The 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon X: An In-Depth Exploration of an Off-Road Icon
The Rubicon X is similar to last year’s 10th Anniversary Rubicon model, sans the red leather interior. Simple started as a2014 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon Xwith a W5A580 automatic transmission and all the Rubicon X features, including vented hood, front X (or Anniversary) bumper with removable wings, rear X bumper, Mopar rocker guards, Mopar gas filler door, front and rear Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials, NVG241OR Rock-Trac transfer case, SmartBar electronic sway bar, and more. We planned to retain the OE front and rear bumpers, 4.10 gears, Tru-Lok locking differentials, NVG241OR, and SmartBar swaybar.
Even simple projects need good parts. After experiencing a friend’s AEV-equipped Unlimited, we opted for an AEV 3.5-inch DualSport RS suspension system that‘s completely bolt on. The AEV kit includes control arm brackets that correct the lifted Jeep’s suspension geometry and comes with Bilstein reservoir shocks. The system is designed to enable the lifted Wrangler to perform better than stock with no issues. An AEV swing-away tire carrier and 10.2-gallon fuel caddy were added to the OE Rubicon X rear bumper. A Warn 9.5cti-s winch was installed in the OE front bumper. The 3.5-inch suspension lift made room for 35×12.50R17LT Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar tires mounted on 17-inch AEV Pintler wheels.
No matter how simple a Jeep Wrangler JK project is, even if leaving the Jeep completely stock, the weak front end needs to be addressed. There are outstanding aftermarket housings available today, but for Simple, we opted to beef up the OE Rubicon Dana 44. Synergy knuckle gussets, and inner axle sleeves make the housing stronger. RCV CV axles with 300M inner shafts are stronger than the housing. 300M is a low-alloy, vacuum-melted steel of very high strength.
Available as a two-door Wrangler or four-door Wrangler Unlimited, the Rubicon X is a version of Rubicon with electronic-locking front and rear Dana 44 axles, Rock-Trac transfer case with a “4-Low” ratio of 4:1, 4.10 front/rear axle ratio Tru-Lok locking differentials, six-speed manual transmission, BF Goodrich KM 255/75R17 tires, 17-inch Rubicon aluminum wheels painted satin black with polished faces and a red Jeep Wrangler ‘icon’ logo on the inside pocket, black front and rear steel off-road bumpers, front steel bumper featuring removable end caps and a winch-capable design, a dual-intake Power Dome hood, red tow hooks, Mopar rock rails, Mopar black fuel filler door, a red-silhouette “Rubicon” decal on both sides of the hood, Premium Sunrider soft top (optional black three-piece Freedom hard top or body-color hard top), Black leather seats, seat heaters for the front passengers, a unique gauge cluster features Rubicon X exclusive styling and a premium Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with added read-outs such as oil pressure, transmission and coolant temperatures, digital speed and individual tire pressure; passenger grab handle with Quick Silver accents that are also found on the vent rings, steering wheel spokes and door pulls; Mopar slush mats, unique axle locker, sway-bar disconnect switches.