Another "Deciding Between Willy's and Rubicon" Thread

[2nd 392]

If anyone has one in Hydro Blue, would love to see a picture as that's the color I'm leaning towards. We currently have an Ocean Blue Metallic and have a love/hate relationship with the color. When the blue of the color pops it looks awesome. However, on the days when it looks purple I'm like "WTF!?"

Too dark for a fresh pic, but you should get the color…….. if it were me I would attempt to find a 23 Rubi with a decent discount. I don’t like the oversized sideways i-phone and unbalanced dash, round vents adjust better, there are already complaints about banging heads on the big side air bags so unwanted unless you have kids in the back. I don’t like the grill with a color surrounding a squashed black center, but the all black is OK, or the antenna in a breakage prone windshield. Only If no 23 Rubi possible, a 24 Willys. IMO

Sponsored

 

[BRuby]

Have not been following along except reading your last couple of posts.

But the Willy's for only a grand more vs the Sport S is worth it. The Rubicon has too much equipment and capability that you will never use or really appreciate. So get the Willy's for the win.

We went Rubicon only because the cost back in 2018 used with only 5K miles was so freaking cheap. Otherwise would have bought a Willy's - if it was even available back then. Probably the cost of the Rubicon used was less than the Sport S new - or something silly like that. Basically a no-brainer buy with immaculate timing after sitting on the lot for 6 months. The stars just aligned perfectly. Haha!

Anyways pay whatever you gotta pay and get one. As the JL is a fantastic little winter beast even with crap 50% worn KO2s. In 2Hi most time on snow or 4Hi when you start fishtailing and the dash flashes "slippage"!!!

In 4Hi the JL is gold on the snow. Full traction - nothing much to worry about except stopping on slick ice.

On dry the JL sticks like glue and climbs very steep loose FSRs with huge potholes like nothing in 2Hi. Once in 4Lo locked - crawls up almost anything you dare to climb. So yeah a beast there as well. Fantastic! So much fun!

 

[ecomguy]

The Willys is quite a bit more beefcake than the 2023 model, and I prefer the wheels it comes with the Rubicon.

 

[JL ME]

Sounds like You want a Willys.

 

[Kyanche]

Believe it or not one of the things that I don't like is the side curtain airbags. I know that's blasphemy to some people but I actually do have my reasons for that. If you've ever seen a Bronco running a trail with its airbags cut out with a pocket knife so it could keep wheeling that day you would understand.

It's strange there isn't a way to turn them off.

Edit: When I bought my jeep the rubicon upgrade really wasn't that big a price jump so I bought it because I liked it lol. at $7k I'd also be rethinking it.

I don't really care for black wheels though. I like silver wheels.

 

[Bill_P]

My opinion only disclaimer. If, like you said, your Jeep is mainly a pavement princess getting a Rubicon is only for the "status" of having one since you don't use the features you would get in a Willys, much less a Rubi. The only thing you're really doing is paying extra for a sticker since every Jeep has all the functions you need on pavement with the difference being creature comforts on the higher trim levels. I do light off-roading and got a Willys Sport XR and it can do a hell of a lot more than I can right now.

 

[Jeep Wick]

If anyone has one in Hydro Blue, would love to see a picture as that's the color I'm leaning towards. We currently have an Ocean Blue Metallic and have a love/hate relationship with the color. When the blue of the color pops it looks awesome. However, on the days when it looks purple I'm like "WTF!?"

I just traded my Rubicon for a used XR Sport. I did off road but I never really used the lockers or the sway disconnect. For me, it was more about going from 2 doors to 4, and manual to auto for the wife.
I like the 4.56 gearing, better brakes and 35's. But I would have stayed in the old Jeep if I wasn't looking for more room. Big savings. Have you considered a re-gear?
Here is my Hydro blue vs Sarge...

 

[ratherbskiing]

It sounds like the Willys will be fine for you. My former JLUWD took me crazy places, unlocked. Elephant Hill, the Maze District, and many other sticky situations.

I actually view the Willys transfer case positively as I have desired to go a hair faster in 4-LO (without always switching between 4-HI) more times than I required additional gearing for crawl situations.

However, since I tow, the lack of the Full Float on every model except for the Rubicon would likely be a deal breaker for me when it becomes time for me to get back into a JLU from my JTR.

 

[evo8904]

I did 23 Willys XR. Almost same vehicle as Rub except lockers and sway bar disconnect. Rubi better rock crawler and Willys better in snow and sand. Snow is a big deal to me. Either are very capable off road vehicles. I don't plan on doing anything that will tear my Jeep up, but do want it to be able to get over any pass (don't plan on Black Bear, but could). My old Jeep Commander JK trail rated 4X4 has gotten me everywhere in CO I wanted to go and hike, but I did bang the bottom once, no damage...

I’m real curious to how a Willys is better in snow and sand? Especially if comparing stock to stock, Willeys has MTs and Rubicon has 3 peak rated ATs. Sounds like some salesman lied to you. And then with sand, I drive my Rubicon in sand all of the time, beaches in FL. Lockers vs no locker, zero comparison. I’ve never have had an issue but have seen many non-locker wranglers stuck.

 

[JT1]

I’m real curious to how a Willys is better in snow and sand? Especially if comparing stock to stock, Willeys has MTs and Rubicon has 3 peak rated ATs. Sounds like some salesman lied to you. And then with sand, I drive my Rubicon in sand all of the time, beaches in FL. Lockers vs no locker, zero comparison. I’ve never have had an issue but have seen many non-locker wranglers stuck.

The 24 Willys have a rear locker and come with KO2s..

 

[Shibadog]

I guess I’ll be the devils advocate here, but for a “pavement princess” why would you want either? Sahara with full time awd is a lot better street Jeep than either. (but hey, I’m old. I still can’t figure why a person would want a Jeep if you don’t take it off pavement on a somewhat regular basis-there are a lot better “cars” and “suvs” than any Wrangler for the $$$ a Jeep costs.?

 

[ellunchboxo]

The 24 Willys have a rear locker and come with KO2s..

Not anymore. Last month or so, they've been delivered with Falken Wildpeak M/T

 

[evo8904]

The 24 Willys have a rear locker and come with KO2s..

So how does that make it better in the snow and sand compared to a Rubicon that has KO2s and front/rear lockers…. I call BS and don’t care about feelings.

 

[evo8904]

I guess I’ll be the devils advocate here, but for a “pavement princess” why would you want either? Sahara with full time awd is a lot better street Jeep than either. (but hey, I’m old. I still can’t figure why a person would want a Jeep if you don’t take it off pavement on a somewhat regular basis-there are a lot better “cars” and “suvs” than any Wrangler for the $$$ a Jeep costs.?

I would agree for a mall crawler or pavement princess. And there is nothing wrong with that. Hey, it’s not for everyone to go offroad and potentially trash a $70k vehicle lol. My brother came offroading with me and after a few mud holes, he was done. Said he just wants to look cool on the pavement lol.

 

[JT1]

So how does that make it better in the snow and sand compared to a Rubicon that has KO2s and front/rear lockers…. I call BS and don’t care about feelings.

They are essentially the same... same axle ratio, same tires, no limited slip.
The less agressive 2.72 transfercase of the willys is probably an advantage in the sand for higher wheelspeed.

Sponsored