Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition Discussion

[mini2nut]

Eh. Unlikely. "Down the road" is already sort of here for the 2013 10A edition... They are not holding their value any better than comparably-equipped non-10A 2013 Rubicons with similar mileage. There is no certainty that a standard 20A 392 would hold its value any better than a standard 2023 392. The 20A Level II 392? With only 75 of them being made in the 392 variant, and a significant difference from the standard 392, it is more of a possibility that they become a collectible than the non-Level II 20A 392.

The Wrangler that has best held its value is the LJ Rubicon Sahara, and there were only 1,000 units made. Every other special edition Wrangler before and after the Rubihara has not held its value as much as people thought they would at the time "down the road."

Even the Red Rock Edition JK. It was limited to 100 total units, but it was not different enough from the 2013 10A Rubicon, 2014 Rubicon X, or the 2015 Rubicon Hard Rock before it, or the 2016-18 Rubicon Recon after it. This is the same problem the 10A Edition has.

The other problem the 10A and Red Rock Editions had, beyond being more or less indistinguishable from the Rubicon X, Hard Rock, and Recon (other than stickers / emblems) was that the red leather in the 10A puts a lot of people off. Some like it, many don't. The Red Rock only came in red. Some like red jeeps, many don't.

A 20A Level II 392's only competition would be other 392s sent to AEV for the JL370 package (which is to say, not many), and the most direct competition would be 2023 392XRs sent to AEV for the JL370 package (which is to say, even fewer). Some may seek out the 20A in particular. Others may prefer an AEV JL370 due to the interior not having red leather, red seatbelts, or a red leather dash.

I, for one, am happy that my 2023 ("20A") 392XR that was sent to AEV and had the JL370 conversion (aka more complete "Level II package") has the standard grille, black leather interior, black seatbelts, and does not have a red leather dash. Could you change these things? Sure, but then their value as a collectible is negated because the most valuable collectible vehicles are those that are unmolested.

I say this because I believe the 2023 20A 392 will be the final act for the the limited production 392. I predict the 392 will have a fairly short production run, 2021-2023, and will be discontinued after this year.

 

[jandersendo]

Nice renegade front bumper

 

[Tank2112]

Think Jeep put air compressor in rear storage area?
I watched video of 2022 Moab Easter Jeep Safari driving the 392 Rubicon 20A concept and I think they mentioned air in rear while still maintaining folding table on tailgate.

 

[392OVRLND]

That's my thought process on it, but I'm definitely not going for the AEV package. Frankly just don't think it's worth it and long term, I think a pure Jeep (not upfitted) will hold its value with more future buyers. Of course, that could be completely wrong. I'm just not a huge AEV fan, so it's not for me.

The problem with this analysis is... long-term, Jeep collectors are going to consider the Level II as "not upfitted," since even though AEV is doing the work, the Level II Rubicon is a factory-offered package. If you were talking about something like those dogshit Starwood Motors Jeep "upfits" (more like downfits, since they're a smattering of shit all over a perfectly good Jeep), then I would tend to agree with you. However, since this is an OE-collaboration with Jeep and AEV, and is being "factory offered," that changes things.

Even without the collaboration in play, the resale on AEV upfits is typically stronger / higher than most other upfit Jeeps down the road. One of the AEV 112 stretched TJs just sold through Barrett Jackson for $27K and, if we are being honest, it was poorly marketed and BJ was probably the wrong place to sell it. When you look at BaT JK Wrangler sales, the AEV 5.7 and 6.4 HEMI-swapped conversions tend to be among the higher-priced Jeeps to sell on that site.

 

[392OVRLND]

I say this because I believe the 2023 20A 392 will be the final act for the the limited production 392. I predict the 392 will have a fairly short production run, 2021-2023, and will be discontinued after this year.

It may be discontinued this year. However, what I have heard from insiders is that there is still a decent possibility that it is produced into the 2024 model year. However, all of those insiders tend to agree that it would not be carried into 2025.

That said, I (selfishly) hope 2023 is the last year of the 392.

 

[jandersendo]

I bet the hinges still corrode even on a 20A

 

[392OVRLND]

I bet the hinges still corrode even on a 20A

You shut your mouth. We don't speak of those things. Or the weather that starts with "H."

Do NOT upset the Gods.

 

[jandersendo]

You shut your mouth. We don't speak of those things. Or the weather that starts with "H."

Do NOT upset the Gods.

They will still corrode.

 

[Tank2112]

Maybe we should all be thanking Jeep for not making any significant changes to the 20A 392.
Can you imagine how we'd all be scrambling if Jeep had offered factory dana 60's and 37" tires?

Seems Jeep either ran out of time, money or interest for the 20A model Wranglers.
They dumped it off onto AEV. Good advertising for AEV though.

 

[Mallcrawler_392]

I say this because I believe the 2023 20A 392 will be the final act for the the limited production 392. I predict the 392 will have a fairly short production run, 2021-2023, and will be discontinued after this year.

I think 2024 will be the last year, then they throw it in the Gladiator. It will sell like hot cakes in that to.

 

[Mallcrawler_392]

Maybe we should all be thanking Jeep for not making any significant changes to the 20A 392.
Can you imagine how we'd all be scrambling if Jeep had offered factory dana 60's and 37" tires?

