Help me decide! Rubicon or Overland

[Phidelt83]

I’ve been waiting for years for a Jeep truck. My wife knows this and has given the green light for me to get my dream truck. Initially, I was dead set on a Rubicon. I wanted most of the bells and whistles and didn’t want a project that I knew would take a long time to make my own. We have two elementary school aged kids. We live in Florida and I will use the truck for mostly light duty home projects and it will be my daily driver. It will see the trails a couple times a month but being in Florida I won’t be doing any rock crawling or massive elevation changes. It’ll be mostly mud pits and rough trails.
I started thinking more and more about the Overland as the road riding quality should be much better than the Rubi and may be more comfy for the family. I still have dreams of the Rubi but I’m trying to be honest with myself and really don’t know if I can justify the extra little bump in the price difference. What are your thoughts?

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[primethios]

Take a look at the "overland brag" thread. You will see reasons why various folk decided to go for the overland. All in all there is always going to be the group that tell you the rubicon is the only way to go but the gladiator adds an extra level of oddness in the decision factor with the max tow package on the sport s so there is also a dividing line there where people say that's the only way to go. I have an overland and the only other vehicle that has ever made me smile when I see it that I have owned is the first new motorcycle I ever bought (and I still own it) and that includes my wranglers. There are creature comforts built into the package but you can get those on the rubi. My biggest gripe with the overland is the stock tires as the rims have grown on me. What I do wish was available on the overland are the rear rock rails but I can modify my bumper and add them or keep an eye out for a takeoff rubicon rear bumper and then add the rear rock rails. Now this weekend I am actually picking up a set of LE rims/tires and a rubicon takeoff suspension and that will probably hold me off for a while until I decide to put a lift on the truck but then we are getting into modifications that I would probably want regardless of whatever model. I am in a similar situation as you where there aren't many near by places to go off road legally and any big rocks would be quite a trip. As far as comfort level I doubt there will be any noticeable difference between a rubicon and an overland but if you have the opportunity to test drive both make sure you do it. At points I wonder if I should have done the rubicon but other than the electronic disconnect sway bar and upgraded axles there isn't a huge difference like you used to see on the wranglers.

Buy what you like but if your looking to potentially save a few dollars and you don't want a "project" then you have to decide if there are features on the rubicon that you will make use of.or are you buying it for the rubicon trim. No matter what model you go for you will probably be interested in some changes/modifications but it's safe to say if you like jeeps you will like the gladiator. I knew within the first 5 miles of my test drive that I was sold but drove around for a while because I wasn't paying for the gas.

 

[RG48820]

I liked the features and price of the Overland, but it can only get the 3.73 rear end and therefore is limited to 6,000# with the 8 speed automatic. I need to tow a 6,000# boat and the Rubicon with the 4,10 is rated for 7,000#, The sport with the max tow and 4,10 will do 7,650#. I would have gone Rubicon max tow, but it isn't offered.

If you don't need to tow heavy loads and don't need/want the included options of the Rubicon... the Overland may meet your needs.

 

[Gobi Wan K]

Here is what I have gathered from talking to people and doing the research. If you want out of the box ready with limited modifications needed go Rubicon. If you want all of the tech and features that you can't get on a sport but plan on heavy modifications like axles and aftermarket lockers, etc, go Overland.
Let's be honest, from what you describe you will do with it you are going to at least change tires. That right there will just about kill any perceived advantage the overland has in on road comfort. And you are starting out with 3.73 gears instead of 4.10 so going up in tire size will be more difficult.
For the difference in purchase price you can not add all the Rubicon extras aftermarket.
This may seem like I am pushing a Rubicon but based on your described uses, it may be a better fit. And I am in Florida too and have wheeled in some pretty sketchy spots. It isn't all flatland and mud holes.

 

[maxpower220]

IMO, what size tires do you plan to have and are you planning to tow over 4500 lbs. The overland get you nicer stuff for less than rubicon, but no 4.10 axle.

