Rubicon vs. Sport S

[UDUBJL]

Here's my billet silver sport s with takeoff rubi suspension/tires/wheels and plasti dipped black grill. I take the top off every wknd with my Lange manual hoist...takes 10 minutes to be topless.

Nice looking rig. Can I fit 35" tires without rub by going with a 2" Mopar lift?

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[ChattVol]

Nice looking rig. Can I fit 35" tires without rub by going with a 2" Mopar lift?

Thanks...I've actually been researching lifts alot lately to go to 35's. My understanding is the mopar lift adds more like 3" of lift on a sport and yes you can go to 35×12.50 tires with some potential minor rubbing only at full flex. There are also quite a few reports of the mopar springs bowing...which I dont like. I'm looking at going to 315/70/17 bfg ko2 load c tires(same size as 35×12.50, EXCEPT bfg ko2 35×12.50/17 tires only come in load e, which is heavier & rougher riding) mounted on my stock rubi wheels. I am wrestling with saving $ by just adding a $200 2" spacer lift with shock extensions vs spending $700 on rancho lift with 9000 series adjustable shocks or going with dynatrac 2" full suspension lift with fox shocks for $1200. I offroad about once a month and priority #1 is keeping a smooth on road ride...I use my jl as a daily driver and drive 25k miles year. Thoughts?

 

[UDUBJL]

Thanks...I've actually been researching lifts alot lately to go to 35's. My understanding is the mopar lift adds more like 3" of lift on a sport and yes you can go to 35×12.50 tires with some potential minor rubbing only at full flex. There are also quite a few reports of the mopar springs bowing...which I dont like. I'm looking at going to 315/70/17 bfg ko2 load c tires(same size as 35×12.50, EXCEPT bfg ko2 35×12.50/17 tires only come in load e, which is heavier & rougher riding) mounted on my stock rubi wheels. I am wrestling with saving $ by just adding a $200 2" spacer lift with shock extensions vs spending $700 on rancho lift with 9000 series adjustable shocks or going with dynatrac 2" full suspension lift with fox shocks for $1200. I offroad about once a month and priority #1 is keeping a smooth on road ride...I use my jl as a daily driver and drive 25k miles year. Thoughts?

Apparently the spring bowing issue is fixed. I like the idea of getting a little more out of the 2" lift. I like the factory warranty even more. Having the dealership install the lift, front bumper and winch, sliders, and rims and tires so will not affect my warranty. I really like the BFG KO2 but the sidewall being a two ply makes me nervous. My hunting spots and some of the fishing spots have some pretty sharp rock/ small boulders. I only drive about 9,000-11,000 miles a year. The wife got a new Armada so any out of town driving is done in that beast.

 

[ChattVol]

Apparently the spring bowing issue is fixed. I like the idea of getting a little more out of the 2" lift. I like the factory warranty even more. Having the dealership install the lift, front bumper and winch, sliders, and rims and tires so will not affect my warranty. I really like the BFG KO2 but the sidewall being a two ply makes me nervous. My hunting spots and some of the fishing spots have some pretty sharp rock/ small boulders. I only drive about 9,000-11,000 miles a year. The wife got a new Armada so any out of town driving is done in that beast.

I've taken the the 285/70/17 ko2's off road about 6 times with 3 being on rocky trails where 4×4 is mandatory or you'll be fined. The tires have done great so far and they also ride very smooth and are quiet. Watch some youtube videos of bone stock rubicons jl's doing some pretty impressive rock crawling and your outlook on the ko2's class c may change. Jeep wouldn't choose to put them on all rubicon's if they couldnt handle pretty rigorous offroad terrain.

 

[chiggerdude]

I bought my Rubicon for $42K, No extra bells and whistles except the upgraded floor mats.
Rubis still have all the power options at that price; including on screen display, climate control, backup camera, heated mirrors etc.

Throw on some 35" tires with or without aftermarket wheels....you're still way under budget.

 

[ironhead181]

My only question would be how long do you plan on keeping it? If you are a “every 5 years I get a new car guy” I would go Rubicon so it will be easier to sell later down the road.

