YouTuber Exposes JL Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s Flimsy Design

It’s no secret popular YouTuber Matt’s Off Road Recovery isn’t a huge fan of newer off-road rigs. But in his latest video that just dropped, without saying a word he shines a light on the dumb designs of new Jeeps, which obviously aren’t truly built to hit real trails. Considering the brand is advertised as a turn-key trail machine for the masses, this reality is understandably disappointing.

Ford is working on a secret new super off-road vehicle.

Parent company Stellantis, which is based in the Netherlands and has upper management populated by high-brow Europeans, has been under considerable fire for ruining Jeep as well as sister brands Ram and Dodge. Matt seems to agree the new design choices being made by Europeans who think roughing it is glamping is Glasgow.

This sharp criticism of modern Jeeps comes as Matt is called for a recovery operation in Sand Hollow State park, which is the site of some famous sand dunes. A Wrangler Rubicon JL has suffered a failure after a knuckle sheared off.

Thankfully, Matt brought his famous off-road wrecker so he can hoist up the front end and drag the disabled, rather expensive new Jeep out of the sand dunes and to the owner’s house. Hopefully the owner decides to replace the knuckle with a more durable aftermarket option, or he could be in the same situation before long.

Considering the starting MSRP of a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is about $52,000 one would think Stellantis could use better quality materials. After all, this isn’t a vehicle that’s billed as just a grocery getter, although some do use them that way. It’s a Trail Rated off-road machine supposedly designed to take on technical trails. But it failed in some sand dunes.

Matt’s personal rides are all old and built for the constant wear and tear he’s putting on them. While the guy is obviously putting way more time on trails than a weekend warrior, he knows the value of having a rig that’s overbuilt versus one with insufficient, flimsy parts.  

Perhaps the old saying is true after all: real Jeeps are built, not bought. That’s the case even when you pay well over $50,000 for one.

Images via Matt’s Off Road Recovery/YouTube