Spank
Well-Known Member
The lockers are actually the one Rubicon feature I use the least. I love the 4:1 low range and the sway bar disconnect.
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You're missing a Rubicon in your driveway. Your wife sounds like my wife and her Jeep was a money pit that I could have made less of a money pit had I started w a Rubicon. I said the whole sway bar locker statement just like you and within a year regretted making that statement. Here is a before and after pic of her Jeep. It's a Sahara with Rubi rims and tires in the first pick and a beast in the second and it's changed since the second one as well... lol.. But here's the real want: my wife wants it to have a bright color, and look "bad ass." It will be her daily driver, and not much off-roading (for now).
I don't want the sway bar disconnect or lockers (will never need them).
Is there something I'm missing here, or thinking incorrectly about?
That was my experience as well when I owned Rubicons. The swaybar would disconnect the moment I hit a trail; the 4:1 came in handy holding the Jeep on steep descents. But I would engage the lockers only a handful of times a year.The lockers are actually the one Rubicon feature I use the least. I love the 4:1 low range and the sway bar disconnect.
I’ve owned all three models, with a Rubicon being the current version. Put it this way—you may think you’ll never use the heavy duty parts on the Rubicon until you have them and see what they can do. The first time I drove over some really bad road with the sway bar disconnected and the differentials locked was unreal—I felt like I was in a tank or bulldozer. Also, I think the best resale value is on the Rubicon.Yes, I agree with all of this, and thank you so much about the shock information. This damn forum is SO full of information, a lot of times I can't remember where I read something. I think the Willys gets it done, but it is something less than a Rubicon with so many little features that really add to its appeal. I hate to say this, but at 52, I find myself wanting the damn red dash and red stitching in the interior. And worst of all, I like the stupid Rubicon hood decals. That with the little red exterior accents really adds to its looks. Other packages seem too monochrome. Some have done things to solve this, but most not. I've even been trying to figure out something custom for the hood decal if I don't go Rubicon.
The Rubicon would be great, but I feel like the approximate $5,000 premium for a lot of things I just will likely never use is a waste. The only reason I'd want one is for the unnecessary stronger, wider axles for my needs, the 4.10 gears, and those interior accents. And I strongly would rather have the LSD over lockers. It may come down to what kind of a deal I can get.
I've seen a ton of pics and videos that make us want to go out to Colorado and drive some of the trails out there. The scenery is spectacular. We do plan to tow this Wrangler out there with the motorhome in a few years, but I will not do anything technical or risk even scuffing the bottom or sides! Sad, right?
You know, we went down the same road in 2014 and got a Sport S and then spent the next 6 years wishing we had gotten the Rubicon. We lifted it and put on bigger tires, but were never satisfied, so this year we traded it for a Rubicon and wonder why we waited so long to do it. Get what you really want; you are only putting 6k per year, you will have it for a long time. I really like the new Snazzberry color by the way, we got Hella Yella and really like it, but it's not for everyone.
Ride is definitely not rough. It's actually on the squishy side and quite comfortable. I've only been in light rain with it so far, so can't comment on that. Idk... to each their own. I too was hung up on the Willys/Rubicon dilemma. In the end I liked the look more, the price more, and knew the Rubicon would be overkill for my light 4x4/overlanding/camping needs.I dont think anyone mentioned this, about the Willys version. The Willys comes with what looks like mud tires. These will not handle as well as the A/T tires that come stock, with the Rubicon. I ran into a couple a few weeks ago, and they had a month old Willys, that they didnt like. They said the ride was rough, and it was dangerous in the rain, because of the tires.
If you plan on a lot of driving in wet weather, it is something to consider.