Downsizing To A Jeep......

[shays4me]

Rubicons have Dana 44's front and rear and 4:10 gears. Non-Rubicons have a 44 in the rear and a 30 in the front, not 4:10s.

All of your other info is spot on but the gear ratios are not entirely correct. Rubicons with the auto now come with 3.73 gears stock. I don't know how many years that they've been doing that but be sure you know what you're buying. 4.10's are a $200 option on the auto, but come standard with the six speed in the Rubicon only. A non Rubicon for 13 will have a 3.21 or 3.73 gear ratio. A good indicator for 3.73's in a non-Rubi is the factory tow package. Many of the plain janes with tow packages have 3.73's.
FWIW, I don't fully understand why anyone with expedition travel in mind would buy a new Jeep that wasn't a Rubicon package. Granted, all of the models are very capable off road, but if you plan to lift or lock a Jeep then it's much cheaper to buy it that way in the first place. You can buy a factory Rubicon front axle for your JK after the fact, but it'll cost you almost as much as the whole package at the lot. Not that I'm being a Jeep snob. I like them all, it's just a better financial decision if that's where you're headed anyway. The Rubicon also has some convenience add ons like auto headlights, power doors, keyless entry, hill descent control, etc.. You get a lot for the money!

 

[jscusmcvet]

My salesman thought a locker was what you put your gun in. He said Tuffy sold one and they could install it.

When I bought the 2000 TJ that I drove for a bit and then gave to my son, I saw the ARB switches inside and checked under the hood for the compressor. I did not say anything about it. After a test drive, where I made sure it was all working, the salesman actually asked me, "Do you know what those switches do?".... uhhhhh.... no....

They had no idea what they were selling....

 

[ZMagic97]

Thanks for the corrections by shays4me and Judoka on the gears. I'm surprised to hear that 4:10s would not come with an auto.

I also agree with getting the Rubicon package for expo use. My JK is mainly for camping and offroad trips, and while some of the stuff isn't a need, it's really nice. My 08 isn;t as high optioned as the 13 and 14 models, but a better front axle, 4:10s (if you get them), elctronic sway bay disco and lockers, and power doors and windows are nice. I do not have the luxury of the hill decent control, so I just use the hand brake a lot!

Good luck with those stock gears at 9-10k feet driving up the passes.

I do it all the time with little effort, maybe drop to 4th gear here and there but that's it. Does hills much better than my XJ or WJ could. Also, with highways speeds of 80 where I live, higher gears would have me sitting at 3,000RPMs+ all the time.

 

[shays4me]

I'm surprised to hear that 4:10s would not come with an auto.

I was quite surprised as well. I was confused when I seen it on my window sticker as an option. It wasn't until after I bought the Jeep that I researched it and discovered that 3.73's are stock. It makes sense considering how many people buy a Rubicon and then spend 99% of the time on the street with the stock size tires.

 

[apalmer]

FWIW, I don't fully understand why anyone with expedition travel in mind would buy a new Jeep that wasn't a Rubicon package. Granted, all of the models are very capable off road, but if you plan to lift or lock a Jeep then it's much cheaper to buy it that way in the first place. You can buy a factory Rubicon front axle for your JK after the fact, but it'll cost you almost as much as the whole package at the lot. Not that I'm being a Jeep snob. I like them all, it's just a better financial decision if that's where you're headed anyway. The Rubicon also has some convenience add ons like auto headlights, power doors, keyless entry, hill descent control, etc.. You get a lot for the money!

IMHO, the premium is not worth it. My 2013 Sport S has all the extras you mention (auto headlights, power doors, keyless entry, hill descent control, 3.73 phone integration,) 17" wheels ((blessing or a curse I guess)) and I was out the door for $30k.

I could build a pretty killer suspension setup with lockers for the $5k price difference.

Ok, not the axles. But still. I would rather build my own.

 

[brianjwilson]

And not the sway bar disconnect, 4:1 transfer case and higher resale value.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Heh Heh, YUP with EXTRA money/timesale profit loss--you can make a sport far superior to a STOCK Rubicon, but

You better be ready for --loss of warranty/ lotta down time/ installation costs/ subsequent failure and the ultimate--

When you sell/tradein your jeep, a REAL Rubicon will fetch over 90% of initial cost (within 5 years) and a modified Sport will realize only 25% of the RubiWannabe mods-even though it'll still resale OK

You can't make a Rubicon, no matter how much money you spend, gotta have the VIN proof-

Bummer

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[apalmer]

All good points. Although, I wonder how resale is going to be in the next 5 years or so given the amount of these sold.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Very true statement, who knows what Chryslers gonna do in the next 5 years, 2018 is supposed to be a major change year-

All good points. Although, I wonder how resale is going to be in the next 5 years or so given the amount of these sold.

Crazy, even 2004/2006 Rubis are still selling from $14k to $21k-mileage/mileage/condition/condition-

You gotta temper your investment money/w your pleasure/hobby trends-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[mbryson]

IMHO, the premium is not worth it. My 2013 Sport S has all the extras you mention (auto headlights, power doors, keyless entry, hill descent control, 3.73 phone integration,) 17" wheels ((blessing or a curse I guess)) and I was out the door for $30k.

I could build a pretty killer suspension setup with lockers for the $5k price difference.

Ok, not the axles. But still. I would rather build my own.

I did this. Pretty happy with the Sport with the "lower end" interior accessories (most of the Sahara and Rubicon stuff I was NOT interested in having in my Jeep) it comes with.

Have a set of "built" JK axles, 35" tires and the 2.72 transfer case and am happy with that.

 

[shays4me]

I did this. Pretty happy with the Sport with the "lower end" interior accessories (most of the Sahara and Rubicon stuff I was NOT interested in having in my Jeep) it comes with..

I have to agree with you there. I would have been very happy indeed to buy a new JKUR with a vinyl floor, non-power windows and just the basics. A stripped version, so to speak with all of the Rubicon off road goodies. Like a J8 I guess.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I have to agree with you there. I would have been very happy indeed to buy a new JKUR with a vinyl floor, non-power windows and just the basics. A stripped version, so to speak with all of the Rubicon off road goodies. Like a J8 I guess.

Yeah, it is pretty sad what the Wrangler has become, the result is every grandma and teenage daughter are blinging them out.

 

[ZMagic97]

Yeah, it is pretty sad what the Wrangler has become, the result is every grandma and teenage daughter are blinging them out.

As sad as that is, it is making Jeep a LOT of money though.

 

[korisu56]

As sad as it is, Jeep is still able to provide a solid frame, solid axle, and locked platform to people who want them. I don't care what grandma and tweenie does to theirs. I'm just happy we're still afforded the opportunity to purchase that type of vehicle in the US.

 

[Judoka]

Hey, I say God Bless Grandma , the Soccer Mom and the girls! Because of them I have made enough money selling these Jeeps that I can afford TWO Rubicons!:wings: How 'Bout them Cowgirls!