4xe Rubicon or Sahara?

[laueddy]

Hi had a 2018 JLU Rubicon 3.6, but I ended up trading it in for something else due to the amount of play on it's steering.

I am about to pull the trigger on a 4xe, and it seems like there are more Sahara out there than Rubicon at the dealership. So, one of my question is if the Sahara steering much better than Rubicon going over 45mph? 45mph is the speed my old JLU started to wander left/right which require me to make constant micro adjustments.
Here is what I plan on doing this time with the Jeep.
1> Daily commute for about 30miles a day (No Hwy)
2> I won't do any suspension mod. I'll want put my old Rhino Rack Pioneer back on with my RTT & a few other rack items, and I may do set a tiny kitchen in the back. If I end up towing anything, it would be an expedition trailer that weight no more than 2.2K dry.
It won't be use for any off road activities, but it will be use for overland, and I am a little concern if the Sahara tires are not durable enough, but then would the Rubicon steer bad enough it feels even more dangers towing something in the back.

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[1BadManVan]

Hi had a 2018 JLU Rubicon 3.6, but I ended up trading it in for something else due to the amount of play on it's steering.

I am about to pull the trigger on a 4xe, and it seems like there are more Sahara out there than Rubicon at the dealership. So, one of my question is if the Sahara steering much better than Rubicon going over 45mph? 45mph is the speed my old JLU started to wander left/right which require me to make constant micro adjustments.
Here is what I plan on doing this time with the Jeep.
1> Daily commute for about 30miles a day (No Hwy)
2> I won't do any suspension mod. I'll want put my old Rhino Rack Pioneer back on with my RTT & a few other rack items, and I may do set a tiny kitchen in the back. If I end up towing anything, it would be an expedition trailer that weight no more than 2.2K dry.
It won't be use for any off road activities, but it will be use for overland, and I am a little concern if the Sahara tires are not durable enough, but then would the Rubicon steer bad enough it feels even more dangers towing something in the back.

There was a tsb out for the 18-20 wranglers to replace the aluminum steering box with a steal one to help improve this issue. We had it done in our 2019 and it made a pretty big difference. We just finished installing a small spacer lift and grabbed the longer mopar lca’s as well and now it really drives nicely on the highway.

 

[Trini]

Hi had a 2018 JLU Rubicon 3.6, but I ended up trading it in for something else due to the amount of play on it's steering.

I am about to pull the trigger on a 4xe, and it seems like there are more Sahara out there than Rubicon at the dealership. So, one of my question is if the Sahara steering much better than Rubicon going over 45mph? 45mph is the speed my old JLU started to wander left/right which require me to make constant micro adjustments.
Here is what I plan on doing this time with the Jeep.
1> Daily commute for about 30miles a day (No Hwy)
2> I won't do any suspension mod. I'll want put my old Rhino Rack Pioneer back on with my RTT & a few other rack items, and I may do set a tiny kitchen in the back. If I end up towing anything, it would be an expedition trailer that weight no more than 2.2K dry.
It won't be use for any off road activities, but it will be use for overland, and I am a little concern if the Sahara tires are not durable enough, but then would the Rubicon steer bad enough it feels even more dangers towing something in the back.

I've got a Sahara 4xe, and it rides pretty well. This is my first and only jeep, but from what I've read by other jeepers, the Sahara is made for the road, so you should see a difference in the steering.

 

[laueddy]

There was a tsb out for the 18-20 wranglers to replace the aluminum steering box with a steal one to help improve this issue. We had it done in our 2019 and it made a pretty big difference. We just finished installing a small spacer lift and grabbed the longer mopar lca’s as well and now it really drives nicely on the highway.

Thanks. I actually had that done on my 2018, but it wasn't helping my Jeep enough.

 

[laueddy]

Thanks. I actually had that done on my 2018, but it wasn't helping my Jeep enough.

Thanks. Anyone had the chance to try both the Sahara and Rubicon? Would love to know if the is a noticeable difference? If it's just the tires, I can always get the Rubicon and have another set of tires just for on road.

 

[JLUSDIEM]

I had a 3.6 sahara before i have my rubicon 4xe now. My sahara was a 2018 and it had horrible steering until it had the steel steering box put in. The new jeeps have these steel boxes now. My rubi 4xe drives great.

 

[Deleted member 72291]

I drove both the Sahara 4xe and Rubicon 4xe before buying last fall. This is my first Wrangler and I knew very little before I did the test drives, but I was really surprised with the ride and drive difference between the two models.

I knew I was not going to be off-road much, just some beginner trails once or twice a year, so it will be 99% on pavement.

I went with the Sahara because the ride was just far superior for my needs. Plus I wanted leather seats (standard in Sahara upgrade on Rubi) and I didn’t care for the Rubi wheels. I’ve not had a single regret going with the Sahara.