 

[Phidelt83]

Towing isn’t really a concern. I don’t have a camper or a boat. My kids are interested in dirt bikes so two in the bed and possibly a small trailer for mine would be about all I’d plan on towing. Upgrading wheels/tires and maybe a leveling kit or small lift is tempting within the next year or two. I doubt I’d go any larger than 35’s.
On stock A/T tires what would the mpg difference be between 3.73 and 4.10 ratio’s?

 

[Gobi Wan K]

Towing isn’t really a concern. I don’t have a camper or a boat. My kids are interested in dirt bikes so two in the bed and possibly a small trailer for mine would be about all I’d plan on towing. Upgrading wheels/tires and maybe a leveling kit or small lift is tempting within the next year or two. I doubt I’d go any larger than 35’s.
On stock A/T tires what would the mpg difference be between 3.73 and 4.10 ratio’s?

That isn't quite enough information for that question. By stock do you mean the same size tire that the overland comes with except an a/t tire? Do you mean a stock Rubicon tire on an overland?
Changing the stock overland tires to something with a more aggressive tread will almost certainly lower your fuel economy. The overland comes with a street tire so it is optimized for that. The stock overland tire is roughly 32 inches and the stock Rubicon is just about 33 exactly. So to go to 35 on the overland is another inch over the Rubicon. Tires and wheels are so subjective that it would be hard for anyone to say. The weight and rolling resistance can be vastly different between brands.

 

[Rex3rd]

I’ve been waiting for years for a Jeep truck. My wife knows this and has given the green light for me to get my dream truck. Initially, I was dead set on a Rubicon. I wanted most of the bells and whistles and didn’t want a project that I knew would take a long time to make my own. We have two elementary school aged kids. We live in Florida and I will use the truck for mostly light duty home projects and it will be my daily driver. It will see the trails a couple times a month but being in Florida I won’t be doing any rock crawling or massive elevation changes. It’ll be mostly mud pits and rough trails.
I started thinking more and more about the Overland as the road riding quality should be much better than the Rubi and may be more comfy for the family. I still have dreams of the Rubi but I’m trying to be honest with myself and really don’t know if I can justify the extra little bump in the price difference. What are your thoughts?

My heart and mind are saying Rubicon. My bank account says you can only afford a tail light off of a base sport...I still have a year or so to go until I can get one and I've studied every single trim and weighed every single option and outcome. I've been doing this ever since the build tool on the Jeep site opened up and I'm still gridlocked on which trim. Go and test drive different trims and see how you like the quality or interior ect. Hell I even test drove a 6 speed Manuel to see how well it was . It's all about what options you need and which you can do without. If your into the nice tech leather seats and colored tops ect your stuck on Rubicon or overland. I'm really trying to push myself to accept that a decent optioned sport s with max tow will be all I can afford and get over it but who knows. Not to mention it took me until now to finally lock in on a color I definitely wanted...my brain is so sore from wearing out these forums and building more gladiators on the build tool than fca has built in there plant.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

Doesnt the rubicon come with a BETTER suspension than the overland?
Fox shocks and it fits larger tires easier out of the gate.

 

[primethios]

My heart and mind are saying Rubicon. My bank account says you can only afford a tail light off of a base sport...I still have a year or so to go until I can get one and I've studied every single trim and weighed every single option and outcome. I've been doing this ever since the build tool on the Jeep site opened up and I'm still gridlocked on which trim. Go and test drive different trims and see how you like the quality or interior ect. Hell I even test drove a 6 speed Manuel to see how well it was . It's all about what options you need and which you can do without. If your into the nice tech leather seats and colored tops ect your stuck on Rubicon or overland. I'm really trying to push myself to accept that a decent optioned sport s with max tow will be all I can afford and get over it but who knows. Not to mention it took me until now to finally lock in on a color I definitely wanted...my brain is so sore from wearing out these forums and building more gladiators on the build tool than fca has built in there plant.

