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Gold Hills Posse 4×4 Club · Folsom, CA

Which Wrangler?

  1. Anonymous former user
    #13 Mar 2010, 10:16 AM

    I'm looking for some advice.



    Imagine you are buying a 2003 Wrangler. Do you buy the Sport?, the X? or the Rubicon? Lets assume that you are going to change the rear to a D60 in all three and change the front to a D44 in the Sport and X. Assume all three have the same engine. Which one would be cheaper to build? What options would make the Rubicon worth the extra expense assuming you would not change those parts anyway, like the electric sway bar disconnect and rims/tires. The transfer case might be different? transmission flanged yoke? what else?

  2. Fred Subscriber
    #23 Mar 2010, 11:16 AM
    "RockinCrawler" wrote: ..., like the electric sway bar disconnect ...



    The electric sway bar disconnect wasn't available on TJ Rubicons.

  3. BKGM Jeepers President Joined: June 2003
    #33 Mar 2010, 1:53 PM

    Let's see.



    The X has the fewest options and a D30 front.

    The Sport has the D44 rear and a D30 front.

    I wasn't sure an 03 Rubicon existed, but if it did, you get the 4-1 and a D44 front (though with D30 outers). It also had the low pressure air lockers in both axles.



    If you were replacing everything, the X is an easy answer, but you may be able to offset your part costs by selling the jeep parts. In that case, in stock form, a Rubicon could fetch $1500-2000 for the axles. A sport could fetch $800-$1400 for the axles. An X could fetch $300 for their axles.



    The X had lots of stuff required for upgrades - carpet, full floor console, folding seats and even a rear seat I think.

    The sport had most of this stuff standard, as did the Rubicon.

    Kathleen and Brad
  4. Anonymous former user
    #43 Mar 2010, 2:52 PM
    "BKGM Jeepers" wrote: Let's see.

    The X has the fewest options and a D30 front.
    The Sport has the D44 rear and a D30 front.
    I wasn't sure an 03 Rubicon existed, but if it did, you get the 4-1 and a D44 front (though with D30 outers). It also had the low pressure air lockers in both axles.

    If you were replacing everything, the X is an easy answer, but you may be able to offset your part costs by selling the jeep parts. In that case, in stock form, a Rubicon could fetch $1500-2000 for the axles. A sport could fetch $800-$1400 for the axles. An X could fetch $300 for their axles.

    The X had lots of stuff required for upgrades - carpet, full floor console, folding seats and even a rear seat I think.
    The sport had most of this stuff standard, as did the Rubicon.



    Thanks B, I've got a buddy that buys salvaged vehicles. Jeeps always command top dollar, even for the rolled ones.

  5. JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
    #53 Mar 2010, 3:14 PM

    The X has carpet and all the other goodies. I'd get the Rubicon. Then I'd sell the axles for top dollar and install a true D44 front and a 60 rear. Selling the Rubi axles will suplement some of the axle cost.

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  6. Guest former user
    #63 Mar 2010, 5:10 PM

    Unless you've got your eye on a deal, I'd look to buy something that was already built. My gut feeling is that you'll come out money ahead in the long run.

  7. JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
    #73 Mar 2010, 5:56 PM
    "Bender" wrote: Unless you've got your eye on a deal, I'd look to buy something that was already built. My gut feeling is that you'll come out money ahead in the long run.

    WINNER!

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  8. Guest former user
    #83 Mar 2010, 7:06 PM
    "JohnDF" wrote: [quote="Bender"]Unless you've got your eye on a deal, I'd look to buy something that was already built. My gut feeling is that you'll come out money ahead in the long run.

    WINNER!



    Woooooo-Hooooo! What do win?

  9. Justin Subscriber
    #93 Mar 2010, 7:37 PM

    I would skip the Jeep and buy a built Toyota. 😏 You can buy a pretty nice one for the money I have into my rear D60 axle. 😳 😳 😳

    But seriously, Looking for a already built Jeep sounds like a great idea. There is some great deals out there right now.

    If I had to build another Jeep, I would buy another non-Rubicon Jeep and build it how I want it. I bought my Unlimited for $10K less than the Rubicon version. That's allot of dough to put into what you want.