Also to add, I have several friends and family members who’ve bought the 4xe in the last year. Those with Sahara’s have had no issues. Every Rubi 4xe friend has had several problems. It could just be a coincidence, and I don’t know what the full data on 4xe general issues looks like, but it’s enough word of mouth to keep me away from the Rubi 4xe.

 

[BXFXJeep]

Sahara wheels are generally decent, however I use Rubicon take offs, which I usually buy for about $1,000, I prefer the Rubicon wheels especially during the winter, this time I got the Falken Mud Tires off a Gladiator, prior I had K02s.

I have never considered a Rubicon, mainly because I have no use for the Rubicon bits, also in the old days they offered the 4.10 on the Sahara, the 4.10 was the only thing I wanted, now I cannot get it, and I really don't need it, so it's a non issue.

The amount of money you will spend on Rubicon equipment that you will never use, it could be money in your pocket, or use it to get useful options on the Sahara. Not to mention the cost of maintaining the added Rubicon equipment.

 

[Reinen]

2> I won't do any suspension mod. I'll want put my old Rhino Rack Pioneer back on with my RTT & a few other rack items, and I may do set a tiny kitchen in the back. If I end up towing anything, it would be an expedition trailer that weight no more than 2.2K dry.
It won't be use for any off road activities, but it will be use for overland, and I am a little concern if the Sahara tires are not durable enough, but then would the Rubicon steer bad enough it feels even more dangers towing something in the back.

Don't say you won't do any suspension mod, you may want to once you load up with all that overlanding gear. I overland (don't rock crawl) and I found I do need suspension mods. Not for ground clearance, I've yet to say I need more. Not for larger tires, I want to maximize my range. It's to handle the extra weight. The stock springs and shocks bottom out too often, bounce too much and lose too much articulation when loaded up with all that overlanding gear. Keep an eye on your bump stops. I destroyed mine very quickly overlanding.
So, FYI. I have not worked out my solution yet.

Don't worry about the steering. You're probably remembering the aluminum steering box. They didn't work out and they're gone now. The biggest difference is going to be the tires. You'll be very happy with the stock Rubi KO2s. The Sahara tires aren't necessarily bad but you might find that you want to improve them down the line.

 

[slowcrawlerZJ]

I’d say save yourself some money and go with the Sahara for what your daily needs seem to be. With saying that a Sahara is still a very capable rig to meet a lot of off-roading.

 

[Ricky-Tips]

Can’t argue with anything that everyone has said about the Sahara…but…imho…the Rubicon just looks so much tougher and badass.…and pretty much comes with all the bells and whistles (excluding leather). Mine rides like a champ.

 

[Xspurt]

I test drove both the Rubi and the Sahara 4xe myself last year. I'm in the minority but found the Rubi had a noticeably nicer ride and that is because there's a helluva lot more rubber you're riding on with the 17 inch wheels vs the weird looking 20s you get with the Sahara 4xe. You can also drop the leather in the Rubi but you're forced to take it in the Sahara 4xe.

HOWEVER, the Rubi comes with a lot of hard core off road gear that is such a shame to waste on a vehicle you'll never take off road. Besides that, as others have already mentioned, any Wrangler is quite capable off road anyway. You would only need the Rubi options for hardcore rock climbing and the like. Also, you can get the Selectrac 4x4 system and limited slip rear diff with the Sahara which would actually be better for ON road ice/snow conditions.

 

[Gobirat]

Thanks. I actually had that done on my 2018, but it wasn't helping my Jeep enough.

Maybe look at this. Synergy track bar and sector shaft brace. U can find a video on You Tube

 

[laueddy]

Hi had a 2018 JLU Rubicon 3.6, but I ended up trading it in for something else due to the amount of play on it's steering.

I am about to pull the trigger on a 4xe, and it seems like there are more Sahara out there than Rubicon at the dealership. So, one of my question is if the Sahara steering much better than Rubicon going over 45mph? 45mph is the speed my old JLU started to wander left/right which require me to make constant micro adjustments.
Here is what I plan on doing this time with the Jeep.
1> Daily commute for about 30miles a day (No Hwy)
2> I won't do any suspension mod. I'll want put my old Rhino Rack Pioneer back on with my RTT & a few other rack items, and I may do set a tiny kitchen in the back. If I end up towing anything, it would be an expedition trailer that weight no more than 2.2K dry.
It won't be use for any off road activities, but it will be use for overland, and I am a little concern if the Sahara tires are not durable enough, but then would the Rubicon steer bad enough it feels even more dangers towing something in the back.

Went out & bought the Sahara in the end. Only found a few place where they don't do any DMA.

 

[slowcrawlerZJ]

Awesome congrats and enjoy the new ride!

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