Seems Jeep either ran out of time, money or interest for the 20A model Wranglers.
They dumped it off onto AEV. Good advertising for AEV though.

I wish they would have put a Dana 60 in it. AEV deserves the collaboration. From Dave busting his ass in a garage, to a multi million dollar business, and he still own it!

 

[Dral97]

Anyone see any better interior dash pics than below? If I get one of these, the red seats and belts are good, but the red dash probably has gotta go. I think that dash (the dash pad and center console) has red stitching, in which case I’d get the black leather with red stitching trim.

Edit: Added second pic. Yep red that hopefully matches the trim pieces they already have available.

 

[Mallcrawler_392]

Anyone see any better interior dash pics than below? If I get one of these, the red seats and belts are good, but the red dash probably has gotta go. I think that dash (the dash pad and center console) has red stitching, in which case I’d get the black leather with red stitching trim.

Edit: Added second pic. Yep red that hopefully matches the trim pieces they already have available.
View attachment 17635
View attachment 17637

Watch the video I posted a few pages back, I think it shows the dash in it.

 

[392OVRLND]

Maybe we should all be thanking Jeep for not making any significant changes to the 20A 392.
Can you imagine how we'd all be scrambling if Jeep had offered factory dana 60's and 37" tires?

Seems Jeep either ran out of time, money or interest for the 20A model Wranglers.
They dumped it off onto AEV. Good advertising for AEV though.

They are offering "factory" 37s... through the Level 2 package.

 

[392OVRLND]

Anyone see any better interior dash pics than below? If I get one of these, the red seats and belts are good, but the red dash probably has gotta go. I think that dash (the dash pad and center console) has red stitching, in which case I’d get the black leather with red stitching trim.

Edit: Added second pic. Yep red that hopefully matches the trim pieces they already have available.
View attachment 17635
View attachment 17637

I much prefer the black leather / bronze stitching in the standard 392s. Would have looked much classier, in my opinion, without the red seats. If they wanted to add a unique touch, they could have added the black leather dash (with bronze stitching) from the High Altitude and done bronze seatbelts or something to keep with the motif of the 392.

It irks me that they left the locker control trim piece red in the standard 392s instead of making it bronze.

 

[SCARd4Life]

Talk of resale value reminds me of toys sealed in original packaging. Don't know about you but I don't have a lot of great memories of MIB GI Joes. My best Joes had missing hair, broken kung fu grip fingers, and more scars than they started with.

 

[Dral97]

Yep, I had a 2014 FJ TTUE (1 of 2500 made). I thought for a quick second about garaging it, but decided when I was done with it to sell it to someone else do they could enjoy it.

 

[Bhodi11]

I much prefer the black leather / bronze stitching in the standard 392s. Would have looked much classier, in my opinion, without the red seats. If they wanted to add a unique touch, they could have added the black leather dash (with bronze stitching) from the High Altitude and done bronze seatbelts or something to keep with the motif of the 392.

It irks me that they left the locker control trim piece red in the standard 392s instead of making it bronze.

Take off the panel and send it to Distinction Applied. They can change it to bronze and it will look factory.

 

[7.62x392]

In case anyone was wondering, Scott Blum (Rubicon product manager) commented on a post in the 392 FB group noting the air compressor was built into the tire carrier, not the actual back door. He also seemed to indicate it would be offered as an aftermarket option from Mopar. I’d still probably get an ARB twin over what I’m sure will be an over priced under performing Mopar part.

 

[johngalt312]

Had been monitoring/waiting for the 20A since having purchased 22 392 XR, with definitive plan to buy (presumed factory 37s, factory WARN winch, etc.). That said, disappointed, and now not going to. Could have previously gotten an AEV, if such was desired.

Versus current 22 392 XR:

Xtreme Recon Package - already has
-35" BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires
-17-by-8" beadlock-capable wheels
-4.56 rear axle ratio

Hinge-gate reinforcement by Mopar - already has

Jack spacer by Mopar - already has

Tire relocation kit by Mopar - already has

Wheel flare extension - already has/indifferent

New interpretation of the iconic Jeep brand seven-slot grille - don’t care; like current grill better

20th Anniversary hood decals in 392 bronze theme - don’t want (would de-badge/de-sticker, same as current)

20th Anniversary swing gate plaque - indifferent

20th Anniversary shifter medallion - indifferent

Half-inch suspension lift delivering: - want
-34.5" water fording (+ 0.9")
-11.6" ground clearance (+ 0.5")

On-board air compressor - like, but indifferent, and better aftermarket options available, if sought (not sought at present)

Triple hoop grille guard - don’t want; prefer current MOPAR single hoop

Steel bumpers (winch-capable front) - already has

83-piece tool kit with canvas bag - don’t care

Heavy-duty steel rock sliders - already has

Integrated front off-road camera - already has

Gorilla glass windshield - already has

Unique red-and-black leather seats - prefer black as already has

Red leather-wrapped instrument panel bolster - prefer black as already has

All-weather slush mats - don’t want; would be swapped for Armorlite as already has

Auxiliary switches - already has

So the only desirable change would be 0.5” of additional factory lift (curious how they went about this) to go from 22 392 XR TO 23 392 XR, with some options not wanted.

If no current 392 XR then would be a buyer, but given current rig, see no compelling reason, particularly not for presumably $15K more than original purchase price.

Look forward to seeing 20A on the road nonetheless.