.... I don’t yet know how I should process that.
There are a lot more JKs out there than TJs.
.... I don’t yet know how I should process that.
Your post got me looking for a Rubicon. Surprisingly I found three manual transmission two doors for reasonable money relatively nearby. The only thing is, they were all JK’s not TJ’s. I don’t yet know how I should process that.
All TJ's are 2-door. And yes, looking for a Rubi with a stick would be more challenging.
But if you can find one, you are ahead of the game. There are 3 differences between a TJ and a TJR:
1) Dana 44's front and rear - compared to a dana 30 up from and either a 44 or a 35 in the rear. LJ's (TJU's) all had 44's in the rear.
2) 4:1 transfer case - compared to a 2.72:1 transfer case.
3) Air lockers front and rear.
Number 3 is the game changer. A locked TJ with greatly outperform a standard TJ or LJ. If you pick up a standard TJ, locking the front and rear will be the best bang for the buck - even compared to adding larger tires. A locked stock TJ will generally outperform a non-locked TJ on any size tire.
Also, if you pick up a TJ with a 35 rear, you will want to upgrade the rear before locking it, or it will not survive any serious wheeling. Either upgrading to a 44, or doing a super 35. Both of which will cost money, and when combined with the cost of the lockers decreases the cost difference between the Rubi and non-Rubi.
...
I see how the Rubicon is superior for the axles alone. My guess is that upgrading axles could be a $10K job, or maybe more.
A locked TJ with greatly outperform a standard TJ or LJ.
The only value to the Rubicon is the 4:1 transfer case and the ability to run 5.38 gears from the front Dana 44 in cases where that is advantageous.
After that, the factory lockers are ticking time bombs that cannot be repaired.
Any other TJ with an automatic transmission can meet and exceed a Rubicon for well under $10k.
How does a locked LJ perform?![]()
... What are the other differences? ...
Okay, once I opened up my search to nationwide, I quickly came up with 8 TJ Rubicon candidates. Three of them are in pretty salty country, but the others are candidates to be culled.
JJVW seems to be bringing up more information to consider. If the Rubicon has such achillesheels, then maybe it puts me back to sport and adding the $10K worth of axles.
...
JJVW seems to be bringing up more information to consider. If the Rubicon has such achillesheels, then maybe it puts me back to sport and adding the $10K worth of axles.
I think that it takes $10K or more to replace the axles?
Lot’s of folks run the Rubi lockers for a long time - especially on stock sized tires. But JJ is right, if they do fail you are replacing them as repair parts are not available. The limited slip also apparently causes issues off road if you don’t keep them locked.
Tradeoff in every decision.
Are Rubi’s commanding $10 grand over comparable non-Rubi’s?
Why replace the axles?
The answer to your price difference appears to be, no. When the locker can o longer be repaired, what is the cure? A new axle?
Take it easy on me, I am an ignorant, rank, rookie about locker axles. Can the lockers be replaced without replacing the axle? Is it just a unit that goes on the axle?
