IMHO JKS Quick Disco would be a better option and Hundreds $$$$ cheaper.... and don't forget the 4.0 to 1 transfer case ..... but You would have to have a real need ( heavy rock crawling in your plans ) for a 4.0 to 1 or higher ratio.... But this is only my Opinion...

 

I've had both now, and I love the auto swaybar disco!! But I'm fairly lazy, so that might explain why I love it.

 

Does your X have the locking differential in the rear D44? If you do you'll also have the sway disconnect (a $1500 option all together). If not, the rear is already a D44 (w/o lockers). I'd get a ausie locker for the rear and call it good. Most of us get stuck going up in rocks or uneven terrain (kinda hard to get stuck going down right) and that's when a locked rear is most needed. A locking front is really nice to have but the rear will do in 85% of traction needed situations.

The stock sway bar disco is expensive to add if not factory equipped. I'd skip that route and add manual disconnects. Functionally, that'll get you pretty close to Rubicon performance. If you wanna go all the way swap the Dana30 in the front for a factory D44 with the factory locker (btw, mopar has made these axles much more common for much less money - thanks mopar). It's just less than $1500 and I hear its an easy install. This is the exact axle used in the JK rubicon. It had 4.10s so you'll likely wanna regear at that point unless your X is a 07 with 4.10 already (an 08 nonrubicon's max gear is 3.73).

You'll need tires. I'd go directly to 33s (rubis come with 32s) and do a BB if you're on a budget. If not, move past stock rubicon performance with 35s and a 3-4" lift.

The rubicon has 4:1 (vs 2.71:1) transfer case. No way to upgrade to that w/o dropping major cash. Skip and regear to 5.13s in both axles. Not the same but its getting the crawl ratio closer to the rubicon's, but don't do this w/o doing the tires first.

Most Xers like you ( and myself ) are basically trying to accomplish what you are. I wish I could afford a Rubicon, but I got a smokin deal on a almost new (981 miles) X for about 5K less than sticker. I was always gonna lift it and get 35s no matter what I bought. So far I have about 26K invested in a 4" lifted, locker rear, elec sway disconnects, 35", winch and bumper, unlimited X 4 door w hardtop. Can't even think about a unlimited rubicon for less than 30K (and socal dealers don't negociate on unlimitd rubicons). My wallet is limited so I gotta get the most bang for the buck plus it looks really good with a 4" lift and 35s.

GL

 

Why make it into a Rubicon when you could put an Atlas and Dynatrac or Currie 60's under it?

 

x2...If I was gonna do an axle swap I'd save a little longer to get a couple of d60's and an atlas transfer case. I do have a Rubicon now, but when this thing is payed off I see D60's and an Atlas in it's future.

 

not around here, I see alot of rubys on the lot.


Like everyone else suggested. you can buy all the after market parts to be just as strong as a ruby.

your transfer case will be the only difference.

 

I'd wait and Buy Solid 60's.

That way you dont have to use stock outters from your 30 and 44.

 

here in NJ/NY within 50mi radius there are plenty on rubi unlim in stock, using jktools search comes up with 41auto's at 28 of 60 dealers and 13 6spd's

 

ordered mine first of Dec. and it is in frame now....

 

So many excuses as to why the Rubicon Unlimiteds are coming off the line slowly and every excuse is BS. If you check the website that tells you about production holdups it NEVER says anything about MyGig or dana44 shrtages and NEVER mentions anything about top redesign. Even when the rumors say NO hard tops will leave the factory EVERY SINGLE DAY hard tops are arriving at dealerships. There are too many orders for them to keep up. It seems each month gets a little better. People that ordered at the beginning of 08 ordering seemed to wait until Nov-Dec. Now it seems to be much better and some are waiting less than 2 months. Around here you can get a Rubicon at ANY dealer...as long as it's an automatic. I guess the next excuse will be they are out of 6 speeds.