It isn't as clean of an answer that you might believe. Options and special editions can severely blur the lines.

 

If I was putting them in order. The trims you have listed I would rank them. Rubicon(off-road tires, lockers and rock sliders) then Willys (off road tires, limited slip and rock sliders.) then Sahara if it was ordered with limited slip, but sport if not. My reasoning is the side steps are actually not strong enough to take a beating and will get you hung up on stuff. I'm not that familiar with the freedom addition so I can't place it. And if I could add the black bear if it was ordered with the rear locker I would place it between the Rubi and Willys.

 

Yep... Each trim level have their own strong and weak points. I love my 2dr WW, it's far more capable than I thought it would be. I also come from full size Broncos and and various years of ford ranger 4x4s so...

 

Here are some basics off the top of my head-

Sport- Base tires aren't terribly aggressive. Pretty sure it can have the limited slip as an option. 3.21 gears standard, 3.73 optional. Unless you plan to do major stuff like upgrading axles, I'd consider both the lower gears and LSD a must. If there is an optional tire upgrade, it wouldn't hurt but you can obviously add more aggressive tires at any time.

Willys- Comes with 3.73s and LSD standard I think. Also has Rubicon shocks which are supposed to be better. Mud terrains make lots of things easier offroad. I have a Rubi and last trail ride I was behind rigs on lesser tires, lockers off and I still had a much easier time and I attribute that to the Mts (and maybe the Rubicon sticker on the hood! haha).

Sahara- The Bridgestone is a pretty good all-around tire. It is on an 18" wheel which means in stock size it probably won't air down as well as the other models 17s. Same gear and differential options as a Sport. I can't see the shocks being a major hindrance offroad honestly.

Rubicon- Obviously the lockers and disconnecting sway bar help, as does the upgraded tires. I like to run in low range for better control off road but the Rubicon low can be too low for general trail riding in some instances.

Hope that helps some. And as Walt said, the special additions take from all different main trims so they're all over the map in terms of benefits.

 

Driver capability and experience makes a lot more difference than trim.

That said - all stock tires except Rubicons suck. The Rubicon tires are decent, but there are better Offroad tires.

The various Sport/Sahara trim packages would not make a real difference Offroad. The 3.73 gearing with 32 inch tires is the only one that would help a little. But that's only with 32 inch tires. They do not come stock with disconnectable away bars unless you use tools to remove the links - this is a huge drawback offroad.

A Rubicon hands down for Offroad. The 4:1 Transfercase and lockers are worth every single penny and make a huge difference. And the 4.10 gearing for stock tires. Stock they come with disconnectable swaybar.

That said - all Wranglers are exceptionally Offroad capable. But most bang for your buck "straight stock" will always be a Rubicon.

 

Driver... I good driver with renegade with out wheel a novice in a rubicon

 

While I agree driver skills play a huge role in capability, I think that comparison is a huge stretch.

Approach angles and ground clearance alone would limit the renegade, no matter how great the driver is.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTQHet1G5ic

 

Our JKU takes us anywhere we want to go, on the 4 lanes, the 2 lanes and on the forest service trails off-road. It's our dd and our only rig and has proven very comfortable on long trips for an 83 yr old and my young 70 yr old wife. We just completed an 100 mile on/off-road trip, and we're leaving for eastern B.C. in a few weeks to run some more. - Ted

 

Correct that, it was an 1,100 mile trip!

 

From Youtube, the text is from the movie below on Youtube. Not my movie

Wow stock Rubicon

"Jeep Wrangler JK's going through a grade 5 obstacle at Moegatle.

Jeeps & mods (to best of my knowledge) in order of appearance:

JK Unlimited Rubicon Auto - stock
JK Unlimited Rubicon Auto - 3" Zone Lift w/ BFG MT 285/70
JK Unlimited Sahara CRD Manual - 3" Old Man Emu HD Lift w/ BFG AT 285/70
JK Sahara Auto - 3" Old Man Emu HD Lift w/ BFG AT 285/70
JK Unlimited Sahara Hemi 6.4L Auto - 4" Lift w/ BFG MT 35/12.50, Air Lockers

Apologies for clip ending abruptly. Used a trial version dvd ripper and could only get 5 mins of footage from the dvd.

I must add the last JK did make it through after locking both Air Lockers.
The 2nd last JK eventually went around after sustaining damages to the front axle."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO4DXXYBoGY




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO4DXXYBoGY