Joined
·
3,524 Posts
got the silly Jeep grin? that's all you need.....
While the Rubicon's 4:1 Tcase is the big ticket item, which admittedly I don't use a lot because I do snow/mud, there are other things which gives the stock rubi the advantage... the lockers, the smartbar, the MT's....I bought a Rubicon because I'm fortunate enough to live near some great rock-crawling trails like the Rubicon, Fordyce, etc. Since it was specifically designed for rock crawling with locking differentials and a lower transfer case and axle gear ratios, it excels at that. If mud, snow, or sand running is what you do in your area, I might not recommend a Rubicon. The lower gearing is not an asset when speed and spinning the tires is the way through the muck. Maybe Jeep should consider a high-speed "pre-runner" version of a Wrangler, something like the Ford Raptor. A 392 hemi with standard-geared Dana 44 axles and longer-travel suspension and Fox shocks...... ?
Sure, I'm just saying that the cheapest new Jeep in my area is $35k and the cheapest Rubicon is $47k. That $12k difference will buy a lot of the items you listed and more.While the Rubicon's 4:1 Tcase is the big ticket item, which admittedly I don't use a lot because I do snow/mud, there are other things which gives the stock rubi the advantage... the lockers, the smartbar, the MT's....
Well, now you're talking building up, not stock. The problem with that, from a resale perspective anyway... a homemade Rubicon is not a "Rubicon" and will NEVER sell at a "Rubicon" price level. So, while the stock Rubicon may cost you more, you hold more worth in your hands from start to finish. Even if you are not interested in reselling, the "Rubicon" is a higher insurance pay out if you write it off.Sure, I'm just saying that the cheapest new Jeep in my area is $35k and the cheapest Rubicon is $47k. That $12k difference will buy a lot of the items you listed and more.
That's been priced out before. It will cost you a lot more in the long to turn a Sahara into a Rubicon (if you don't cut corners... like ignore the 4:1 Tcase) than it will just to buy a Rubicon.... and in the end that sahara will still be recognized in the blue book as just a Sahara.I'm having this debate with myself at the moment as well. I currently have a 2010 JK and am looking at getting a JKU. I already have a mild lift with 33" tires and 4.88 gears. Metal bumpers, winch, ARB compressor under the hood and lots of other little goodies. Can decide if I'll get a Rubi with 4.10 gears or something like a Sahara and swap my axles underneath the newer one. The only thing I'm missing on mine is locking diffs. That would be nice on the Rubi but I also don't off road a whole lot, only occasionally.
Yeah, I know. But I can do all the work myself such as swap my 4.88-equipped axles under the JKU and put those axles under my current JK. And swap over all the other stuff I've added to mine. Basically I'd be returning my 2010 JK Islander back to mostly-stock then selling it and enjoying my newish 4 door. Still up in the air. Depends on what deals I can find. As I said, I don't do a lot of hard core wheeling but there may come a time when lockers are nice. I have a winch until then as well.That's been priced out before. It will cost you a lot more in the long to turn a Sahara into a Rubicon (if you don't cut corners... like ignore the 4:1 Tcase) than it will just to buy a Rubicon.... and in the end that sahara will still be recognized in the blue book as a Sahara.
weird part is sometimes saharas are more on KBB etc than the rubiconThat's been priced out before. It will cost you a lot more in the long to turn a Sahara into a Rubicon (if you don't cut corners... like ignore the 4:1 Tcase) than it will just to buy a Rubicon.... and in the end that sahara will still be recognized in the blue book as just a Sahara.
I think you missed my point Bob. The object is not to build a "homemade Rubicon". If a Rubicon is what you want, you should definitely buy a Rubicon. My point is, if you are looking to have some fun in the snow and mud, you may not need all the hardware that comes on the Rubicon. When I went snow running in Wisconsin, I didn't need low gearing, lockers, or rock rails. A less expensive Jeep version would have worked just fine. Not everyone needs a hard-core rock-crawler.Well, now you're talking building up, not stock. The problem with that, from a resale perspective anyway... a homemade Rubicon is not a "Rubicon" and will NEVER sell at a "Rubicon" price level. So, while the stock Rubicon may cost you more, you hold more worth in your hands from start to finish. Even if you are not interested in reselling, the "Rubicon" is a higher insurance pay out if you write it off.
Yes... I know about snow. I live in Canada and do snow for about 6 months every year without fail. Indeed, most Canadians buy jeeps for snow, not rocks, but anyway, if we go by your analogy, you don't even need a jeep. Just about any all-wheel drive will do. Funny thing is, the last all-wheel drive I had couldn't make it all the way into my cabin. We had to park 3 miles out and snowmobile the rest of the way. Of course now that I own a Rubicon I can easily make it right to the back door of my cabin with the greatest of ease!I think you missed my point Bob. The object is not to build a "homemade Rubicon". If a Rubicon is what you want, you should definitely buy a Rubicon. My point is, if you are looking to have some fun in the snow and mud, you may not need all the hardware that comes on the Rubicon. When I went snow running in Wisconsin, I didn't need low gearing, lockers, or rock rails. A less expensive Jeep version would have worked just fine. Not everyone needs a hard-core rock-crawler.