I know someone who wants to build a good rig. Nothing crazy, but solid.

Keeping lift wheels etc. out of the mix.

Will be a manual tranny.
If he buys a Rubi, then he'll sell the elec. swaybar disco.
The front axle will get replaced.

Here's what we are speculating;

Plan A: Buy a Rubicon for $32,800 and;
- Keep the factory T-Case
- Sell the front axle $1,200
- Sell the sway bar disco $400
- Sell the wheels and tires $750
Total cost $30,450


Plan B: Buy an X for $27,625 (list price) and;
- Buy an Atlas $2500
- Buy Lockers $1800
- Sell axle -$800
Net cost $31,125

Both have power windows, soft top and same stereo. Any other options that we should be concerned with?
If these numbers are close then the X is clearly the way to go. Just wanted to get a bunch of eye-balls on this, in case we are missing anything major.

Questions that we have:

Other than the list prices from Jeep, do those prices look reasonable?

I think that Jeep did a great job with the automatic throttle control at idle, on the Rubicon. Does anybody know if this feature goes away with the Atlas T-case?

Jeep.com indicates that you can only get a 2 wheel drive X with an Auto. Is this true?

Are we missing anything here?

 

Don't forget the Rubi rock rail; you will have to buy one with the X

Also, the X doesn't have the Rubi 4.1 T-case

One more thing, the X doesn't has the power windows (only in option)

IMHO, the Rubicon is cheaper if you want a JK for the trail

 

Rock rails are $100 on the street.

The build has an Atlas and addresses the Rubi T-case point.

The X at that price has power windows.

All but the rock rails, I've addressed in the initial post. I'm looking for anything that I've missed.

Does the Rubi come with some skids that are not included in an X?

 

we are getting ready to buy another JK

and we are pretty much on the same boat you guys are.. I think at the end of the day we decided to go with a sport for many reasons..

We will modify it so most of the things a rubi has will be replaced!

clearly you can't recover the full value of parts. so starting cheaper means more money in the pocket


on the other hand, I think it depends on how much that Jeep will be used offroad and how much that person wants to spend on modification.

If he plans on 37s.. I would personally stick with a Rubi with some axle beefing

in my case.. I got a Rubi about two years ago. and never thought I would take it to those heights. the only thing that's a Rubicon paart is the Disco and T-case.. which both are going to go once I do the hemi

hope that helps

 

You also have to consider how fast you want the build to go and how deep your pockets are. If you have deep pockets and will do everything right away, you are probably better off with the X. Lower entry price for the vehicle and everything that makes a Rubi a Rubi will get replaced anyway. If you are looking at doing it over time to spread the cost out a bit, you are probably better off with a Rubi, so you can keep the parts that are during the bridge time. I went with a Rubi.

 

having rubicon on the hood will improve resell value rather than the x model(sprot) badge will.

both an x and a rubi modded the same way, the rubi will bring more money.

just my .02

 

I forgot one more detail; The Rubi has already the Front Dana 44, and this is very expensive. I do think that buying a Rubi is most of the time the best investment if you use your JK off-road.

 

I started with an X to keep the initial costs down, knowing at some point I would be upgrading or out right replacing certain parts.

If I were to do it again I would start with a 2wd to get the initial costs even lower. If you are replacing a t-case and front axle about the only other major cost to convert would be a front drive shaft. Which if you started with a 4wd you would most likely replace when you lift it anyway.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm still looking for answers to the following questions:

I think that Jeep did a great job with the automatic throttle control at idle, on the Rubicon. Does anybody know if this feature goes away with the Atlas T-case?

Jeep.com indicates that you can only get a 2 wheel drive X with an Auto. Is this true?

As I recall, the rear axle on a Rubi is stronger than an X. 32 spline vs 30 spline? Not sure that it matters, as we would be re-gearing and replacing the carrier in order to install a locker and installing Chromo shafts.

Does the Rubi have some skids that the X doesn't? If so, which ones?

 

With a similar plan, I bought a Rubi and sold the axles for some real money. The Dana 30 would not be worth anything.

I will be able to easily sell the transfer case when I upgrade to the Atlas.

net result is lower cost.

If you are going Hemi, Atlas, and 60's, the lowest cost build is buy a 2wd Unlimited and go from there.