Abu Dhabi Off-Road Club Forums

I have a friend who is getting interested in buying a new Wrangler, here is the question he sent me, which I don't really know the answer to. Any opinions you can share?

Question. The Rubicon & Sahara have different 4x4 systems. Specifically the Rubicon has air lockers (tru lock) for both front and rear axles which can be activated by a switch, using 1 or both at the same time. This acts like a locked differential. But the Sahara & Rubicon have a system called BLD or brake lock differential that acts like a locked diff but not quite the same. The Sahara does have the option to get a rear air locker only. Is it necessary to have the tru lock system on both axles like the Rubicon or just the rear tru lock for the Sahara or neither (for desert driving)??

Only used it about 5 or 6 times but when really stuck or dug into v soft sand. You could add arb lockers to the Sahara but don't need it really.


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If your friend is going to use the Jeep as a main car and road use then sure Sahara, but if he is gong to use it for off-road and going for a Modifications then sure Rubicon..

Agree with Gladiator - if you need it off road then he should go for the Rubicon.

There is very little difference between a Sport and a Sahara, much of which is cosmetic apart from the rims while the Rubicon offers better techincal specs including diff locks and sway bar disconnect.

A wrangler is either sport or rubicon, don't waste your money on a Sahara like Allan mentioned.


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Thanks for your replies guys, I have been trying to get my buddy to take the plunge and get a 4x4 so we can drive together in the desert. I took him on an advanced drive last week, and now he is getting interested and asking me questions I can't answer...

I guess I need to do some research as well.

I believe that unlocking sway bars are really not a function that we need, or even should use in the sand because of the increased risk of a roll over, correct?

Also, I know the Rubicon has a lower gearing ration than the standard Sport, does that help provide the needed torque for our kind of driving? I ask this because I drive a 2008 JK sport which has a smaller engine than the newer models with the Pentastar engine, and I really do not have enough horsepower for the longer climbs and so I must drive in 4 low nearly all the time. Are the Sport drivers with Pentatstar engines able to use 4 high all the time?

So, as I understand so far the major differences between Sport and Rubicon are:
1. Rubicon has a lower Gearing ratio (Rubicon has 4:1 versus Sport/Sahara 3:1)
2. Rubicon has unlocking sway bars (which I don't think we need in the sand)
3. Rubicon comes standard with locking differentials

any other differences?

More comments highly appreciated.

Thanks,

Randy

This is right goriding. I drive 2008. Rubicon. And I drive Hi gear all the time unless some tricky places where I need. low gear,, this is a big difference.

Now as for the engine. Power,, last July. Our marshal Oliver who work at prestige cars garage loaded a software to my engine gave me 50 more Hp. You can see the Dayno machine report. And I am feeling the difference on. Both street and sand.. not expensive. To have. Strongly recommended for 3.8 engines


You are welcome. To try my jeep. To feel the difference

Now for the question of Sahara or Rubicon. As we said if the car to be used as a main daily car then Sahara would be the choice but if for off reading and the car to be modified then Rubicon would be the choice.

I have 35" tires on my Jeep. I didn't have to re gear,,, this you can't do on. sport / Sahara.

Rubicon comes with 1 inch lift as standard, auxiliary 12v power port in trunk.
Rubicon Diff is 4.1 but transfer case is also 4. Sahara are 3.73 diff and 2.8 transfer case. I mY also go to Oliver and at least test the engine.


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or buy Rubicon X, it will combine both but its a bit expensive

more differences

1) Rubicon has Dana 44 front & back.
2) Comes with rock guards instead of side steps

Gladiator wrote:This is right goriding. I drive 2008. Rubicon. And I drive Hi gear all the time unless some tricky places where I need. low gear,, this is a big difference.

Now as for the engine. Power,, last July. Our marshal Oliver who work at prestige cars garage loaded a software to my engine gave me 50 more Hp. You can see the Dayno machine report. And I am feeling the difference on. Both street and sand.. not expensive. To have. Strongly recommended for 3.8 engines


You are welcome. To try my jeep. To feel the difference

Now for the question of Sahara or Rubicon. As we said if the car to be used as a main daily car then Sahara would be the choice but if for off reading and the car to be modified then Rubicon would be the choice.

I have 35" tires on my Jeep. I didn't have to re gear,,, this you can't do on. sport / Sahara.

Hi Gladiator

Can you tell me more about the software upgrade you got please?

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Not much to say. Just go to prestige garage ask for Oliver. He will add this software. On your car,,, then enjoy the 50hp. More !!!

Gladiator wrote:Not much to say. Just go to prestige garage ask for Oliver. He will add this software. On your car,,, then enjoy the 50hp. More !!!

Hi Gladiator

Is it only for jeeps or he has software for other cars like my FJ?

Dont start the war


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Luaymikkawi wrote:

Gladiator wrote:Not much to say. Just go to prestige garage ask for Oliver. He will add this software. On your car,,, then enjoy the 50hp. More !!!

Hi Gladiator

Is it only for jeeps or he has software for other cars like my FJ?

Dont start the war


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I think it's only for jeep with 3.8 engine. But it won't hurt to ask Oliver