Rubicon or Sahara?

[oldskool71]

Alright y’all need to make a decision soon. I currently have an 03 Sahara, hardtop, full doors, 5 spd, Dana 44 rear 80k miles unknown lift setup with brand new wheels and 33 tires. I have about $15k-16k into it. Looking at 06 Rubicon 30k miles, auto, nth degree 4.5 long arm lift, Currie steering, other nth extras, hardtop, soft top, other tops, full doors, half door, arb front bumper, warn winch, Hanson rear bumper with tire carrier, extra racks, rock hard cage, ARB on board compressor, alarm, and a few other things. May be able to pick this up for about $21-23k. Question is should I pick up the Rubi and offload the Sahara or just keep it and add a new lift and maybe some bumpers and stuff? Sorry so long just wanted to give you as much details as possible. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[jjvw]

Do you have use for the 241 transfer case? The automatic is preferable.

Personally, I would not care for the ancient and overly complicated Nth stuff. We have moved past that in performance if you follow a certain build philosophy.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Personally I'd definitely keep the 03 Sahara. I'm no fan of 05-06 TJs which have more potential for problems.

 

[macleanflood]

What heads are on the 03.

I say pour some money into the one you know and love.

-Mac

 

[oldskool71]

Do you have use for the 241 transfer case? The automatic is preferable.

Personally, I would not care for the ancient and overly complicated Nth stuff. We have moved past that in performance if you follow a certain build philosophy.

Do you have use for the 241 transfer case? The automatic is preferable.

Personally, I would not care for the ancient and overly complicated Nth stuff. We have moved past that in performance if you follow a certain build philosophy.

Not really.

 

[oldskool71]

What heads are on the 03.

I say pour some money into the one you know and love.

-Mac

I’m not sure about the head. It’s original.

 

[oldskool71]

Do you have use for the 241 transfer case? The automatic is preferable.

Personally, I would not care for the ancient and overly complicated Nth stuff. We have moved past that in performance if you follow a certain build philosophy.

Yeah if I keep the Sahara I was leaning towards Currie/RockJock short arm kit. With steering and associated parts.

 

[jjvw]

What heads are on the 03.

...

Tupy by that point in time.

 

[CreepinDeth]

I cant see spendimg $21-23K on a ~2 decade old small 4x4 vehicle that started in the high 20s, even when factoring inflation in.

Id keep the vehicle I know everything about and improve it to what I wanted. Its so cheap to rebuild, upgrade, improve

That is just my .02

 

[Plumber1]

Yeah if I keep the Sahara I was leaning towards Currie/RockJock short arm kit. With steering and associated parts.

That would be some nice upgrades, just add lockers and you have a very capable rig.

 

[zachpeakee]

I was in the same exact boat as you a few weeks ago.
Keep my 2000 Sahara, or upgrade for a 2005 Rubi.

The Rubi had some nice upgrades, but in the end I based my decision off of the fact that I pretty much know my TJ in/out.
I know EVERY issue, and everything that has been done. I know whether it was done right/wrong, and know what needs attention.

That's a peace of mind that the Rubicon "upgrades" just couldn't match.
Not to mention, everything that makes the Rubicon a Rubicon would eventually be upgraded anyways.

 

[JMT]

Alright y’all need to make a decision soon. I currently have an 03 Sahara, hardtop, full doors, 5 spd, Dana 44 rear 80k miles unknown lift setup with brand new wheels and 33 tires. I have about $15k-16k into it. Looking at 06 Rubicon 30k miles, auto, nth degree 4.5 long arm lift, Currie steering, other nth extras, hardtop, soft top, other tops, full doors, half door, arb front bumper, warn winch, Hanson rear bumper with tire carrier, extra racks, rock hard cage, ARB on board compressor, alarm, and a few other things. May be able to pick this up for about $21-23k. Question is should I pick up the Rubi and offload the Sahara or just keep it and add a new lift and maybe some bumpers and stuff? Sorry so long just wanted to give you as much details as possible. Any input would be appreciated.

Lay out what you like about each and what you’d do to your Sahara if you kept it vs what you would do with the Rubi if you got it. Then get what you want.

 

[John Cooper]

I was in the same boat with my Sport. The upgrades I wanted were in the 5-6 grand range, I lucked out and a buddy had a nice 06 Rubicon for sale and I sold Sport and bought the Rubicon.

Don't know if I would have gone that route if I didn't know the owner of the Rubicon!!!!!

 

[TheBoogieman]

I wish I'd never sold my 03' Sahara but found my current Rubicon for $9,500 and couldn't pass it up. The 241 is overkill for my needs. Keep what you have and save the extra cash for the upgrades that you want.

 

[tr21triton]

I was in the same boat with my Sport. The upgrades I wanted were in the 5-6 grand range, I lucked out and a buddy had a nice 06 Rubicon for sale and I sold Sport and bought the Rubicon.

Don't know if I would have gone that route if I didn't know the owner of the Rubicon!!!!!

I'm surprised that knowing the owner didn't make you stay with the SPORT !!!
as to the original question do like me have both ! drive the Sahara and save the Rubi with low miles....

 

[Mac57]

Keep the Sahara you are familiar with plus the $5K or so in your pocket you would be paying out for the swap. The 03 models have less potential issues than the 05/06's. That Rubi is built pretty well, so, what's it been through and what abuse may it have seen? Keep the one you know, dance with the one you brung.

 

[oldskool71]

Appreciate the feedback gents. Decided to keep the Sahara and make it mine. Let the fun begin.

 

[John Cooper]

Appreciate the feedback gents. Decided to keep the Sahara and make it mine. Let the fun begin.

View attachment 487414

Nothing wrong with that!!!!!

 

[Mac57]

Good choice. Now that we saved you from spending an extra $5K or so to get the Rubi let us help you spend those savings! What are you planning? Lockers before lights, just so you know.

 

[oldskool71]

Good choice. Now that we saved you from spending an extra $5K or so to get the Rubi let us help you spend those savings! What are you planning? Lockers before lights, just so you know.

I’m thinking getting the suspension sorted out first. It has a lift but no idea what it is. At this point I want the best ride out it as possible. Been looking around and leaning towards the Currie/rockjock 4” pro kit, steering system, shocks, and related items. That’s gonna pretty much do in my $5k I think.