Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

I've read a few different posts on this forum and it got me wondering. How many people actually have owned both a sahara and a rubicon? Or are these posters giving second rate info to new jk owners.

I keep reading how the rubicon is not worth the extra money if you don't off road or only go every once and awhile. I wuld like a better reason then it's only for wheeling people.
Not everyone who buys a jk is going to drive it off road. Some people want to just have a nice driver with 35's or 33's. Which people should inform the future jk owner that if you plan on going with bigger tires down the road the rubi is the way to go since you get the better front axle and 4:10's.

Next is the myth that rub icons get worse gas milage then a sahara. bULSH*T.
My rubicon gets the same if not better gas milage then my wifes saraha and I'm running 35" tires.

That's my rant for now. I just want to see people give more accurate info on these jeeps. I was told a sahara would be good enuf for me but once i wanted 35's I traded it in for a rubi.

Incase your wondering where my info comes from. My wife has a jku sahara and i own a jku rubi. Before my rubi i had a jku sahara.

Re: Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

Everything is debatable.

When I personally compared 2dr models it was cheaper to purchase an X/Sport and build it 4" 35's and drivetrain upgrades then to purchase a Rubicon and build that with a 4" 35's.

With the JK Rubicons you pay a lot for an off the shelf capable vehicle as soon as you start changing that you end up getting rid of stuff you paid a premium for.

Re: Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

X2 If you don't offroad you are paying for E-Lockers, disconnects and a bigger front diff that you don't need. As far as Gears, That too is debatable. We have 3 JKs 2 with 3.73 1 with 4.10 the ones with 3.73 def get better mpg on the highway overall. And realistically if you want to run 35s, gears should be switched up 4.56 or 4.88 so buyting a Rubi because it has 4.10 is not a smart purchase. As Adrian has just mentioned if you want to mod you are better off to buy a Sport and mod as required rather then replacing those more expensive parts from the Rubi.
The Rubi is the ultimate for someone who wants an extremely capable wheeler without doing any mods.

Re: Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

I bought my Rubi because I liked the word...lol

Re: Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

And Now, after owning a Sahara on 35s with auto and 3.73, (of which I might add, I have been very happy with) I will be trading up to a 2012 Rubi with 4.10 because I see a need for it and I am getting an awesome trade in deal. I have no intentions of changing anything other then putting in a lift and 35s..

Do I ever regret getting the Sahara initially? Never.
Why a Rubicon this time? Because I want flat black fenders and roof, 4.10 gears and the D44 front with E-lockers for the snow, better factory wheels and tires.. I just want a Rubicon this time!

Re: Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

You're going to like the new Rubicon.

Re: Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

Now that I understand what D44 & 4:10 Gears, E-lockers,E-Sway Disconnect are.
The biggest difference between the two (for me) is the Differential Lockers when all 4 wheel turn at the same time.
When I bought my 2010 Sahara I knew that I was going off-roading with it.
I didn't know the difference, When the Sahara is in Four Low it uses the braking system to transfer the power to the wheels, The Rubi Locks the Differential so the wheels turn together.
It really comes down to what you are going to do with the Wrangler, It also comes down to who is going to do the mod's, You or the shop you buy your stuff at for the cost.
I think I'll be doing like Jeff in a couple of years and changing to the Rubicon.
I love my Sahara, But do your research before you buy and know what you want to do with your Jeep.
Good Luck
Bob

Re: Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

This year my club brought a fellow up to the Whipsaw Trail near Princeton BC. His JK was bone stock original, 8500kms, and ran the trail with some minor scrapes. Never had to winch him, just a lot of spotting. This wasn't even a Sahara with the unlimited slip diff. The rubicon is better if you can't or don't know how to wrench if you are going on moderate to hard trails. It also has a 4 to 1 tcase. Even lower gearing than the standard 2.72 to 1. Lockers give more traction when used properly.

Re: Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

Re: Rubicon VS sahara debate
 

Other than price point, the Rubicon will be less impressive in the sand due to insufficient wheel speed with the 4:1 tcase. The 2.7:1 tcase works better for that. But the Rubicon can lock all four wheels where the other models at best can only do three. The rubi also is equipped with more agressive tires and deeper diff gears.