Trim Level Advice

[roaniecowpony]

If you've been lurking around these jeep forums, you have probably seen a number of engine issues. You might consider getting a powertrain warranty of some kind, if an engine failure is something you couldn't cover.

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[SadRobot]

Thanks for this. It seems like the main things that stand out as “better” on the rubicon are the Dana 44 axles, lockers, and sway bar disconnect. Lockers seems like a pretty rare needed thing for me. Most lift kits come with a manual sway bar disconnect. That leaves the axles.

are the sport stock axels easy to break? Or do you have to beat them down pretty hard for them to give up?

good point on 33s. I’ll definitely consider.

Heads up the manual quick disconnects are never quick to re-connect.

My sport has 37s and axles have held up so far. Mine came with the D44 in the rear though. D30 in the front.

 

[Stuckinthesand]

Sport S will give you all the power options. If you can, get it with the Dana 44 on the rear. I have 60k miles on my 19 Sport S since installing 35"s on the 3.45 gears. I have done some moderate trails such as Barney Rubble, Crawler Ridge, Crawl Daddy and Fern Ridge and had no issues. It is also my daily. With that said is it optimal? It works but you will lose some performance. To me it is a Jeep not a sports car so I don't worry about it and in my opinion it is not enough of a difference to regear until need to. I do also use a throttle controller which I am sure helps diminish some of the performance loss.

 

[randymac03]

Sport S will give you all the power options. If you can, get it with the Dana 44 on the rear. I have 60k miles on my 19 Sport S since installing 35"s on the 3.45 gears. I have done some moderate trails such as Barney Rubble, Crawler Ridge, Crawl Daddy and Fern Ridge and had no issues. It is also my daily. With that said is it optimal? It works but you will lose some performance. To me it is a Jeep not a sports car so I don't worry about it and in my opinion it is not enough of a difference to regear until need to. I do also use a throttle controller which I am sure helps diminish some of the performance loss.

Was the Dana rear an option that could be added?

what is the throttle controller? Like a tazer jl?

 

[Jeepeto]

It is the right trim for the vast majority of weekend warriors. It will be very capable lifted on 35s especially if you find one with LSD

 

[Stuckinthesand]

Was the Dana rear an option that could be added?

what is the throttle controller? Like a tazer jl?

Yes it was an option. If the limited slip was added it upgraded to the D44. Throttle controller just sends a signal to the ecm that you are pushing the throttle further than you actually are. By OEM standards it is limited how much voltage can be sent. A throttle controller will override that and send higher voltage.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Thanks for this. It seems like the main things that stand out as “better” on the rubicon are the Dana 44 axles, lockers, and sway bar disconnect. Lockers seems like a pretty rare needed thing for me. Most lift kits come with a manual sway bar disconnect. That leaves the axles.

are the sport stock axels easy to break? Or do you have to beat them down pretty hard for them to give up?

good point on 33s. I’ll definitely consider.

The rear locker in my Rubicon gets a lot of use. The front hasn't worked in 2 years and I've been through the Rubicon, and a handful of Moab trails, along with other California and Arizona trails. Granted, these were all done in ideal conditions. But, it points out that needing a front locker is much more rare than needing a rear locker.

All this said, if getting a Rubicon isn't a hardship, it puts you into a vehicle that has a lot of added capability right off.

 

[Terry R]

Just to give you a data point. I purchased a 2018 Sport S, lifted with 35s 9 months ago (first Jeep . It had ~52k on it when I bought it. It is the 3.6 non-etorque, with 8 speed auto. Power windows and locks. Cloth seats are good quality. It has the stock gearing. Drives really well, but I don’t see 8th gear very often. Only doing ~50mph on a straight stretch will it sometimes hit 8th. It drives just fine on the interstate, I try to stay below 80 but have drifted up to near 90 without any performance or handling issues. I have only taken it off-roading a couple of times (one was the Jeep Adventure Academy) and it performed fine without needing lockers. I’m sure on some of the more challenging trails the lockers are very handy, but in my limited experience the Jeep is capable of plenty just the way it is. Hope this insight helps.

 

[randymac03]

Just to give you a data point. I purchased a 2018 Sport S, lifted with 35s 9 months ago (first Jeep . It had ~52k on it when I bought it. It is the 3.6 non-etorque, with 8 speed auto. Power windows and locks. Cloth seats are good quality. It has the stock gearing. Drives really well, but I don’t see 8th gear very often. Only doing ~50mph on a straight stretch will it sometimes hit 8th. It drives just fine on the interstate, I try to stay below 80 but have drifted up to near 90 without any performance or handling issues. I have only taken it off-roading a couple of times (one was the Jeep Adventure Academy) and it performed fine without needing lockers. I’m sure on some of the more challenging trails the lockers are very handy, but in my limited experience the Jeep is capable of plenty just the way it is. Hope this insight helps.

Thanks for the perspective! Really helpful.

 

[Remorseless]

My wheeling buddy runs a JKU Sport on a 4" lift and 35s with the stock 3.21 gears. No lockers, no limited slip, just the driver mod. He's gone damn near everywhere I go in my JLR on 37s. He has to use momentum more often than I do, but he makes it and has continued to make it on his JK D30 for years. A JLU Sport/Sport S is at least as capable as his JKU is.

IMO, while Rubicons are nice for all their added goodies, a JLU Sport or Sport S, properly modified, will do a ton off road and won't need the same financial outlay.

 

[YJdude]

Good Day All

The wife has given me the go ahead to get a jeep! I have decided just for safety and creature comforts I want to get a JLU.

With a $30k budget and self imposed 60k mileage limit it seems my search list is full of Sport trims.

I was really wanting a Rubicon trim to get the increased off road features such as lockers, better axle, etc.

Question being - for a weekend warrior - will the Sport trim have enough to handle most any trail.? Plan to 2.5”-3.5” inch lift and get 35” tires pretty soon after purchase if it doesn’t have already.

Thanks for any input!

If you need the "go ahead" from the ol lady it won't matter what trim you get. I assume you will then need "permission" to buy whatever parts/accessories you'll eventually need (lift,tires,etc).

I strongly suggest you get whatever you want that best fits your intended needs. Like the old saying goes: Buy once, get bitched at once....or something like that.

And yes, the Sport will handle WAY more than you can imagine.

 

[E.O.D.]

Heads up the manual quick disconnects are never quick to re-connect.

My sport has 37s and axles have held up so far. Mine came with the D44 in the rear though. D30 in the front.

I've been using a Rubicon sway bar with a manual control in place of the electric switch. Not too difficult to reach with me at 5'11".

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...msLy69SpE-S4tYatIRHs5Vj-aHlg9IIBoC0AsQAvD_BwE

Super easy to re-engage.

 

[SadRobot]

I've been using a Rubicon sway bar with a manual control in place of the electric switch. Not too difficult to reach with me at 5'11".

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...msLy69SpE-S4tYatIRHs5Vj-aHlg9IIBoC0AsQAvD_BwE

Super easy to re-engage.

Interesting. I’ve never seen this before.

 

[yokramer]

Interesting. I’ve never seen this before.

Its pretty nifty, first one I saw was on @Sean Ls and its super quick for sure.

 

[Odyssey USA]

Honestly, I had a 19 Sahara and wished I’d saved money in the long run and instead of modifying the Sahara, I’d started with a Rubicon. Up your mileage limit and just find the right owner who’s taken care of it. Check the service history with Jeep to see if there’s records on warranty repairs. You won’t regret the Rubicon trim.

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