JK or TJ Rubicon

[GEM1N1]

Well my truck is sold and now I'm looking for my new wrangler. My question is, should I buy a JK X model or a TJ Rubicon. They are what I have determined to be in my BUDGET I have set and I had a 03 sport and loved it. I found an 04 Silver Rubicon with 42k miles for $14000. My thinking is that the Rubicon already has alot of what I would have to mod the X. Axle Gears, etc...

Thoughts?????

[1222]

Why not go to the dealer and check out the new JK close-up and personal? You’re already familiar with the TJ. Only you can make the final decision. Good luck.

[jeepercreeper13]

definately the rubicon

[faticone]

i had the same decision when i purchased my 08 X... part of me says i should have gone with an 05-06 Rubicon for the same price i paid for the 08 X.. but i like the JK alot... and since there isnt much wheeling around me i am pretty happy with what i decided...

with that being said, i would say take in all of the factors and make a wise, informed decision. dont rush into anything

[242much]

hell with that, take the jk.

[08BlueSahara]

How long do you plan to keep it? The new one has the lifetime warranty - though, if you plan to modify it, you will void the warranty on the part/associated part you mod. How do you plan to use it? If I was going to beat/thrash/wheel/mud bog, I would go for the used one, that way you put less $ on the line when you break things. Obviously, the Rubicon has more standard features for crawling than the X. Different animal than a JK, so like 1222 suggests, look at and drive both before you make a final decision.

[odwaud]

If you plan on doing any wheeling defiantly the rubicon. Personally I would take a TJ x or a JK x any day. JK rides, feels, and looks weird. And you defiantly have to love the mini van engine and all the plastic.

[JeeperSC]

What are all the 'performance' perks the TJ Ruby has over the JK x ? Just stronger axles? Are people having a huge problem snapping axles while off roading in X models or are they just fine for what this guy needs out it?

When you go check out the JKs, look at the unlimiteds. I went out with the intention of buying a regular JK model until I test drive one of the unlimiteds. The extra passenger space, cargo space, and 4 doors is nice. I settled for a loaded X model, and its fine for my needs. Its just going to be a mall crawler anyway. I may take it through a mud puddle or two one day as an excuse to use the 4x4. lol

[odwaud]

Originally Posted by JeeperSC

What are all the 'performance' perks the TJ Ruby has over the JK x ? Just stronger axles? Are people having a huge problem snapping axles while off roading in X models or are they just fine for what this guy needs out it?

There are many advantages to a TJ Ruby over a JK X. A Ruby is locked front a rear with 4.11 gear ratio. A JK X has open differentials and I think 3.73 gears. TJ Ruby has a 4:1 transfer case ratio and the dana 44 axles which you already mentioned.

If you keep the jeep pretty much stock you won't break an axle, but if you start putting on 35's and 37's on, you are defiantly going to want to have a d44 vs a d30.

The JK Ruby pretty much as the same setup too.

[N2rock]

are you talking about a brand new JK X? If so, another option would be to look for an '07 JK Rubi. An '07 JK Rubi will run about the same price as a brand new X. Best of both worlds.

[wyocommander]

I agree with N2rock. I have seen '7 JK Rubis that look like they have never been off pavement for 22K around here(S. WY and N. CO). It appears some people bought the new JKs for looks when they first came out. The 'latest thing' and all that. Then when they had taken a couple of long drives with friends in it the 'aura' wore off. They finally realized that it wasn't a car based SUV and traded it in for the new 'latest thing'.

BTW, we had a '4 Unlimited Rubi. My wife's daily driver(we live in the country and she could ALWAYS get to work or play). A GREAT vehicle off pavement and super dependable. We didn't need to mod it. We just drove it! and had zero problems.

[SilvRSpeedX3]

Originally Posted by odwaud

There are many advantages to a TJ Ruby over a JK X. A Ruby is locked front a rear with 4.11 gear ratio. A JK X has open differentials and I think 3.73 gears. TJ Ruby has a 4:1 transfer case ratio and the dana 44 axles which you already mentioned.

If you keep the jeep pretty much stock you won't break an axle, but if you start putting on 35's and 37's on, you are defiantly going to want to have a d44 vs a d30.

The JK Ruby pretty much as the same setup too.

the JK x also has dana 44s just not on the front, and as for performance witht he mini van engine yea its not fast or anything but whos doing 1/4 mile runs in a jeep anyways

[BigJerm]

I will sell you an 07 unlimited Rubi with half doors with 10k miles for $23k

[odwaud]

Originally Posted by N2rock

are you talking about a brand new JK X? If so, another option would be to look for an '07 JK Rubi. An '07 JK Rubi will run about the same price as a brand new X. Best of both worlds.

X2. Since you like the JK, but still want a Rubi, why don't you just get a JK Rubi?

Originally Posted by SilvRSpeedX3

the JK x also has dana 44s just not on the front, and as for performance witht he mini van engine yea its not fast or anything but whos doing 1/4 mile runs in a jeep anyways

But you still run into the problem of having a d30 up front if you decided to put on 37's. Might break, might not. Would you rather have a d44 up front, yes.

It is true that no one is running 1/4 miles with a Jeep, except this guy http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Fast-Jeep-Cherokee-Ran_132254.htm. But that is not my point, the 3.8L V6 engine actually has more HP than the I-6. But the 3.8L V6 does not have the "grunt" torque the I-6 does. I have wheeled with both my TJ and my dad's JK Sahara. I can go over 2 foot rocks or up hills so steep I can only see sky by just letting out the clutch. There is no way in hell you can do that in a JK. You have to use alot of gas, then you end up spinning the tires and loose traction. That is why I would never wheel a JK. That is the difference between the 3.8L V6 and the I-6, which I think is a very big difference.

[terrahawk]

Originally Posted by odwaud

I can go over 2 foot rocks or up hills so steep I can only see sky by just letting out the clutch. There is no way in hell you can do that in a JK. You have to use alot of gas, then you end up spinning the tires and loose traction. That is why I would never wheel a JK. That is the difference between the 3.8L V6 and the I-6, which I think is a very big difference.

Bull****. I have an open diff Sahara with a 6 speed, 4.10s, and 35's and have no issues climbing 2 foot rocks or going up steep hills without jamming the skinny pedal. Most of the time it's not the vehicle so much as it is a driver.