. Loved them thought! The choice between manual and auto gave me a lot of indigestion, but I have am VERY glad I have the auto. There is also mention of venting for the clutch in mud and water, but I can only say to look at forum for that one.

MUD707

· #15 · Sep 4, 2013

what about the problem with the 12s and 13 s getting the transmission stuck in neutral after coming up the hill in 4lo or the bad heads in the 12s there are some still out there. you can probably get a 07-11 with some mods even done already.
I personally If I didn't have the kids and had to do it over. I would buy a TJ (kept mine) and beat the shit out of it and wait til 2016 to see if they actually put in a diesel.

LeftHandRubi

· #16 · Sep 4, 2013

With the '12 JKU (The Dozer) we have the weird shifting issue, engine over revs at times. I don't wheel it hard enough to make a difference, though. It works well. Like a car. :shitstorm:

With the '12 JK 6 sp (The Gekko), it is a pain in the butt on difficult trails. This jeep has 5.13 gears, rubi t-case, and it is hard to control at really low speeds. It needs an atlas 4 sp t-case or a hand throttle (don't know who sells one--that works with the JK fly-by-wire).

For big ledge/rock crawling I am a huge fan of auto tranny's. I've only burned out one of them in an '08 and I beat the hell out of that jeep with big tires and heavy weight doing steep climbs ( That was the T-Rex precursor-- burning out the tranny was the past straw then caused me to upgrade to hemi).

halo216

· #17 · Sep 5, 2013

Buy a sport and bolt in better axles. Unless you get a hell of a deal on a rubicon why waste the money on one?

bgall

· #18 · Sep 5, 2013

MUD707 said:
what about the problem with the 12s and 13 s getting the transmission stuck in neutral after coming up the hill in 4lo or the bad heads in the 12s there are some still out there. you can probably get a 07-11 with some mods even done already.
I personally If I didn't have the kids and had to do it over. I would buy a TJ (kept mine) and beat the shit out of it and wait til 2016 to see if they actually put in a diesel.

I have only seen this issue when taking it out of drive and not only on steep hills. It is a real concern though. I would hate to be on black bear, switch to reverse, hit the gas, and roll forward...

ALASHA

· #19 · Sep 5, 2013

halo216 said:
Buy a sport and bolt in better axles. Unless you get a hell of a deal on a rubicon why waste the money on one?

Again depends on your final goal. If he doesnt plan to need 1 ton axles, then buying a rubi gets him the 44s AND the better transfer case.

BADGER

· #20 · Sep 5, 2013

bgall said:
I have only seen this issue when taking it out of drive and not only on steep hills. It is a real concern though. I would hate to be on black bear, switch to reverse, hit the gas, and roll forward...

Just reading that the thought alone is enough to make my azz take a bite out of my office chair. Black bear is hairy enough without having to worry about that kind of chit.

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