educate me please 4dr jk

[mwigant]

I went with the Rubicon for a couple of reasons. First, I have precious little time to do build ups. The second is that things tend to get less reliable when I start wrenching on them. There also may be fewer issues with parts availablity or warranty repairs. My MPG has run between 13-18. Interstate speeds, headwinds, and the driver's foot seem to have the most influence.

 

[Zeero]

This sure is turning out to be a touchy subject (enjoying) there r sure lots of pluses+ minus's- between what is capable and what is not leaning toward rubi and just doing bumpers - winch roof top tent prob best strongest long lasting warrarnty way 2 go what do u think

Haha...nah, nothing touchy about it, its part of the Jeep community. Its all in good fun.

Jeep owners always zap each other for choices made or equipment used or models driven. Its just a fun thing, but the rule is, ya gotta be able to take it AND give it back....and we ALL get a laugh out of it.

Particular model owners are particular and somewhat biased to their model, so you'll always get a long conversation that APPEARS heated over them all.

Jeeps of all makes have become a Cult following vehicle, there is just as much interest in them as there is dislike.....so you'll always get a widely mixed range of opinions the second the word "Jeep" is mentioned.

Mentioning that a particular vehicle is being poser, is simply a point on that "razzing". I really get the impression alot of people take it seriously, but, its all in good fun. I've been driving Jeeps for close to 16 years, and wheeling almost as long, so I've got that edgey razz attitude about Jeeps.

Anyway.

Get whatever you like....any model you'll get, you'll love, and take it places.

Have fun and get out there....that all the Jeep wants you to do, no matter what model.

:sombrero: :safari-rig:

 

[Lumberjack]

My $.02... I would do the x with the tru-lok rear axle. I have a 4:1 tcase in my tj and for pure rock crawling its great, but for general trail running I find it annoying. I liked the standard crawl ratio in my LJ much better during a 2 week trip in Colorado.

As far as the dana 30 front axle, I have seen a dozen or so break at the u-joint... but each one can be traced back to the driver, either very heavy on the skinny pedal or at full lock up against an obstacle. I think the tru-lok rear axle is a 44, so all is good there.

Good luck, no matter what you choose, either one will get you to some amazing country.

Dennis

 

[dennisuello]

I would skip JK-Forum and go to www.JKowners.com.

:26_7_2:

 

[Hilldweller]

jkowners.com is a fledgling site and trying to gain some momentum. The vibe is good but activity level is low; not a good source for input yet.
JeepForum.com has much more participation and a good vibe as well.

 

[The Swiss]

Hey, as far as I'm concerned, getting an "X" and upgrading to the same spec as a Rubicon is the same as these guys buying a V6 Mustang, tagging the 5.0 tag on the side and putting in a fake dual exhaust....big time poser.

I ******t you not, I have seen a local "X" cruising around with "Rubicon" tags on the hood sides.....stock X tires, X stickers on the sides.....total poser.

If your deal is trail riding and expedition driving.....get the Rubicon and don't pose out. You'll thank me later when you dont have to go through expensive and lengthy installs of Rubicon spec equipment and ordering and paying for shipping on the parts and hauling the parts around to get them installed.....I say the extra money spent on the Rubicon package is worth saving the headaches and time put into to the whole manual "upgrade" process.....you'll get out there with the Rubi and say "Wow, boy am I glad I dont have to modify anything crucial under the hood and chasis....its already here!"

You just go and buy it....pick it up...and TADA!!! Its ready to go.....no wasted time....no fussing over shipping and "should I get this part or that part"....you just...GO....done.....and best of all, NO POSING!!

If your hitting the mall and the office parking lot full-time....stick with an X and for a little BLING get the Sahara.

Well, I guess I would disagree with you; always depends on how you use your ride. IMHO the capability of the driver (and spotter) is at least as if not more important than the rig itself. BTW, my WJ sure had seen a lot more trail action than my Rubi so far; I fear my Rubi would for the moment qualify as a perfect Walmart-parking-lot-speed-bump-crawler :xxrotflma

 

[Hilldweller]

Well, I guess I would disagree with you; always depends on how you use your ride. IMHO the capability of the driver (and spotter) is at least as if not more important than the rig itself.

