[Rogue]

I drove my freinds 2002 Wrangler Sport on Sunday with the doors off for 2 hours. I grinned from ear to ear the whole time. I want one...plain and simple. I want it because it is a convertable in the summer and the doors come off and you can put a foot peg on it. I want one because it is 4WD for the winter. I want one because it looks cool with big wheels and yes....occasionally I may do some light off road stuff.
Do I pony up the jack for the Rubicon, or should I go Sport and add a set of Mickey Thompsons and 16" wheels. Maybe even a 4" lift (the rubicon seems lifted, does anyone know for sure how much lift a rubi has over an X or Sport?).

Any help and advice is appreciated. I want a 6 cyl w/ a manual and full doors with the AC (for defrosting). Maybe 2 tops package.

Talk to me... I know these forums are the best place to learn.
I registered and will be around a while I guess.
Thanks again!

[KaiserJeep]

Honestly, even though I own and love my Rubicon, it's not what I would have bought had I still lived on the East coast or the Midwest. I bought it because I like to fish the High Sierra lakes and streams which is a specialized terrain - and the Rubicon was made to rock - it is specificly a purpose-built rock-crawler. For primary use in other terrains including mud, snow, sand, or the typical unpaved forest road, I would have unhesitatingly picked a different model Wrangler, saved the extra $3800 the Rubicon package costs, and built what I needed for my particular use.

It's not that you can't use a Rubicon for other purposes - it is simply that for the typical terrain in your part of the country, a higher low range gear would be desireable. Of particular utility in snow (the only terrain you mentioned for 4WD usage) high range with a pair of limited slip differentials would be superior to the locking diffs of the Rubicon.

If you could be more specific about how and where you want to use the Jeep, perhaps we could help you more. Right now, my reccomendation would be a Sport model with dual tops (provided you have a garage - otherwise a softop), air conditioning, and the Dane 44 rear axle with Trac-lok diff and the optional 3.73 axle gears.

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by KaiserJeep

it is simply that for the typical terrain in your part of the country, a higher low range gear would be desireable. Of particular utility in snow (the only terrain you mentioned for 4WD usage) high range with a pair of limited slip differentials would be superior to the locking diffs of the Rubicon.

If you could be more specific about how and where you want to use the Jeep, perhaps we could help you more. Right now, my reccomendation would be a Sport model with dual tops (provided you have a garage - otherwise a softop), air conditioning, and the Dane 44 rear axle with Trac-lok diff and the optional 3.73 axle gears.

True the 4WD would be of primary utility in the snow and ice. I may find myself in some mucky mud as well, but this would be rare and would probably be a Jeep trial of field. Is Limited Slip better for mud and snow? Do all the other models have the limited slip?

The thing I really liked about the Rubicon was the taller more aggressive stance. It looked great (yes, that may be a silly reason). I guess I could do the aftermarket wheels and tires.
Why the Sport over the X?
What would the Dane 44 rear axle with Trac-lok diff and the optional 3.73 axle gears priovide me?
There is a Sport in the color I like (2004 Khaki) on the lot ready to go....It has the Dana 44, I think this comes as standard with the Ravine wheel package that it has. The optional 3.73 is part of the Dana 44?

Thank you SOO much for helping me. I am so darn confused.
Thanks also for your quick reply!

[Devious]

I'm with KaiserJeep on this one. Get the Sport, don't spend the extra money on a Rubi if you are only going to go off road every now and again. IMO, limited slips work better in the snow than full lockers. Now mud, that could go either way, too many variables. The D44 would get you a way stronger axle and housing for when you upgrade to larger tires in the future.

[PrfctAggression]

The Rubicon would definitely be too much money if all you're looking to do is light stuff. Sure, it'll do what you want, but it's like using a howitzer to kill an ant.

[Rubicon it]

I have both a rubi and sport tj both 03's. The only lift a Rubi has is closer to 1/2-3/4" taller due to heavier springs and shocks, and stock 31's with 16"wheels. You can get a stripped down model of the Rubi and to surprised I paid less for the Rubi then the sport. The differences are:
Sport- has cloth seats, cruise and auto.
Rubi- has vinyl seats, no cruise, and 5spd.

I can get a hard top etc. and still be cheaper than fully loaded Rubi, just depends on what options you want.

Reasons for buying rubi- price, and ready for wheeling straight off the lot. I didn't have to buy tires re-do rear-ends etc. great builder for me.

Reasons for Sport- Wife didn't want a Rubi. And it had an auto

Just things we thought of when we bought our Jp's.

price diff. Rubi=25,000 Rounded off to highest#
Sport= 26,000 same as above.

[rbestany]

I remember that feeling!! In 1989, while I was driving a VW Rabbit GTI, I took a family vacation to Martha's Vineyard, where we rented a Wrangler to tool around the island. Running around with no top and doors, I was hooked. Four monts later, I was driving a 90 Wrangler and have been driving Jeeps ever since (I am on my fourth now).

Where I live (outside of Baltimore) there aren't really any places to off-road legally, unless you drive three hours west or south, so I don't spend much time off-road.

Being in the same position as you, I would reccomend the Sport. My '03 Sport serves all of my needs and handles great on the beach at Assateague. It got me through this past winter's blizzaed as well.

[WhatWasIThinkin]

Alot of good comments above.

