2006 Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited Rubicon 2.8L CRD 5AT AWD (177 HP)

Vehicle Overview

When Jeep introduced the third generation of the Wrangler, the JK, at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, the Unlimited version was a big surprise, and then the automaker released the Unlimited Rubicon, which was an unexpected appearance.

Jeep has always been associated with off-road trails, difficult terrains, and adventurous challenges over mountains, rocks, mud, sand, and other situations Mother Nature could throw on land. Its ancestors, on the other hand, used to fight for freedom in World War II, in Korea, and other hostile regions on Earth. Soon, those looking for an affordable, easy-to-run off-road SUV started to look for Jeep vehicles. The CJ (Civilian Jeep) became not just a vehicle but an icon on the market, and its legacy continued with the Wrangler range. While the previous generations of this nameplate, the YJ, and the TJ, were appreciated for their capabilities, there was something that customers needed more from their adventure vehicles. They didn’t have enough room for their families, and the vehicle couldn’t keep up with other SUVs, such as the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Jeep listened to them, and the Unlimited Rubicon was the answer. In addition, it didn’t cost an arm and a leg, and besides the technical improvements, it also boasted a fully equipped cabin.

At the front, the Unlimited Rubicon shared its front fascia with its three-door sibling. It featured recessed round headlights and a tilted-rearward seven-slat grille like the rest of the range. However, it had a different bumper, which integrated the fog lamps closer to the car’s center. In addition, the gap between the front fenders and the bumper was a clear sign that this was no ordinary Wrangler.

From its profile, the higher ground clearance was obvious, even for an untrained eye, especially if the vehicle was fitted with the large MT tires. The extended wheelbase version of the Wrangler Rubicon still kept the sliding protection bars under the side sills, which kept the bodywork away from stones while rock-crawling. Like the rest of the Wrangler JK range, the Unlimited Rubicon version featured a removable hard top. At the back, the automaker placed the spare wheel on the side-hinged rear door, on a special cradle.

Thanks to its modular design, the Unlimited Rubicon version of the Wrangler could easily accommodate up to five people inside its cabin. Jeep made it slightly wider than the one fitted on the TJ generation, and the Unlimited chassis was long enough to provide adequate legroom for those seated on the flat-folding bench seat of the Rubicon version. Up front, the driver fronted an instrument cluster where Jeep installed large dials for the speedometer and the rev counter, flanked by the fuel level and the coolant temperature gauges.

Under its skin, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon was a different kind of off-road beast. Its Dana 44 heavy-duty axles with locking front and rear differentials were specific for the model. It also featured a 4.0:1 low-range gearing, which was unique on the market. Its non-Rubicon sibling had a 2.7:1 gearing. Power came from a 3.8-liter V6 gasoline unit or a 2.8-liter turbodiesel supplied by VM Motori, depending on the market.