Feature > New Vehicle Reviews
2005 Special-Edition Jeep Wrangler
Unlimited Unleashed: Special-edition Jeep Wrangler is best-equipped 4x4 to ever hit the backroads
story & photos by Bruce W. Smith
The Unlimited’s on-road handling is more secure feeling than the standard Rubicon. Stretched wheelbase settles the ride on and off-road, while other changes reduce the interior sound levels, making long drives less tiring.
Everyone knows the Jeep Wrangler. It’s the most recognized vehicle on the road. Now Jeep takes the nimble Wrangler far beyond just classic looks with the Rubicon Unlimited — a brand-new model that gives off-road adventurers a dream ride, taking four-wheeling to a level never before offered by a vehicle manufacturer. The Unlimited Rubicon is where extreme out-of-the-box off-roader meets the ultimate in 4x4 versatility, according to Jeep.
To the casual observer, the Unlimited edition of the Wrangler Rubicon looks like any other Wrangler except for the badging. Park the Unlimited next to a standard Rubicon or a garden-variety Wrangler, and the differences are glaring.
The Unlimited is 15 inches longer, with 13 of those in the cargo area, and the other two behind the front seats. Jeep’s frame and body stretching more than doubles the Unlimited’s cargo capacity and improves rear-passenger legroom and comfort.
Jeep’s stretched Wrangler settles the ride on- and off-road, too. This is a nice trait that should attract buyers who didn’t care for the standard Wrangler’s choppy demeanor for zipping around city streets and traversing rough country roads. But what really sets the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon apart from other Wranglers is the off-roading hardware that isn’t so obvious — until you hit places like the Hell’s Revenge Trail near Moab, Utah. Those who’ve tasted this infamous trail know that the ultimate test of one’s driving skills and a 4x4 is making it out of the southern end of the trail in a section called Hell’s Gate — a steep, narrow V-shaped ravine carved into the sandstone escarpments that makes this area of eastern Utah the ultimate playground for off-roaders.
Dana 44 front and rear axles, long-travel coil spring, and Rock-Trac transfer case all add up to a phenomenal off-road performer. |
Air-locking differentials and great suspension articulation give the Unlimited Rubicon great off-road abilities. |
Many a vehicle has suffered extensive damage as their drivers try to make the technically challenging climb out of the gate. A misplaced tire, a bit too much power, a momentary loss of traction, or a combination thereof can result in rollovers, broken axles, or crushed body panels. If you want to look good, come with a vehicle that has thousands of dollars in a trick aftermarket suspension, deeply geared drivetrain, and locking differentials at both ends.
Or you could ease your way through Hell’s Gate in the Unlimited Rubicon and not spend a dime on aftermarket upgrades. The Jeep boys have already set it up for full-on off-road use right off the showroom floor. The Unlimited is equipped with heavy-duty Dana 44 axles front and rear, both of which have 4.11 gears and air-actuated Tru-Lok locking differentials.
The Tru-Lok air-lockers are very cool. Jeep’s air-actuated locking differentials, built by Tochigi Fuji Sangyo, require just five pounds of pressure to operate, which makes them virtually silent to those seated inside. Such stealth makes it easy to impress even the most hard-core off-roaders when the “stock” Unlimited Rubicon suddenly appears unstoppable.
In 2WD or 4WD High, the air-locking diffs operate as conventional limited-slips. But in 4WD Low, the driver can push a button on the dash, which engages the differential’s air-locking mechanism, locking the axle shafts together so all four wheels are driven at the same speed. The air-locking diffs are what sets the Unlimited apart from every other model TJ.
Goodyear Wrangler LT245/75R16 “Maximum Traction/Reinforced” 31-inch tires are standard fare. They work great on and off-road. |
Dash layout should be familiar to current Wrangler owners. Function and comfort blend well in the new edition. Seven-speaker sound system is particularly nice. |
Another advantage the Unlimited Rubicon has over other Wrangler models is the ultra-low-geared NV241 Rock-Trac transfer case. The standard Jeep Rubicon transfer case has a ratio of 2.27:1, the Unlimited’s gearing is 4:1.
All this techno mumbo-jumbo might sound foreign to the average Jeep buyer, but to off-road adventurers, such mechanical goodies are music to their ears. This all means that the Jeep has twice the traction of a conventional four-wheel-drive, the ability to move at a snail’s pace when the terrain requires such finesse, and it can take off-road abuse without fear of something breaking.
Coupled with the manual six-speed or optional four-speed automatic, the 190-horsepower, 4.0-liter Power Tech inline-six-cylinder makes the 2005 Unlimited Rubicon a hard-core outdoorsman’s dream ride. This Jeep is fuel-efficient and pleasant to drive.
The standard Rubicon Unlimited package includes a Sunrider soft-top, seven-speaker sound system, four-wheel disc brakes to stop on a dime, and a new child-seat anchor system to keep the young ones secure so they can enjoy the Jeep experience.
The Unlimited’s long suspension travel and locking differentials make it a true mountain goat. It can negotiate challenging terrain as well as regular Jeeps tricked out with thousands of dollars of aftermarket accessories. |
The standard Rubicon Unlimited package includes a quiet and easy-to-remove Sunrider soft top with built-in sunroof. Interior is comfortable, and rear legroom and cargo capacity brings a new comfort level to those who want to enjoy off-road adventures in a Jeep. |
“Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon’s unique factory off-road system is another chapter in the Wrangler value story,” says Jeff Bell, vice president of Jeep marketing. “Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon offers extreme off-road capability at approximately half the price of modifying the vehicle with aftermarket hardware. Combine that with Jeep engineering, testing on the world’s most demanding trails, Jeep’s seven-year/70,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, and significantly more space, and it’s clear the all-new 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon delivers the ultimate combination of capability, versatility, and value.”
After spending time behind the wheel in the rugged backcountry of Utah, we couldn’t agree more: the Unlimited Rubicon, which has an MSRP of $28,825, is a Jeep any off-road adventurer would be proud to own the keys to.
Specifications:
| Unlimited Rubicon Jeep Wrangler | |
|---|---|
| MSRP: | $28,825 |
| Engine: | 190-hp 4.0L electronically fuel-injected inline-six |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual; 4-speed automatic (opt) |
| Transfer case: | NV241 Rock-Trac (4:1 ratio) |
| Axles: | Dana 44 w/ air-actuated Tru-Lok differentials |
| Brakes: | 4-wheel vented disc |
| Wheelbase: | 103.4 in. |
| Fuel capacity: | 19 gals. |
| EPA mpg City/Hwy: | 16/20 |
| Curb weight: | 3,721 lbs. |
| Towing capacity: | 3,500 lbs. |