Is a Rubicon a JK or JL?
JK are the tires. The Wrangler JL Rubicon comes from the factory with 33-inch tires, giving it better off-road credentials.
In production from 2007-2018, the Jeep Wrangler JK has been the leading off-road vehicle for over a decade. There are three main types of Jeep Wranglers: the Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon. In addition to these models, there are also special editions available that vary from year to year.
The JL has a 44-degree approach angle on its two-door Rubicon edition.
Wrangler JK Jeeps have five-speed automatic transmission systems. But if you have a JL, then you have an eight-speed automatic transmission instead. This means that the JL model is more environmentally friendly, drives better in the low gear range, and can speed up to 60 mph faster.
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL vs Jeep Wrangler JK - YouTube
April 6, 2020. There's always a few different Jeep Wrangler trims to choose between. You might see Sport or Sahara put on the side of the hood. However, the trim worth paying the most attention to is Rubicon. Rubicon means that it is a particular Jeep model that is the most prepared for going off-roading.
Jeep Wrangler JK vs JL
Identified by Jeep as the “JL” Wrangler, it's more capable than the “JK” Wrangler it replaced. The JL Wrangler delivers higher levels of modern-day technology, including features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, a blind-spot warning system, and a light-hybrid powertrain.
A few other easy ways to tell if your Jeep is a JK are side facing turn signal lights on the fender flares, as well as signal lights on the grille under the headlights, integrated fog lights into the bumper and performance enhancing features like stability or hill descent controls.
The Jeep Wrangler JK Generation started with the 2007 model year, and will end with this year's 2017 model offering. It is the third generation of the iconic Wrangler model, and is the successor of the TJ generation, which ended in 2006.
The Wrangler JL is larger than the JK, giving more rear passenger leg room, and larger trunk space. Now that we reviewed the spec dimensions, we can dive into the feature differences and upgrades! Cosmetically, there are some key differences.
What is the difference between a JL and JK Jeep Wrangler?
Differences between Jeep Wrangler JL and Jeep Wrangler JK
Wrangler JK has one engine option, while Wrangler JL has three engine options. Both have a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, but the JL also has an available turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine.
Acronym | Definition |
---|---|
JL | Jump If Less |
JL | Joint Logistics |
JL | Joliotium (Element 105) |
JL | Japan Airlines Company Ltd. (IATA airline code) |

The most significant difference between a Wrangler and a Rubicon lies in Rubicon's locking front and rear differentials. Another difference lies in its Dana 44 axles front and rear. It also has a different gear differential (4:1) than Wrangler. Having larger wheels, ride height on Rubicon is much more than in Wrangler.
Overall, the simplest way to tell a JK apart is by the sheer road space it occupies. If you still aren't sure, then take look at the turn signals – on the JK, the turn signals are on the side, as opposed to the TJ Wrangler's, which are forward-facing.
The Jeep Wrangler (JK) is the third generation of the Jeep Wrangler off-road vehicle. The Wrangler was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the JK series 2007 Wrangler Unlimited at the 2006 New York Auto Show. Jeep Wrangler JK.
Every Jeep car has a unique identifier code called a VIN. This number contains vital information about the car, such as its manufacturer, year of production, the plant it was produced in, type of engine, model and more.
So, you're probably wondering what does JK mean for Jeep? Unlike the Jeep CJ model, the precursor to the Wrangler, where “CJ” stood for Civilian Jeep, “JK” doesn't stand for anything specific and is just engineering code to distinguish the different Wrangler generations.
JK Wranglers have a button that you must push in order to open the door or rear gate. The tail lights on the JL Wrangler have a very distinct, non-rectangular shape with a reverse light in the middle. JK's have a square tail light with a reverse light at the bottom.
J stands for Jeep and M is just a model number. # XJ: The Jeep Cherokee built from 1984-2001. # SJ or FSJ: A Fullsize Jeep Wagoneer or Cherokee built from 1963-1991. # J: A fullsize Jeep Gladiator pickup built from 1963-1987. # YJ: The Jeep Wrangler model built from 1987-1996.
What's the difference between the Jeep JK and the Jeep JKU? A clear difference is that the JK has two doors, while the JKU has four doors. The JKU is also bigger than the JK model and has a longer wheelbase. It's a good family vehicle due to its larger size; however, the JK is the preferred choice for off-roading.