First off let me start by introducing myself. My name is Tom..... and I have a problem. I am addicted to Jeeping. Phew. I feel better after admitting that.
Ok. I have been reading quite a bit in here and I kind of wanted to give my 2 cents. This may have already been said 100 times, but this forum is huge. A lot of people in here seem to have a big difference of opinion in here regarding building up an X or a Sahara vs going straight to the bad boy, the Rubicon.
Before the JK arrived on the seen with it's Next Generation axles (the Dana 30, 35 and 44), the rule of thumb for TJ owners was that if you had a Dana 35 in the rear, the largest tire size you could safely use was 33". Now I believe that the worst case scenario was a 33" x 12.5" tire on a 15" steel rim. Was 33" chosen because of weight or diameter? If someone has more info on that, please share.
I don't know what the 'safe' tire size was for the rear Dana 44, but I do know of lots of people who have 37" x 13.5" tires on an 03 to 06 Rubicon. I also know a few that either have changed the rear axle to a Dana 60 or have the rear Dana 44 with the Dana 30 up front running 35" and larger tires. Those in here with the experience that have stated that the front Dana 30 is stronger than most give it credit for are absolutely correct.
Without getting to long winded, I find that since the front is only pulling it doesn't see near the stress as the rear. The worst case for putting stress on the front axle might be backing up a hill over obstacles. And I don't believe that I have done that yet in the 15 years I have been wheeling (not saying that none of you have).
What we don't know yet, is how strong the Next Generation axles are yet on the new JK. Not until people start breaking them and data is collected. Until then, all we do know is that ALL of the new JK's are a great platform for wheeling. People are going to build up their Jeep as they see fit. I only hope that those build-up Jeeps actually see the trails. And that those people get involved in saving those trails from being closed.
Those looking for better mods over others...... my opinion is as follows. Lockers mean nothing without traction. To get the best traction, you will want your Jeep to be as flexible as possible to keep all the tires planted and a proper set of tires for the type of wheeling that is most common to you. A fellow Jeeper with an 03 Rubicon who had 35" Boggers and plenty of flex thought that he was unstoppable. It didn't take long before even he was stuck and decided that he also would need a winch. And that is going to be the best mod for making sure you get off the trail.
At current, I have yet to order my JK Unlimited. But the plans are in the works. Since it will be a daily driver for me, 95% of the time it will be on road. But I am still making sure that it is capable enough for that extra 5% that it will be on the trails. I plan on ordering a Sahara with the rear locker (Dana 44 only) and the electronic disconnect. With this setup, I can save over $3000 from the price of the Rubicon. With that $3000, I can get a 4" lift and 35" MT's right away. That will work great for me and will be better than the TJ I currently drive. Until then, I am jealous of all you JK owners.

 

The real jelousy starts after you order and get to spend the next few months(hopefully only weeks for a non Rubi) with us, the damned, in the big waiting room above!

Ah, but where are my manners? Welcome Tom!
You'll be very happy with what ever you get, and you sound like you are more than willing to get it dirty, thats all that really matters!

 

Yes, your Jeep will be set up pretty well for some mellow wheeling but if you really wanna get down, you will want a front locker and gears (transfercase and/or axle). If you lock the front, the 30 may suffer with 35's...depends on your driving style. If you opt for lower gears, that will be harder on your axles than taller gearing. Its all about what you want to do with it. If you wanna hit some local trails that are not too tough, you will be fine! If you wanna hit the harder stuff, you'll need more. A Rubicon is a pretty stout setup for those that want to run 35's for sure! A good suspension lift (for that wheel travel you speak of), along with a set of 35's, with a swaybar disco will take a Rubicon FAR! They are a great rig, set-up from the factory.
I am different. I want to run 37's and will be tackling some really gnarly trails so the Rubi doesn't make as much sense for me. I need a stronger front 44 than a Rubi offers and lower gearing than the Rubi offers. I went with an "X" but will be replacing the transfercase (for gearing and strength), and the front axle (for strength), the axle gears (for the 37" tires). So, for me, wanting to go more extreme, it didn't make sense for me to buy the more expensive parts that I would be removing anyways.
Hope this helps but if I were you, I would get the Rubicon. Add 35's and a lift. Can't beat it for what you want to do.

