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JK Sahara or Rubicon

7K views 70 replies 34 participants last post by  chgofirefighter 
#1 ·
All, I'm currently in the process of purchasing my second Jeep. The JK Sahara or Rubicon. Which is the best out of the two...? I'll be using it for everyday use to get to work more than anything and to the beach. However, I have a jet ski and 6x12 motorcycle trailer that I will pull from time to time. Your thoughts please....
 
#2 ·
Do you need the performance options of the Rubicon? Do you need the lower geared transfer case? Do you need the dana 44 front axle? Do you need a qd sway bar or front and rear lockers? Those are the big differences between the rubi and sahara. The rubicon is more of a performance package, and the sahara is more of a style package. They will tow equally all other things being equal. 2 door is about 2,000 lbs, 4 door is 3,000 I believe. If just a daily driver and beach toy/light off roading. Probably wont need the options of the rubicon.

That being said I have read on here several times of people with their built up rigs, and whenever they pull beside a rubicon, they always wished they had it to begin with.

If we are strictly talking about "needs" IMO the only need a jeep fulfills is for the guy that lives off a very ugly dirt road with big rocks on it. Everything else about the wrangler is pure want.
 
#3 ·
I compared and test drove the Rubicon and Sahara in 2013 when 2014 models could first be ordered. If you absolutely stick with the uses mentioned in your comment, a Sahara might do just fine. One item I'd suggest ordering is a 3.73 axle ratio. The 3.21 that comes with the Sahara model might cause an auto tranny to shift down more often when going uphill or when towing a load.

With your planned uses, you may never need the Rubicon's front Dana 44 axle or 4 to 1 transfer case. Another slight downside of the Rubicon, in your case, is that you may end up wishing for steps such as included on the Sahara. You also may never need the Rubicon's locking axles, but I'd suggest a limited slip rear differential for dealing with times you may get stuck in sand.
 
#4 ·
The Rubicon looks cool, but you probably won't need the enhanced off-road capabilities. If you do go with the Sahara, I agree with quartermiler. Get the 3.73. Since you're towing, you might want to just include the Max Tow package, which gives you the 3.73 and the tow package. It's also worth adding the LSD option which is only about $400.
 
#9 ·
I agree with what the other people are saying. I love my Rubicon, but I would take any Wrangler model if it came down to it. Definitely order the 3:73 gears if you get the Sahara if you plan on towing a lot.
 
#22 ·
Anyone with a Sahara will say the Rubi is unnecessary, over-priced, under-whelming and other non-niceties. I have yet to hear from any Rubi owner that I wheel with say they wished they hadn't spent the money on one. I love my Rubi and just smile when I read about it being bashed.
 
#23 ·
I have a Rubicon and a Sahara and I won't say any Wrangler is unnecessary and overpriced.

I agree with most recommendations: for the OPs intended use a Sahara makes most sense.
 
#24 ·
Just buy whatever you want. The Rubicons with the metal bumpers are cool, if you get one of the special editions. Besides that? Jeeps are kinda like Porsches. Everything is an option, and there's a lot of options!

Hrmm, reasons to buy a Rubicon
* More offroading goodies, the electronic disconnects, beefier suspension
* The RUBICON stickers on the hood
* Cool looking wheels
* The anniversary/hard rock/whatever edition has cool looking bumpers. 10/10

Reasons not to buy a rubicon:
* It's more expensive
* You don't plan to take it off road
* You don't like the extras? I guess? But then you wouldn't be asking this question.

I think you should test drive a Rubicon and stuff, and see if you like it. There :)

My reason for having a Sahara and not a Rubicon? The Rubicon with the features I wanted cost a lot more than the Sahara with the features I wanted.
 
#30 ·
I like to be different. I see a ton of Sahara's every day on the road, so get the Rubicon and be different!

PS: Plus if you use the Rubi added features that's a plus too. :winner:
 
#32 ·
Around here there are tons of Jeeps, period. You can't own a Jeep and really be "different". They are one of the most common vehicles on the road around here. Sports are the most common, Saharas and Rubicons are about even. Your only shot at being "different" is color (purple or other odd colors) or mod it like there is no tomorrow.
I agree with the sentiment that you should get the Jeep that you want. We wanted luxuries like heated leather seats. To get that in a Rubi was out of my price range if I was realistic about my price range. The Sahara offered the luxuries I wanted at a lower price. I can always add the off road features of the Rubi as I decide I need them. You could do the same adding luxuries to the Rubi, it comes down to priorities. So far the plan is working for me. There is no "bad" Jeep Wrangler.
 
#34 ·
buy whichever jeep calls you the most.

I bought mine knowing that after 20 years, I'll still be grinning every time I drive it.
 
#35 · (Edited)
Again, I have a Rubicon and a Sahara, and I will say most Rubicon owners feel their Rubicon is "surprisingly comfortable"; but anyone in need to bash Saharas is, in fact, admitting not having a clue as to how comfortable a Wrangler can be.

If anyone is willing to compromise daily comfort for utmost off-road prowess --or, worse, for the image of it-- then all the power to them. But that doesn't make it so for everyone else.
 
#41 ·
You've got to love the Sport v Sahara v Rubicon arguments. The way I see it, buy a sport if you want to heavily mod, buy a Rubicon if you need the off-road capability packaged up for you, buy a Sahara if you like all the normal comforts of a modern car and don't plan on climbing a mountain. Whichever you choose...you can't go wrong. As for the OP, nice Jeep and Congrats!
 
#42 ·
I skimmed all the posts and so far I don't see anyone mentioning the fact that you can get 4.10 axles with a Rubicon. Not saying that's a deal breaker, but for the OP's stated purpose of towing it's something that he might want to consider.

Also, regarding the max tow- It appears that's not even an option anymore (at least I couldn't find it on the jeep.com build tool). Probably because people got wise to the fact that it's cheaper to just pay for the optional taller gears and add an aftermarket quadratec hitch for $75.

Given how the OP says he wants to use it, and unless the need for 4.10 gears is a deal breaker, I'd just buy the Sahara and get 3.73 gears. I'd also add the Trac-loc rear diff, which is actually superior to the Rubicon set up for daily driving on wet or snow covered roads etc.
 
#44 ·
I posted many moons ago in "one of these threads" that the Sahara/Rubicon issue is not one of "better" or which is an "upgrade".
They are simply two(2) different offerings of the Wrangler from Jeep to the buying public.
I used to get crazy when I'd read, "hey I'm finally Upgrading to a Rubicon".

No your not.

You are getting different equipment designed for different capabilities and not glaringly different capabilities at that.

There is one area I will give a clear nod to a stock Rubicon over a Stock Sahara - Extreme rock crawling.

Other than that - it's about picking the one that makes your panties flutter......
 
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