Ok, help. I know, I could do this many ways. Honestly, I just want to hear from someone who's done it (or even thought about doing it) one of these ways AND then wished they'd done it the other OR thought about what it'd have been like to do it the other way and are glad they didn't. Understand? Ok, here goes...

Option 1
Rubicon Unlimited
MSRP - $30,930 w/ hardtop
Upgrades (none for a while)

Option 2
X Unlimited S pkg 4WD
MSRP - $25,645 w/ hardtop
Upgrades - MOPAR D44 front ($1500), rear 4.10's to match

Option 3
X Unlimited S pkg 2WD
MSRP - $23,645 w/ hardtop
Upgrades - MOPAR D44 front ($1500), rear 4.10's to match, tcase, front driveshaft


What am I missing? From the looks of it, it seems to be way better of a deal to just get the 2wd X.

I'm mainly thinking this because I honestly (probably) wouldn't wheel it hard anyway for the first year or so. For the time being, I'd get better mileage and I wouldn't be set back as far financially.

Now, obviously there are ALOT more mods that'd be done to any of the 3, but everything that I didn't list would likely be the same for them all.

As far as the tcase, if I get the Rubi or X4x4, then I'd probably upgrade the tcase anyway with an Atlas at some point when I started building up.

So, is it worth getting the Rubicon (or even the 4x4 model X) when you look at it this way?

Is a 2wd to 4wd conversion REALLY that straightforward?

 

i would stay away from option 3 unless your good with a torch and a welder. You will have to cut out the front end... and then weld in the new front end. They really make these things in 2wd. I've never seen one. Thought it was a mith.

 

Well, yeah, that's part of it. If I went with option #3, then I'd have to have the work professionally done. Chances are, though, that most of option #2 would be professionally done, too.

 

My opinion, if you can afford it: get what you want. Regarding your comment about getting better gas milage....not true. I have a Rubicon and get very good gas milage (such as 22 to 24 on highway at 65).

Adding items after the fact are expensive and a pain/drain.

 

if i were you i would just get the rubicon. with the other options you wouldnt the the sway bar diconnect the rock rails and the same transfer case. oh and the better tires if you didnt upgrade them right away.

 

I say no to option 3. A 4x4 conversion afterwards will just eliminate the savings over option 2, and having an afterthought 4wd system doesn't exactly say reliable to me. So either option 1 or 2. Depending if you really need/want the extra stuff on the rubi.

 

Go with #1.

You will spend way more than $7000 on #3 to get to what you have in #1.

Figure this just for parts.....

$2800 for the front and rear axles.
$2500 for NV241 w/ 4:1 or atlas II.
$500-$1000 for adapters to mate T-case to Tranny.
$250-$400 for front drive shaft.
$500 for a decent swaybar like a Currie.
$1000 for Someone else's Rubi wheels and tires.

That's not including tax or install which would be probably near $3000-$5000 and non of that would be covered under warranty.

Get it and get it right the first time.

 

I'd skip the 2wd conversion. For the price, i don't see it worth it. If it was a 19,000 jeep, then maybe, but for 2,000 in savings???



If you want D44 fronts, then I'd go with the rubicon. Chances are you're going to want bigger tires down the road, and with that goes gear changes. Money is better spent on the Rubicon in that respect.


Also, even though you claim you're not going to wheel anytime soon, you may find yourself wanting to do so now, and the rubicon is more than capable (As is the X, but hey).

Also, why change the transfer case now? I can't recall anybody having any issues with them yet

 

I considered a rubicon, they had a real nice one at the dealership when I got my X on friday.. but in the end it was just out of my price range and I didn't want my jeep to be a burden.

I would say no to the 2WD, it just to me seems pointless on a jeep, 4WD is something I'd like to know I have whenever I may need it, and I don't plan to wheel much (at first anyway), but when it snows it'll be nice to have. Plus in my searching I really didn't see too many 2WD models anyway.

If you can afford it and it won't be a financial burden, get the Rubicon. If not, I'm sure you'll be more than happy with the X

 

Buying a 2wd Jeep is like buying a 4cyl Corvette!