Sport S vs Rubicon

[XJADDICTION]

You get the larger alternator and increased cooling with regular tow package as well. Limited slip is available without max tow but is pretty trash from what I understand so why bother. Daytime running lamps are now standard since body colored fenders were made standard. So you’re basically paying $800 over the standard tow package for bigger brakes and a LSD that will wear out and need replaced soon anyway if you’re using it.

Oh boy, here we go again.

To get this party started Matt84, the LSD or Jeep Tac Loc is always in use if you are driving the JT. They are a pretty durable piece of equipment.

Let me save you both from all of the comments that will be posted today. Basically the Max Tow has 5 additional features vs Standard Sport with painted fenders and a Tow package. Only 2 additional things over the Rubicon’s with a Max Tow package.

1- The Max Tow has heavier duty rear coil springs
2- wider axles by 1.5”es these are also on the Rubicon ( the Rubiconians will have you know there are no lockers in the Max Tow axles)
3- there are 4:10 gears in the Max Tow axles just like the Rubmycons.
4- a sticker that says the Max Tow has higher tongue weight , payload, and towing
5- Trak loc for 2021 models and some 2020’s

Rubicon Max Tow vs Sport Max Tow

1- the door sticker with higher ratings for tongue wt, towing and payload.
2- the rear springs are different... maybe who really knows.


you can add the Max Tow package to the Ruby, but

- your payload is less by about 400 or so pounds.

- towing is 7000lbs for the Rubicon vs 7650 for Max Tow (some sites say 7500 lbs)

If you want a cheaper Rubicon all you need is;

An aftermarket Rubicon hood and paint work to match your JT Sport, can be purchased for around $1200. Find some take-off Rubicon front springs and Fox shocks for another $300. Rubicon take off wheels and tires are usually $800-$1000. The Rubicon hood stickers will cost you another $20-30 bucks.

So for around $2300 bucks you will have a Rubicon clone that no one will probably ever notice is not actually a Rubicon. 99% of rubicons are street driven dd’s just like the sport.

Oh, don’t forget to take the sport sticker off of the tailgate. That would be a rookie mistake. ?I​

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[Matt84]

Oh boy, here we go again. Let me save you both from all of the comments that will be posted today.

1- The Max Tow has heavier duty rear coil springs, wider axles that are also on the Rubicon ( the Rubiconians will have you know there are no lockers in the Max Tow axles) and there are 4:10 gears in the Max Tow axles just like the Rubmycons.
- you can add the Max Tow package to the Ruby, but your payload is less by about 400 or so pounds.
- towing is 7000lbs for the Rubicon vs 7650 for Max Tow (some sites say 7500lbs)

From a Sport with Tow package then, these are the only differences from a Max Tow package.

Wider axles, 4:10 gears, HD rear springs and a door sticker that has higher payload, tongue weight and towing listed.

If you want a cheaper Rubicon all you need is;

An aftermarket Rubicon hood and paint work to match your JT Sport, can be purchased for around $1200. Find some take-off Rubicon front springs and Fox shocks for another $300. Rubicon take off wheels and tires are usually $800-$1000. The Rubicon hood stickers will cost you another $20-30 bucks.

So for around $2300 bucks you will have a Rubicon clone that no one will probably ever notice is not actually a Rubicon. 99% of rubicons are street driven dd’s just like the sport.

Oh, don’t forget to take the sport sticker off of the tailgate. That would be a rookie mistake. ?

I don’t remember saying anything about the rubicon. Just saying if you plan on lifting and regearing anyway, save money and get the regular tow package, Max tow isn’t worth it in that case.
Also, your “Rubicon clone” is missing lockers, electronic sway bar disconnect and 4:1 transfer case, also off-road plus and skid plates, so everything that makes a rubicon a rubicon. Is that worth $6-$7k, depends on each persons use. For the OP of this thread, I’d say probably not.

 

[IamPro2A]

You get the larger alternator and increased cooling with regular tow package as well. Limited slip is available without max tow but is pretty trash from what I understand so why bother. Daytime running lamps are now standard since body colored fenders were made standard. So you’re basically paying $800 over the standard tow package for bigger brakes and a LSD that will wear out and need replaced soon anyway if you’re using it.

That is the great thing about Jeeps. So many choices.

Going by the OP's stated uses, the Dana Trac-loc should be fine. It's been around a long time, tried and true, and while maybe not up for serious off-roading, it will do fine running down a fire road to his camping spot.

I'd also say that for his stated uses, regearing and suspension isn't even needed.
35" tires and 4.10 gears is almost exactly identical to the stock tires and 3.73 gears that would otherwise come on a Sport. Again, maybe not ideal for hardcore off-roading, but perfectly fine for a daily driver. Same with suspension, add a leveling kit and call it a day, the stock max tow suspension again is fine for his states uses.

