Sport S vs Rubicon

[Adawg1203]

Sport S Max Tow FTW.

The cooling, bigger brakes, wider axles, alternator, etc are totally worth every single penny.

And for me since my usage is 99% on-road the new Dana Trac-Lok LSD is a great feature over a locker.

The new Trac-Lok is beefy and doesn't have clutches like the old generation.

cooling (trailer tow), brakes (standard), axles (standard), alternator (trailer tow) can all be found on a Rubicon as standard equipment or as part of the $400 trailer tow option.

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[BamaJeepTruck]

Good job spending 4K more to recoup an extra 1500 bucks selling your old stuff.

Not sure why you're coming out swinging but I didn't say it would cover the cost brother. I said it will get you more than the sport take offs which are basically worthless. $2k over a sport when you're done is a much easier pill to swallow. That $2k would also get you a heck of a lot more than the Rubicon sticker.

 

[PDiddy]

Good job spending 4K more to recoup an extra 1500 bucks selling your old stuff.

Well you still have two lockers and a sway bar disconnect. I would think that is worth the $2500 difference. Not saying everyone needs those things, just saying value wise I would be happy to pay $2500 to get two e lockers and an electronic swaybar disconnect, that have a manufacturers warranty.

If you simple don't need those things, then the Max Tow is the way to go.

 

[DankjeeP]

Max Tow OPTION only available on the Sport models is correct.

HOWEVER the max tow equipment is either STANDARD on the Rubicon and the other couple of items are added on the $400 trailer tow package.

So there is nothing in the Max Tow that isn’t or cannot be equipped on the Rubicon trim.

The one exception may be the spin diff

Good point! It is a matter of semantics than I guess. Yes you can have Max Tow Rubi technically. I wonder where the +600 lbs comes from though?

 

[PDiddy]

Good point! It is a matter of semantics than I guess. Yes you can have Max Tow Rubi technically. I wonder where the +600 lbs comes from though?

I think it comes from the metal under armor, sliders, rear metal bumper, sway bar disconnect, maybe lockers, and larger tires. I think all that stuff starts to add up.

 

[DankjeeP]

I posted these pics a few times, but it's helpful to gain insight. I have a MT sport. I've also had a JKUR on 3.5" lift on 35s. (Posted below stock) My Gladiator has 37s. Both were on 4.10 gears, but the JKUR was a stick. I'll say this-- in a vacuum, I'd prefer lockers. Especially where in the JKUR pic where a tire is sky-high. But, the ONLY thing that matters with the Gladiator (IMO) is the ability to run a 37 more safely than the JK axles. The 37s and a lift make the JT incredible. I've used the crawl control a few times to manipulate the system, but I've only been -stuck- by getting high centered. A locker might have helped me, it might not have. But 37s are more important than any traction aiding device. The sway bar disconnect button was more annoying to me than useful, as it auto-connects above 20 mph. The Rubicon T-case I found to be too low at times, and other times just right. So that's a wash.

A made it through the below pics beyond easily. Didn't even hit a skid. My JKU made it through easily as well. The point is the Rubicon stuff isn't really needed. I've done a lot of the trails in socal already with the JT and have had no problems. Some of the Hammers trails will be a challenge, however, but that's wheelbase related.

I highly dislike the gaudy red Rubicon dash trim. All in all, I'm glad I went with MT.

Haha "I highly dislike the gaudy red Rubicon dash trim" to each their own. I found it to be a nice touch, but I haven't bought a new vehicle for 20+ years so....
But I am with you on the Hammers and the long wheel base. Not sure I will subject this rig to those rigors just yet, but ran Claw Hammer in my XJ with a manual and 33's. Let me tell you it was tough. After that trail I went to a TeraLow (4:1), 35's and a Currie 9", AND a hand throttle FTW! Everything I ran after that seemed much easier.
But yeah, the ability to run 37's with like 2-3" lift is nuts. Love it. Beefy axles with lockers and 4:1 tcase right out of the box with warranty is certainly nice. I have lots of stuff on order, just waiting to get it all in and installed. What trail is the top left pic?

 

[DankjeeP]

I think it comes from the metal under armor, sliders, rear metal bumper, sway bar disconnect, maybe lockers, and larger tires. I think all that stuff starts to add up.

Yeah, maybe. Would like to hear from a Jeep engineer on the de-rating or some fancy charts.

 

[u-joint]

I highly dislike the gaudy red Rubicon dash trim.

The nice thing too is that you don't even have to get the red dash on the Rubicon if you don't want it. You can opt for tan leather seats which will get you a gray dash, or certain body colors also get you the gray dash.

 

[DankjeeP]

The nice thing too is that you don't even have to get the red dash on the Rubicon if you don't want it. You can opt for tan leather seats which will get you a gray dash, or certain body colors also get you the gray dash.

