Rubicon vs Sahara Trim

[kah.mun.rah]

They've done a terrible job marketing and documenting it.... Both the 4 and 6 cylinder engines with base wheels in the Rubicon gets the 5k. The Xs bigger wheels drop it back to 3.5k. I had no interest in the 4xe so I never paid attention to whether it gets the upgraded tow capacity

If that is the case, it makes me wonder if the Xtreme comes with the full float rear axle (I would hope that it does). Reading up on it, it looks like both the 392 and the 4xe Rubicons are still limited to 3.5L because of their weight and suspension.

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[North Bound Train]

Thanks, all! Good info!

I have 35s now on my Sahara which I intended to use a lot more for off road use. But...life has gotten in the way of that and time has prevented me from doing it more than I like.

So, I do I need the 35s...NO...but I have a feeling I won't like the smaller tires since I've become customer to the 35s. My hope was not to have to do a lift again and try the stock Rubis and if I don't like them, I can get the 35s without a lift.

I'm looking for a used one that's a few yrs old so I'm not taking a big hit on the cost. That's if I can sell mine for the right price.

Is there classifieds on here to list it? I have it on auto trader, but I imagine most Jeep buyers are looking for a regular 'ol stock set up.

Willys has a 35" wheel package, lots of those 35" on the lot right now in 2 or 4 door.

 

[JAC34]

Willys has a 35" wheel package, lots of those 35" on the lot right now in 2 or 4 door.

Really? I thought they only offered it in 2 door. I need 4 door so will have to check it out. Thx

 

[North Bound Train]

Really? I thought they only offered it in 2 door. I need 4 door so will have to check it out. Thx

Called the "XTREME 35" Tire Package" use the inventory search, and select Willys and that Xtreme package to see inventory near you.

 

[XJConvert]

If going from a Sahara, get a new Willy's. It will save you $$$ and be a nice upgrade from your 2018.

Yeah, the Sahara is in a weird spot now in my opinion. I don't really see the point unless you specifically want standard size/height color matched fenders and a less offroad look / would have preferred a g-wagon. Even leather seems to be an option on the willys now (I don't think it was on the 24s?). And you can get a color matched top on the rubicon. Seems odd to give up all the rubi stuff for basically the same price, or not get the 'bonus' willys stuff if optioning a cheaper sahara. Admittedly, i don't like the look of color matched fenders or tops, so, its not really for me anyway.

 

[hilljumper]

I currently own a 2018 Sahara and looking for a new Jeep primarily for the sky top and possibly a different power train .

What are pros/cons of going to the Rubicon? I’m not sure it’d worth it but I do like the look.

Is it true that they gave a small factory lift? Wondering if I want to go to bigger tires down the the road, can I avoid a lift kit with Rubi vs Sahara?

I have nearly new Rubicon 33s with wheels and TPMS sensors if you are interested. North Bay.

 

[Punkn89]

Normally, I am against getting a rubicon if you aren’t off-roading or if you‘re planning on modifying it to the point you’d be better off starting with a sport. BUT, for financial purposes, resale on rubicons are so much better.

 

[ObiMatt87]

I *believe* this is only for a very specific trim/option on the Rubicon, not just all Rubicons (but happy to be proven wrong).

You are spot-on. The Rubicon X Xtreme Recon has the 5000 lb towing capability. "Normal" Rubicon models and below are rated at 3500 lbs.

 

[cripton805]

Personally, I wouldn't upgrade if it's a JL. If you're not planning on doing some rock crawling or some difficult / technical trails, then what would be the point? Upgrade the diff and add a decent lift. The Sahara is more than capable for moderate to difficult trails. If your Jeep is paid off, just save your money.

I went from an 18' 6sp, JLU Sport to a 22' Auto Willys XR. Which is basically a Rubicon with LSD instead of lockers. I do like the 2.0 vs. the V6 I used to have though. I took both on moderate to difficult trails pretty easily.

Do you have a JL or JK Sahara? In 2018 they had both the JK and JL overlap.

Only upgrade if you need the 4:1 crawl ratio and lockers.

 

[ObiMatt87]

If that is the case, it makes me wonder if the Xtreme comes with the full float rear axle (I would hope that it does). Reading up on it, it looks like both the 392 and the 4xe Rubicons are still limited to 3.5L because of their weight and suspension.

Yes, the Xtreme Recon has the new axle.

 

[JAC34]

Personally, I wouldn't upgrade if it's a JL. If you're not planning on doing some rock crawling or some difficult / technical trails, then what would be the point? Upgrade the diff and add a decent lift. The Sahara is more than capable for moderate to difficult trails. If your Jeep is paid off, just save your money.

I went from an 18' 6sp, JLU Sport to a 22' Auto Willys XR. Which is basically a Rubicon with LSD instead of lockers. I do like the 2.0 vs. the V6 I used to have though. I took both on moderate to difficult trails pretty easily.

Do you have a JL or JK Sahara? In 2018 they had both the JK and JL overlap.

