Rubicon...Is it worth it?

[Wanderlusty]

Ok, when it was TJ's, I could easily see that the Rubicon was definitely worth the price. I did not see this in time, unfortunately, and ended up with the (lowly?) X.

But as I look over the options on the new JK, I have to admit I don't know if the Rubicon is worth the $6,000 premium it costs over a similarly equipped X.

To compare and contrast:

Dana 44 Rear - Both Rubicon and X have Dana 44 rears standard on Unlimited

Dana 44 Fronts- Only Rubicon, but the Dana 30 has proven to be a tough axle, and the 'new' Dana 30 is even beefier, I hear.

T-Case: Rubi has a lower 4lo. However, at least in the TJ, I have always found the 'regular' T-Case to be just fine.

Lockers: Ok, Rubi advantage here.

Gears: Rubi is standard with 4:10's...X can be ordered with 4:10's at no charge.

Tires: Rubi has 32 inch BFG's, X has...rubber bands...

So the way I see it, where the Rubi edges the X is lockers, tires and T-Case.

The T-Case, as long as you don't live to rockcrawl, I don't see as an issue.

The tires...I would probably be swapping to 35's with a 3-4 inch lift, so that is kind of irrelevant.

The lockers...ok, I have no good answer here. Yes, I want lockers, but lockers can be added for maybe 2k for selectable lockers (ARB) so that still leaves a 4K difference in price.

Odds are that I am still going to try my darndest to get the Rubi anyway, but I am not as convinced as before that it is worth the premium.

Am I not considering something? Agree? Disagree?

[detailbarn]

personally I like to build my trucks the way I want them so I would start with an x. The way I see it building the truck up yourself will allow you to build a better truck overall that suits your specific needs. You may find that you don't need all that the rubicon offers but if buy one you're stuck with it. However if you buy an x you can progressively build it up to the level of performance you need.

[Scott Brady]

You get the equivalent of nearly $10,000 worth of aftermarket parts in that package and they are under warranty. Pretty smokin deal IMHO.

[Wanderlusty]

You get the equivalent of nearly $10,000 worth of aftermarket parts in that package and they are under warranty. Pretty smokin deal IMHO.

Yea, I can see that if you were rippin' and replacin', but the stuff in the X has a $ value too. (Axles/T-Case) so I guess that bears some considering.

This is mostly a mental exercise, I imagine, though, because I have lusted over a Rubi for a long time. Why let economics bother me now...

Detailbarn: I hear you. The whole "built vs. bought" deal. And I do want to 'Build' mine to some extent. However...I don't think that the Rubi comes with anything I "DON'T" want...save for $6k more on the sticker...

[upcruiser]

Interesting post. I did not realize they upgraded axle specs on the new X's for the Unlimiteds. The Rubi is a great vehicle for sure, but I could see the X representing a better value relativel speaking for sure.

[goodtimes]

If you are going to be adding lockers, tires, t'case gears, etc to an X....then yes, I think the Rubicon is worth the money. The rubicons are pretty much ready to go out of the box, where the X will need some work before tackling some of the moderate to difficult trails. IMO, it really depends on what kind of trails you are going to be on, and if you do your own wrenching. Anyone priced a pair of ARB's and the install recently? That is half of the premium of the rubicon right there!

[Wanderlusty]

Well, what I have travelled so far is about a 2.5 to 3 on the Scotty Scale. The X that I have has never even shown signs of strain. Though it is not completely stock, sporting 3 inch lift and 33 inch tires, it is open diffs and even the Dana 35 rear. It hasn't broke yet. I have never been stranded by break down or 'stuck' or to be honest, challenged at all, save for the challenge of picking a good line, which I seem to do ok at.

But at the same time, there are a lot of trails I have not gone on, or turned around when I looked ahead and decided that it would be beyond the capability of my vehicle. Many chances are that I would have made most of those, but I often am a lone vehicle, so I wisely shy away from what can really get me in trouble.

And I do know that I will hit trails when I go out west where some of the stuff the Rubi comes with stock is more "Necessity" than "Luxury" in a lot of cases.

I had priced the ARB lockers themselves, and guesstimated on the labor, but I may be a bit shy.

I just know that when I buy, I intend to upgrade the tire and suspension anyway, so the nicer tires and such were a wash as far as the Rubi goes.

The lift and tires may not be a neccessity for most stuff I run, but I know I have used my breakover angle that I enjoy on my TJ enough to know that I need to do what I can to increase the breakover angle on a JK. The Unlimited is SO much longer...and it fits 35's without near the trouble of the TJ...so that is why I am looking at that size.

But heck, I am sitting on this deal until I find out what they are going to do about DIESEL. Of course, that adds even MORE $$$...

"Just Empty Every Pocket" for sure...

[goodtimes]

If you are thinking diesel....hold off for a year.

[Scott Brady]

Then again, my brother in law has run 3+ trails in his stock 4cyl/Auto TJ with 31" tires and sliders.

I just think that buying an engineered solution is almost always a better option. Especially when a 75,000 mile warranty is involved.

[jeffryscott]

Buying it built, as in the Rubicon, you are ready to go, no down time getting lockers, etc ... put on. And as Scott says, warranty.

Plus, as you go more places, having "more" vehicle is always better ... thank of how much enjoyment you may have gotten had you gone down some of those roads you turned around at because you weren't sure the TJ was up to it ... As you learn more what the vehicle can do, your confidence and desire to push just a little more will certainly be rewarded by having the Rubicon - I could picture many situations when you would look at a trail and think, if I had bought the Rubicon I'd try that ... whereas I doubt there are too many situations you'd look at a trail and say, I have a Rubicon, It's too much truck for that trail ...