That's what I'm saying too.
Besides, due to the wheelbase of an unlimited Rubi, if you intend to run trails it needs larger tires and a lift. So there's a bit of money to start with since you'd need to regear and throw away those 4.10's you just paid for.
I really think that you can build a better overall rig by starting with an X.

OTOH, if you got a 2-door Rubi, a set of 33's and 1" body lift is all you need to go almost anywhere.
Yes; I admit it. This is what I wish I had gotten...

:victory:

 

[Milehi explorer]

I have over 30k miles on my 2007 Sahara Unlimited and here are my thoughts:

1. I don't regret buying the Sahara.
2. I wish I had at least a rear locker - I ran the Rubicon this past summer in a stock 2 door 2008 Rubicon and only engaged the front locker once or twice as a precaution; however I used the rear locker consistently.
3. The unlimited needs some more ground clearance under the middle, therefore a small lift is a must, even with stock sized tires.
4. The engine is not that underpowered (and I live at altitude and have an automatic).
5. I average 17mpg in my 45 mile mixed driving commute (It used to be almost 20mpg before lift, bumper, and mud tires).
6. These things work pretty well in moderate offroading because of the wheel base. It allows them to climb better then any other Jeep I have had including a Rubicon (TJ 2 door).
7. I like the painted flares and the kaki top/interior combo available on the Sahara (I know it doesn't help off road...).
8. If I had it to do over again I would have bought a Rubicon, same bumper/winch, 2.5" lift and been done....There is something about having everything available from the factory.....but I still say that a Sahara looks better then a Rubicon, even with scrapes on the "mall crawler" fender flares!

 

[JIMBO]

:archaeolo Here's my yellow RUBY next to a buddies LIFTED/37" expedition READY RUBY

Mine won't get that high, but there's not many places he can't go

They're quite a vehicle, straight from the dealer

:smileeek: :smileeek: :safari-rig: :safari-rig: JIMBO

 

[BigAl]

If I were choosing b/t the x and rubicon I think I'd say if you are going to do 12 plus off highway trips per year, then go rubicon. If you're keeping the vehicle for more than 4 years then, Rubicon. Otherwise I'd save the money. If you are realistically looking at 2-3 trips per year, I think it's hard to justify the money

 

[Hilldweller]

5. I average 17mpg in my 45 mile mixed driving commute (It used to be almost 20mpg before lift, bumper, and mud tires).

Couple of questions:
Which mud tires & size, did you keep the stock 18" wheels, did you need spacers?

Glad to see another Sahara with its pretty fenders scratched. :wings:

 

[WFTW]

Well, I bought a Rubicon, then changed out the axles, tires, wheels, seats, exhaust, added a dual battery set-up and an air intake and a 6 1/2" lift and a mess of Tuffy products and ... well, you get the point.

I know you said you won't be doing any serious off-roading...staying on dirt roads and such...but those dirt roads can flood. Lockers are like guns...you never need one until you REALLY need one. Get the Rubicon.

 

[hugh]

jk

Hi, I would like to add my 2 cents worth. A rubicon is nice but if you are not an avid off roader then the X or Sahara model would prob be better, everything I have read about them says they are very capable rigs. For insurance just put a winch up front and research how to use it safely, it will make self recovery possible. Also with that freedom modular top don,t bother to get a softtop, if you head up to Alaska you will really appreciate the comfort factor of the hard top.

 

[RonL]

The re-sale value on a Rubi is worth the extra cost to buy.

I have seen people buy the "basic" jeep and then they "fall in love" with off-roading, do the bigger tires and all the other things and then need the bigger axles and different gear ratios. Be careful that the X model is not going to limit you in the future.

 

[Root Moose]

Hi, I would like to add my 2 cents worth. A rubicon is nice but if you are not an avid off roader then the X or Sahara model would prob be better, everything I have read about them says they are very capable rigs.

I would make the argument that if you are not an avid off-roader then there is really no reason to buy a Wrangler at all.

If wheeling is not going to be your thing there are much better (i.e. more comfortable / useful ) vehicles out there. Grands, Commanders and 4Runners come to mind without really thinking about it.

I have seen people buy the "basic" jeep and then they "fall in love" with off-roading, do the bigger tires and all the other things and then need the bigger axles and different gear ratios. Be careful that the X model is not going to limit you in the future.

Also worth quoting for truth.