Modern Willy's V Rubicon - OR Front Locker value

[yokramer]

Just remember buy the Jeep you can afford.

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[kah.mun.rah]

Just remember buy the Jeep you can afford.

If that were the case, I would never own one.

 

[Remorseless]

If that were the case, I would never own one.

Nah, clapped out XJs exist

 

[Snacktime]

Almost $8k cheaper for a 2dr Sport over a base 2dr Willys.

 

[My26ReconWillys]

2 door is always the right answer.

For Willys vs Rubicon - front locker is nice to have, but it's not necessary. Same thing with the 4:1 and the disconnecting sway bar.

If the cost of "nice but not necessary" is too much either financially or as a mental block, do the Willys. If you can afford "nice but not necessary", it is nice.

This!

 

[My26ReconWillys]

I find if you are going through mud, soft dirt, or sand, if you use lockers, you will not tear up the land and cut ruts nearly as bad if it all.

That being said, the most bang for the buck, especially if buying new, is Willy’s with XR package. They are usually heavily discounted. A front locker could always be added later if needed, and you are already starting out with D44’s and 4.56 gears.

Rubicons and Rubicon X aren’t usually as deeply discounted.

Willys 392 isn’t that much more expensive than Rubicon X which has half the number of cylinders.

I just bought a black 2026 Willys fully loaded including the XR 35" package, super happy with it.

 

[My26ReconWillys]

Nah, clapped out XJs exist

I got lucky finding a clean one, I love it.

 

[LukeDagny]

2 door is always the right answer.

For Willys vs Rubicon - front locker is nice to have, but it's not necessary. Same thing with the 4:1 and the disconnecting sway bar.

If the cost of "nice but not necessary" is too much either financially or as a mental block, do the Willys. If you can afford "nice but not necessary", it is nice.

I did the nice but not necessary on a budget. I found a 3 year old Rubicon, loaded, that just came off a lease. Only 21K miles, and Mopar CPO extended warranty. I've engage the front locker just to make sure it works, but never in anger

 

[dougt24]

… Forget the off road upgrades even on the highway it’s significantly improved. I could not imagine driving long distances without adaptive cruise control.

my 2025 Willys XR has adaptive cruise control. It is very comfortable on long trips … 10+ hours

 

[grimmjeeper]

my 2025 Willys XR has adaptive cruise control. It is very comfortable on long trips … 10+ hours

It's also good in bumper to bumper traffic. Once you hit the bottleneck, set adaptive cruise and the Jeep deals with stop and go. The only time you have to touch a pedal is at an extended stop.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Just remember buy the Jeep you can afford.

This is the most important part. Seriously.

Short answer: If you can afford it, go for the Rubicon. You'll never regret having it, but you'll always regret not having it. Willy's is a great platform if you can't justify the cost, or you're not sure if you're going to be into off roading.

As someone who has been daily driving Wranglers since 2003 and on the trail with them since 2005. Most of the trails I run are technical, mud and rock trails in the Northeastern US. I bought a used TJ Rubicon as soon as I could swing it, and never looked back. front/ rear lockers, Factory 4:1 low range, and lower axle gearing was a game changer. When I bought my JLUR I bought a Rubi because I knew exactly what I was going to be getting into. The Rubicon running gear is still 100% worth it to me, and the push button swaybar is nice- because I spent my time in the dirt, snow, mud, snow, and ice trying to manually reconnect a stubborn sway bar link on my TJ's.

I've said it a bunch of times: There is huge value to me to be able to get out and go offroading on hard trails with my friends, then do 70mph comfortably on the highway home, and to work Monday, then head to the beach with my family the following weekend.

I will never own another non-Rubicon unless I go for something old iron, or I go with a full on race Jeep build- neither of those are likely.

Nah, clapped out XJs exist

not for under $20k FIRM no lowballs, THEY KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE OK?

 

[Remorseless]

not for under $20k FIRM no lowballs, THEY KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE OK?

Homie has the world's strongest D35. Held up JUST FINE to 35s for years.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Homie has the world's strongest D35. Held up JUST FINE to 35s for years.

IT'S LINKON LOCKED ON 36'S NO ISSUES HOSS

 

[Remorseless]

IT'S LINKON LOCKED ON 36'S NO ISSUES HOSS

That fucker's on Super Swampers so dry rotted the county tried to patch the tires when they were resealing the asphalt

 

[Terrymo]

That fucker's on Super Swampers so dry rotted the county tried to patch the tires when they were resealing the asphalt

I wheel with a guy with an old FJ that has a built 6.0 LS that was set up for mud bogs back in the day. He has 15 year old Ground Hawgs? still and old timers gather around in reverence and awe when he pulls up. When he airs down to 8 they are so hard the sidewalls look exactly the same. It sounds wicked coming up a hill behind you. He’s “still shopping for tires”.

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