You partially just answered your own debate. You have a budget and you have a year before you can make a move. Unless your trading in something significant your going to need to be able to pull $500-600 a month at a minimum (figuring overland rubi not base sport). While your test driving and deciding start setting aside 500+ a month so you have a little wiggle room when you pull the trigger. I originally was planning on trading in my JK for a JL next year because I put on new tires last summer but then the gladiator was announced but I had already been putting aside a few bucks a month. I traded in the JK and put down a few grand to get my payment where I wanted it to be, I could have handled a bigger payment no issue but I set a limit in my head. As I said above there are times I wonder if I should have gotten the rubi but big rocks are so far from me that where I would make use of the extra rubicon parts. I have had nothing but 2 door wrangler sports for over 15 years and they have handled everything I have thrown at them so the Overland gave me the ability to go get big items (lumber, grills, mulch, etc) while already doing everything my JK's did. Now I don't know why but I have never felt the need modify my wranglers but for some reason the JT makes me want different tires and a lift but I would do that with any of the JT models. So I am sure part of it is just for the more aggressive look but this is also the first thing other than my house that is more than 40k and I actually spent a tad over 50k so I guess I have decided to make it really "mine". Regardless of what any of us say as to why the rubi is better it is up to you to meet your needs and wants as we all know the thousands of rubicons out there with angry grills and 37+ tires that have never even climbed over a parking block at the mall. A base wrangler will do more than what half the owners will ever do with it. I decided that I wanted some of the creature comforts of the overland over the bigger axles of the rubicon and didn't want to spend an extra 8-10k for a rubi with the same options. Had the FCA affiliate pricing been available when I bought the overland I may have made the jump to the rubi but it would have been to say I have a rubicon not because I needed it.

Long story short, you have said you have a year so take your time and set aside a few bucks and step back for a few months and see where your heart and wallet take you in six months and keep in mind that based upon the comments you will probably want to make some modifications regardless so keep that in mind when figuring cost and accessories.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

For me I just figure up how much each add on will cost per month. It is easier to choose that way. I also try and weigh out the cost + financing it. just be realistic.

 

[Gobi Wan K]

My heart and mind are saying Rubicon. My bank account says you can only afford a tail light off of a base sport...I still have a year or so to go until I can get one and I've studied every single trim and weighed every single option and outcome. I've been doing this ever since the build tool on the Jeep site opened up and I'm still gridlocked on which trim. Go and test drive different trims and see how you like the quality or interior ect. Hell I even test drove a 6 speed Manuel to see how well it was . It's all about what options you need and which you can do without. If your into the nice tech leather seats and colored tops ect your stuck on Rubicon or overland. I'm really trying to push myself to accept that a decent optioned sport s with max tow will be all I can afford and get over it but who knows. Not to mention it took me until now to finally lock in on a color I definitely wanted...my brain is so sore from wearing out these forums and building more gladiators on the build tool than fca has built in there plant.

You know, I actually think a Sport S with Max Tow is maybe the best option for a lot of folks. I am coming from a power wagon with the 8.4 screen, lockers, swaybar, etc. So I decided I wanted Rubicon so I could keep all of those things. But the max tow offers a lot of room for great upgrades while starting you out with better axles. If you are ok with the 7 inch screen and don't need leather it is definitely worth considering. even if you say "but I don't need to tow anything". I also forsee that being more sought after on the used market in the coming years.

 

[smlobx]

You know, I actually think a Sport S with Max Tow is maybe the best option for a lot of folks. I am coming from a power wagon with the 8.4 screen, lockers, swaybar, etc. So I decided I wanted Rubicon so I could keep all of those things. But the max tow offers a lot of room for great upgrades while starting you out with better axles. If you are ok with the 7 inch screen and don't need leather it is definitely worth considering. even if you say "but I don't need to tow anything". I also forsee that being more sought after on the used market in the coming years.

^^^ This.

if you don’t want leather go with a Sport S with Max tow that will get you the Rubicon’s axles..

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