Scott Brady
Founder
Welcome SeaRubi! :smiley_drive:
Rubicon...Is it worth it?
- Thread starter Wanderlusty
- Start date
Wanderlusty
Explorer
You know, what sucks about this whole thought process...
The more I think about actually moving up to a JK Unlimited, the more I think about that to afford that, I would most likely have to get rid of the TJ...
And...this is the thing....I DON'T WANT to get rid of the TJ. Even with the inconvenience of slinging the kiddo in the back....
Every time I think about having to get rid of the TJ, it kinda makes me sad.
So where does that leave me? I don't know.
The more I think about actually moving up to a JK Unlimited, the more I think about that to afford that, I would most likely have to get rid of the TJ...
And...this is the thing....I DON'T WANT to get rid of the TJ. Even with the inconvenience of slinging the kiddo in the back....
Every time I think about having to get rid of the TJ, it kinda makes me sad.
So where does that leave me? I don't know.
Wanderlusty
Explorer
cshontz said:Do it, David. It'll only sting as long as it takes you to get to the dealer. The below picture is not of me, nor is it of my Jeep.
Seems like a mixed message there...."DO IT" and "
" I guess as much as I love the TJ, another motivator is that it is only a year and some change from being paid off. I hate starting the whole cycle over again.
Despite it's Dana 35 inferiority, it has never let me down, and it only has 40K on it. And....honestly.....as many things as there are that I DO like about the JK, there is a lot I DON'T like....whereas the TJ, save for the space issue, I have no quarrel with. Perhaps that is just due to familiarity, though.
Part of me is considering keeping the TJ and picking up a car or something for the daily grind that is more kiddo friendly. Something cheap I can pay off in 2-3 years vs. 5.
BajaTaco
Swashbuckler
I didn't read through the entire thread yet...
but I voted "yes".
For me the bottom line would be that if I could afford the $ for the Rubicon pkg, I would not hesitate to get it. The added strength of the D44 front axle along with the F/R OEM lockers and cool t-case would make it very worth it for me. If I couldn't afford it though, then I couldn't afford it. Period. So I would either get the X and add the lockers when the budget permits, or save up for the Rubicon.
but I voted "yes".
For me the bottom line would be that if I could afford the $ for the Rubicon pkg, I would not hesitate to get it. The added strength of the D44 front axle along with the F/R OEM lockers and cool t-case would make it very worth it for me. If I couldn't afford it though, then I couldn't afford it. Period. So I would either get the X and add the lockers when the budget permits, or save up for the Rubicon.
SeaRubi
Explorer
Up to 33" tires, I think the OEM solution is good. Over that and ... I'm not so sure.
Things I DON'T like about the OEM stuff:
* chain driven transfer case. The borg-warner in my rangie went "pop" and was a similar design. at roughly 3.3:1 ratio it wasn't far off from the NP241OR
* rear locker: seen lots of issues with the rear locker grenading. It's a torsen style limted slip in addition to being fully lockable. Sounds great but the long term i'm not so sure. i think the jury is out on long-term reliability of this unit.
* semi-float hubs. okay maybe it's a rover thing, but the thought of breaking a rear axle in the middle of nowhere and worrying about having the wheel stay on kind of freaks me out
* locker air-lines: i've already had one pop off inside the diff. the airline runs through the axle casing and connects internally, versus having the connection point on the outside of the diff-case like ARB. Left me stranded once in the snow, which brought the suck.
just a few anti-Rubi notes ... I think it's still worth it to me, but if I were building a trail rig / rock crawler, I'd have started with a nice TJ Sport and upgraded everything else, retaining the 4.0L engine.
ARB's and an Atlas II are definitely higher quality pieces of equipment. For me it was getting all that stuff installed and fronting the cost out of pocket that sent me down the Rubi path. I don't plan on hardcore rock crawling, and enjoy a nice mix of trails and overland type travel. 255/85's are the biggest tire I plan to put on mine, so I feel the stock axles will be more than sufficient after upgrading then to Superior or Alloy replacements.
