re: I have become curious about the Jeep Wrangler...a friend just got one.

quote:

---

Chicken,
If Bob is getting bigger tires then he need a better rear differential than the stock 3.21

Putting big tires on the stock diff is why a number of Jeep owners find themselve replacing a transmission

Rubicons come off the floor set up to accomodate bigger tires. I don't know what rear diff the Saharas have...

---

Hasn't really been an issue with Jeeps since the TJ.

quote:

---

it is my understanding that any Sport or Sahara could be given some modifications to give it Rubicon rock-climbing capabilities...is this true?

---

Absolutely. You'd pay for them pretty well, but yes. Some "true jeepers" say they wish they bought a base/sport model and just started doing their mods from there. My opinion is to just buy what you're comfortable with spending first, and see what type of actual "off-roading" you actually DO, not just what you think you're going to do in your mental fantasies of it all. Any stock jeep is more capable at offroading than anyone who just bought one is going to feel comfortable doing. As it ages and the projects for modding begin, and things break, you get more ballsy over time and more comfortable with dropping some cash on mods.

quote:

---

- is it true that the Sahara holds it value better than the Sport?

---

No clue, but ALL wranglers hold their value insanely well. So, my tendency is to say no.

quote:

---

- What are the most common modifications that you would recommend to a new Wrangler owner? I have told Bob to get 35" tires with black wheels (with 2.5" lift) and maybe get steel bumpers. What else?

---

Great start. I would also argue that putting on your heavy mods first makes a lot of sense. (front/rear bumper/rock rails on side, and winch). Put your weight on first, see how much it will start to sag over time, and THEn decide the appropriate lift. But I am a big fan of staying closer to stock than destroying your bank on a "big badass jeep" until you're truly comfortable with how much that is all gonna cost. You go above a 2.5 inch lift and you start changing major ride geometry and it will be -insane- expensive. 35's at the highest with a 2.5 inch lift is absolutely the way to go for someone getting into it.

quote:

---

- Are Jeep Wrangler interiors really water proof? Bob got leather seats.

---

Lol. No. I mean, water gets on it, it does what it does. Main thing to worry about is your clock spring behind the steering wheel and the dash accessories that clearly will not make it through deep fjording. Yes, they do come with drain plugs in the floor, and anything up to the steering wheel will be fine, if you don't mind mildew and dirt everywhere.

quote:

---

Bob is using this for his daily commute...he told me the Rubicon is heavier than other models, gets worse gas mileage and is much more expensive...that is why he got the Sahara.

---

Irrelevant in my view. Wranglers are insanely inefficient and if gas expense is even on his radar, then he needs to rethink his life before he dives into a Wrangler. Gas is bad, period.... but the excitement and intoxication of modding will be far-far more costly.

quote:

---

I would be curious to hear others' thought-process when buying their Wrangler.

---

At no point have I regretted it. I've got a 2015 rubicon unlimited. It has been so much damn fun I still can't believe it. I advise this... if any of you reading this ever wanted to own a Jeep Wrangler in your life, DO IT. It's silly to enjoy material things as much as I do love my jeep. It's an experience of its own. it's a lifestyle. all the things you think you're going to get and all the things you've heard about jeeps is all true lol. DON'T just be curious your whole life. You will never know the joy of driving around with your top off, and the feeling that you can go anywhere/anytime for THIS guy is second to none.

The Wrangler experience is unique. Do it! Or, just wish you were the guy in his when you drive by.

ps... jeep wave gets old fast when you always feel obligated to not be the dick that DOESN'T do it.. but jeep wave is real.

quote:

---

You run with swaybars disconnected at highway speeds with lockers?

---

You think people run 85MPH down I10 locked front and rear? Honestly.

If you run most off the shelf shocks and springs being disconnected isn't an issue. I also don't run a steering stabilizer

quote:

---

The Wrangler experience is unique.

---

Do ya'll even associate with CJ owners?

JKU owner here. Sahara with Metalcloak Hardlines, sliders, 2.5” TF lift and 35s. Aussie locker in the front and trac lock in the back. 4.56s.

We’ve been to Utah quite a few times to wheel and it’s a fun time. You can also hit up LA 4x4s land for their yearly member fee and 4x4 Life on the weekends.

quote:

---

breaking axle shafts on 35's and lots of them at that, then they are driving like idiots and spinning tires. A new age D30 axle shaft is not breaking with normal driving or moderate off roading with just 35s

---

Ran 37's with chromo's and sleeves for years. Don't drive like an a-hole.

quote:

---

Ran 37's with chromo's and sleeves for years. Don't drive like an a-hole.

---

I ran 37's on a locked D30 with a V8 for 6 months in my JK until I got my RJ's. No sleeves, just gussets and chromos. Straight as an arrow and no breaks. still sitting in a crate in my garage trying to get rid of it

quote:

---

RJ's

---

quote:

---

With about $3-4k, you could have something much more capable than a factory rubicon, FWIW

---

Axles, lockers, gears, sway bar disconnects, transfer case... that a hell of a lot more than $4k