I am planning to purchase a 2012 4-door Sport and am considering swapping the transfer case for the Rubicon model (4:1). What transfer case is in the Sport? What's involved in the sway? Is the swap easy/hard?

 

As long as the transfer case doesn't change in 12 just make sure you get one out of a 6-speed if that's what you have or an auto. Should be a direct swap.

 

Is this something I can do myself? Also what transfer case is in the Sport?

 

I believe the Sport ande Sahara editions have a 2.72:1 ratio...can anyone confirm that?

 

Sport and Sahara have 2.72:1. Swapping to the Rubi t-case is a direct swap assuming the donor vehicle had the same tranny (i.e. auto or manual). I did it to mine. Took less than two hours.

 

If you are buying brand new, why not just buy the Rubicon? You will get all the other upgrades under factory warranty, no mess, no worries.

 

I am debating whether to buy a Rubicon, but it doesn't make sense to me. (I have a 2007 Rubicon 2-door now.) Rubicon 2011 4-door "bare bones" is $33,320. Sport is $26,345. Difference is $6,975.

If I bought the Rubicon, I would replace the wheels and the tires, the electronic sway bar disconnect (just another thing to break and it takes forever to engage/disengage), rock rails (I like a side step/nerf bar), and I hate the weird locker switch that doesn't allow you to engage the front locker separately. Also I don't like the slow engage/disengage of the lockers. Also would regear front and rear for larger tires.

If I bought the Sport, I would replace the wheels and tires, put a DynaTrac ProRock 44 in the front, add lockers and regear both front and rear, replace front sway bar with something better (Currie/JKS), replace transfer case with 4:1 from Rubicon, add rock rails, etc. Sounds like a better use of $7,000.

So, does anyone know the model of the transfer case in the Sport? Does it have a slip yoke? Will I have to replace the drive shafts if I do the swap?

Thanks in advance!

 

I would consider selling my rubi t case. I think I'm getting ready to start a build

 

I went through the exact same deliberation and decided in rhe long run a Spartan edition was the way to go as I would be pulling almost every part off that I just paid a premium for and would be left with a few bells and whistles and some rubicon decals!

No regrets on my decision. I already plan on swapping a PR44 in the front when my D30 goes bang.

 

I wouldn't slam any Jeep - Sahara, Sport or Rubicon. As long as it is a Wrangler I don't like to drive anything else when I can help it.

As one who just did a bunch of mods to my Rubicon, I think it would be hard to accomplish everything listed for $7000 but don't worry, we won't tell your wife anyway. A AEV 3.5" lift, 35" tires, Wheels, Superchips, gears and a few miscellanious parts like differential covers put me over $7000. If I spent money on a whole new axle and lockers, I'd be well into $12K and don't even have good bumpers and a winch yet. Admittedly, I did go overboard on tires and wheels (spending $3500) but it does add up quick. Money well spent I might add but didn't realize how much until I itemized it for the insurance coverage