For the fella with the TJ w/ 40k miles ... think about your down payment. What are your feelings on a trailer? What are your plans for the vehicle? can you get by with using a less expensive alternative in the diffs like truetrack limited slips, or maybe an aussie locker? That would be a hard choice to me... I was facing a drivetrain rebuild on the rangie when I bought mine so it made sense. If I had a reliable vehicle to begin with, the pull wouldn't have been nearly as strong.
fwiw
Things I DON'T like about the OEM stuff:
* chain driven transfer case. The borg-warner in my rangie went "pop" and was a similar design. at roughly 3.3:1 ratio it wasn't far off from the NP241OR
* rear locker: seen lots of issues with the rear locker grenading. It's a torsen style limted slip in addition to being fully lockable. Sounds great but the long term i'm not so sure. i think the jury is out on long-term reliability of this unit.
* semi-float hubs. okay maybe it's a rover thing, but the thought of breaking a rear axle in the middle of nowhere and worrying about having the wheel stay on kind of freaks me out
* locker air-lines: i've already had one pop off inside the diff. the airline runs through the axle casing and connects internally, versus having the connection point on the outside of the diff-case like ARB. Left me stranded once in the snow, which brought the suck.
just a few anti-Rubi notes ... I think it's still worth it to me, but if I were building a trail rig / rock crawler, I'd have started with a nice TJ Sport and upgraded everything else, retaining the 4.0L engine.
ARB's and an Atlas II are definitely higher quality pieces of equipment. For me it was getting all that stuff installed and fronting the cost out of pocket that sent me down the Rubi path. I don't plan on hardcore rock crawling, and enjoy a nice mix of trails and overland type travel. 255/85's are the biggest tire I plan to put on mine, so I feel the stock axles will be more than sufficient after upgrading then to Superior or Alloy replacements.
For the fella with the TJ w/ 40k miles ... think about your down payment. What are your feelings on a trailer? What are your plans for the vehicle? can you get by with using a less expensive alternative in the diffs like truetrack limited slips, or maybe an aussie locker? That would be a hard choice to me... I was facing a drivetrain rebuild on the rangie when I bought mine so it made sense. If I had a reliable vehicle to begin with, the pull wouldn't have been nearly as strong.
fwiw
BajaTaco said:
Wanderlusty
Explorer
SeaRubi said:
That’s my current setup…
SeaRubi said:
Mixed. I like the idea in general, but there are some cons.
1. Tugging a trailer over trails with the D35 just about precludes a busted axle soon.
2. Trailers like the Adventure Trailers are not exactly cheap…
3. ….especially if you add the cost of a new axle to the mix.
4. Not sure how crazy I am about tugging a trailer down (or up?) certain types of trails. Guess it could always be left at a basecamp if it was really tough stuff, but generally, I like taking trails that GET me places. I may be wrong here, but I feel like I would be limited.
5. Generally not so sure about the extra effort driving a trailer requires.
SeaRubi said:
Not on the TJ. Anything axle wise would basically preclude getting a new one. I am not going to ‘build’ the D35.
Would like to find a D44 and build it.
Or suck it up and get the JK.
SeaRubi said:
Yep.
RunninRubicon
Adventurer
Rubi's are rubys
I have read concern after concern and worry after worry about NP transfer cases chain vs gear. I have never seen or heard of a chain slippin off a tooth on a properly serviced case. Worn sure. These things are built to handle over 1100lbs or torgue - tuff stuff. Certainly NOT the weakest link. Same can be said about the axle-shafts. If you have doubt about your rigs abilities - carry a spare. Better yet evenly match your tire size to the axle. We've read what to run with what a million times. Loosing hoses - certainly heard more issue from ARB owners then Rubi owner. (my club has 26 rubis in it). As for pulling off-road trailers. I pull on that's about 1000lbs over everything I point it at-never an issue. I do drive differently with a trailer then w/o-dah!
Are they worth it- Did an 88 YJ the hard way piece by piece-spent over $30K to get what I have in my used 2003 Rubicon that cost $17500 w/a 4" Fabtech, aftermarket bumpers, wheels/33" Goodyears and rock-rails. They weigh more then an "X" and have no more power so performance can be an issue. So do as I did and implant a Kenne Bell Blower and let er rock!:Mechanic:
I have read concern after concern and worry after worry about NP transfer cases chain vs gear. I have never seen or heard of a chain slippin off a tooth on a properly serviced case. Worn sure. These things are built to handle over 1100lbs or torgue - tuff stuff. Certainly NOT the weakest link. Same can be said about the axle-shafts. If you have doubt about your rigs abilities - carry a spare. Better yet evenly match your tire size to the axle. We've read what to run with what a million times. Loosing hoses - certainly heard more issue from ARB owners then Rubi owner. (my club has 26 rubis in it). As for pulling off-road trailers. I pull on that's about 1000lbs over everything I point it at-never an issue. I do drive differently with a trailer then w/o-dah!
