Buying a jeep, sahara or rubicon?
 

Friday im going to sign my life away to a Jk, my first jeep...

Im going to lift it 2 or 3 inchs and put 35's on it. I plan to take it on tails but nothing to crazy...

Do you guys think i really need or should push for the rubicon or can i get by and enjoy my sahara?

Also, should i go for the power windows and doors? Or are they having to many first year problems to be worth it?



As of now im thinking sahara, 6 speed, 4.10s, dana 44, towing package, power windows, freedom top, side air bags, command trac... thats about it

thanks

Get the power windows on whatever you get, it's the first time ever available on Wrangler. I've had several jeeps without and so glad in is now an option.

It sounds like you would do fine with a Sahara...especially if you want to find one with color/options you are looking for. The Unlimited Rubicons are much harder to find. Besides, the Sahara is very capable for light/moderate trails with a smaller lift and 35s. See the OffRoad Evolution pictures.

I got a Sahara mostly because of availability and price. I eventually will be doing more extreme trails as I have with my TJ and I'm sure that with the amount I would have spent on the Rubi I can equip my Sahara to do all the same things at a similar price( I just may have to actually get out of my Jeep to disconnect the front sway bar:rollingeyes: )

lol, yes the electronic disconect is a prety sweet deal

I ended up buying a Sahara, because I will rarely, if ever, be on trails severe enough to need all that extra off-road hardware. Having said that, I also haven't gotten it yet...

However, do a search for posts from 2k2wrangerx... he's a proud owner that's posted some pretty awesome pics of what an X 4-door can do with a reasonable lift and some good tires - reassuring stuff. See:

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2537

All in all, the Sahara will be fine for most, and the Rubicon is a great rig for those of us that are REALLY hardcore off-roaders, but may be overkill for the occasional trail rider... Just my $.02.

I figure, once I get to 35" tires or above, I need/want to regear which means someone is going to be digging around both diffs and at that time I will pick whichever lockers I want. Anyone who buys a Rubicon will have to pay the same amount minus cost of lockers(maybe $1200 for Detroit rear and ARB front) I know, I know, by the time I get to lockers my factory warranty should be nearly gone so that is not of concern to me.

hmm good point... where in sacramento are you from kidjeep? Thats where im really from... the military moved me to washington lol

I run backroads and trails in the ozark national forest. They vary from pretty darn good to impassible. Time of the year is also a factor due to mud and streams that sometimes rise to impassable. I got around pretty good with my ol' 94 yk. I recently purchased a new rubicon. I didn't have much to choose from but thought I'd like the toys that came with the rubicon. I don't regret my decision in the least. This last weekend I was on a trail not traveled by anyone recently. Snaked down a very muddy trail downhill, crossed several creeks, a portion of a washed out road, a couple of gravel bars, and a tree that had the misfortune of falling across the trail. Pure fun. :yup:

I'd say get the Saraha for what you are doing and great point on the lockers/gears. I'll probably do the same as I'm about ready to put on gears or smaller tires now. It is not terrible with 35's and 4:10's on the highway, but it is not great either... Went wheeling this weekend and was amazed at the capability now, first real time out since the 35's and 3". There were a few trail rigs out there with much larger lifts/tires and I had no problem in areas where I thought I might. Very satisfied with my decision and I like the painted fenders! More paint to scratch! :thinking: :D Wait, is that a good thing...??

If you're looking to save alittle money by going with the Sahara, why not go with an X? An X is equally as capable as a Sahara right off of the lot and still a couple of thousand $ cheaper. The only things you can get on the Sahara that aren't available on the X are khaki top, "Yes" seats, 18" wheels, and painted flares.:yup:

Hey, you forgot the really ultra-cool beige colored sand dune decal.

Im going to go for the Sahara

With everything i stated above... How important do you guys think it is to get the extended warenty...

Speaking of that, what kind of stuff do they void warentys for? Lifts? Intakes? Bumpers, etc?

How about offroading?

i look at things differently. if i were a hardcore wheeler, i'd get a base model X with the d44 rear end, and custom build everything from there with the money i saved. chromoly, OX or ARB lockers, armor the hell out of it, AirRock lift...
the reason i got the Rubi, is because i saw the trails i ran with my TJ, and what i was building it for, and the Rubi was pretty much it, minus lift and 35's (maybe 37's now :D )
a warranty will be voided if any modification you did could possibly be attributed to the failure of the part. i.e., if you lift it, and put bigger tires on it, then grenade a diff, it is your fault, even if the factory just messed up your R&P install. if you install an aftermarket stereo, and grenade a diff, you are covered. it really depends on the dealer how much they will cover for off-road carnage. some dealers are cool about it (it's a Jeep, right?). some aren't. the decision lies with DCX, but a cool dealer will gloss over some stuff.

Buy all three. :yup:

try them all out.

keep one.

decide which two you dont want.

sell one.

give me the other one. :D

Hey, check out the Last Chance Canyon thread for a good summary of Sahara vs. Rubicon when it comes to off-roading. My Sahara kept up pretty darned well with Eddie's Rubi on the trail, although the Rubi clearly had certain advantages.

As you can probably tell in my signature, i bought the sahara today! :bounce green:

Congrats on the Saraha....I wish I would have got a rubi!!...oh well -- there is always next time:D

Congo-rats!

I love my Sahara, hope you feel the same!

No regrets on my choice, The Rubi's are nice, but i'll never need the capabilities...




So, when i do, i'll just have to go get one. :yup: :D

Hey Happy... yes that is just what I said when we got the "x".....but hubbo has me into off roading and I just love the "power" you get from all the extras!! I told him I am going to get a Yello rubi when it comes out and give him my red x...:D

Congrats! Be sure to post pics soon :yup:

:D

I already have plans for my next one in the back of my head... likely in Jeep green (that'd be my ex-military side shining through...) a Rubi for sure..
etc. etc.. etc...

This Sahara will likely get passed down within the family. :yup:

ohhhh, yes Jeep Green-- I lke that!! ( must be the men in uniform thing as hubbo is a Marine :D ) You know I will have to see if I still have the pic but my brother saw on and took a pic-- it was a Jeep green 4dr JK painted with the military white star on the side and the gas cans on the back etc...it looked very neat!

well i still like the sahara... :toung:

Me too!

I will likely be driving mine for at least 5-6 years.
(The prettier half gets the next new vehicle.)
after that, it is my turn again :D