2003 Jeep Rubicon

This curbside was a pleasant surprise when I opened the box. It quickly turned into a quick build with the metal bar suspension and easy assembly. The metal bars make it easy to add aftermarket rims. The rubber tires that came in the kit were easy to carve the interior and add aftermarket rims, to keep the high clearance. The kit also had great detailing such as metal springs, a winch, and a light bar with four lights. The kit was probably more of a skill level 2 instead of skill level 4, which also makes it an easy quick build. The Jeep branding was spot on, especially the diamond pattern on the back. The extensive decals allow you to create different looks of the model. I would like to see a more advanced kit of this model, adding some type of removable top. This kit was a great way to represent the Jeep heritage of a Wrangler.

This is a good kit with lots of detail..... but very little choices. You can paint it any color you want and you get a choice of decals but beyond that any changes will require advanced skills and material. The hood ,doors, and tailgate do not open. The model has no engine at all....just an oil pan moulded into the frame and an exhaust system that is separate part. The kit has real coil springs that give the model working suspension..... sort of. The springs have to be located by thick (scale size) plastic cylinders that simply do not exist on the 1:1 (real) Jeep. No shocks are included and all the steering components are molded together with the front axle and suspention. Not very realistic at all. If you like the huge aftermarket bumper and winch in the picture you are in luck because the kit has no option to build with bumpers. Same thing with the odd roll bar and pocket style fender flairs that completely cover the big tires......you guessed right.....no choice of stock parts including wheels and tires No top at all either. If you don't want a goofy air snorkel on the side of your model you have some little holes to fill. Is this a good kit? Considering the fact that kits to build a 1:25 scale two door Jeep are very rare, I would recommend this kit . Keep in mind that if you have any plan to replicate any existing 1:1 Jeep that does not look just like the picture on the box, you have a lot of scratch building to do. Even kit bashing will not be easy considering the scarcity of authentic 4.0 Jeep engines and non-functional hood on this kit. My build is giving me long hours of fun. I am replacating my own 1991 Jeep YJ so I have filled the round headlight holes to build rectangular headlights, filled ,and narrowed the with of the fender flairs,added extentions to the flairs to match the YJ, and I am scratch building bumpers,roll cage, from plastic and brass rod to match the custom work I did on my own Jeep. I bought a second kit that I plan on building with no modifications just to show how much work I am doing on my replica. Bottom line, buy and build this kit and you will have a cool looking Jeep to park with your other models.....just dont expect it to look just like the 1:1 Jeep you know and love!

First I want to say the below average rating is solely due to the lack of engine and opening hood, secondly read the review by caverncity4wheeler, the expression and points listed there are right with what I thought opening this kit the first time around - engine doors, hood, suspension options etc. There is an additional factor I think those considering this kit might find useful. I bought two of these kits with the plan to build one as a late model Jeep and one to use parts for a CJ-7 kit I had one the shelf. Given that this kit is 1:25 and the CJ kit is 1:24 scale the parts are exchanging nicely due to the real world size differences. As I work through this build I am beginning to think this is the best use of this kit. I still have my second kit that I am leaning more toward using to work on my panel cutting skills by opening the hood and doors, adding a spare engine I have laying around and scratch building some extra parts, maybe try to redesign the suspension.... In all I think this is a good kit in a build it as it is on the box kit and hope that companies like Revell continue to make more 4x4/ off-road kits to supplement the muscle car/ exotic car variety available.