If down the road he wants 37s or bigger, he's still got a solid platform to work off of. But my personal experience has been as you go bigger and more off-road capable you give up highway/long distance comfort. Fine for a toy, less fine for a primary vehicle.

 

[IamPro2A]

The only thing he really gives up going with 35s and the stock max tow 4:10 gear ratio is some towing capacity he says he doesn't need.

 

[XJADDICTION]

I don’t remember saying anything about the rubicon. Just saying if you plan on lifting and regearing anyway, save money and get the regular tow package, Max tow isn’t worth it in that case.
Also, your “Rubicon clone” is missing lockers, electronic sway bar disconnect and 4:1 transfer case, also off-road plus and skid plates, so everything that makes a rubicon a rubicon. Is that worth $6-$7k, depends on each persons use. For the OP of this thread, I’d say probably not.

You are missing my point, I know what the rubicon has, I used to have one.

Driving down the street, as most will do with an overland, Sport or Rubicon, my “Rubicon” clone additions are basically what most people, even many with a Rubicon, will notice and think, “oh there is another Rubicon.

So, it’s basically a joke because I wouldn’t clone a Rubicon. You may see this type of “Rubicon” on a second hand used car lot with a bow tied salesman in a leisure suit sweating under the summer sun.

 

[Hootbro]

What about the axle tube thickness on the Max Tox/Rubicon axles? Thought I remember reading somewhere the axle tube thickness was thicker than the standard axles. Could be wrong though but maybe somebody else knows?

 

[andrew8404]

Oh boy, here we go again.

To get this party started Matt84, the LSD or Jeep Tac Loc is always in use if you are driving the JT. They are a pretty durable piece of equipment.

Let me save you both from all of the comments that will be posted today. Basically the Max Tow has 5 additional features vs Standard Sport with painted fenders and a Tow package. Only 2 additional things over the Rubicon’s with a Max Tow package.

1- The Max Tow has heavier duty rear coil springs
2- wider axles by 1.5”es these are also on the Rubicon ( the Rubiconians will have you know there are no lockers in the Max Tow axles)
3- there are 4:10 gears in the Max Tow axles just like the Rubmycons.
4- a sticker that says the Max Tow has higher tongue weight , payload, and towing
5- Trak loc for 2021 models and some 2020’s

Rubicon Max Tow vs Sport Max Tow

1- the door sticker with higher ratings for tongue wt, towing and payload.
2- the rear springs are different... maybe who really knows.


you can add the Max Tow package to the Ruby, but

- your payload is less by about 400 or so pounds.

- towing is 7000lbs for the Rubicon vs 7650 for Max Tow (some sites say 7500 lbs)

If you want a cheaper Rubicon all you need is;

An aftermarket Rubicon hood and paint work to match your JT Sport, can be purchased for around $1200. Find some take-off Rubicon front springs and Fox shocks for another $300. Rubicon take off wheels and tires are usually $800-$1000. The Rubicon hood stickers will cost you another $20-30 bucks.

So for around $2300 bucks you will have a Rubicon clone that no one will probably ever notice is not actually a Rubicon. 99% of rubicons are street driven dd’s just like the sport.

Oh, don’t forget to take the sport sticker off of the tailgate. That would be a rookie mistake. ?I​

worst take on here. You will not have a Rubicon clone.

 

[DankjeeP]

Oh boy, here we go again.

To get this party started Matt84, the LSD or Jeep Tac Loc is always in use if you are driving the JT. They are a pretty durable piece of equipment.

Let me save you both from all of the comments that will be posted today. Basically the Max Tow has 5 additional features vs Standard Sport with painted fenders and a Tow package. Only 2 additional things over the Rubicon’s with a Max Tow package.

1- The Max Tow has heavier duty rear coil springs
2- wider axles by 1.5”es these are also on the Rubicon ( the Rubiconians will have you know there are no lockers in the Max Tow axles)
3- there are 4:10 gears in the Max Tow axles just like the Rubmycons.
4- a sticker that says the Max Tow has higher tongue weight , payload, and towing
5- Trak loc for 2021 models and some 2020’s

Rubicon Max Tow vs Sport Max Tow

1- the door sticker with higher ratings for tongue wt, towing and payload.
2- the rear springs are different... maybe who really knows.


you can add the Max Tow package to the Ruby, but

- your payload is less by about 400 or so pounds.

- towing is 7000lbs for the Rubicon vs 7650 for Max Tow (some sites say 7500 lbs)

If you want a cheaper Rubicon all you need is;

An aftermarket Rubicon hood and paint work to match your JT Sport, can be purchased for around $1200. Find some take-off Rubicon front springs and Fox shocks for another $300. Rubicon take off wheels and tires are usually $800-$1000. The Rubicon hood stickers will cost you another $20-30 bucks.

