Willys Wheeler VS Rubicon

[marktutone]

What is your opinion.

What is the most suitable and better deal overland vehicle? The Rubicon or the Willys Wheeler.

Key Points:

Willys Wheeler Nicely outfitted $31,000
Dana 44 Rear
Dana 30 Front
Locking differential Rear.

Rubicon Nicely outfitted 41,000
Dana 44 Front
Dana 44 Rear
Locking differentials Front and Rear

 

[heehawhardy]

I'm going to say Willys. You add an ARB locked RockJock to the front for way cheaper. Also even if you left the Willy's stock it would still tackle majority if not all of the duties

 

[docwatson]

The Willys doesn't have a locking rear diff, just limited slip.

 

[njtacoma]

The Willys doesn't have a locking rear diff, just limited slip.

I was really hoping you were wrong and marutone was right, so I went and checked myself, no locker. Just a trac-loc.

IF it had a locker in only the rear I would be counting my pennies right now, locker in the back and save $10k, I'd be thrilled.

 

[marktutone]

I was really hoping you were wrong and marutone was right, so I went and checked myself, no locker. Just a trac-loc.

IF it had a locker in only the rear I would be counting my pennies right now, locker in the back and save $10k, I'd be thrilled.

This is why I put this post up. I could of sworn the guy at the dealership where I checked one out said it had a locker in the rear. Maybe I misunderstood him. Well, what if I bought 2 Eaton Elockers from Summit $899.00 for the rear and $799.00 for the front. The 44 in the rear is what I am after. 30 in the front is fine. A Willys Wheeler new is only $31000.00.
I will not buy one new. I am going to purchase a used JK Unlimited in about 3 years. I will more than likely get the Wheeler.

 

[marktutone]

You need to be a good mechanic with a great garage if you are going the Willys route. Better to get a Rubicon, newest you can afford.
I owned and built these two. Would not recommend doing so.

I am talking about a new willys wheeler, See below

 

[Idahoan]

I had an 03 Rub and currently have an 05 and a 13. I use sway bar disconnect all the time and the rear locker often. Front... Not so much. Really depends on where your going with it. I have friends that do fine with sport models.

I'd buy a 03 to 06 or a 12 to 15 Rub anytime. I'd buy a 07 to 11 if you want to drop a Hemi in it or like to drive slow on the hwy.

 

[marktutone]

I had an 03 Rub and currently have an 05 and a 13. I use sway bar disconnect all the time and the rear locker often. Front... Not so much. Really depends on where your going with it. I have friends that do fine with sport models.

I'd buy a 03 to 06 or a 12 to 15 Rub anytime. I'd buy a 07 to 11 if you want to drop a Hemi in it or like to drive slow on the hwy.

I am a slow highway driver. I have been working in a county hospital for the last 20 years and it seems more major traumas happen due to speed.
I guess it will boil down to what is available when I purchase the vehicle. I own a TJ now. I really want a 4 door.

 

[dwvninety]

Rubicon has Dana 44 front and rear, 4.10 gear (must verify with VIN) e-lockers front and rear, front sway bar disconnects, and Rubicon transfer case. To built a Willys Wheeler to that spec alone will cost you more that 10K. Now if you only use it occasionally off road and do not rock crawl then a Willys Wheeler might be just fine. Also the new Pentastar 3.6 is way better the the 3.8 it replaced.

 

[Cascade Wanderer]

Marktutone - I've just got a 2-door 2012 Wrangler Sport, with the 3.6 V6, manual trans. I had an aggressive aftermarket limited slip diff installed in the rear diff, and an air locker installed up front, along with 4.10 gears.

Since those mods, I do most of my backroad prowling in two-wheel drive. The lower gears and limited slip, coupled with Jeep's traction control system, handles most everything fine. Once in a blue moon do I "need" the air locker up front. Almost never have to disconnect the anti-sway bar, and to do so takes but a few minutes. For general purpose dirt-road driving, like most "overlanding" the rig with just a limited slip in the rear is going to do just fine.

You could easily have an aftermarket air locker installed in the front diff if you want.

I'd never discourage anyone from buying the Rubicon, it's an awesome machine with more advantages than you've listed, but I think the Willy's would do just fine.

Regards, Guy

 

[swift7777]

You'll be surprised at how well the limited slip performs, the only real issue is you may have to take the same line a little faster risking damage, than you would with a locked diff. Open, open with a limited slip in the rear will tackle most overlanding duties.

 

[docwatson]

I agree. I like the concept of the Willys wheeler. Makes me think of the Upcountry package on the XJ. I am confident that the willys would handle everywhere I have been going thus far. But I mean hey, if you can afford the Rubicon there is no reason not to buy it.

 

[Justincredible]

The 44 in the rear is what I am after. 30 in the front is fine. A Willys Wheeler new is only $31000.00.
I will not buy one new. I am going to purchase a used JK Unlimited in about 3 years. I will more than likely get the Wheeler.

They all have a D44 in the rear now.
The Willys only adds 3.73 gears, rear LSD, Rubicon wheels and tires, and the accessories bag/stickers.

I know you can get the gears on a sport, and I think you can get the LSD as well (might only be on the Sahara).
Personally I'd look into a sport with options and save some cash, or get the Rubicon.

 

[voodoojk]

Fun fact: When the jk first came out, you could option a non rubicon with rear locker and sway bar disco. You could also buy a front D44 complete axle from mopar for $1200. The good ol days..

 

[Omar Brannstrom]

For me a Willys have military green olive drab, do not look like a Willys for me


This willy does it have

12 volt outlet in the rear for a fridge?

12 volt outlet and usb and 115v power outlet in the cubby box

Great suspension

Power windows

Built in Navigation

Hood sound insulation

Automatic (dont like stick)

Heated seats

Some examples that I like with my Rubicon