Which Trim to Purchase

[Whaler27]

I read about this in another thread! There's 3 tiers of brakes now: base, heavy duty, and performance. Heavy Duty = Rubicon, Willys, Sahara. Performance = Xtreme Recon.

Brakes are a boring feature -- until you need them. Then they're really exciting. I wouldn't want anything less than the brakes than came on my Rubicon unless I was planning to replace them with aftermarket brakes anyway. That's a consideration too, of course. If everything you wanted but the brakes could be found on the Sport trim it might pencil to buy that and add one of the decent aftermarket brake options. There are several options that are much less extreme/expensive than the Alcons.

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[Whaler27]

The number of people bringing this up is interesting.

Considering you both have 4.88s, do either of you feel the 4.88s are absolutely essential over the 4.10s with the stock tire size? I have no reason to go larger and I want A/T tires.

I'll run the numbers on a Rubicon build I'd be happy with but I have a max OTD number in my head, as does everyone when making a vehicle purchase, and Wranglers are a little expensive in 2023. It would likely require me to axe an option to get a 4.88 Rubicon.

Given the financial constraints, it’s also worth considering what is easy to add after the fact and what isn’t. Gears are a comparatively expensive upgrade after the fact — but, down the line, if you love everything about your Jeep except the gearing, you can always change it. Many of us have done that. For now, with stock tires, I think you’ll find the 410 is more than adequate. Heck, compared to my TJ with 456 gearing and only 33” tires, your new wrangler would accelerate like a rocket!

 

[MrMike]

Given the financial constraints, it’s also worth considering what is easy to add after the fact and what isn’t. Gears are a comparatively expensive upgrade after the fact — but, down the line, if you love everything about your Jeep except the gearing, you can always change it. Many of us have done that. For now, with stock tires, I think you’ll find the 410 is more than adequate. Heck, compared to my TJ with 456 gearing and only 33” tires, your new wrangler would accelerate like a rocket!

I always wanted a TJ back in the day when I was younger. With that said, my 96 Cherokee was a gift and I no longer lusted for a Wrangler after receiving it.

I mean if there were no financial constraints at all, I'd just buy a 392 turn off the cylinder deactivation and be done, lol.

I can probably squeeze a Rubicon with 2-3 options packs vs a loaded Willys or Sport Altitude. Hard top is a must for me.

 

[Whaler27]

I always wanted a TJ back in the day when I was younger. With that said, my 96 Cherokee was a gift and I no longer lusted for a Wrangler after receiving it.

I mean if there were no financial constraints at all, I'd just buy a 392 turn off the cylinder deactivation and be done, lol.

I can probably squeeze a Rubicon with 2-3 options packs vs a loaded Willys or Sport Altitude. Hard top is a must for me.

I get it. I have financial constraints too, or I would have bought the 392 too!

I'm not advocating one way or the other. I think you're taking the right approach. Identify the must have options and some "nice to haves", then see how they compare with your budget. Also, as others have mentioned, you can buy through one of the site-supporting dealerships at slightly below invoice (not "sticker", invoice). You have to be careful and ask about extra fees ("doc fees", "detail fees", "flooring fees", and other imaginary BS), and some dealers may reduce the discount if you don't finance through them, but the reviews of the supporting dealers are generally vastly better than the awful stories coming from other dealers around the country -- particularly those in your part of the country. It's also fun to turn the jeep pick-up into an adventure.

We are talking about selling my wife's mustang and getting a two-door stripper. I like the options on our Rubicon, but I'm nervous about leaving it anywhere unattended because of all the mods and Oregon's rampant property crime and car theft problem. If we had a base sport we could leave topless I'd drive it like my old TJs/CJs, and I'd worry less about leaving it downtown. Also, if it got stolen, I've have a decent chance of getting almost enough money to replace it.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Yeah $895.00 option for the 4:88 is a pretty good deal I think? Compared to doing it after the fact. I think they were like $500.00 on 22 model....

 

[LKG]

Hey guys,

I’m looking to order a Wrangler.

I am leaning towards 4-door because I used to have a 96 4.0L Cherokee Sport and I feel like a 4-door Wrangler is it’s spiritual successor. I already have a 2-door car and will be keeping it.

I will be doing very minor off-road driving. Dirt roads and very basic trails. No rocks. I will be driving the Wrangler anytime there is snow. This will be a daily driver in the winter and when transporting 3-4 people in the summer.

I want manual. I want premium audio/technology groups. I want LED headlights. I want hard top. I do not want leather. I think I want a LSD. I think I want trailer-tow group because those things seem like a pain to add later.

