Loaded Sport S or Rubicon....

[tampahoosier]

Also, I'd like to hear more about these "options" you can get with a Max Tow that are "impossible to add to the Rubicon"?

I think what they are referring to is the higher payload and towing capacity that the Sport S with max to offers.

Sponsored

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

I think what they are referring to is the higher payload and towing capacity that the Sport S with max to offers.

Buy a Rubicon, swap in a set of Max Tow rear springs. Simple as that.

You can probably find a used set online for SUPER cheap, less than $100 cheap...

Or, you can just get a Rubicon with the factory Class-IV tow package like mine.

 

[Tufelhundin]

I think what they are referring to is the higher payload and towing capacity that the Sport S with max to offers.

I was thinking it was in reference to the awesome fuel economy maxtow’s seem to get with 35’s.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

I was thinking it was in reference to the awesome fuel economy maxtow’s seem to get with 35’s.

Same 4.10 gears, same engine, same trans, same wide-track D44's... Only differences are lockers...And if unlocked, should free-wheel the same. Theoretically, a Rubicon and Max Tow should get the same MPG's if setup the same way.

 

[Tufelhundin]

Aware...


I should have added a wink or bandaid on mouth emoticon at the end of that instead of a halo.

 

[WXman]

How do you figure that? I negotiated my price, ended up paying $46K (before taxes) for my brand new JTR with 20 miles on it, that price included all the fees, destination fee, and the full protection packages. My lease will be up in 40 months, and I will only owe about $30K (residual) on a Rubicon that I've owned since new. Having gauged sales numbers for Rubicons in my area for JK's and JL's, I've estimated that In 3.5 years, my low-mileage JTR will still be worth $43K-45K+ (sticker price $53K) without the accessories that I've added, so I don't see how I'll be upside down with my lease/loan combo?

Leases are no longer like they used to be. They used to be horrible for you, and you would get royally screwed with a leased vehicle. But now there are caps on things, and they can't charge you ridiculous fees, etc... So, leasing is now a much more affordable option to being able to purchase a ridiculously-priced vehicle (like most are these days). And this was told to me by the President of a bank that my family has known for 30+ years. I normally use them for loans, but they don't do leases, so he had no dog in the fight to try to earn my business by telling me that information.

When I've leased all my Jeeps, including the JLU and JT, the lease residuals were lower on the Rubicon models. Meaning, the Rubicon holds value worse than the Sport S. Meaning, you lose a larger portion of your money in the early years of the Jeep's life with the Rubicon. How do they figure that? I don't know...but they do. Like I said, banks are not in the business of losing money so they surely do a lot of research on selling prices of used Jeeps before formulating lease residuals. In my case, the Rubicon JT was several percent worse at 48 months.

Also, I'd like to hear more about these "options" you can get with a Max Tow that are "impossible to add to the Rubicon"?

How do you plan to add 33% more legal payload to a Rubicon? How do you plan to add 9% more legal towing to a Rubicon? You cannot swap parts and call it a day. In most states, the door jamb placard is the law. And as we've discussed in a lot of these threads before, if you start putting people inside the cab of the truck, your payload capacity gets eaten up FAST on a midsize. And payload, in turn, affects towing. Put 4 adults into a Rubicon and kiss the 7,000 lb. towing rating goodbye, class IV hitch or not.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

When I've leased all my Jeeps, including the JLU and JT, the lease residuals were lower on the Rubicon models. Meaning, the Rubicon holds value worse than the Sport S. Meaning, you lose a larger portion of your money in the early years of the Jeep's life with the Rubicon. How do they figure that? I don't know...but they do. Like I said, banks are not in the business of losing money so they surely do a lot of research on selling prices of used Jeeps before formulating lease residuals. In my case, the Rubicon JT was several percent worse at 48 months.

When you lease, they tell you your residual before you sign the paperwork. I know what my lease will end with, how much it will cost me, and how much my residual will be. I should be just fine. To each, his own. I really hope you didn't get hosed on your lease.

And you're right, banks aren't into losing money, but they're also insured to prevent that from happening. So, either way they'll be fine...

How do you plan to add 33% more legal payload to a Rubicon? How do you plan to add 9% more legal towing to a Rubicon? You cannot swap parts and call it a day. In most states, the door jamb placard is the law. And as we've discussed in a lot of these threads before, if you start putting people inside the cab of the truck, your payload capacity gets eaten up FAST on a midsize. And payload, in turn, affects towing. Put 4 adults into a Rubicon and kiss the 7,000 lb. towing rating goodbye, class IV hitch or not.

