2024 Willys the new base Rubicon?

[Jtphoto]

Had a chance to look over a 2024 2dr Willys today and can confirm that I would classify this now as a Base Rubicon.
Wide M210 front diff with FAD delete,
M220 wide rear diff with locker,
Rubicon highline fenders,
Rubicon 33” tires.

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[TCogs1]

I would not say that, my 2024 2 door has factory 100:1…. And 50k out the door… running 39” bfg.. no Willis will do that well…

 

[PhillyVanilly]

Wish my 21 Willys had all that

 

[Jtphoto]

I would not say that, my 2024 2 door has factory 100:1…. And 50k out the door… running 39” bfg.. no Willis will do that well…

Willys won’t do what? You can order it with Different gears, has the same axles as the Rubicon and will run those 39s just as easy. The only difference is a 4:1 transfer case (only good for rock crawling), sway bar disconnect, And a front locker.

 

[R3TRO]

Yeah the '24 Willys is deff the sweet spot if you are not a rock crawler. Even comes with tow package/aux switches.

 

[RAD1]

I don't know if the Willys is the new base Rubicon, but the combination of features they offer on the 2024 Willys is why I pulled the trigger. Didn't see the value in spending $7000 more for the Rubicon. I prefer the stock Willys wheels over the Rubicon as well.

MSRP for my 4 Dr. Willys V6 6MT w/ SOT is $54K. Same build Rubicon is $61K. With Ratbert's dealer list under invoice, my Willys is <$50K.

 

[autotragic]

I don't know if I'd call it the base Rubicon but it's definitely Rubicon Light. Kind of like Bud Light but *I can't say the rest because I don't want to get banned.*

 

[C.Sco]

The 3 biggest items (in my opinion) that have always made a Rubicon a Rubicon since they first came out in 2003, are the front & rear lockers, electronic swaybar disconnect, and 4:1 transfer case. I think the Willys is missing all those things except the rear locker, so in my opinion it's a bit of a stretch to call it a "base rubicon" since the actual base rubicon has always had all those things (other than the TJ Rubicon that didn't have the swaybar disconnect yet - thanks @autotragic).

Interesting, and somewhat related, story about how the Rubicon came to be: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/154-0907-the-eep-wrangler-rubicon-story/

The Willys is awesome, and probably the best value Jeep there is, and more than enough for 99% of Jeep owners. But a Rubicon, it is not. At least in my opinion, which is worth every penny you paid for it.

 

[autotragic]

The 3 biggest items (in my opinion) that have always made a Rubicon a Rubicon since they first came out in 2003, are the front & rear lockers, electronic swaybar disconnect, and 4:1 transfer case. I think the Willys is missing all those things except the rear locker, so in my opinion it's a bit of a stretch to call it a "base rubicon" since the actual base rubicon has always had all those things.

Interesting, and somewhat related, story about how the Rubicon came to be: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/154-0907-the-eep-wrangler-rubicon-story/

The Willys is awesome, and probably the best value Jeep there is, and more than enough for 99% of Jeep owners. But a Rubicon, it is not.

Just a bit of clarification but the TJ Rubicon's did not include a front sway bar disconnect.

 

[Jtphoto]

The 3 biggest items (in my opinion) that have always made a Rubicon a Rubicon since they first came out in 2003, are the front & rear lockers, electronic swaybar disconnect, and 4:1 transfer case. I think the Willys is missing all those things except the rear locker, so in my opinion it's a bit of a stretch to call it a "base rubicon" since the actual base rubicon has always had all those things (other than the TJ Rubicon that didn't have the swaybar disconnect yet - thanks @autotragic).

Interesting, and somewhat related, story about how the Rubicon came to be: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/154-0907-the-eep-wrangler-rubicon-story/

The Willys is awesome, and probably the best value Jeep there is, and more than enough for 99% of Jeep owners. But a Rubicon, it is not. At least in my opinion, which is worth every penny you paid for it.

Actually the biggest plus of a Rubi and always has been is the D44 axles front and rear that the new Willys now has. Locker is easy to sway in in the front.

 

[MaybeRubi]

Semantics.

Figure out which features you want and are willing to pay for; then get them.
The trick, if you don't already know from experience, is deciding which features you think you will need to get you where you want to go -- and not even knowing for sure where you may end up wanting to go as you gain experience.
I guess I'll find out if my 2024 Willys ends up getting me where I want to go (and back again).

 

[NC31]

If I was buying today I would get a Willys. I love my Rubicon and I wheel it, but I just wouldn't be able to justify the cost of a Rubicon.

 

[Planotex]

I would not say that, my 2024 2 door has factory 100:1…. And 50k out the door… running 39” bfg.. no Willis will do that well…

My wife's Willys XR will!

 

[AcesandEights]

The point of the Rubicon is 4:1 and lockers front and rear. Without a 4:1 t-case, 39" tires are going to rolling pretty fast off road.

The Willys is a Willys. A base-Rubicon is a Rubicon with manual trans and little or no other options. I opted for 4.88 gearing on my base-Rubicon. Tires and fenders don't make a Willys a Rubicon.

 

[jeepingib]

I definitely get what you are saying. The Rubicon has become a bloated pig in many ways. The Willys now has most of the actual good stuff and it can be wheeled pretty hard just like it comes from the factory.

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