2012 JKU Review
I just picked up a 2012 4 Door Rubicon. This rig has the Rubicon package that includes 410 gearing, Dana 44 axles front and rear, 3.6L Pentastar V6 with a 5 speed auto Trans.
Drivability:
This new for wrangler engine/ transmission combo is night/ day difference over the older setup. Maintaining speed is no longer so tasking on this Jeep. The 285hp/ 260 lb-ft is an improvement of 83hp/ 23 lb-ft. Add in the 5 speed over the previous 4 speed and you notice quite an improvement. Passing and maintaining our 75mph speed limit is comfortable now with a little more power when needed. This past Friday I had all of my camping gear, firewood, and family with. I headed up I70 at whatever speed traffic allowed was nice. You also have the option to shift into all 5 gears on demand as needed since this setup has “tip-tronic” (not sure what Jeep calls it).
Interior:
The interior was upgraded in 2011. The interior is the same for 2012 with the exception of the interior of the shift bezel. The materials used inside this year are comparable to my past Lux model H3’s. All panels are soft now vs the older hard plastic found in the 2010 and previous JK models. The padded armrest on the door as well as the padded center council works out well for me. I was always smacking my elbows on the 2010 I had. The steering wheel controls for radio, cruise, etc are a nice addition as well. Blue Tooth is easy to program/ use. The newly designed hardtop in 2011 was transferred over to 2012 with more insulation. I noticed the difference in interior heat on the roof line and also the quieter ride on the hwy. My hardtop is also color-matched. So instead of the black top, the body color also helps to prevent that top from cooking you head. I plan to add a headliner kit to refine the interior a little more.
Exterior:
Most everything on the outside of the truck is the same. The rear window of the hardtop is now wider (introduced in 2011) and also color matched in an option outside of the Sahara package. Color matched fenders were also an option for the Rubicon this year, but passed on that since I will replace with aftermarket at some point anyhow.
Underside:
The transmission was changed out for 2012. This made some challenges for us 2012 owners. The cross-member for the transmission and exhaust are now relocated. That’s great news for the driveshaft boot that hit both the cross-member and A/T transmission pan on previous year lifted wranglers. The kit that I want to use will require exhaust modification at the crossover pipe. The exhaust will get nailed by the front driveshaft at full droop. That company is coming out with a bolt on kit to solve that issue. Both River Raider and Rock Hard will be releasing skids for the new 2012 configuration. I will be adding one of those kits as well as exhaust relocation.
That’s all I have for now. Build pics will come as availability/ funds allow.
I just picked up a 2012 4 Door Rubicon. This rig has the Rubicon package that includes 410 gearing, Dana 44 axles front and rear, 3.6L Pentastar V6 with a 5 speed auto Trans.
Drivability:
This new for wrangler engine/ transmission combo is night/ day difference over the older setup. Maintaining speed is no longer so tasking on this Jeep. The 285hp/ 260 lb-ft is an improvement of 83hp/ 23 lb-ft. Add in the 5 speed over the previous 4 speed and you notice quite an improvement. Passing and maintaining our 75mph speed limit is comfortable now with a little more power when needed. This past Friday I had all of my camping gear, firewood, and family with. I headed up I70 at whatever speed traffic allowed was nice. You also have the option to shift into all 5 gears on demand as needed since this setup has “tip-tronic” (not sure what Jeep calls it).
Interior:
The interior was upgraded in 2011. The interior is the same for 2012 with the exception of the interior of the shift bezel. The materials used inside this year are comparable to my past Lux model H3’s. All panels are soft now vs the older hard plastic found in the 2010 and previous JK models. The padded armrest on the door as well as the padded center council works out well for me. I was always smacking my elbows on the 2010 I had. The steering wheel controls for radio, cruise, etc are a nice addition as well. Blue Tooth is easy to program/ use. The newly designed hardtop in 2011 was transferred over to 2012 with more insulation. I noticed the difference in interior heat on the roof line and also the quieter ride on the hwy. My hardtop is also color-matched. So instead of the black top, the body color also helps to prevent that top from cooking you head. I plan to add a headliner kit to refine the interior a little more.
Exterior:
Most everything on the outside of the truck is the same. The rear window of the hardtop is now wider (introduced in 2011) and also color matched in an option outside of the Sahara package. Color matched fenders were also an option for the Rubicon this year, but passed on that since I will replace with aftermarket at some point anyhow.
Underside:
The transmission was changed out for 2012. This made some challenges for us 2012 owners. The cross-member for the transmission and exhaust are now relocated. That’s great news for the driveshaft boot that hit both the cross-member and A/T transmission pan on previous year lifted wranglers. The kit that I want to use will require exhaust modification at the crossover pipe. The exhaust will get nailed by the front driveshaft at full droop. That company is coming out with a bolt on kit to solve that issue. Both River Raider and Rock Hard will be releasing skids for the new 2012 configuration. I will be adding one of those kits as well as exhaust relocation.
That’s all I have for now. Build pics will come as availability/ funds allow.
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