switching JKs your thoughts?
 

so im debating trading in my '12 sahara for a '13 rubicon. i can afford it its only about $70 extra as i had a good trade in. just debating if i should...always wanted a rubi, but one wasnt available when i got my sahara, my own impatient fault. Ive taken the sahara off roading a bit but it is lacking, up north there is alot of mud and bush.(already scratched my body paint top and fenders) i am looking to mod and do alot more off roading. will keep this jeep for the long run as i want to do nothing but trails and jeep drives. i find the rubi is just better off stock then aftermarket mods on my sahara which will void my warranty. Thoughts?

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

70$ for lockers and disconnects, I would do it! Especially if you plan doing real off-road driving.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

by $70 i mean extra on payments but still very tempting.. you ll let you guys know the end result!

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

70 more per month for xx months?


So you most likely only have a year or so into payments on the Sahara.

Ya i'd do it.

You would spend more building the Sahara, and removing good parts.

Some say the 4:1 Rock Track is too low for some wheelin...just sayin

Good luck

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

I traded my 2011 Sahara for a 2012 Rubicon and I'm VERY HAPPY I did!!! But... a big reason is because of the new motor - which you already have. I do like the Rubi a lot more for wheeling also. I can get through spots that were a challenge for the Sahara (and hard on it) much more easily with the Rubi without having to force my way through.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

You've already got the new motor, (wish I had, 2011 Sahara) but I don't see how having a Rubi is gonna
save you from scratching it's fenders and top. We talking the exact same width and ride height,
so if the Sahara didn't make it through unscratched, the Rubi ain't gonna either. But it might be more fun tryin'!
Like Jeepminded stated, I've too have heard the 4:1 is for crawlin' and too low for revin' through the
gumbo. If it is, I'd suggest to go with the 6 speed manual trans to give you more gear combo options.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

The black plastic fenders will not scratch as easy... Not sure about the black hardtop. (Unless you are going to opt for the painted fenders and top)
The 4:1 transfer case is low... but this is the first time I've heard that listed as a disadvantage!!! The added benefit above being able to CRAWL is that the t-case is tough as hell!!

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

my roof is completely destroyed from trees beating off of it there'swhite spots everywhere from the paint being scffe.
like people said... the rocktrac is nice but the low gears are some times a nuisance in the trails. I'm not a high speed wheeler by any means but I am usually in 3rd and don't ever use 1st.
if it were me and I'm only speaking in my opinion, not bashing your idea. I would get after market flares if the fenders are a worry. The D44 isn't a great deal stronger than the Sahara front end contrary to what you may have been told. put a couple bucks into it.. sleeves/gussets and axle shafts and keep your Sahara. wait for a restyle on the wrangler or a massive upgrade to the JKs before you think on getting rid of it.
again.. just my 2 cents. I've looked at trading mine a couple times and have considered Sahara.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

Couldn't disagree more... Guess it depends on how serious the trails are that you go on. I really don't understand the "4:1 being to low" opinion. You have 6 gears (with the manual - 5 with the auto) and can hit 30km/h easily... If you want to go faster than that you can likely switch to high range and 2wd!!
I find First gear and 4:1 low range is amazing when crawling through areas with many large rocks etc. It makes it a lot easier on your clutch or tc.
The D44 is WAY TOUGHER AND WORTH IT. It is an extremely expensive upgrade if you wanted to put one on your Sahara... ($5000 or so plus you can't even find them) but as part of the Rubicon package - it's a no-brainer in my opinion. And of course... Lockers kick ass!

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

I don't know what JK Rubicon you have driven but mine won't come near 30km/hr in 4lo. MAYBE if I have it buried to the redline in 5th or 6th, even then it's doubtful.
I'm also curious what are the obstacles your climbing that you need 4:1 lorange?
and as far as the strength of the axles it isn't my opinion it's fact, pick up a magazine or read some tech articles.
and since mine is a 2011 and there is no tuner to disable traction control in 4hi so I can get wheel spin to help threw mud and slop, yes, I DO need to be in 4lo when I'm off the pavement.
If you like I will post all kinds of links citing what I talk about as far as the strength of the axles right to the transfer case. the 2.73:1 (I believe that's thesahara t-case ratio) is more than enough for most people. And 5000 for a d44??? I see pairs of them for sale regularly for less than that.
I would love to see some pictures of where a "true off-road enthusiast" such as yourself wheels. I've owned jeeps and been around jeeps and offroading since I've been a kid. I'm not going to say I'm more hardcore than anyone hence me saying "in my opinion" (and the opinion of MANY other "true off-road enthusiasts") here is what I think.
Not every off-road enthusiast needs 4:1 lorange and selectable lockers. To me you sound like an ignorant punk who thinks bigger is better.
In my opinion of course.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

sorry to derail your thread PRjeep I just hate ignorant uneducated opinions.
But I guess you were looking for opinions anyways hey? lol

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

Someone has a temper... "In my opinion".

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

That was the type of response I expected.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

Edited my original reply... Hope you don't find it as objectionable.

I still stand behind the usefulness of 4:1 low range. Everyone in the Jeep club I wheel with either has low gears... or wants them.
If you caught that not so great Jeep show "one car too far" one of the ways the D35 is lacking was demonstrated. If you shear an axle shaft... your tire falls off!! The doesn't happen with the D44. Google D44 vs D35 and you will see an endless supply of info about the "Dana turdy five" ... puny ring gear, c-clip axles, limited gear selection, axle tube flex ...