Only upgrade if you need the 4:1 crawl ratio and lockers.

Mine is JLU with 2.5” AEV lift and 35s

 

[cripton805]

Mine is JLU with 2.5” AEV lift and 35s

That's more than capable. Re-gear it, update the shift points / tire sizing with a tazer if you haven't. My V6 JLU on 35s was a dog with the stock gearing.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

You are spot-on. The Rubicon X Xtreme Recon has the 5000 lb towing capability. "Normal" Rubicon models and below are rated at 3500 lbs.

The normal Rubicons are 5,000. Xtreme is 3500. https://www.clementchryslerdodgejeepramcolumbia.com/jeep-wrangler-towing-capacity.htm#:~:text=The Rubicon X follows suit,pounds1 with four doors.

 

[ObiMatt87]

I'm actually in an interesting position for this thread, as I have a both a 2018 Sahara that I have loved and a 2024 Rubicon X Xtreme Recon we got last Halloween (literally delivered that day). I think in the end your decision will really be driven by what you intend to do with your Jeep, but from my personal experience, here are some pros and cons to consider for going with one model or another:

SAHARA
+ As mentioned by others, and based on my personal experience, the Sahara is more than capable in stock form to do a lot on- and off-road. I added 33s a couple of years ago and for my purposes that is a really good balance on the stock Sahara without a lift.

+- The resale value of a Sahara is typically lower than that of a Rubicon on average, but you typically do have a lot of nice trim extras standard vs some of the others.

+- A Sahara can be built up to whatever you want, but obviously for long-term 35" tires use I'd want to beef up components to handle that.

+ Not that we buy these for gas mileage, but the 4.10 gears on my Sahara, even with the heavier, wider 33s, is still ~20 mpg combined city driving, which is not too bad. I'll get up to ~24 mpg straight highway. On the original OEM smaller 32" tires I got more like 25-26 mpg highway.

WILLYS
+ As also mentioned by others, and again depending on how much off-roading you plan to do and at what level, a Willys is a nice balance, as it comes with some of the Rubicon goodies and you can get 35s, but it costs less than a Rubicon. It sits in an interesting place in the line, while still allowing for mods along the way to make it even more capable. It is a very enticing option, and with the 35s they look great, too.

- You don't get all the bells and whistles, and your options are limited for upgrades. Jeep did a nice job of trying to get you to buy a Rubicon instead if you want certain features.

RUBICON (Stock, X, XR)
+ In its three core forms (Rubicon, Rubicon X, and Rubicon X XR) you can pretty much find your balance of significant added capabilities while balancing price/amenities based on trim levels. I got our 2024 XR because a) I took advantage of the large markdowns going on due to dealer lot overstocking and b) the XR comes really capable with all the Rubicon goodies, beefed-up suspension, a small lift, and 35s right from the factory. For my purposes, I don't have to do anything to it from that standpoint. It is 3 inches taller than my non-lifted Sahara on 33s and looks huge next to it. Amazing the difference 35s and a small lift makes to stature.

- This thing is stupid expensive, as all of them are, but really, the XR is expensive, second only to the 392's ridonkulous premium. Mine listed at $71,600. I got it for $54,550 after rebates and incentives. Still a choker to me, but for the capability and bells and whistles on this thing it actually is pretty dang amazing. For the 2024s, the new axle, new center screen, and other lesser upgrades make it even better.

- Gas mileage suffers with larger tires, of course. The XR package has the 4.56 gearing, which makes it more responsive, but it does eat a little more gas. My combined city mpg is sitting at around 17 mpg.

BOTTOM LINE
Other than the base Sport , I think everyone can find something in their (relative) price range that meets their intended use and long-term upgrade (or out-of-the-box OEM ready) desires. I love both of our Jeeps, and I'm really glad we kept our Sahara, which is Mojito that I love and a nice balance to the really cool Anvil's gray understated look. It can do a ton of stuff on- and off-raod and has just been great.

I will say, though, that I'm truly glad I bit the bullet and did the "buy once, cry once" move of going with the Rubicon X with the Xtreme Recon package for our second buy. It is just incredible, drives great, feels great, and, after I ran a basic shakedown cruise this past weekend off-road, just amazingly capable without any modding whatsoever. I would get one again in heartbeat, as long as I was wearing a blindfold so I couldn't see the sticker price...

My 2 cents

 

[ObiMatt87]

I know that the normal Rubicons are 5,000. Xtreme is 3500. https://www.clementchryslerdodgejeepramcolumbia.com/jeep-wrangler-towing-capacity.htm#:~:text=The Rubicon X follows suit,pounds1 with four doors.

Interesting. Your graphic is right and I was off with regard to the normal Rubicons. Most of the entries out there say 3500 for all models, including Rubicon, but a deeper dive shows that the 5000 lb capacity is based purely on having the floating rear axle that was new in 2024+ Rubicons. The other models continue to use the semi-floating axle. Thanks for the vector check!

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