I woke up Saturday morning full of excitement and nervousness. I was excited to finally ride the trails in my new Rubicon. After about 5 months of experiencing my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - Sahara on the trails, I couldn't wait to see what the Rubicon could do. I was ready to see for myself what all this Rubicon hype was. I wasn't sure I would be able to tell a difference with the 4 to 1 transfer case or even the 4.10 gears and 2 Dana 44's. But, I knew there would be a difference when I pushed that magic disco button and disconnected my sway bar.
There was another reason for all my excitement. I was bringing my oldest son with me. As children get older they tend to drift away from their parents. As a mom of a boy it's even more prevalent. I was looking forward to some mother son bonding time.
I pulled into the Rausch Creek Off Road Park and began to search out the group I was meeting. My nervousness began to grow. This would be my first trail ride with the Blue Mountain Jeep Alliance. I meet a couple of their members at the Women's Wheeling Day, but this would be a whole different group of people. I'm not even sure what I was worried about -- These are Jeep people. Of course they would welcome me into their group with open arms. They were all so friendly and helpful. And of course welcomed me into their group with open arms.
So it was time to get ready for the trails! Yikes!!! And time to see if I set those tire deflators properly. I twisted all four onto my tires and waited. Once the hissing stopped I pulled them off and checked the PSI. Wow! I did it. They were all at about 15.
Next came my favorite part -- Dropping her into 4 wheel low -- then time to push that magic disco button. Ever since I drove a Rubicon at the Nemacolin Resort Jeep Driving Acadamy I had been itching to have my own. Now it's my turn to experience the joy. I pushed the button and watched the sway bar display light turn solid!
Wait... It's still not time to hit the trails yet. The group was going to give a quick little lesson on recovery. I thought, this is good. I need to know this stuff. But guess what? All my great Jeep friends I've meet online -- they have taught me so well, I pretty much knew everything that was discussed. It made me feel pretty confidant. Not a newbee anymore. Ohhh kay well -- a Rubi Newbee out on the trails.
So here we go. Time to test her out and see what she can do -- These pictures are from my Rubicon's dash -- and go check out my video on You Tube to hear the great sounds and see all the great sites.
WOW! I was truly amazed at the performance of the Rubicon out on the trails compared to the Sahara. I don't have the words to really explain it in technical terms. In my mommy terms it was so smooth and powerful. It was amazing the gripping power I felt behind the wheel. And the ease at which she rolled over the rocky terrain.
Now, don't get me wrong -- The Sahara is just as capable of rolling across those same trails. It just seemed to me the Rubicon did it with more ease. Like if you had a stick of hard butter -- The Rubicon is like a hot knife smoothly, and with ease, slicing through that stick of butter. The Sahara is like a cold knife, and can still slice through the butter, but just not with as much ease.
Also the creaky noises my Sahara made --- Well... the Rubicon didn't make those noises. Again -- the Sahara is more than capable, but just seems to need to use a little more effort to make it through some of the obstacles.
Was it just the sway bars being disconnected? Maybe - I could have saved some money and just put some manual disconnects on the Sahara -- I guess. But, I want to say it was more than that. Unless you've driven both on the trails, I don't know how else to explain it... Except it was freaking AMAZING! Maybe one of my technical Jeep friends can explain it better. But to me I could feel it -- smoother, more power, more grip.
It was an absolutely amazing day! I drove my New Rubicon over some rocks, through some muddy puddles and up and down trails in the Appalachian Mountains. I met a group of great Jeep people with the Blue Mountain Jeep Alliance and and shared a yummy turkey dinner lunch. I'm thankful for being able to be a part of this group of great Jeepers.
But the best part -- Spending the day with my son bonding and sharing a great memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life!
-- Simple Living! -- Enjoying Life! -- The Jeep Momma Way --
Wait... It's still not time to hit the trails yet. The group was going to give a quick little lesson on recovery. I thought, this is good. I need to know this stuff. But guess what? All my great Jeep friends I've meet online -- they have taught me so well, I pretty much knew everything that was discussed. It made me feel pretty confidant. Not a newbee anymore. Ohhh kay well -- a Rubi Newbee out on the trails. 
Leave a comment