Or, I saw someone actually went to the effort to paint it to the body color. That's also cool. Probably not a big deal to remove it.

 

[Pow_wagon]

Good point! It is a matter of semantics than I guess. Yes you can have Max Tow Rubi technically. I wonder where the +600 lbs comes from though?

Smaller tires on max tow, dual rate springs, and a little bit lighter.

 

[NachoRuby]

The point is the Rubicon stuff isn't really needed.

I highly dislike the gaudy red Rubicon dash trim. All in all, I'm glad I went with MT.

All Rubicons don't have the red dash. Mine doesn't. It seems to depend on exterior color. I'm glad I went with the MT too (manual transmission). It saved me $2000. I put that $2000 towards my truck. It can't tow 7650 lbs, but for me, that isn't really needed, as the Rubicon isn't for you. I wheel a lot, but did I "need" a Rubicon? No, doubt it. Not yet. Maybe I will eventually. But I liked it. It was bright yellow, had all the options I wanted, and none I didn't want to pay for. Everyone is going to buy the gladiator they want, some maybe not the one they "need", because no one needs a convertible pickup truck with removable doors and a fold down windshield. A Tacoma will do about anything our trucks will do on the trails, except the sway bar disconnect trick. Everyone might as well get the trim they like, and pay for the options they like as well.

I liked the sway bar disconnect, the rock rails, the gearing, the lockers, the 33 inch mud tires, the high clearance fenders that'll fit 35s, the metal bumpers, the off road + mode, the suspension, and the bed protection. Plus,not gonna lie, I like the fake hood scoops too. Sure you can do all of that aftermarket. But not with a 60,000 mile warranty, and not for free. You have to pay for it there too.

 

[DankjeeP]

All Rubicons don't have the red dash. Mine doesn't. It seems to depend on exterior color. I'm glad I went with the MT too (manual transmission). It saved me $2000. I put that $2000 towards my truck. It can't tow 7650 lbs, but for me, that isn't really needed, as the Rubicon isn't for you. I wheel a lot, but did I "need" a Rubicon? No, doubt it. Not yet. Maybe I will eventually. But I liked it. It was bright yellow, had all the options I wanted, and none I didn't want to pay for. Everyone is going to buy the gladiator they want, some maybe not the one they "need", because no one needs a convertible pickup truck with removable doors and a fold down windshield. A Tacoma will do about anything our trucks will do on the trails, except the sway bar disconnect trick. Everyone might as well get the trim they like, and pay for the options they like as well.

I liked the sway bar disconnect, the rock rails, the gearing, the lockers, the 33 inch mud tires, the high clearance fenders that'll fit 35s, the metal bumpers, the off road + mode, the suspension, and the bed protection. Plus,not gonna lie, I like the fake hood scoops too. Sure you can do all of that aftermarket. But not with a 60,000 mile warranty, and not for free. You have to pay for it there too.

Ok, I like this thread, but someone is being lazy here. " A Tacoma will do about anything our trucks will do on the trails, except the sway bar disconnect trick"
That is just a silly statement.

 

[NachoRuby]

Ok, I like this thread, but someone is being lazy here. " A Tacoma will do about anything our trucks will do on the trails, except the sway bar disconnect trick"
That is just a silly statement.

Haha I've always had mad respect for Toyota off road rigs, from the old SR5 pickups to the new TRD pros. They are the only other vehicle I seriously cross shopped. In the end, I wanted a jeep again, after not having one for a while, and among other things, the Jeep was more comfortable for me. Plus my kid liked it and called it the Jungle Jeep.

Also, those look like some fun trails in the pics you posted. Awesome. Where were you there?

 

[DankjeeP]

Haha I've always had mad respect for Toyota off road rigs, from the old SR5 pickups to the new TRD pros. They are the only other vehicle I seriously cross shopped. In the end, I wanted a jeep again, after not having one for a while, and among other things, the Jeep was more comfortable for me. Plus my kid liked it and called it the Jungle Jeep.

Also, those look like some fun trails in the pics you posted. Awesome. Where were you there?

Those were not me! I was also asking about those trails because the top left one looked familiar. Hopefully the Bonanza will enlighten us lol!

 

[DankjeeP]

Haha I've always had mad respect for Toyota off road rigs, from the old SR5 pickups to the new TRD pros. They are the only other vehicle I seriously cross shopped. In the end, I wanted a jeep again, after not having one for a while, and among other things, the Jeep was more comfortable for me. Plus my kid liked it and called it the Jungle Jeep.

Also, those look like some fun trails in the pics you posted. Awesome. Where were you there?

Not trying to topple your idea of what cross shopping is, but a Toyota is not a solid front axle. Just sayin. But you are here so welcome to the dark side

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