what, three or four people out of tens of thousands of rubicons have had locker problems?

 

I considered the same option, but decided instead to get a Rubi. The reasons where as follows:

1) higher resale for a rubi
2) 0% financing for 3 years (versus having to pay out of pocket for the mod's).
3) warranty

Of course, after I got the Rubi, I proceeded to void (or at least endanger) the warranty on the tranny, diff's by adding larger tires and re-gearing. Still, glad I bought the Rubi.

 

If you want something similar to a Rubicon, it´s better just to buy a Rubicon.

However, if you wanted to build something better than a Rubicon in terms of offroad performance, then I think it makes sense to build it up from a 2 wheel drive X. You can pick these up pretty cheap and build them up as they did here:
http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/te...ion/index.html

Add an Atlas transfer and Currie or Dynatrac axles with lockers and you will have an offroad beast on your hands.

 

I guess I'll ask the obvious question, how often do you hit the trails and do you see yourself actually going out enough and in tough enough trails that the rubicon would not work? I agree with Victor that the difference varies depending on what you start with and what you are comparing it too, difference of 10k is probablly more like 6 or 7 unless you plan to start with a 2wd version. That being said for a little more than the rubicon you more than likely will have more capabilities than the typical rubi with stronger aftermarket parts if you plan on getting completely new axles with the correct gearing that you are looking for. This is of course assumes you take the 35" tires and lift and don't count the cost in upgrading these. The rubi does have more bells and whistles like better seats and Mygig's as such which I don't beleive are in the x models unless you add these.

 

Well, having owned an '04 Rubicon (with 5.5in R.E. LA), I know what I would be getting and the purpose of those components. Really the reason for the question in the first place is an out loud running options if I fail to secure the Jeep I ordered. Kind of a "if I do it over again" question. It all depends on what I end up getting for my truck. I had at least planned that the dealership I ordered the Rubicon through would give me Kelly Blue Book trade in value. But they didn't (by about $4K), so that may make my options point more towards an X or a lightly used Rubicon.


Or...as VictorS posted, build something better than a Rubicon from the ground up.

Again, thanks all for you advice!

-Derek

 

You can get a base model Rubicon with out all the bells and whistles. It does not come with MyGig and power everything.

 

That is what I ordered and it is sitting on the dealer lot in Tacoma. See the link at the start of this post.

-Derek

 

My reply was for post #14. See the last sentence.

 

My $0.02

If you want a Rubi, buy a Rubi. If you want something a little better than a Rubi buy a Rubi and mod it a bit. If you want something way better than a Rubi buy an X and modify it a lot.

I looked at both and have decided that as cool as they are, I really don't want a Rubi. I think the 4:1 low will be too low for my type of wheeling and I want a locker(s) that will also work in 4-hi. I have never been a fan of electrical/air systems and would prefer a good old fashion mechanical locker. The e-disco is nice but again I like the simplicity, weight and cost of a basic manual disco.

It might help to know where I am coming from. So... I have had about four 4X4 over the past 30+ years and my current "rig" is a little ol' Suzuki Samurai with open diffs and slightly larger tires. I have never been stuck in this little ride, not that it is that great or that I am that skillful of a driver it's just that it meets the needs of the wheeling I like to do. If I can sell it and get into even a base Wrangler X, it will be a huge step up for me with power steering, 4-wheel disc brakes, V-6, 6-speed etc...... I want to get the S package which puts me in the lap of luxury compared to my Sami and the simple addition of a rear locker would make me unstoppable in my world.

Good luck.

 

As an owner of a highly modified Rubi, if I were to build a JK again, I'd start with a 2WD X and build it up. For the money I poured into the rubi plus the many mods I made, I could have built an impressive X with Dynatrac or Currie D60 axles, altas transfer case and many other beefy enhancements.

I guess it all depends on what is your ultimate goal and the type of wheeling you do. If its a daily driver, a modified Rubicon or X will be fine. If your JK is mainly a weekend warrior, a built-up X would make more sense in my opinion.