Rafael Rubio’s 2018 Jeep Wrangler JLU

TEXT AND IMAGES BY JOHN PANGILINAN

There’s a reason so many people call California home. From the proximity to the ocean to the year-round great weather, but for Florida transplant Rafael Rubio, living in California provided an opportunity to satisfy his urge to travel and explore. Several failed attempts at road trips, due to overpriced hotel, lead him to discover the growing overland movement, and he hasn’t looked back since.

The economic downturn forced his previous employer in Miami to go out of business in 2011, it was then that Rubio began a search for a new job. The search brought him to the annual SEMA tradeshow in which he was able to land a position at TSW Tires in California. Rubio and his then-girlfriend (now his wife) packed up their belongings and headed west. The couple began to enjoy their new surroundings and their explorations would lead them further and further off the beaten path, which would require a vehicle that was more capable.

This Jeep was brand new with zero miles when Rubio bought it. It wouldn’t stay that way for long.

Hammerhead front bumper and armor make sure that this JLU goes unscathed.

“THE COUPLE BEGAN TO ENJOY THEIR NEW SURROUNDINGS AND THEIR EXPLORATIONS WOULD LEAD THEM FURTHER AND FURTHER OFF THE BEATEN PATH.”