Alright, I know I may take some heat for this question but hear me out...

I want a Rubicon Unlimited, but if I order one now I'm looking at having to wait at least 4 months to get it. The 2wd drive Unlimiteds are available on the lot and $8,000 less than the Rubi's.

With either model I would get new wheels, tires and seat covers, so those differences don't matter to me.

So, my question is would there be any issues with ordering a Rubicon front axle with locker(around $1700) and slapping in an Atlas transfer case with the appropriate drive shafts (somewhere in the vicinity of $3000)?

Is there something I'm missing with this setup to run it 4x4? How would the ESP and BLD system handle this? Do you think it would work?

(i realize i would need a rear-locker, rock rails, a sway-bar disconnect, and a non-voided warranty to be a Rubicon equal)

I would appreciate any input -- Thanks

 

Are you a mechanic? I'm guessing if you have to create a thread like this you're not. So if you're not, then plan on spending thousands of dollars in expensive mechanic labor into your budget as well. Don't waste your time trying to do this unless you are either a line mechanic or an excellent DIY and your plan was to completely gut the entire drivetrain and swap in a V-8, new tranny, transfer case and axles. Not to mention all the wiring etc. Just put some money down and order a Rubicon or just have your dealer trade for one. Dealer trade would get you one in less than a week.

 

agreed with the above said.

i would get the 4wd X and mod away.

 

Thanks for the responses. I'm not a mechanic, but I know that the labor for the axle is around $350 and I have no idea about the transfer case... but it would still be cheaper than the extra $8,000 for a Rubicon.
I don't want a X 4x4 --- I would end up without a Dana 44 front axle, no lockers, and a transfer case that is inferior to the Rubicon's 4:1....

I'm worried about the problems that could be encountered with the ESP/BLD in changing a 2wd into a 4x4...

 

The difference between the 2wd and the X is about $1300. Why would you want the "inferior" transfer cases if you could eventually have an Atlas. Swap the 30 & 44 for dana 60's and upgrade to air lockers. I can't see spending extra money for a mechanic to do the swap when you can "buy" the swap from Jeep for around $1300???

 

I think this thread has already beat the topic to death, so here it is.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...hlight=convert

 

thanks for the link to the other thread -- I totally missed that...