Are they worth it- Did an 88 YJ the hard way piece by piece-spent over $30K to get what I have in my used 2003 Rubicon that cost $17500 w/a 4" Fabtech, aftermarket bumpers, wheels/33" Goodyears and rock-rails. They weigh more then an "X" and have no more power so performance can be an issue. So do as I did and implant a Kenne Bell Blower and let er rock!:Mechanic:
Wanderlusty
Explorer
Well, I thought I had decided on just keeping the TJ....but a weekends worth of contemplation and I am leaning back towards a JK Rubi again.....
It's not that I am indecisive...ok, maybe it is....
I think the reality is if I started really upgrading the TJ....that is a lot of $$$ that could go towards a JK....
AND....
That doesn't really solve the real issue....lack of space. And with one kid here and thoughts of trying again for number two probably after our fall trip....I know that I need more space...period....
I hate thinking of parting ways with a TJ that I otherwise have no quarrel with...and DEFINITELY hate the thought of MORE payments, but I have to be realistic about the NEEDS as well as the WANTS. (NEED more space...WANT a Rubi while I am at it...)
I still have a while to decide....and still seeing how the DIESEL thing goes, too....but at least for THIS week...I am back to considering the JK-U Rubi...again....for now....
It's not that I am indecisive...ok, maybe it is....
I think the reality is if I started really upgrading the TJ....that is a lot of $$$ that could go towards a JK....
AND....
That doesn't really solve the real issue....lack of space. And with one kid here and thoughts of trying again for number two probably after our fall trip....I know that I need more space...period....
I hate thinking of parting ways with a TJ that I otherwise have no quarrel with...and DEFINITELY hate the thought of MORE payments, but I have to be realistic about the NEEDS as well as the WANTS. (NEED more space...WANT a Rubi while I am at it...)
I still have a while to decide....and still seeing how the DIESEL thing goes, too....but at least for THIS week...I am back to considering the JK-U Rubi...again....for now....
Wanderlusty
Explorer
SeaRubi said:just ... do ... it :coffeedrink:
think about how happy you'll be DRIVING the damned thing and not figuring out how to spend every free 10 minute block wrenching on that TJ with a new child ...
me thinks a JK is in your future
Me thinks you are probably right. Heck, I see they even have some pretty cool looking Mopar steel bumpers and a steel skid to protect the swaybar disco and steering, and a 9500 lb Warn that can be dealer optioned. Heck, a Rubi with that, what they call the "Off-Road" package....and really, lift and tires is just about all there is left.
Not to say that it would ever really be "done" even so....
SeaRubi
Explorer
Fat_Man said:
shoot -screw the lift 'n tires. it comes with 32's, which really is plenty to get into trouble once in awhile, and wholly adequate for exploring back country. that's how i've been using mine on 1" less tire.
looking for trouble on a night run:
easy summertime wheelin' and camping:
Wanderlusty
Explorer
SeaRubi said:
Dunno....I have just been so spoiled by my lift....I think I would miss it. I know that I cruise right over what my friends in a 04 Rubi and 03 TJ (both with no lift and 31's) drag on.
And that doesn't even take into account the 2 foot longer wheel base of the JK-U compared to my ShorT-J...losing a lot of breakover....
I know that it wouldn't be an urgent issue....but would probably end up lifted anyhow. Besides, I just like the look, too
durango_60
Explorer
I was just playing on the Jeep site and noticed that both the Sahara and the X now have an option for a rear locker. It currently has a price of $0 but I'm sure that will change. If I could pick up an X with a locker for MSRP of ~23k it may be worth it instead of getting a Ruby for 29k.
This looks to confirm it... http://arifleet.com/production.html
This looks to confirm it... http://arifleet.com/production.html