Please answer this question to settle a bet----Does a Sahara ride smoother than a Sport on paved highway. Thanks for your time.

 

Never owned a Sahari, but I can assure you that a 2011 Rubi Unlimited rides a heck of a lot better than an 09 "X", with everything being equal on both rigs. I would venture to say that it would, but no practical experience.

 

Do these rigs have aftermarket springs and shocks? What would make ANY JK ride different than the other? Other than tires and wheelbase? Nothing from the factory that's for sure.

 

The X/Sport models have basic oil filled shocks. The Sahara and the Rubi have gas charged shocks. I've owned both a Sahara and a Rubi and I think that both of them are really smooth on the highway. I've never ridden in an x though.

 

When I was shopping for mine I drove a few, all 4dr. To be honest, I did not feel a big deal of a paved road smooth ride difference that would have made me buy the Sahara I got over the X. I noticed it was a bit quieter, but nothing major.

My decision points were more on other featured such as fog lights, color, brand new tires on the Sahara, lower mileage and powered window glass, auto lock, etc.

My suggestion is that you ask to drive all and check whether the difference is a big deal for you.

 

Forgot to mention. The manual says we cannot use tire chains on the Sahara and the Rubicon, only the X. So I guess they have some different transmission systems. Maybe the electronic traction control, not sure about that, though.

 

I'd guess it's more about the 16 steelie wheels/smaller tires than "transmission system".

 

Its all in the tires, wheels and shocks. A stock Sahara rides a little better than a stock Rubicon because the Rubicon comes with MTs on 17" wheels and the Sahara comes with ATs on 18s.

 

ive driven both.. the sahara 4 door rides a tad smoother than an X 4 door(but really these are JEEPS...they are not going to ride like a minivan nor a regular SUV).. oh
and any 4 door rides smoother than any 2 door....

-Christopher

 

I just replaced my shocks with bilsteins and it now rides like a caddy on the highway =) 4wd.com