So for around $2300 bucks you will have a Rubicon clone that no one will probably ever notice is not actually a Rubicon. 99% of rubicons are street driven dd’s just like the sport.

Oh, don’t forget to take the sport sticker off of the tailgate. That would be a rookie mistake. ?I​

Max Tow is ONLY available on the Sport S. Just FYI.

Trailer-Tow Package
$395

• 240-Amp Alternator
• Class IV Receiver Hitch
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

Max Tow Package with 4.10 Axle Ratio
$1,195

• 245/75R17 All-Terrain Tires
• 4.10 Axle Ratio
• Heavy-Duty 4-Wheel Disc Anti-Lock Brakes
• Trac-Lok® Anti-Spin Rear Differential
• Heavy-Duty Dana® 44 Wide Front Axle
• Heavy-Duty Dana® 44 Wide Rear Axle
• Daytime Running Lamp System
• GVW Rating - 6,250 Pounds
• 240-Amp Alternator (Unavailable with some configurations)
• Class IV Receiver Hitch (Unavailable with some configurations)
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling (Unavailable with some configurations)
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom (Unavailable with some configurations)

 

[IamPro2A]

Max Tow is ONLY available on the Sport S. Just FYI.

It's also available on the regular Sport (no S), and the Freedom, which is built off a Sport S.

 

[glassjawkid32]

Max Tow adds more then just suspension, tires, and gears to a Sport.

It also adds larger brakes, limited slip differential, larger alternator, increased cooling, and daytime running lights.

Even eliminating the gears and heavier suspension, you would probably be hard pressed to add all that for the $1200 the max tow option adds to the cost.

Right, OP states they aren't towing tho so I just touched on the basics. Given their use I would still pass on that package and save the money.

 

[Gvsukids]

The ride and handling is different between the sport and Rubicon, with the different shocks and springs.
Not counting the air dam under the motor, doesn't the Gladiator have all of the same underbody skid plates no matter the trim level?

 

[MPMB]

I know this thread has been made many times and honestly my brain hurts from reading most of them I have 2 simple questions that seems to get lost in all of the threads that I read.

Sport S Max Tow vs Rubicon (6-7k difference in price)

Going to lift and put 35/37 and re gear
Replacing Fenders
Mild off roading - trails to get to fishing spots/camping/hiking - no rock crawling/mudding/etc
Not towing anything crazy lawn trailers and maybe some ATV/motorcyles

So my questions are for what I am doing is the rubicon really worth the extra $? Since I will have the dana 44 and changing shocks, springs, and gears is there anything on the rubicon that I really need that the Max tow package won't give me to do what I am doing?

Thank you for all answer and insight

The quick answer is no. There's no reason to splurge for the Rubicon.

Get the Sport S w/ Max Tow.

What you're paying for on the Rubicon is (basically):
1. Stock suspension package (which you're going to replace with a lift)
2. Standard lockers (which you may or may not need)
3. Sway bar disconnect (which you may or may not need)
4. Fancy crawling transmission
5. Special embroidery and interior features
6. Higher fenders
7. Skid plates (which you can option or choose from a hundred aftermarket companies)
8. Name (you can probably buy a sticker)

Pretty much everything other difference is an option you can add.

I would have preferred to have a Sport S + MaxTow. But by the time you add up the money buying and installing all the other stuff (lift/tires/wheels/lockers), it's almost a wash.

Also, there aren't any available in my required config.

 

[danman]

Thank you everyone for the input

I was focusing more on max tow for the dana 44 I was under the assumption the stock sport s are dana 30/35 and I figured if I go 37 I can just beef up the 44 and still be good. am I wrong?

resale value down here most are sports aswell

someone mentioned the drive do the sports drives worse the rubi? I was not to worried about this since I'm replacing the gears suspension and shocks but am I wrong?

 

[bastage]

It really comes down to lockers.. When I bought mine I couldn't see ever needing lockers & actually saved about 16k getting my max tow vs the cheapest Rubicon around. There were 5 Max tow's avail local, but like 50 Rubicon's. So it definitely cut down my avail options. With the aftermarket that's avail now (namely the currie HD60 front & LP60 rear axles) to be honest I wouldn't even of bought a Max Tow as that would of opened up many other options & gotten me stronger axles with a bit better overall price vs what I spent pay for & then upgrading my Max Tow axles.

 

[bastage]

someone mentioned the drive do the sports drives worse the rubi? I was not to worried about this since I'm replacing the gears suspension and shocks but am I wrong?

Your not wrong.

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