JL SAHARA BUILD HELP!

[JLWarrior]

I have always wanted a Jeep wrangler and finally pulled the trigger on a JL SAHARA. Looking to this community for some advice/recommendations.

I ended up getting a SAHARA over the RUBICON as this vehicle will be my daily driver and I personally preferred the ride comfort, features, and options at the time. Although I will predominantly be using the Jeep on road, I am always looking for opportunities to take the vehicle offroading as any true Jeep should be.

As such, I’m now looking to continue to build my primarily stock SAHRA with the ultimate goal of landing somewhere between the SAHARA and RUBICON in terms of on-road comfort, handling, and noise yet built for increased offroad capabilities. I understand this is often a balance that many jeep owners look to strike and am looking to see what others have done and any pros/cons.

I am currently thinking of 33” BFG K02 Rubi takeoffs, potentially a leveling or spacer kit (~0.5-1”) for a little extra room in the wheel wells, and adding a Mopar steel bumper/skid plates for additional protection. I really don’t want to do the full lift kit on the vehicle as I don’t plan to run more than 33” tires.

What do you think the best next steps and options would be for my Jeep given my ultimate goal? Thanks!

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[JerseyMark]

Rubicon takeoff springs and shocks with 33s on those wheels or with Rubi takeoff wheels/tires is a great combo. I did that on my wife’s Sahara and I actually think it looks better than my Rubicon. The 33s perfectly fill the fenders where the rubicon with raised fenders almost needs 35s to look right.

 

[Wkaz]

Pretty much the same boat here. Good luck. Starting with a custom light mount bar that works with the Sahara bumper. (Bumper later) Still shopping around for and exhaust and tires when the stocks wear out. Probably wont do much larger tires as I plan on running stock rims. No rock crawling here just snow and sand.

 

[JerseyMark]

pic of her Sahara for reference:

 

[JLWarrior]

Rubicon takeoff springs and shocks with 33s on those wheels or with Rubi takeoff wheels/tires is a great combo. I did that on my wife’s Sahara and I actually think it looks better than my Rubicon. The 33s perfectly fill the fenders where the rubicon with raised fenders almost needs 35s to look right.

That's exactly what I was thinking... 35s are almost a requirement with a Rubicon to fill those fenders...

 

[Crawldad]

yeah if you can get take-off stuff from people upgrading rubicons, do it. rubicons have 1" lift springs / hd shocks/ etc. and 33's. that will be your most economical solution!
i doubt you will find take-off rubi axle sets, but you never know. you dont really need the dana 44's for road use or light offroad use anyways

 

[JLWarrior]

pic of her Sahara for reference:

How does it drive compared to the stock SAHARA?

 

[JLWarrior]

yeah if you can get take-off stuff from people upgrading rubicons, do it. rubicons have 1" lift springs / hd shocks/ etc. and 33's. that will be your most economical solution!
i doubt you will find take-off rubi axle sets, but you never know. you dont really need the dana 44's for road use or light offroad use anyways

How do the Rubicon springs/shocks compare to the stock SAHARA? Don't want to compromise the smooth highway ride...

 

[JerseyMark]

How does it drive compared to the stock SAHARA?

Ride quality is great, very similar to stock. Only issue was the gearing, it has a manual transmission and with the 33s she could no longer use 6th and rarely 5th.
Just had it regeared to 4.10s and that fixed the gearing issue.
If you have an auto trans, it would probably be fine with stock gears.

 

[BlackGenesis]

Rubicon suspension if you want 1" lift (might be slightly stiffer - there's no clear answer on stiffness between the two) or dystar 3/4" lift spacers.

I have both options to put on this summer, will see which I like better.

I think changing bumper and grill inincetts from silver to charcoal grey (Rubicon spec) makes it more aggressive. Rubicon wheels/tires are usually overpriced, might able to something aftermarket that looks better and close to same price.

My Sahara still sits on stock suspension.

 

[Crawldad]

How do the Rubicon springs/shocks compare to the stock SAHARA? Don't want to compromise the smooth highway ride...

the rubicons ride smoothly. no rough riding. the springs are taller, not stiffer, if that makes sense. the shocks are longer, but not stiffer.

 

[aldo98229]

I had a set of 275/70R18 (33.2 inches) KO2s on my stock Sahara rims. It is the perfect size IMO.

 

[JLWarrior]

Rubicon suspension if you want 1" lift (might be slightly stiffer - there's no clear answer on stiffness between the two) or dystar 3/4" lift spacers.

I have both options to put on this summer, will see which I like better.

I think changing bumper and grill inincetts from silver to charcoal grey (Rubicon spec) makes it more aggressive. Rubicon wheels/tires are usually overpriced, might able to something aftermarket that looks better and close to same price.

My Sahara still sits on stock suspension.

Can you give me more details on your build?? Tire size, lift, other upgrades? I love the stance!

 

[JLWarrior]

the rubicons ride smoothly. no rough riding. the springs are taller, not stiffer, if that makes sense. the shocks are longer, but not stiffer.

This is really helpful, just don't want to compromise the ride I currently love!

 

[JLWarrior]

Ride quality is great, very similar to stock. Only issue was the gearing, it has a manual transmission and with the 33s she could no longer use 6th and rarely 5th.
Just had it regeared to 4.10s and that fixed the gearing issue.
If you have an auto trans, it would probably be fine with stock gears.

I have 3.6L V6, 8-Speed Automatic, Anti Spin Diff, Slec Trac 4WD, Dana 44 Rear

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