Sorry if this is a stupid question but I was just wondering; why buy a Rubicon if I am going to replace so many parts to improve/ customize/ personalize it? Wouldn't it be cheaper to by an X and do the same thing?
Granted, I do not own a Jeep yet, but I would really like to get a JK as soon as I can.
I am very impressed with all of you on this web site and value your opinions. I guess I am just curious what it was that made you pay extra for parts that you were never planning on using.
Thanks.

 

because you get a cool hood sticker!
Actually this has been debated before, I am on the side of the X rather then the rubi. But I am sure you will get quite a few here to state their case of their T-case and axles.

 

There has been a lot of discussion on this board about this topic.

In the end, it's up to you and what you want to do with your Jeep.

If you want what the Rubicon has without doing the work then buy a Rubi.

If you don't mind swapping T-cases, axles, and adding bits such as gears and lockers, then stick with the X or Sahara and have at it.

 

Like you said, if you're going to change everything like the drivetrain and the axles then go for the X. Otherwise for people who will change only stuff like bumpers, and slightly bigger lift and so on, the Rubi can't be beat for that.

 

I'm in the same boat as you and FWIW here goes...

I have/had a Rubicon on order 'cause if I'm gonna get something new and pay out the arse for it and the lifetime warranty, then I want something as capable as possible outta the box. Not saying that the X is not capable, but I think that most will agree that the Rubi is much more capable straight outta the box.

That being said, the market being as it is, I've all but pulled the trigger on canxing my order and I'm just going to look for a good deal used when I get back to the States. I highly doubt that I'll find a used Rubi to fit my budget because the Rubicons do hold their resale value a bit better than the X and most people if they were inclined to buy a Rubi in the first place, then they are less likely to take a lower price for it on the resale.

There are arguably better deals out there on used X's. No big deal either way. Especially when you're buying used. They money you save from buying a used X can be dumped into the X to make it as capable (or much more capable) than the Rubi.

My plan (or my hope), is to pick up an X for around $20k, drop a Rubi 44 in the front and run 37's or so right off the bat. If I get an auto, then I'll hope the Rubicrawler doubler is out soon after I get my JK, but if I get the 6spd, then I'll steer toward the Atlas 4spd tcase. JKS quickdiscos are easy enough to come by. Those (axles, tcase, discos) are the major differences. Oh, yeah, and the hood sticker.

Did that help?

 

Thanks alot! I knew you guys would come through for me.
Great information! I will continue to watch this page for more information.
Thanks again!

 

I know that I have seen several X owners upgrade to the Rubi axles, and it seems like this is a very popular upgrade. These axles are a $3,000 upgrade, and I know that I won't need a Dana 60, so this pretty much paid the difference between the two.

 

I would have agreed with this last year, but now, not so much. By me I have seen some Rubi's for sale that were right in line with the X. I think if you spent enough time looking, you can find one for your budget. With the drop in SUV sales and values falling, anything is possible.

 

Yeah, but it stands to reason that if the prices for the Rubis are dropping, then the Xs will be a little below them. I'm in no rush right now. Once I get my feet on US terra firma, then I will be in a rush!

 

Why not???