With the redesign of the Rubicon, how does it differ from the older one. I know it has disc brakes and Traxlox but I am looking for a comparsion in performance and feel. Is it still very much Utility based or does it feel any sportier? Do the brakes seem better? Does it steer a lot easier?
Thanks

 

Man o' man do I wishI could reply to this thread informatively, but it will probably be about a week longer before I get mine! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

it should be easyer to steer with the 2 and 4 wheel drive.
and i would think it would be a bit snapper then the 04s bacause when you have it in 2 wheel drive its not wasting power turning the front diff.
and the reast is just grave.
mmmmm gravy

 

It seems to be a bit more sportier. As compared to the earlier Rubicons, this doesn't look as 'heavy duty'..this is probably due to the new styling, though. I only have less than 20 miles on mine, but so far it is great. Suspension seems to be great for a SRA. The display has been changed this year (bigger for easier viewing) and has a little storage box on the left front fender. Not very big, but big enough for a wallet/keys, etc.

Rob

 

I think the biggest difference is because of the traxlok. It's easy to break the rear tires loose and the turning circle seems tighter while in 4x2.

I haven't noticed a big difference in the brakes.

I may be wrong, but it seems to me the the racks are smaller on the '05. There's only 12" between the back of the seat to the back of the rack. This is going to make finding a finding a trunk a bit tougher.

RSeb

 

The gas tank on the 05 also holds a little over 1/2 gallon more gas thean the previous Rubicons, 4.2 vs 3.6 gallons. They also have brake lights.

 

im absolutely am crazy about my rubicon! ive climbed hills, been in the mud a little but not too much. i take care of my stuff. i like hunting and fishing so i use it alot. i like the low range option on it. if you are trying to be quite riding around looking at deer or turkey its perfect cause u barely have to give it throttle for it to go and its REAL QUITE! they barley know you are coming. also i like the selectable four range option. you can be going about 9 or 10mph and if you run into some mud you don't have to stop and put it into 4 wheel. you can be rolling and put it into 4 wheeldrive. feels like all four wheels pull instead of differential. but thats what honda says that it is differential lock. excellent towing, i couldn't believe it pulled that boat. i got off the four wheeler to tip the boat empty of water and i couldn't even turn the boat around much more than tip it over. like i said it had nearly a foot of water in it and it was a 12ft boat not a 10ft! excellent top end ( i didn't buy it for speed but its got it if ya want it bud). thats another thing , you can tell it has alot of power you dont have to shove the trottle to get its power but like i said you know its there if you want it! awesome ride, but the itp tires are just a little stiffer ride than the stock ones but still rides very well. starts well when its cold out . i think hondas are cold collard but just bump the choke and its ready to go. the lights on it are brighter than my truck lights. just as clear and clean as you get. ( if anyone could find out what size the lights are id be really appreciative. they have some on jcwhitney but the size and part number are confusing. i like the ones i got but i like those white looking lights that come on those new cars like the maxima's. plus it may have a less terrifying affect to deer at night just maybe. nice storage and braking. oh, the four wheel drive on the 2004 models is like wrestling a grizzly bear. i don't know why they are like that, but the 2005 is just as easy as it gets to stear. no prob turning them on asphalt either. my uncle has a 2004, it is really hard to stear and stays in four wheel drive all the time. abernathy's price is about 6185 ( not with the gps, i don't need the gps anyway). i ended up financing about 7500 because of insurance you have to have and four year warranty that covers everything. sounds high but i wouldn't take 8000 for mine right now. abernathy's is where to buy one. not on just honda's its everything. i guess they order in bulk or something to be able to sell them that cheap. website address is www.abernathycycles.com! check it out. it'll be worth it!

 

The new racks are smaller. The styling is better, but looks a little less rugged. The plastic looks like it will fit the Rincon.

 

Mine came in yesterday and the dealer is putting the plow stuff on it today. This weekend, depending on the weather, we'll be trail riding Saturday afternoon and maybe plowing Sunday.

As for the racks, milk crates and wire ties are my favorites! If you need something a little more weather tight or if you need something lockabe, then Home Depot tool boxes mounted to a custom fit piece of plywood with mounting holes to match your rack for either wire ties or U-bolts works fine. I'll spend six and a half thousand on an ATV and then skimp a couple hundred on boxes - go figure.

 

hand and thumb warmers are a deffanet plus in the winter.
as long as your hands and thumb are warm you can stay out all day and not want to go home because your cold.