Rubicrawler for $1400

Weasellee · Saturday at 7:28 AM

I have the opportunity to purchase a used (apx 15k miles) Rubicrawler from the second owner. It’ll come with the 42RLE it’s attached to.

$1400

I have the 241 installed but have yet to wheel it.

Looking for opinions on how “worth it” the Rubicrawler is

TIA

Chris · Saturday at 7:38 AM

It's very worth it if you're doing slow, technical, rock crawling or going down very steep declines and not wanting to have to rely on the brakes as much I had one and I remember how cool it was.

If I wasn't rock crawling I don't think it would be necessary.

Weasellee · Saturday at 7:49 AM

Also cost. New vs used

mrblaine · Saturday at 7:57 AM

Weasellee said:
I have the opportunity to purchase a used (apx 15k miles) Rubicrawler from the second owner. It’ll come with the 42RLE it’s attached to.

$1400

I have the 241 installed but have yet to wheel it.

Looking for opinions on how “worth it” the Rubicrawler is

TIA

The 241 is problematic. The 231 is laterally problematic. But, in general, if you are paying new prices, winding up with 1-1, 2.72-1, 2.72-1 and 7.4-1 is a poor use of your money. You wind up with too much low gearing for the lowest ratio and doubled up ratios which is economically unsound.

The 241 is only slightly better, at least that way you get one more ratio that you don't have now but you get one more that you will never use unless you are just showing off in camp. 1-1, 2.72-1, 4-1, and 10.88-1 is what you get. 2.72 is the only useable extra ratio and that's a bunch of work for that.

Weasellee · Saturday at 8:05 AM

mrblaine said:
The 241 is problematic. The 231 is laterally problematic. But, in general, if you are paying new prices, winding up with 1-1, 2.72-1, 2.72-1 and 7.4-1 is a poor use of your money. You wind up with too much low gearing for the lowest ratio and doubled up ratios which is economically unsound.

The 241 is only slightly better, at least that way you get one more ratio that you don't have now but you get one more that you will never use unless you are just showing off in camp. 1-1, 2.72-1, 4-1, and 10.88-1 is what you get. 2.72 is the only useable extra ratio and that's a bunch of work for that.

Please then, my thought process.

When i swapped the 231 for the 241 it’s for the lower range. Adding the Rubicrawler would be to regain the 272-1.
Does this make sense?
I paid $1400 for the 241 and another $1400 for the Rubicrawler isn’t too expensive.
I guess what i really want to know is do I, or will I, want that 2.72-1 back for the more mild off-roading that doesn’t “require “ the 4:1

Input is appreciated

Ashim · Saturday at 8:08 AM

I would pass on it, not needed with a 241 and auto. Super low gearing only good for snapping axles. A manual can benefit from low gearing, but an auto with its torque converter isn't needed in my opinion. I've got 35's with 5.13 gears on my auto Rubicon and don't find a need for a 2.72 range with any trails I've done in the eastern US.

mrblaine · Saturday at 8:08 AM

Weasellee said:
Please then, my thought process.

When i swapped the 231 for the 241 it’s for the lower range. Adding the Rubicrawler would be to regain the 272-1.
Does this make sense?

Doesn't to me but it isn't my Jeep. You have your own sensibilities to live by.

Weasellee said:
I paid $1400 for the 241 and another $1400 for the Rubicrawler isn’t too expensive.
I guess what i really want to know is do I, or will I, want that 2.72-1 back for the more mild off-roading that doesn’t “require “ the 4:1

Input is appreciated

No idea if you will want or need it. The auto makes most of that a moot point. If you ask the question a different way, what would be better for ratios? Then you get an entirely different set of recommendations.

Weasellee · Saturday at 8:15 AM

mrblaine said:
Doesn't to me but it isn't my Jeep. You have your own sensibilities to live by.

No idea if you will want or need it. The auto makes most of that a moot point. If you ask the question a different way, what would be better for ratios? Then you get an entirely different set of recommendations.