I've never been stopped in a passenger vehicle by DOT to inspect my load rating vs my trailer weight...Or my vehicle weight with the number of passengers I've had in there. Don't know if that is how it is other places, but down here, passenger vehicles don't have to go through weigh-stations or DOT checkpoints, unless you have DOT numbers on the side of your truck.

 

[tampahoosier]

Well folks I did the deed... change the order to the Rubicon!

I am going to take delivery of it stock. I’ll leave it for a few weeks and see how I feel with the way it looks. If I can’t stand the tire size I’ll go 35s and a 2” Mopar lift (37s down the road when I’m ready to regear appropriately).

For me it came down to what I wanted, and what I planned to do right away and the fact that if/when I tow I won’t need the full extent of the max tow.

Thanks for all the input and thought!

 

[Mightytalldude]

In reality, a loaded Sport S is an Overland, minus the model specific grill and LED light option and painted roof and fender flares. Unless your plan is to do hard wheeling and need the lockers, you have a plenty capable vehicle in any trim, and save money up front with the Sport/S/Max Tow, that you can use to customize or upgrade later. Buy the model that fits your budget, needs and you'll be happy.

 

[tampahoosier]

In reality, a loaded Sport S is an Overland, minus the model specific grill and LED light option and painted roof and fender flares. Unless your plan is to do hard wheeling and need the lockers, you have a plenty capable vehicle in any trim, and save money up front with the Sport/S/Max Tow, that you can use to customize or upgrade later. Buy the model that fits your budget, needs and you'll be happy.

If you're aiming for the Max Tow package then the Sport S is not just an Overland with a few extra options. The max tow is a game changer in my mind. Yes the Overland had more of the options I really wanted on my build, but it didn't have those axles.

Its just me, but I'm not going to run 37s without at least having the D44 axles. I know this is always a hot debate so I don't want to open that can of worms, just my .02 cents.

Happy with my ultimate decision and glad to be back in the Jeep club!

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

If you're aiming for the Max Tow package then the Sport S is not just an Overland with a few extra options. The max tow is a game changer in my mind. Yes the Overland had more of the options I really wanted on my build, but it didn't have those axles.

Its just me, but I'm not going to run 37s without at least having the D44 axles. I know this is always a hot debate so I don't want to open that can of worms, just my .02 cents.

Happy with my ultimate decision and glad to be back in the Jeep club!

Despite this being my first Jeep, I’ve been building 4x4s and off-road trucks for almost 20 years (since I was 16), and knowing a bunch of Jeep guys my whole life. You are 100% spot-on.

Will 37’s work on built 30/35 axles?

On-road? Somewhat, but your steering setup and knuckles and brakes will still take a heavy beating.

Off-road? Temporarily, until you get It in a bind, or catch a root or rock with a tire, then POP! goes the weasel.

So, overall, IMO (having broken plenty of trucks and parts over the years), is it a good idea to put 37’s on anything smaller than a D44? Nope...

 

[whiteglad]

I have not leased, only bought. I do know that my "holy grail" JKU, the Recon, had a disappointing trade in value at any dealership I checked, in the Vegas area and other places. A Sport S would have had similar value; even if $2k less, (at a guess) that would not offset the higher cost of a Rubi and then a Recon over that. For each of us, we have to consider what options we will likely USE, not what stuff might translate into resale value, I think. I never used the lockers in my 2015 or 2017 Rubi and I went everywhere I wanted while hunting in Nevada outback. OTOH I can imagine wanting to bring a trailer if I will be hunting where there is no "next-door" hotel. I might not tow, or tow much of a trailer, with my JT since I have a Ram-Cummins for that. Who knows? Still, the capability is worthwhile, I think.

 

[whiteglad]

If the Rubi had the iron steering knuckles, that would be tempting. Less so the Mojave that does have them, because I would rather have a mechanical locker instead of the electric OEM locker, and neither the Max Tow nor the Mojave has a front locker anyway. I like having a front trailer hitch, and it would be tight or impossible with the shock reservoir of the Mojave.

While the EPA mileage ratings are the same for all, my experience indicates that bigger, more aggressive tires hurt, less streamlined bumpers and fairings hurt, and higher front ends and fender flares hurt real world mileage.

 

[PyrPatriot]

I read a lot of posts regarding why someone does not need a Rubicon, and posts where people bought a Sport but wished the bought the JTR. However, I have not come across a post from someone that regretted buying a Rubicon over a Sport.

I started out looking for a Sport S, but taking into consideration what I wanted to add to the Sport, ended up with the Rubicon. I never needed the lockers or E-Disco either. But now that I have them, WOW

Nothing wrong with the Sport S, just a personal choice between models. Either way, you will end up with a great truck.

I would regret buying a Rubicon when I needed the extra payload the Sport S Max Tow offers

Sponsored