All I will say, is that I liked my 02X, but I REALY LOVE MY RUBICON!

If you decide to go with any of the other models.....do your self a huge favor and make absolute sure that you DO NOT get 3.07 gears.....they suck, pure and simple for off road, and are horrible with anything bigger that the 29" donut tires that will be on the rig.

The Rubi's come with 4.10 gears and a 4:1 low tcase which works great with the 31" MT/R tires and can easily handle 33's without any problems with only a minor lift needed....a 1" BL and 2" BB will do at a minimum.

The Sport and Sahara's are great rides also, just look for 3.73 gears as an option. They are much better suited to offroading than the 3.07's and can handle 33's as well again with a bit of lift added to clear.

Good luck
Todd

[Bull]

I just bought a '03 Rubicon w/ both tops. I wanted to see how the winter here was w/ the soft top 1st. Plus that is all that I could find here in TX in the Rubicon. Do not think I will need the hard top though. If I lived up north maybe I would keep it, but I HATE cold weather. Just got her out of the shop yesterday. Had rocker guard nerf bars added and 2" spacers. My first Jeep and I love it.

Previous vehicles were trucks, Ford and a Chevy. I like the freedom the Jeep has to offer. The Rubicon comes w/ about 1" more height than the X or sport. And the 31" tires w/ 16" rims so there is that height difference too. My neighbor has a '03 X and he keeps begging to switch keys. HELL NO! He has a 3 3/4" lift, 33" tires, custom bumbers, nerf bars, rear diff locks, and sway bar disconnects. I can still go places he can't.

I will keep this Jeep for a long time. My next move in my industry I should get a vehicle provided w/ insurance and gas. So this will be my play toy on the wkds. Good work and you will love it.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by KaiserJeep

Honestly, even though I own and love my Rubicon, it's not what I would have bought had I still lived on the East coast or the Midwest. I bought it because I like to fish the High Sierra lakes and streams which is a specialized terrain - and the Rubicon was made to rock - it is specificly a purpose-built rock-crawler. For primary use in other terrains including mud, snow, sand, or the typical unpaved forest road, I would have unhesitatingly picked a different model Wrangler, saved the extra $3800 the Rubicon package costs, and built what I needed for my particular use.

It's not that you can't use a Rubicon for other purposes - it is simply that for the typical terrain in your part of the country, a higher low range gear would be desireable. Of particular utility in snow (the only terrain you mentioned for 4WD usage) high range with a pair of limited slip differentials would be superior to the locking diffs of the Rubicon.

If you could be more specific about how and where you want to use the Jeep, perhaps we could help you more. Right now, my reccomendation would be a Sport model with dual tops (provided you have a garage - otherwise a softop), air conditioning, and the Dane 44 rear axle with Trac-lok diff and the optional 3.73 axle gears.

Yep. If you want the more aggressive look of the rubi get some 31's. If you want a little lift get a 1" body or 1" sapcer lift. KEEP THE 15" WHEELS if you want to get the mtrs. The 16" mtrs have a stiffer side wall that is un neccessary and may ride ruffer.

Ross

[Whybu1]

If you are gonna do mostly snow, get the Sport with the D44 and 3.73 (skip the factory limited slip) and get a good limited slip. If you are gonna do mud sometimes, get an electrac for the rear (limited slip with the ability to be fully locked at the push of a button). Get the 6 cylinder.

[Matthew]

The diff between the X and Sport is the sport can be equiped with the dana 44's. The X is for someone like you who wants the look and claims he'll NEED it for winter driving
The X is more than enough for what you want.

[devildoc]

I have an x and I really wish I had the dana 44, but only because I want bigger tires, since you say you don't ant to do much off road go with the x

[Rogue]

I plumb gone and done it. I looked at a red 2004 Rubicon and he wanted 2k over invoice (didn't work with him long).
I looked at a 2004 Sport in the Khaki, but it had sold since the first time I looked at it.
I looked at a 2003 Rubicon, and I told him that I was seeing good deals (which I was in Ohio). He had a black Rubicon w/ 300 miles on it. It was ordered for a guy whose credit crashed in January. I guess at delivery to the dealer in February. Then it got bumped to this dealer on a dealer trade. Another guys credit wasn't working out. On and on. Basically I think it wasn't selling because of the added expense of the Rubicon times the added expense of the dual top and the added expense of the AC and the electro chromatic mirrors and on and on and on!
So anyway, we worked an slightly below invoice deal (yeah I know he gets a 3% hold back). I get it below invoice, but I take a car with some sitting around wear. I also get the 1000 cash back. With 6% PA sales tax, I am looking at $26,773.
He ave it to me for the weekend to make sure I am happy with it, and we will close the deal on Monday. I tried to start it a little while ago ad it stalled, and again, and again the same thing. Then I figured out it was the security key thing. I was using the wrong key.
DUH!!
Thanks to all who offered advice, I know I went too far, but I always do. I figure I can pull stumps with it, and drag boats out of the water. Whatever I want I can do.
I’ll keep an active role in the forum, so comments (negative or positive) are requested!
Later…

[gonzo]

pffft.... i don't see why people buy rubicons- unless they really really want to use it for rocks, or are just to lazy to build a cheaper jeep up.too damn much money if you ask me!
and you should've found a used one