The Jeep Wrangler Gets Even More Capable with the Rubicon Recon

Right now, the Jeep Wrangler really doesn’t have any competition in the US market when it comes to all-around off-roading capabilities. There are some other great factory-built off-road monsters, such as the Ford SVT Raptor, the Ram Rebel, the Ram Power Wagon and the Chevy Colorado ZR2, but when they all go head to head, the Wrangler always proves to be the best in the widest variety of driving situations. This is why the Wrangler line – and the Jeep CJ before it – are the most common and most popular choice for hardcore off-roaders.

However, even without any real competition for the Wrangler, Jeep continues to push the limits – making the Wrangler even better equipped for off-roading in any condition. The result of their latest efforts is the Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition, which will comfortably continue to the Jeep legacy of being the best factory-built off-road vehicles in the USA…if not the world.

“With an array of beefed up off-road components, the new Rubicon Recon provides even more legendary Jeep Wrangler capability,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. “With unmatched capability and a unique appearance, Rubicon Recon is the perfect Wrangler for our most loyal, diehard off-road enthusiasts who love to tackle the most demanding trails.”

The 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon
The new Rubicon Recon Edition package for the 2017 Jeep Wrangler is available for the 2-door or 4-door models (shown above) and like all new Wranglers, the Recon package features the 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 285 horsepower and 260lb-ft of torque – along with the buyer’s choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic transmission.

To create the Rubicon Recon Edition, Jeep started out with a Wrangler Rubicon and beefed up the four wheel drive system – adding stronger front axle tubes, heavy duty axle end forgings, heavy duty differential covers and unique rock rails. These rock rails are shorter so that the Recon package can fit the 35 inch tires, but from the factory, the Rubicon Recon wears 32 inch BF Goodrich KM off-road tires on unique 17 inch wheels. This package also has electronic locking front and rear Dana 44 axles with 4.10 gears with Tru-Lok differentials and a Rock-Trac transfer case. Finally, the Recon package sits about a half inch higher than the “regular” Rubicon.

In terms of exterior appearance, the Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition features the Power Dome hood with a black “Rubicon” decal on each side, a low gloss black grill with Granite Crystal inserts, red front and rear tow hooks, Granite Crystal headlight rings, low gloss black off-road bumpers with removable end caps and unique Recon badging all around. This package is available in Black, Bright White, Billet Silver, Firecracker Red, Gobi, Rhino and Granite Crystal. The package comes with a Sunrider soft top, but it is also available with the removable body-colored hard top.

On the inside, the 2017 Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition comes with heated leather seats, an 8-speaker sound system, a leather wrapped steering wheel with red accent stitching, red and black trim throughout the cabin, red accented seatbelts and a dash plaque which outlines the unique features of the Recon package. Finally, the Rubicon Recon gets all-weather slush mats with red Jeep logos, red accented switches for the locking axles and sway bars, the Connectivity Group, the Power Convenience Group and auto temperature control.

The 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon starts at $39,145 for the 2-door model while the 4-door Wrangler Unlimited starts at $42,945, and these new off-road machines should begin reaching dealerships later this month.