Manoli Katakis 
So far, if you’ve wanted a Jeep Wrangler with 35-inch tires, you’d have to pay a visit to the aftermarket. Then the 2021 Ford Bronco came along, with its Sasquatch package, which adds 35 inch tires to every trim level as an a la carte option. Jeep – the most patriotic brand in America – isn’t about to let Ford’s upstart SUV ruffle the feathers of its prized bald eagle in the Wrangler. So today, after some cryptic teasers, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xtreme Recon package has been announced. And it aims to be the undisputed off-road SUV champion.
The new Jeep Wrangler Xtreme Recon Package includes:
LT315/70R17C (35-inch) BF Goodrich KO2 All-Terrain Tires
17-inch x 8-inch Beadlock Capable Wheels
4.56:1 Axle Ratio
1.5-inch Factory Suspension Lift with specially calibrated shocks
Approach angle – 47.4 degrees (best in class)
Breakover angle – 26.7 degrees (best in class)
Departure angle – 40.4 degrees (best in class)
Ground clearance – 12.9 inches (best in class)
Water fording – 33.6 inches (best in class)
For those who want to wait a bit, an optional 4.88:1 axle ratio will soon be available on the Wrangler Rubicon. And when paired with the six-speed manual transmission, this axle ratio delivers a best-in-class 100:1 crawl ratio for increased wheel torque and control when navigating off-road obstacles. The upcoming 4.88:1 axle ratio will be available for ordering later in 2021.
It should be noted that the 100:1 crawl ratio is not part of the Xtreme Recon package, and will actually be a standalone option for Wrangler Rubicons equipped with the 3.6L V6 engine and manual transmission.
Of course, the cost of all of this best-in-class hardware is definitely set at a high price. For now, the Xtreme Recon Package is only available on either the standard Wrangler Rubicon four-door, or the $73,000+, 470 horsepower Wrangler Rubicon 392. The package itself hasn’t been priced, but considering the $43,045 base MSRP of the Wrangler Rubicon 4-door, we’re probably looking at around $50,000 when more details surface. Considering that a 2021 Ford Bronco four-door Badlands (the comparative trim level) with a Sasquatch package and automatic transmission runs $50,820 before any other options or destination, and we’ve got ourselves a target.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xtreme Recon Package will be at the 2021 Chicago Auto Show starting July 14, 2021. Customers can now order the new package, with production starting in August out of the Toledo Assembly plant in Ohio.