 

[Vawildjeep]

Love this thread. Story of my brain every day right now haha

 

[caged]

rubicon has all the upgrades underneath, where it counts. you get heavier duty suspension components, heavier duty axles, lockers, 4:1 transfer case, sway bar disconnects, skid plates, etc.
to kit out a sport s with these will put you way over a base point rubicon.

i'm usually a build, not bought kinda guy. i've built up many jeeps in the past, my TJ's were/are sports with the added equipment that i need. my xj is heavily modified with long arms, lockers, sye, etc.

but this time, i went with a base 2 door rubicon, because it was only a couple thousand more than a base sport. i will still upgrade as i go. but a rubi t-case and axles alone would put me in another 6 to 8 grand, if i were to purchase take offs.

 

[NavyVet1959]

So I can either get a Rubicon then put 35's on it and a level kit or a Sport S Mopar lift, rims and 35's, and front bumper and winch. With those two options what would you do? It is 90% daily driver. The off roading won't be anything too crazy. Old logging and mining roads in the mountains in Wyoming, hunting, and getting to fly fishing spots. Thanks for any help.

For the type of off-roading that you mention, I suspect even the base Sport model will meet your needs. It sounds like no worse than places I've gone to with just a 2WD vehicles.

My base Sport model ended up costing a bit less than $30K before TT&L and it included a hard top, LSD, and air-conditioning. I did NOT want the electric windows, mirrors, door locks, seats, and other gimmicks that end up breaking and costing more to fix. I seldom need to roll down a window and it's not that big of a vehicle, so reaching over to unlock the passenger door is not that big of a deal for me. I just wish it didn't have that keyless ignition gimmick and starter button and used a normal key instead.

 

[Bubba33]

I went with the Sahara for the added options. Paid 41300 for it.

 

[mwilk012]

For the type of off-roading that you mention, I suspect even the base Sport model will meet your needs. It sounds like no worse than places I've gone to with just a 2WD vehicles.

My base Sport model ended up costing a bit less than $30K before TT&L and it included a hard top, LSD, and air-conditioning. I did NOT want the electric windows, mirrors, door locks, seats, and other gimmicks that end up breaking and costing more to fix. I seldom need to roll down a window and it's not that big of a vehicle, so reaching over to unlock the passenger door is not that big of a deal for me. I just wish it didn't have that keyless ignition gimmick and starter button and used a normal key instead.

Do you realize that using a normal key uses all of the same functionality as a pushbutton except for the potential for mechanical failure of the tumbler in a keyed ignition vs. the potential for failure of wireless functionality between the key fob and vehicle? People died because of failure of mechanical ignition switches, so maybe you could direct your angst towards something more worthy.

 

[NavyVet1959]

Do you realize that using a normal key uses all of the same functionality as a pushbutton except for the potential for mechanical failure of the tumbler in a keyed ignition vs. the potential for failure of wireless functionality between the key fob and vehicle? People died because of failure of mechanical ignition switches, so maybe you could direct your angst towards something more worthy.

You think that maybe someone with a MS in CS/EE might just perhaps know what he is talking about considering he had worked on designs for avionics for both aircraft and the Shuttle and the Space Station? Well, I do...

 

[Badweissenbier]

One thing else is the brakes. Rubicons have hd brakes over the sport.
I will say it sounds like a sport s would more than do want you want. I got a Rubi just cause that’s what I want. But a sport with AT tires will go anywhere short of heavy rock crawling. Been Doing all the trail riding mud hole hunt property stuff for years in pickups that don’t compare to a rubicon and been doing it fine.

 

[viper88]

Well, what’s your budget? What other options are you interested in?

Very good point. Wanting factory LEDs, proximity locks, larger Infotainment, higher fenders, larger brakes, etc, will require the Rubicon.

 

[NavyVet1959]

Very good point. Wanting factory LEDs, proximity locks, larger Infotainment, higher fenders, larger brakes, etc, will require the Rubicon.

Emphasis on *want* vs *need*... Not that there is anything wrong with that... I'm pretty sure that the Porsches and other sports cars that I have owned fell under the "want" category instead of the "need" one... But, as we get older and see the end in sight, some of us get slightly more practical and decide that "need" has a bit more importance. Others, who maybe didn't get to experience it in their younger days end up deciding that "want" is more important.

In the end, it all boils down to, "Youth is wasted on the young"...

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