I'm a couple week out from ordering my new 2014 jk. I've got a planned build and quite a lot will be rolled into the loan to get this kicked off quickly. Anyways my dilemma, I'm torn between the rubicon I've planned to order or a sport built up more.

I'll be running arb lockers front and rear so the rubi lockers are meaningless to me I just want the Dana 44 up front and the transfer case.

For my builds the sport seems to come in about 9-10k less and for that I could get a Dana 60 and an atlas transfer case. Not asking for advise about who needs a Dana 60 for what and overbuilding for my uses. Whatever level of capability it ends at is how it will be used.

Just wondering if you guys would go for the rubicon which is what I really want, or if you would try to build stronger for the same cost?


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Rubicon gets you front and rear locking Dana 44s, NV241 tcase with 4:1 low range, sway bar disconnects, 32" tires, rock rails.

If you are going with ARB lockers you'd be better off with the cheaper sport and using the saved money for swapping axles, gears and other stuff in my opinion.

Really depends what your intending to use it for and what you want...

 

9-10k less for the sport! It sounds like your sport will be more capable than a rubicon!

Build what you want and be happy.

 

IMO If you plan on going larger than 37's get a sport. Otherwise Id get the Rubi and drive the factory parts till they break and replace with stronger as needed.

 

Wont be waiting for breaks just diving in right off the start I know what my goal is and I'm wasting no time. Will be on 37s and planned to gusset the rubi 44s and run chromoly shafts arb locker and 4.88 gears.

If I drop back to the sport will be same ratio and locker on a Dana 60 and a new transfer case.

Smart money obviously to drop to the sport and build bigger, but I can't be the only one that looks at that rubicon sticker and says mmmmm


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I've gone through this decision a few times now, and I've done it both ways, a few times. This time, I just could not bring myself to spend an extra $10K for a Rubicon, knowing ahead of time that I would immediately need to start gusseting and sleeving the front axle. And I would still have a Jeep that I would have to baby just a little bit. I wanted a Jeep that I could hammer on if I had to, and not worry about the drivetrain. And since I had already owned both the Sport and Rubicon versions, I knew pretty much what I was getting. I spoke with Dynatrac about their Dana 60 axles, and found out they have an eight week backlog because they are selling all that they can make, and more. Seven weeks ago I ordered a set of high pinion Dana 60s with Eaton electric lockers and 4.56 gears. I also ordered the suspension, armor, bumpers, and the winch, which are already here. I already had the tires I am going to run, so last week it was time to buy the Jeep. I bought a 2014 Sport, ... and this Friday my axles ship. I'll get the Tom Woods driveshafts after the axles are installed, and I can take measurements.

I did the math, and spent the money for the parts. It cost $4000 more for a Sport with Dana 60s at both ends than it does for a Rubicon with stock axles. But I'm getting some things you wouldn't have to, like the "Unlimited" option on the axle, with 1/2" wall thickness tubes, Warn locking hubs, and 1350 yokes and u-joints. I'm also changing the bolt pattern to 5 on 5 1/2.

 

Deals on Rubicons can be had,just takes time and negotiating. If thats what you really want then get one.

 

I was comparing the friends and family price on both Jeeps, so 1% below invoice on both of them.

 

Thx for the input guys so far all as expected, tough call all the same. Only drawback is investing that much more in a vehicle that will be valued at 10k less just digging a deeper hole lol


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Investing money in mods on any vehicle doesn't add value unless you can find someone willing to pay for them.