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rubicon vs sport

42K views 130 replies 72 participants last post by  2013 Moab 
#1 ·
So Fella's-

In real world terms, what can the rubicon do that the other models cant in stock platforms. So basically can a regular model keep up with a rubicon, on the same trail, with the drivers of equal skill level?

Again REAL world conditions.
 
#98 ·
I come from the belief that any Jeep Wrangler is great, love them all.

Owning a Rubicon, for most trails I would say the biggest advantage are the lockers. Search youtube for "locker vs. no locker" videos. Discos are not a necessity. Dana 44 front is nice. I find the 4:1 case to feel really low, and you don't really need the 4.10 gearing unless you either plan on fitting 35s or larger and spend a lot of time off road, which we all do right? ;)

As you probably know, you could save the coin and buy the Sport and be just as happy, aftermarket lockers are fairly inexpensive and that would be my suggestion with a sport for wheeling.
 
#103 ·
Why is this even a thread... Rubicon guys will say Rubicon others will say sport... It never goes anywhere
 
#105 ·
No…you just have to find the Sport guys who actually spend the money to upgrade.
Yea and the Rubicon guys will say they got bang for their buck.... It doesn't end
 
#114 ·
Take two = drivers and a totally stock rubicon and let the sport add = tires, disconnects, LSD in rear and still the rubicon will spank, add 3.73 gears to the sport and still a ways apart. add front lockers and rear lockers and things are getting equal.
 
#115 ·
this is such an easy stupid debate 2 setttle and its plain and simple fact. if u want the best rig u can buy 4 wheeling from the factory buy a Rubicon. If u want a dd mall crawler decent off road rig then get a sport or whatever other model. Its usually the ppl that couldn't afford the Rubicon that try 2 justify the most why a sport is better. U just gotta understand that even if not admitted by a sport owner, a rubicon is the best rig from factory for 4 wheeling and a sport is better 4 dd. its that simple. If somebody thinks a sport is anywhere near as capable offroad as a rubicon then theyre either just jealous cuz they culdnt get a rubicon or theyre just plain dumb. sorry but its the plain and simple truth
 
#117 ·
I am driving Sport S and that is all I need form Wrangler, I added steps/running boards from Sahara, better tires and tons of small Mopar & not made parts and I am done with it, but again I am not going to rock climbing competitions. For snow and dirt my Sport S is just perfect. It is dirty sleeping outside, ready for another snow storm and if I need something better and luxury for better weather than now in NJ - I would drive my benzy :)
 
#118 ·
Sooo, let's go back to before 2004. There was no "Rubicon", so you bought a Sport or Sahara, then some, not all, started adding lockers, 4 to 1 transfer case, sway bar disconnects ect,ect. A few guys at jeep knew and understood these benefits and went "underground" and put these items in a couple jeeps that were part of a corporate "fun day" the big wigs wondered why these two jeeps were doing so much better...in a nut shell, that's why we have the Rubicon. So yes the Rubicon is a better all around "OFF ROAD" jeep then a sport.
 
#120 ·
Tires and possible LSD aside...

Take a stock Sport/Sahara with an open diff vs a Rubi.

In 2H....there is no real difference.
In 4H....there is no real difference.
In 4L....there is no contest.

It all depends on how you will use the vehicle.

Get what best fits your needs. Case closed
 
#122 ·
Ive owned an 01 sport, 04 rubicon and now a 13 sport. Having owned the Rubicon and it's D44s, lockers and crawl ratio, If I had it to do over again I would have saved more for the Rubicon.

All Jeeps will wheel just fine, but I miss throwing it in first gear, taking my foot off the pedal and just guiding. As another has mentioned, if you price it out seperately it becomes more than what the difference of the two are. My only suggestion is if your going to spend the extra money on the Rubi, make sure your going to use what you paid extra for.
 
#127 ·
once you start modifying a sport is it still a sport??

my buddy has put about 15K in a Shara and we call it a Rubi+... it's no longer a Shara not even close..

this goes for each model.... A sport is a Great place to start... then if you find you have to modify it to do the trails you want then start the mods....
All a Rubicon gets you is further up the trail...

and come out west and we can show you some moon type surfaces...
:beerdrinking:
 
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