Looking for opinions and any input. Besides one day on the trail with my sons 6 speed rubicon i have no experience with the lower ratio of the 241. I have tho been all over with the 231 one and many times wished for lower range.

If i took the question one step further.

What if i was to get se the Rubicrawler in my next jeep that still has the 42RLE and 231. Is that a worthwhile upgrade?

Again, I understand these are opinions but opinions with real world experience is what I’m out here for.

With what I’ve read so far it seems for my Lj with the 241 I won’t be looking for the 2.72-1

….. thanks

mrblaine · Saturday at 8:20 AM

Weasellee said:
Looking for opinions and any input. Besides one day on the trail with my sons 6 speed rubicon i have no experience with the lower ratio of the 241. I have tho been all over with the 231 one and many times wished for lower range.

Manual or auto with the 231?

Weasellee said:
If i took the question one step further.

What if i was to get se the Rubicrawler in my next jeep that still has the 42RLE and 231. Is that a worthwhile upgrade?

I pointed out the ratios, if you want double 2.72-1 ratios for the money, then it makes sense to you.

Weasellee said:
Again, I understand these are opinions but opinions with real world experience is what I’m out here for.

With what I’ve read so far it seems for my Lj with the 241 I won’t be looking for the 2.72-1

….. thanks

All depends on where and how you wheel.

Weasellee · Saturday at 8:20 AM

Another question stemming from this option

Starting with a TJ with a 42RLE and a 231

Option to purchase a used Rubicrawler or 241 same cost.

What’s the opinion on which would be a “better” upgrade for wheeling.

Weasellee · Saturday at 8:21 AM

A

mrblaine said:
Manual or auto with the 231

Auto

mrblaine · Saturday at 8:22 AM

Weasellee said:
What’s the opinion on which would be a “better” upgrade for wheeling.

Wheeling is too vague. Dunes and rocks are at opposite ends of the spectrum and what works well for one doesn't work so well for the other.

Weasellee · Saturday at 8:23 AM

mrblaine said:
All depends on where and how you wheel

We do it all, mostly rocks, not JV style, eastern wet style.

mrblaine · Saturday at 8:23 AM

Weasellee said:
A

Auto

Were the axles geared correctly?

Weasellee · Saturday at 8:24 AM

mrblaine said:
Were the axles geared correctly?

In my LJ I put 5:38’s. The other currently is running 4:88 w 42RLE and 231.

mrblaine · Saturday at 8:24 AM

Weasellee said:
We do it all, mostly rocks, not JV style, eastern wet style.

That says the 241 is probably too low to achieve the requisite wheel speed so now I'm lost.

Weasellee · Saturday at 8:24 AM

mrblaine said:
Dunes and rocks

No dunes or sand. Forest trails and rock gardens.

Weasellee · Saturday at 8:25 AM

mrblaine said:
That says the 241 is probably too low to achieve the requisite wheel speed so now I'm lost.

Well that’s why i started interested in adding the Rubicrawler for the 2.72-1

Weasellee · Saturday at 8:26 AM

Remember i ask out of ignorance and using what I’ve read.

GoldenGorilla · Saturday at 9:38 PM

Weasellee said:
Looking for opinions and any input. Besides one day on the trail with my sons 6 speed rubicon i have no experience with the lower ratio of the 241. I have tho been all over with the 231 one and many times wished for lower range.

If i took the question one step further.

What if i was to get se the Rubicrawler in my next jeep that still has the 42RLE and 231. Is that a worthwhile upgrade?

Again, I understand these are opinions but opinions with real world experience is what I’m out here for.

With what I’ve read so far it seems for my Lj with the 241 I won’t be looking for the 2.72-1

….. thanks

Out west in non technical wheeling, I've found the 4:1 241 gearbox to be OK for stretches in 5th gear where you want to do ~20mph between lower speed obstacles. Eventually you'll just want to stop and switch to 4Hi though. Would 2.72:1 change that for me? Probably not.

Rubicrawler for $1400

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