Ye Gads...there's a lot of stuff made for Jeeps...I think it actually eclipses Harleys...

 

I think there's about $15 -16K between my Willys and the slightly above average Rubicon, as it stands.

I've been playing with the Quadratec website some...I can build a dream Jeep for $15K, and labor, some of which I can do.

That would include AEV bumpers and tire carrier, AEV Savegre wheels, 35 inch Goodrich tires, ARB lockers front and rear, re-gear to 4.88, Rock Crawler 2.5 X Factor mid-arm suspension, Teraflex Falcon piggyback shocks, a Warn Zeon 10-S winch...all top shelf stuff.

Add about $3K more if I got a D44 front axle (carry the locker over)...so say $20K, with labor.

That would leave me with a dream Jeep for the price I'd pay for a mid-range Rubicon with the same lift components.

I still would not have: the Rubicon transfer case, the electronic sway-bar disconnect, an automatic (which I would probably go for on the do-over), and whatever creature comforts like power windows and locks, key-less entry, perhaps Alpine sound, etc. might be on the new unit.

Either would be a dream. With the Willys, I could take my time, first things first, re-gear and lift, etc., and see how much Jeep I need. Maybe hardcore, maybe not.

I've got some time to think about it. Nice "problem" to have. I've had a lot of others that were nowhere nearly as nice...

Thanks for the thoughts and the patience...I know things like this must get asked a bunch.

 

$16K.... Hmm..... Front d44 with gears and locker about $3K-$4K. Rear locker and gears about $2K more. 4 low kit about $1200. 2 low to add to that about $300 more iirc. 5 tires mounted about $1300.
You're at $8.8K- 9.8K. That gives you $6K to $7K more to play with. Discos, power locks, fancy radio.... And you still have money left over for suspension bumpers and winch

 

Factor labor and down time into your numbers, don't forget the peace of mind the factory warranty provides. Lots more concern if you are retired.

A rubicon with a 2" lift on 35" tires is a very capable machine.

Edit: was trying to quote the reply above...

I have two Rubicons, one with a mild lift and tires that got me everywhere in the Mojave, all the rock crawling I could find out there, to ghost towns and mines, and up and down the 405 (and across the country). The other one is stock and it can go everywhere the other does unless there is a clearance issue (big rocks) and is super comfortable (to me and friends) for cross country trips to get to where you want to be (camping, off road parks, family visits etc.).

The biggest difference in cross country is tires, one is on KM2s (loud), the other on KO2s (quiet).

What I'm trying to say is while the numbers may be close, the finished Jeep will be very different and one will be much more useful. I can't wait to get into either of mine every day.

 

I see them on Craigslist all of the time.

 

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that the factory front d30 and d44 axle 'housings' are basically the same strength. So any external upgrades you were considering for your current d30 (sleeves/truss/gussets/skids), you will also want to add to any factory 44. And if you are considering a crate 44, then paying for housing mods, and then a regear, you will be wishing you had just picked up a PR44/Tera44/G244/whatever else, instead. People on here have dumped enough into their d30's to easily justify one of these aftermarket axles.

Something else that may be worth considering is your choice of traction. It doesn't sound like you actually need selectable lockers? You just 'want' them? If it is just a matter of 'I can afford them, so I will go ahead and get them', great. But if you are trying to keep the costs down, a pair of detroit truetracs could be a great alternative.

Just some more food for thought. Maybe we can get your head to explode from all the options and choices and decisions...

 

It's all pretty straightforward: M - O - N - E - Y

And to think, there are videos showing old WWII era Jeeps wheeling Moab and elsewhere with no sweat...and still we build or buy big!

 

I'm not good at leaving things stock...if I would have gotten the most expensive Rubicon available...within a couple of years it would be riding on 60's with an Atlas II and ARB's front and rear.....so knowing that about myself.....I got a Sport.........

 

Assuming that I don't trade my Willys on a Rubicon of one sort or another, I think I'll just go with a great 3.5 lift kit, plenty of armor, wheels, 35's, and a regear to 4.56.

I'm thinking that if I avoid rock crawling, that will be everything I really need. My stock Willys handled the Crown King trip OK, except for the one damn rock, but it was clear to me that I need comfort AND clearance before anything else, or I can forget Mrs. Loboe coming along.

Big bucks just for the lift, 35's, gears and skid plates...but I would have to drop the same amount on a new Rubicon - after I put $16K into buying it.

if I need a locker in back, I can take care of that later.

 

If you are regearing then do the locker at that time. You will regret it if you don't.