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Rubicon vs Sport if I'm heavily customizing it after purchase?

Discussion in 'Wrangler JK (2007-2017)' started by Jella4ever, Aug 14, 2017.

  1. Aug 14, 2017 at 9:10 AM
    #1
    Jella4ever

    Jella4ever [OP] New Member

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    Hi

    I want to purchase a new Jeep Wrangler but there are so many to choose from. Also after buying it from the dealership, I will be customizing the bumper/grill, wheels, suspension and radio/speakers. My question is if I am getting/doing all of this work on it, does it matter the type of Wrangler I buy? Initially, I wanted to get the Rubicon but if I am getting all this work done should I just get the sport?

    FYI: this will be my very first Jeep purchase!
     
    phonedrn8, JKBob 25 and Billy1234 like this.
  2. Aug 14, 2017 at 9:25 AM
    #2
    goinginjeep

    goinginjeep Well-Known Member

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    Well if you are going to add lockers and re-gear then go sport.
    Price points are extreme on the market for Rubis and Sports.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
    aggrex, JKBob 25, Bob and 1 other person like this.
  3. Aug 14, 2017 at 9:36 AM
    #3
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Welcome to the site!
     
    JKBob 25 and Jella4ever[OP] like this.
  4. Aug 14, 2017 at 9:41 AM
    #4
    goinginjeep

    goinginjeep Well-Known Member

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    Oh yeah, welcome...Sorry
     
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  5. Aug 14, 2017 at 9:51 AM
    #5
    Jella4ever

    Jella4ever [OP] New Member

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    thanks
     
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  6. Aug 14, 2017 at 9:56 AM
    #6
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    If you lift, take into consideration the gear ratios. The Sport comes with 3.21 ratio, wich would be taxing if you run 35" tires.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
    aggrex, JKBob 25 and Bob like this.
  7. Aug 14, 2017 at 2:01 PM
    #7
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 Well-Known Member

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    I have a 2011 sport jku the only thing i wish it had that it doesnt is lockers. I love my sport itll keep up with my buddys rubi while were mudding.. oh and the rubi has disconnecting front sway bars... someone please correct me if i am wrong about the sway bars. But all around i got my jku 3 months ago or so i payed 22k for everything and threw another 5 into it a week later. Thats just on bumper winch tires rims and speakers. Craps expensive in ny lol gotta love it.
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  8. Aug 14, 2017 at 3:20 PM
    #8
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    Welcome! The Rubicon is the ultimate JK but the Sport is a very capable vehicle for trails, service roads to camp sites or ski lodges etc. If your future plans include larger tires necessitating suspension lifts, new wheels and regearing that is an expense that would apply to either variation of the JK. The Sport pricepoint gets a JK in your hands for less than the Rubi as you recover and start your build or accessorizing to improve the performance whle the Rubi is more expensive but comes ready to rock and roll over rocks or more challenging terrain. The JK has a huge aftermarket selection of parts or accessories to make your very own ultimate vehicle....the only hangup is the $$$. Be sure to check out your local 4x4 shops to get an idea of their services, charges and whatever DIY work you may be able to do. All the JK versions are capable, some have LSDs or locker(s) and better gearing, tires to give your JK a head start down the trails. Stating your expected JK usage will help the forum help you as we all want similar capability.

    The attached pic tells you we are in a long term relationship:

    jeep-stickers.jpg
     
    JEEP # 5, Bob, JKBob 25 and 1 other person like this.
  9. Aug 14, 2017 at 4:08 PM
    #9
    OFFGRID

    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

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    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    In the end it boils down to what you are going to do with your jeep. The mods you mentioned in your initial post can be done to both Jeeps and without wasting the upgrades purchased in the Rubicon. Where do you live. Listening to people on this forum the prices of jeeps are all over the place, but here in Houston you can get a New Sport with automatic trans for $30k and a New Rubicon for $35k both before TT&L.

    What do you get for the Rubicon over the Sport:

    Dana 44 front axle (a big improvement)
    4:1 Transfer Case (another big improvement)
    Electric lockers in both axles
    Electric sway bar disconnect
    Bragging rights

    That being said if you are going to turn it into a monster offroading rockcrawler where you are replacing the whole suspension, axles, Tcase and installing your own disconnects (because the E disconnects in the rubis quit working after a while) then you would probably be wasting your money purchasing a Rubicon, but most people don't do this.
     