At any rate we can agree to disagree... without name calling. Lord knows it took some self discipline to not write A LOT more last night.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

I'm sure people will argue the strength of one vs the other but the jk tubes are the same on both axles, which is why I suggested he just got axle tubes and gussets for the kind of wheeling he would be doing. the way I understood the post was he isn't hardcore into wheeling was the reason I suggested that lol
and just to add I'm not disputing the point about everything in the carrier and the axle shafts I agree 100% in my first post I was only referring to the tubes/C's

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

thats ok lol, well thanks for the opinions guys, end result: i kept the 12' sahara, will slowly work on mods myself :smile:

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

wow... quite the back and forth here.

Based on the statement:

"i am looking to mod and do alot more off roading. will keep this jeep for the long run as i want to do nothing but trails and jeep drives."

I'd say that keeping the Sahara is the way to go. If you want to do a lot of modding, why get a rubicon?

How many times when wheeling do you plan on, or need to diso?

Are selectable lockers essential, or just desirable?

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

The D44 is NOT stronger. Wheels can't fall off if you break a front axle as the hub holds the wheel on not the axle as it does in the rear. It has the exact same weak points as the D30 (not D35) and those are that they have the same tube thickness (same tubes actually), same C's, same Balljoints, and same ujoints. The only thing stronger is the carrier itself. Axles are only an issue if you plan on running heavy 37- 40" tires..
Gussets and tubes are needed on both the D44 and D30 if you plan to wheel hard. As for lockers, a pair of lockrights are better then the electrolockers and swaybar disconnects are cheap..
If you were going from an 11 to 13 I would say go for it, but a 12 to 13, no dice..
Personally, when I get to that point where I seriously wheel my Jeep, the front diff will be swapped out for a complete Dynatrac unit.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

The 4:1 transfer case IS too low for mudding. And that's not an opinion, its a fact. I have a 2010 Rubi and although i like to get it muddy once in a while, i generally do my wheelin on rocks which is the reason i bought the Rubi (6spd). If you're more of a mudder, the sahara with lockers upgrade is plenty tough. Axle sleeve and C gussets and you're good to go. It all depends on where you wheel and your requirements. Stock trim fenders can easily replace the scratched up painted ones. Personally, I would stick with what you got and mod it the way you like. If you break the D30, get a proRock or a used D44 for cheap.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

" 4:1 transfer case IS too low for mudding. And that's not an opinion, its a fact. ". Says snakeyes76.
I think you need to look up the definition of the word "fact". Your are clearly stating an opinion - I guess it is because your opinion is based on your experiences with your rubicon that you somehow think makes it a "fact". The 4:1 is not "too low" because of one actual "fact"... YOU HAVE SIX GEARS!!! The buggies featured in hard core offroading magazines like Crawl have WAY LOWER transfer cases. I guess they don't know any facts about offroading.

I agree that the upgrade from 2012 Sahara to 2013 Rubicon wouldn't be as worth it since the 12 already has the new motor (as stated in my original reply). Basically the Sahara is "good enough". Most would still be wishing they had gone for the Rubicon though!! The Rubicon is a better base to start with for serious wheeling - unless you plan on changing the axles etc. If the modding planned is a lift kit, tires, fenders etc ... There is no $ wasted in upgrading to the Rubi.

I'm guessing there are a lot of people with buyers remorse over not making the right choice (Rubicon!) in the first place... Makes them feel better to think that the Rubi is "too slow" or "too tough" or maybe crawls up obstacles "too easily"??? Seriously people... Get a grip.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

" 4:1 transfer case IS too low for mudding. And that's not an opinion, its a fact. ". Says snakeyes76.
I think you need to look up the definition of the word "fact". Your are clearly stating an opinion - I guess it is because your opinion is based on your experiences with your rubicon that you somehow think makes it a "fact". The 4:1 is not "too low" because of one actual "fact"... YOU HAVE SIX GEARS!!! The buggies featured in hard core offroading magazines like Crawl have WAY LOWER transfer cases. I guess they don't know any facts about offroading.

I agree that the upgrade from 2012 Sahara to 2013 Rubicon wouldn't be as worth it since the 12 already has the new motor (as stated in my original reply). Basically the Sahara is "good enough". Most would still be wishing they had gone for the Rubicon though!! The Rubicon is a better base to start with for serious wheeling - unless you plan on changing the axles etc. If the modding planned is a lift kit, tires, fenders etc ... There is no $ wasted in upgrading to the Rubi.

I'm guessing there are a lot of people with buyers remorse over not making the right choice (Rubicon!) in the first place... Makes them feel better to think that the Rubi is "too slow" or "too tough" or maybe crawls up obstacles "too easily"??? Seriously people... Get a grip.

Re: switching JKs your thoughts?
 

Ignorance is Bliss - so they say: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Vs. Regular Wrangler - Jp Magazine
Granted, this is discussing TJ Rubicon/Sport - but anyone with 1/2 a brain will get the idea. If the OP encounters more mud and sand than rocks, the Sahara and 2.73:1 TC is the logical choice. That and if he ever plans on seriously modding his jeep, is a better platform as most people chuck the upgrades found on the Rubicon anyhow. So its basically a waste of money. I personally bought a Rubi because I wanted an out of the box capable jeep mostly for slow trails littered with rocks. In my situation, 4:1 is the right choice. At the end of the day, the pocket decides. Is $70/mo for 5(?) years worth the difference? For $4000, you can do a lot to a Sahara.