Sahara vs Rubicon JL Technicals

[zogby]

This is a timely discussion. I was some 80/20 with my decision. This helps to totally seal the deal with my decision to go with the JLUR.

What about this discussion convinced you?

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[zogby]

I’m glad I am not the only one struggling with this decision. I know Selec Trac better fits my needs and what I will be willing to attempt in a brand new Jeep, but the configurations I have drawn up only leaves a $2000 difference between the Rubi and the Sahara, so I am leaning towards the Rubicon. Decisions decisions. #1stworldproblems.

Ha! Yeah, it's a battle between the brain and heart. My brain knows that SelecTrac is the rational choice. But the heart wants what the heart wants.

Given that I really don't see any significant technical downside to SelecTrac, I wished they'd have just made a Rubicon with it. Perhaps some variant will have this in the future, either as a special edition, or simply as an option in 2019, but that doesn't really help us now, does it?

 

[Schmeegz]

For me I am simply stuck at :

$$$$ cost only
Sahara +35’s > Rubicon +35’s

 

[zogby]

I think it'd be fine. Bare in mind that all BF Goodrich tires typically are an inch smaller than their rated size. The JL Sport that ACE has has 35's installed on it and despite having little remaining space between the tires and the fenders, they claim they fit just fine and don't bind or rub on anything. I don't see why you couldn't slap some 33's on the Sahara without any issues or it looking goofy, either.

Oh, I assumed that post was for a Rubicon, but you're right -- it's a Sport. As I'm new to this, I'd err on the side of caution -- I wouldn't really know how to tell if there are subtle issues. It'd be nice if Jeep confirmed that 33"s are a-ok with the Sahara, as they did for 35"s on the Rubicon.

EDIT: Just another thing, since you mentioned looking goofy. I want it to look essentially stock. Hopefully someone does this in the future and posts pics somewhere.

 

[Schmeegz]

Also we know they say you can just slap on 35’s on a Rubicon. Without any computer reconfiguration. Is the Sahara the same? Can the axels support the bigger tires or is there more pieces you would need?

 

[zogby]

BTW, I'm happy people are weighing in on Sahara vs. Rubicon here (keep doing so!), but one of the purposes of this post was to summarize the technical differences in some of the drivetrain components and what the real-world capability differences would be.

Since people love to correct others, and noone has told me I'm full of it, I'm going to assume that what I posted is mostly accurate. But please do shatter my sense of pride if I'm in fact wrong on some things.

 

[macintux]

Since people love to correct others, and noone has told me I'm full of it, I'm going to assume that what I posted is mostly accurate. But please do shatter my sense of pride if I'm in fact wrong on some things.

One clarification, one correction. On my LJR I have limited slip in the rear, and I would assume the JLR does as well.

The clarification: the e-lockers are definitely not on all the time in 4L. You have to turn them on manually, and will rarely use them, especially the front because it almost forces you to go in a straight line.

 

[Spank]

Oh, I assumed that post was for a Rubicon, but you're right -- it's a Sport. As I'm new to this, I'd err on the side of caution -- I wouldn't really know how to tell if there are subtle issues. It'd be nice if Jeep confirmed that 33"s are a-ok with the Sahara, as they did for 35"s on the Rubicon.

EDIT: Just another thing, since you mentioned looking goofy. I want it to look essentially stock. Hopefully someone does this in the future and posts pics somewhere.

If you wanna stay stock, I'd just get 32" KO2s. Same tire size that you'd get with your Sahara.

 

[Goes]

I Had this same debate for my decision. I ended up ordering a Rubicon, not because I needed it, but because it had the look, ( hood, highline fender flares), tires and wheels that I wanted and I would not have saved anything by going with the Sahara and feeling like I compromised.

 

[kurt13]

I Had this same debate for my decision. I ended up ordering a Rubicon, not because I needed it, but because it had the look, ( hood, highline fender flares), tires and wheels that I wanted and I would not have saved anything by going with the Sahara and feeling like I compromised.

Same. And Sahara requires a body-color top. That alone disqualified it for me.

 

[macintux]

Same. And Sahara requires a body-color top. That alone disqualified it for me.

You, sir, are my hero.

I really love what Mark Allen has done for Jeep design...except for the fact that he seems to think body-color tops are a good thing. I'd like to ask him sometime what in the world he's thinking.

 

[macintux]

On my LJR I have limited slip in the rear, and I would assume the JLR does as well.

Huh. Apparently the JK Rubicon lost the LSD, so I imagine the JL Rubicon also has an open diff in the rear.

That's disappointing, the first real step backwards from my LJR to a JLR.

 

[AZCrawl]

Huh. Apparently the JK Rubicon lost the LSD, so I imagine the JL Rubicon also has an open diff in the rear.

That's disappointing, the first real step backwards from my LJR to a JLR.

Are you sure the JKR had an LSD option? How do you have a rear locker AND a LSD?

 

[macintux]

Are you sure the JKR had an LSD option? How do you have a rear locker AND a LSD?

I mean lost it relative to the TJ/LJ Rubicon.

I don't know enough about the technology to know why it would be challenging, but I definitely have both.

 

[whatevah]

As a 12-year Jeep driver and a 6 year JK Rubicon driver... the Rubicon will blow the Sahara out of the water in any traction scenario. If you're looking at offroad trails, the swaybar disconnect, 4:1 low gearing and lockers are unbeatable. For snow and sand in 4-high, the Rubicon may not have an LSD rear but the brake lock traction method is actually quite effective and the BFG AT KO2 tires give much more traction than the street tires on the Sahara so you're less likely to even spin tires enough in those environments to need an LSD. Even then, drop to 4-low, flip on the lockers and idle your way out of it. And the LSD can actually increase turning radius on higher-traction surfaces (until the clutch pack wears out)... being able to switch the Rubicon lockers off and go open diff can be a huge advantage over guys with aftermarket non-selectable lockers.

Of course, that's comparing off the showroom floor. If you live in a rare area where you switch rapidly between dry high-traction surfaces and very loose/slippery surfaces then the 4-Auto in the Sahara could be nice. Add some Rubicon take-off tires and call it good. You'll get slightly better gas mileage too, with the 3.45 gears vs the 4.10 gears the Rubicon comes with. But, if you like going out into the desert or mountains solo or in small groups regularly and can afford it, then a Rubicon is unbeatable. If you always go in a group, then you don't even need lockers unless you're doing hard stuff all the time. I run solo on my 3-week backcountry trips and need every advantage I can get, so I have a Rubicon with a lift, 35" tires AND a winch... the lockers have saved me a few times.

I typically only recommend JK Rubicons to friends who either truly need the extra capability for going solo (surf fishing, secret hunting/fishing locations) or just like the looks. The vast majority of Jeep owners (even those who go offroad often) are fine with a Sport or Sahara. The JL brings new considerations, though... the Sahara and Rubicon have the upgraded brakes to help with larger tires or heavier loads (apparently an available Mopar aftermarket option for Sport). And, the Rubicon has wider axles and the raised fenders to fit bigger tires with less work and already has the 4.10 gears so 35" tires won't drop the power as noticeably. So, if you intend on upgrading to 35" or larger tires, then a Rubicon will give you a decent head-start.

Same. And Sahara requires a body-color top. That alone disqualified it for me.

You can order a Sahara with a standard black hardtop. It's listed on the Jeep.com builder for $1095 vs $2095 for the painted top. The fenders are always painted, though.

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