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  10. Aug 14, 2017 at 4:33 PM
    #10
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 Well-Known Member

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    Im going to take it the sport has the dana 30s? Upfront and rear i didnt look in to it much befor i bought mine figured id do everything over the years
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  11. Aug 14, 2017 at 4:44 PM
    #11
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    JK Sport has Dana 44 rear
     
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  12. Aug 14, 2017 at 4:57 PM
    #12
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 Well-Known Member

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    Ok thanks aggrex
     
  13. Aug 14, 2017 at 5:11 PM
    #13
    Rc Jeep

    Rc Jeep Well-Known Member

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    Evo mfg front coil overs Evo mfg rear coil overs Jks drag link flip Je reel 1310 front & rear driveshafts 37" Nitto trail grapplers 17x9 atx slabs Evo mfg quarter pounder w/stinger Evo mfg rear fascia w/ d ring mounts
    Often times when the sway bar disconnect stops working the magnets need to be cleaned.
     
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  14. Aug 14, 2017 at 6:19 PM
    #14
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Aggrex makes a lot of great points. And yes, my 2016 has Dana 44 in the rear.

    Wow....this thread just exploded. Awesome to see so many members adding their input. :bowdown:
    And yeah....think I didnt notice it was for a new FEMALE member. :cool:

    Mucho testrone thread. Please....the last thing Angie needs is us boosting our Jeeps. So please. Let's keep our Jeeps in the mud for the time being. Hello.... you better get it. Lollll
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
    Billy1234 likes this.
  15. Aug 14, 2017 at 6:25 PM
    #15
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Oops. My bad. Welcome to the forum Angie.

    Keep us posted as to your decision. And you better post pics. As knowledgable as our members are when it comes to Jeeps, builds, lifts, etc. We are kinda simple. We like pics. :)
     
    Billy1234 likes this.
  16. Aug 16, 2017 at 12:22 PM
    #16
    JEEP # 5

    JEEP # 5 Well-Known Member

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    Has 35 X 17 X 12 LT & a 4" RC lift, Smitty Bilt Nerf bars 3" tube
    Is too late to add a comment on this awesome post... I own a 2014 Wrangler Sport two door. Got it with 35" Tires, nice rims of course and 4" lift or a bit more I was told by a shop. 25k miles and I just drove it across from Oregon to Idaho on some very flat large Interstate Hiways. I-84 has posted 80 MPH speed limits. So with my V-6 and stock gears (I believe), I found myself cruising at 95. Of course this is all after I set my Speedo using computer programmer and on board GPS for verification. That said, I had plenty of peddle left. Took it off road to "Tank Hill" across from Balanced Rock next to Castle Ford ID. What fun!! Went up three different inclines. Three times each. No slip and no problem climbing them in low range 4x4. I am trying to include the photo's here. Look for the pic where you see the soft dirt rolling down the hill in front of my jeep for an idea of angle and distance.

    My wife and I have a 2004 Rubicon (The first one that came out I think) and my 2014 Sport. Regarding the photo's, she has to resend them to me so I can attach here. In the mean time I have only attached a photo I had of the front ends of both lined up in my garage. As soon as I get the Offroad images I will load on here again.

    Just wanted to agree with the other comments that stock gears with 35" tires and left kit Sport model Wrangler is confirmed to do a great job with the Fun Factor and is very capable.

    Jeeps.jpg
     
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  17. Aug 16, 2017 at 12:52 PM
    #17
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Never too late to add to the Jeep story. Interesting read
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  18. Aug 16, 2017 at 12:54 PM
    #18
    JEEP # 5

    JEEP # 5 Well-Known Member

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    #4.jpg
    #3.jpg
    #1.jpg
    #6.jpg
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  19. Aug 16, 2017 at 12:55 PM
    #19
    JEEP # 5

    JEEP # 5 Well-Known Member

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    Has 35 X 17 X 12 LT & a 4" RC lift, Smitty Bilt Nerf bars 3" tube
    One more. LOL

    #2.jpg
     
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  20. Aug 16, 2017 at 6:44 PM
    #20
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. Awesome post Mark, Sweet pics. Wish I could hit trails like that here in NJ. Very cool..
     

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