  10. JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
    #103 Mar 2010, 8:17 PM
    "Justin" wrote: I would skip the Jeep and buy a built Toyota. 😏

    LOSER

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  11. Justin Subscriber
    #114 Mar 2010, 7:36 AM
    "JohnDF" wrote:
    LOSER





    😂 😂 😂

  12. Guest former user
    #124 Mar 2010, 7:47 AM
    "Justin" wrote: I would skip the Jeep and buy a built Toyota. 😏 You can buy a pretty nice one for the money I have into my rear D60 axle. 😳 😳 😳
    But seriously, Looking for a already built Jeep sounds like a great idea. There is some great deals out there right now.
    If I had to build another Jeep, I would buy another non-Rubicon Jeep and build it how I want it. I bought my Unlimited for $10K less than the Rubicon version. That's allot of dough to put into what you want.

    your so 😎

  13. Guest former user
    #134 Mar 2010, 10:58 AM
    "JohnDF" wrote: [quote="Justin"]I would skip the Jeep and buy a built Toyota. 😏

    LOSER



    I'm hurt.....



    Build the toyota! haha!

  14. Anonymous former user
    #144 Mar 2010, 1:51 PM

    Ok, Ok...I dont want to start a war...



    I'll build a Toyota with a Jeep body... Landcruisers are cheap enough and come with factory lockers.

  15. Justin Subscriber
    #154 Mar 2010, 1:57 PM
    "RockinCrawler" wrote: Ok, Ok...I dont want to start a war...

    .



    A war? I'm just a Jeep guy with Toyota envy. 😂 😳

  16. BKGM Jeepers President Joined: June 2003
    #164 Mar 2010, 2:03 PM

    I'd have to change my vote to buying a built rig. They can be found all over the place for cheap - especially mild builds that are not thrashed. This would enable you to do runs while adding some mods.

    Kathleen and Brad
  17. Anonymous former user
    #174 Mar 2010, 4:39 PM

    The wonderful world of salvage vehicles...What would you pay for this 2009 Rubicon?

    Attached files

  18. Dan-H Subscriber
    #184 Mar 2010, 7:09 PM
    "RockinCrawler" wrote: The wonderful world of salvage vehicles...What would you pay for this 2009 Rubicon?



    that will buff out.

    Closed Mondays.
  20. Guest former user
    #204 Mar 2010, 9:11 PM
    "RockinCrawler" wrote: Landcruisers are cheap enough and come with factory lockers.



    Here's one I can honestly say...been there done that. Don't kid yourself that they're cheap and I'm not sure where you're getting the factory locker. At least if we're talking about 40s. If you want to try and keep stock stuff, you're looking at stupid money! I miss my Cruiser. 🙁

  21. Fred Subscriber
    #214 Mar 2010, 9:47 PM
    "bobf777" wrote: this cant be real,
    http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1627441384.html



    That's one of those too good to be true deals. But you never know.



    Edit) Those are later model Jeep Ravine wheels (I think) not the Canyon rims that came on the 2000 TJ Sports or the Mickey Thompson's mentioned in the ad.

  22. RobD Subscriber
    #224 Mar 2010, 9:48 PM

    I all reality, that is all a stock 2000 Wrangler (10 years old) is worth..3 to 5K.



    "bobf777" wrote: this cant be real,

    http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1627441384.html

    __________________ 'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."- Ronald Reagan
  24. Gregulator Member Joined: February 2012
    #244 Mar 2010, 10:37 PM

    Just throwing my two cents out there. I wouldn't buy a rubicon again unless I knew for a fact I was a light wheeler and would NEVER get tires bigger than 37's. I am actually swapping my axles out for a true dana 44 and a 9 inch this weekend. I sold my axles to make it worth it. I'm coming out on top.



    Side note if my jeep got stolen or wrecked, I would build another toyota. I had one before my rubicon and they are just so much cheaper to build. They are used parts all over the place too. But go with your heart right?

    Um...what?
  25. BKGM Jeepers President Joined: June 2003
    #255 Mar 2010, 9:42 AM

    My 2000 Sport in stock form, with my mileage.



    Excellent

    $9,740



    Good

    $9,165



    Fair

    $8,415



    Not too bad!

    Kathleen and Brad

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