• Is the Sport Altitude essentially a Sahara with the option for a manual and no leather or LED turn signals/markers?
• If I get the LSD on the Sport Altitude, will I get the same rear axle as the Willys and Rubicon?
  • Follow-up, does this mean the remaining mechanical difference between Sport Altitude w/LSD and Willys is just the Rubicon shocks?
• On the Willys, how bad will the OEM mud tires be in the snow/rain? I’m not bothered by road noise.
• I think a Rubicon is overkill, but if I bought a second set of tires/wheels for the Willys, I’d be most of the way to a Rubicon already. How dumb would it be to pick up a Rubicon for my usage?
  • Is the added weight of the Rubicon noticeable compared to the others in daily driving?

Thanks in advance

I ordered a sport altitude last January for about the same reasons you're asking about, manual, hardtop, audio, LSD. When I added all of my must haves it was cheaper than a sport with the same adds and it came with the headliner as a little bonus. Yes, the SA has the same shocks, springs and brakes as the Sahara/high altitude so it will sit around 3/4" taller than a sport. I wanted a Rubi but I just couldn't afford/justify the extra $$. I "was" going to snag a set of Rubi take-off wheels/tires as the 22's only offered all seasons. I believe the 23's have an all terrain as an option. Aside from the lame ass all season tires I loved it.

I'd say build a sport altitude, a willis and a Rubi on the build site and see what number works best for you, there's really no wrong answer.

 

[BuyHold]

Yeah $895.00 option for the 4:88 is a pretty good deal I think?

In my area, front+rear regear is $2,500. And with factory option you don't have to bother with finding reliable shop and coordinating install. So GREAT deal.

 

[blnewt]

Main thing, get whatever works best for you but be sure to order from one of the dealers that still is well under invoice, even if it means making a road trip out of it, best time spent IMO.

 

[aldo98229]

I haven’t read all four pages. OP: have you driven the automatic? It is a sweet transmission.

 

[Shibadog]

Buying a Rubicon and not using the equipment, means you are paying for stuff you are not going to use, and worse those equipment are expensive to fix when they fail.

Plus a limited slip will do you better on snow/ice. I looked long and hard before I bought. Had lockers in a previous rig-great when you are stuck or nearly so, not so much otherwise. Willy’s is a nice set up, but a Sport S with limited slip is also very nice.

 

[LKG]

Yeah maybe rev hang was such a minor issue I didn't even notice. Non-issue for me, I had a Rubicon Manual and loved it.

You also get free 15 more HP with Rubicon sticker!!! True story bro!

I didn't notice the rev hang either but the throttle response drove me nuts. I killed it from a dead stop more times than I care to admit, left foot wouldn't wait for it to rev and the right foot is too set in it's ways to be retrained. The 22 was totaled, waiting on a 23 MT, I will have a throttle controller ASAP.

 

[MrMike]

I get it. I have financial constraints too, or I would have bought the 392 too!

I'm not advocating one way or the other. I think you're taking the right approach. Identify the must have options and some "nice to haves", then see how they compare with your budget. Also, as others have mentioned, you can buy through one of the site-supporting dealerships at slightly below invoice (not "sticker", invoice). You have to be careful and ask about extra fees ("doc fees", "detail fees", "flooring fees", and other imaginary BS), and some dealers may reduce the discount if you don't finance through them, but the reviews of the supporting dealers are generally vastly better than the awful stories coming from other dealers around the country -- particularly those in your part of the country. It's also fun to turn the jeep pick-up into an adventure.

We are talking about selling my wife's mustang and getting a two-door stripper. I like the options on our Rubicon, but I'm nervous about leaving it anywhere unattended because of all the mods and Oregon's rampant property crime and car theft problem. If we had a base sport we could leave topless I'd drive it like my old TJs/CJs, and I'd worry less about leaving it downtown. Also, if it got stolen, I've have a decent chance of getting almost enough money to replace it.

I'm planning to buy from a local dealer that does 3% under invoice. They already sent me their fees and an agreement; they have no deposit and only the state doc fee. I know there are places that do lower, but this will be a lot less stressful. My time has value too after all.

I'm using the spreadsheet I found in another thread set to 3% under invoice with the doc fee added. It's very helpful for an OTD price! Still can't afford a 392 even with that, lol.

I love my Mustang, although I see yours is a bit older. I'll be hanging on to mine for a long time to come.

 

[MrMike]

I didn't notice the rev hang either but the throttle response drove me nuts. I killed it from a dead stop more times than I care to admit, left foot wouldn't wait for it to rev and the right foot is too set in it's ways to be retrained. The 22 was totaled, waiting on a 23 MT, I will have a throttle controller ASAP.

Did you order another Sport Altitude or did you get a different trim this time?

 

[LKG]

Buy whatever you can afford. They all will do what you want. Enjoy it!

Best answer, hands down, haha.

 

[Creeker]

Having ordered two JL 2-Doors w/manuals, IMHO, the Rubicon is the way to go if one is not going extremes on the moods (e.g., installing Dana 60's or 80's). The locker is a really great thing and you never know when you will need it. LSD is nice, but the clutches are a wear item. Tow package is cool, and heated seats are really nice on a cold day.

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