 

I know people could argue this and that, but if I had the money and this wasn't my first vehicle to purchase (finance), I would have gotten a Rubicon. Even if I had to wait, and even if it meant driving stock for a while to re-coop lost money on the higher price tag. The dana 44 is what I am most jealous of.

 

If you're not planning on creating a radical off-road rig and still want good performance off-road, the get the Rubi. I hadn't planned on getting one, but 'I''m glad I did.

 

Don't waste your time on anything less than a Rubicon unless you plan on swapping in Dana 60's and some exotic transfer case. Otherwise you'll be like a several people here with X's who couldn't figure out why their front axles busted with 37 inch tires. That and why they were getting stuck all the time.

The Rubicon is on only stock 4X4 on the market with Dana 44HD front and rear, super low ratio transfer case, front and rear locking diffs and front sway bar disconnects. Why would you settle for anything less than this? Its a bargain when you consider the price of doing this all yourself.

 

Plus it's all factory matched and covered by a warranty.

 

In Canada, we don't get that 'lifetime' warranty offer yet. We may, we may not??? But even then, does that portion of the warranty cover axles and gears? I didn't think so (I am sure someone will jump in otherwise). So eventually (three years), that warranty will be up. I am just going to search now, but is there a 'broken axle' thread in here? I read about one guy who chewed up his gears in the front 30 (but I don't think that a Rubi would have helped him from the style of driving I believe he was doing).
I have been wheeling long before the Rubicon and front D44 ever existed (I don't have a Rubicon TJ now for that matter), and I am sure many a D30 has traveled the Moab trails without breaking.
Since I have been wheeling with the Jeep Jamboree Trail Guides here for the last 5 years, the trails that we run are all done in low range at slow speeds. Quite technical trails. 18 km takes a full day. Maybe that's why there is rarely any breakage. (fingers still crossed).
I will get a Rubicon if they stop putting that rear locker and factory disconnect in the Sahara. At that point my decision is easy. Never before has there been a Jeep that can fit such a large tire with such a small amount of lift. But there are many long running clubs in my area that are stating a maximum tire size of 35" so that the trails don't get chewed up as badly. For the most part, 33's on a TJ are quite adequate for our trails, but I believe that the Unlimited is going to need a lot of extra help.
Thanks to everyone for their input.

 

Definitely Rubicon. I've got one and I am soooo happy i waited for it.

Here are my Top 10 reasons for buying a Rubicon:
1.) Dana 44+ axles (they've been enhanced since the TJ Dana 44s) think of them as 3/4 ton + a little more
2.) Lockers front and rear - Only in 4wd-Low (But dude - Lockers!)
3.) 4:1 transfer case - I didn't appreciate it until I had it.
4.) Electronic Swaybar disconnect, no more getting out at the trail-head to disconnect. The articulation is impressive from the factory.
5.) 4:10 gears - with the pathetic 3.8L V6 and Overgeared auto transmission from the minivan the 4:10s should be the only choice. Yes it screams in 3rd gear when I'm doing 100mph...But it does 100mph! Not bad for a trail buggy.
6.) Lifetime powertrain warranty on everything I just mentioned above.
7.) Standard AC, 6 disc changer & subwoofer are creature comforts for Rubi's
8.) 32" Mud tires from the factory. With spacers you can up it to 33's!
9.) Rock rails so as to protect those rust proned rockers.
10.) It's the most capable factory wheeler currently offered under $100,000.

 

This is the biggest thing for me.

The Rubicon is in fact a bargin if you'd like to do the math. Most of the beffy components within the Rubicon are very very expensive, especially if you pay someone to install most of the driveline....

Mike