I just bought a 2008 Unlimited X with the auto & 3.73 gears. For those of us without Rubicon's or the 4.10 option, it seems like paying around $1700 for a gear change W/O the cost of any lockers (if wanted, but why wouldn't you ) would be crazy . I'm basing this on the fact that right now you can get COMPLETE FRONT & REAR Dana 44 Rubicon axles for $2829.98 with FREE SHIPPING from 4WD Hardware. Sure you only get 4.10 gears, but you get a stronger front axle (not just adding gears to the weaker stock Dana 30), plus you get the factory Rubicon lockers. All of that for only a little over $1100 more. Far less than the cost of adding front & rear selectable lockers . The only thing you would have to do is bolt them up and wire up some toggles for the lockers, and anyone who wants to modify their jeep should know how to do these simple tasks. From what I have read a lot of people are happy with 4.10 gears with up to 35" tires. This seems like the best bang for the buck to me, especially since how I will probably be going with 33s but definitely no larger than 35s . That is just my 2 cents.

 

Is it just me, or does it seem kind of inefficient for so many of us to save $3K by getting a X instead of a Rubicon, and then spend another $3k or so to have it modded to have the rubi's axles, but, still not have the low range t-case, etc.... we COULD have had if we'd just ponied up the bucks up front for the Rubi in the first place?



The T-case, the upgraded sounds system and seats, suspension, the std freedom hard top instead of the std soft top, etc....add up to the difference....the OTHER ~ $3k, etc....depending upon options.


I think if I were going to buy a JK, and then mod it with RUBI parts anyway, I'd just bite the bullet, and GET a Rubi.

If I were going to scrap the oem drivetrain anyway, and do D60's, an Atlas, etc, then sure, the X is a better starting platform.

 

Your comments do make sense. I was simply stating on the fact that is seems insane to spend the same amount on gears and lockers than what it would cost for new complete stronger axles. Unless of course you are a skilled mechanic and can do it yourself, then it would be WAY cheaper to just change gears. I would have liked to have gotten the Rubicon, but it was way more than $3k higher than my X. The Unlimited Rubicons in my area were around $10k more than what I actually paid for my X ($22,800). Not only that, I WANTED the soft top, didn't care about seats, didn't care about the MyGig crap, didn't want to pay more for tires and wheels that are just going to be tossed once a lift is added, etc... It all depends on what you plan on doing with your rig. For me it's mostly daily driver/family trail rider. Also, most people that even spring the extra cash for the Rubicon change out the gears, tires, etc, so why bother. Therfore, I will probably do a small lift with 33s and live with my 3.73 for as long as I can tolerate them. My 1982 Ford Bronco I used to have had 35s with stock 3.50 gears and I could spin 'em on the street! I know for a fact that old tired V8 didn't have any more ponies than the V6 in the JK.

 

I was quoted $1500, and 2 days, from Burnsville Offroad. The plus is getting to drool over the Hemi swaps while waiting...