Definitly skip #3. Alot more work to making a 2WD into a 4WD, then meets the eye. Jeep salesmen I've spoken with say there is not alot of resale value in a 2wd jeep.

 

Your lookling at $1500 + $500 for gears and set up, locker for the rear + everything else to get the lockers set up and double the grand total if you get somebody to do it for you. Then if it breaks, its not under warranty.
I vote for the rubicon. If your planning on wheeling this jeep either now or in the future, get the rubicon. Your looking at about $100/month more note for the Rubi. Go ahead. Just get the rubi. Rubi...Rubi...Rubi.

Good luck in your decision. I just got mine 10 days ago so i really know what your going through.

 

Eh, the $1500 is a bolt on axle with all that setup, from what I gather. I would assume it'd be under warranty... if not from Chrysler, at least from the company that sold it.

Well, it wouldn't BE 2wd for long!

See above... heck for that matter, it probably wouldn't be a 6 cyl for long either!

You're probably right. It's not worth $2k difference between #2 and #3.

I'm not sure which transfer case you're asking about why I'd switch. It's just me, I like options... LOTS of options. Honestly, I've been drooling over an Atlas 4 speed ever since I saw it the first time. Not sure if I'd get the 1:1, 2:1, 2.72:1, & 5.44:1 or the 1:1, 2.72:1, 3.8:1, & 10.34:1, but it's high on my list of "wants".



Wow, $2500 for an NV241? Heck, I'd be going for the Atlas (see above), but if that's right, then I should be able to pull the Tcase from my Rubi and sell it for a huge chunk of what the Atlas'll cost me, right?

Not sure why an "afterthought" 4x4 system would be unreliable, if don't right. Heck, think of all the mods that're done that work out just fine.

Wow, I hope I could get 22mpg in a Rubi. Wouldn't that mean that mid 20's is doable in a 2wd, though. I realize it's not much. It was really just a thought.

I understand the heresy of buying a 2wd Jeep (especially a Wrangler), but I'm trying to think of the most cost effective way of ending up in the same place. I'm just wondering if the build really would be 1/2 the fun.

Lots of good comments here. Feel free to keep them comin'.

 

[QUOTE=KJRubiconWannaBe;463555]Eh, the $1500 is a bolt on axle with all that setup, from what I gather. I would assume it'd be under warranty... if not from Chrysler, at least from the company that sold it.



Well, it wouldn't BE 2wd for long!

Yea, but the registration would list it as such, again most likely lowering the resale value.

 

I realize that the registration would list it as 2wd. Heck, that's part of the reason for even considering it. I'm thinkin' that'd lower the registration costs, insurance costs, etc. Resale value would be highly dependent on how much I mod'd it and the buyer. If I could find someone who appreciated it in it's new form, then resale value would show it.

Honestly, I don't normally buy a vehicle based on what I think it's resale value will be. I'm more worried about how much I'll enjoy it while it's mine.

 

Personally I would go with a 4X4 for sure, and the RUbicon if it's in the budget. If you were a master craftsman and could do the 2wd-4wd conversion yourself I could see wanting to go that route, but if you're having all the work done by a shop it will be expensive. Once you start wheeling the Jeep you may find you don't need or desire certain mods anymore (Atlas, etc).

 

if you can afford it get the rubi

you will be happy

 

Ok, maybe not $2500 for the NV241OR ROCK-TRAC. There are no prices posted for them that I could find. But here's a close comparison.

NP231-$629.99
Tera-Low 4to1- $1049.99
Advance Adapters tailshaft conversion kit w/ driveshaft-$525.00

Total-$2204.98

That's for a NP231. I'm sure you could find the NV241OR ROCK-TRAC for cheaper if you could find someone willing to sell one to you.

If you are going for a custom built, one-of-a-kind JK, as it appears you are. I say go with option #3. Make sure you keep us updated on the progress. Sounds like a lot of fun.

 

just get the Rubi...if not then at least the X or a sahara