Sahara vs Rubicon wheel differences,

[Deleted Member RoadNomad]

Since my Rubicon is my wife's pavement princess and will never see any serious offroad use I was thinking about switching out the rubi's wheels and tires with Sahara's. As I understand it the rubi wheels are 17 and the Sahara's are 18s. I haven't been able to confirm they are both the same width and offset.

I know if I move to 18's there are a great deal more street tires available for 18's plus I can sneak up one size over the factory rubicon. Since this is a "road" Jeep a good street tire will give it a better ride, probably better fuel economy and knock down a little of the road noise the K02's generate.

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[jludave]

I haven't been able to confirm they are both the same width and offset.

Same.

 

[Skeethree]

Since my Rubicon is my wife's pavement princess and will never see any serious offroad use I was thinking about switching out the rubi's wheels and tires with Sahara's. As I understand it the rubi wheels are 17 and the Sahara's are 18s. I haven't been able to confirm they are both the same width and offset.

I know if I move to 18's there are a great deal more street tires available for 18's plus I can sneak up one size over the factory rubicon. Since this is a "road" Jeep a good street tire will give it a better ride, probably better fuel economy and knock down a little of the road noise the K02's generate.

I just traded a '21 Rubicon for a '24 Sahara (both 4xe), the gas fuel milage and electric range are both significantly better with the Sahara. Dash shows 28-30 mile range after recharge, gas milage about 26 mpg after the electricity is depleted. Part of this is due to the differential gearing I'm sure, but tires have a lot to do with it. My Sahara just sees beach, street, and mild trail use.

 

[yokramer]

Why not just have her drive the Sahara instead and wheel the more capable Jeep?

Nevermind misread the post lol.

 

[Bill_BCNtoNY]

You should be able to find plenty of cheap take-offs with stock Sahara wheels&tires - check out local marketplaces. At least that's what worked for me when I sold mine.

FWIW, I wasn't the biggest fan of the Bridgestone Dueler tires in terms of look&feel, but the fuel economy was ~3MPG better vs where I'm at now with myrubi-sized wheels and 4.56 gearing.

 

[Deleted Member RoadNomad]

In my case the Sahara 18" wheels with a one size bigger tire will help offset the rubi's .411 gears plus the street tread should help the fuel economy, noise and driveability. Plus help the steering. I just need to make sure the offsets and wheel widths are the same.

I might even consider swapping out the shocks for the ones used on the 392, I recently drove a 392 and can say the fox shocks they use are equipped with are better then the ones on a 3.6 rubi.

Sahara take offs are everywhere and I am sure I can sell off the rubi wheels with K02's without any issues.

 

[Bandit59]

Since my Rubicon is my wife's pavement princess and will never see any serious offroad use I was thinking about switching out the rubi's wheels and tires with Sahara's. As I understand it the rubi wheels are 17 and the Sahara's are 18s. I haven't been able to confirm they are both the same width and offset.

I know if I move to 18's there are a great deal more street tires available for 18's plus I can sneak up one size over the factory rubicon. Since this is a "road" Jeep a good street tire will give it a better ride, probably better fuel economy and knock down a little of the road noise the K02's generate.

I had a Sahara. And a High Attitude with 20 inch wheels. I really like them for the highway may not be best for wheeling. But mpg is ok

 

[BXFXJeep]

I've always switched out the Sahara wheels for Rubicon take offs, mainly for looks, and winter driving.

The Sahara wheels aren't that great in deep snow for me, the Rubicon K02 bites in, previously I had Gladiator Falken Wildpeak MT, they were a lot better in the snow than the K02, but the Sahara wheels perform somewhat better in the rain.

The Sahara wheels would probably look meek on a Rubicon, the Sahara 4xe has a 20" wheel which might be more suitable than the Sahara 18"

I don't really do much highway, I'm mostly low speed city, noise never bothered me, I'm not even sure I notice noise as much as other people.

Even on highway long distance I don't really notice noise.

 

[jludave]

I just need to make sure the offsets and wheel widths are the same.

As posted above, they are the same.

 

[morph860]

I did the reverse of what you’re looking to do. Removed 18” wheels from a Sahara and put on 17” rubicon wheels with KO2’s. I didn’t notice any difference in road noise or mpg.

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