Swaying towards the dark side

[Calibrated]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently an Amarok owner ('Sup Fouros) and also run the AusAmarok forum.

Looking at *maybe* moving on from the Rok to a JK Unlimited.

Drove 2 yesterday at Northstar Jeep, 1 Diesel Auto, 1 Petrol Auto.
Coming from the Rok neither engine impressed me, and I cant really pick out which one I actually preferred.
No manual's available to test drive, so I cant compare the Auto vs Manual just yet.

Also unsure on which way to go regarding Sport vs Rubicon.
Sport I can have my pick of colour and get it straight away, Rubicon could be up to a 16 week wait apparently.

Is there more to the Rubicon over the Sport other than the Dana 44 front diff and the electronic swaybar disconnects?

So I have quite a few decisions to make obviously.

Colour preference is going to be White or Silver (got a Black Amarok, will not buy Black again)
Petrol vs Diesel
Manual vs Auto
Sport vs Rubicon (and of course Rubicon is petrol only).

I also run ************, so obviously this will be our new demo vehicle and extensively kitted out.

Look forward to any advice you guys have.

Ash.

[4wd man]

The Rubi also comes standard with lower gearing ratios and front and rear lockers.

[AusJatzman]

Welcome.....

I recently went through the same process you currently are. I went with the Sport as I can upgrade to a Rubi if they ever bring it out in a Diesel. I also decided to go with the petrol as this is my first and couldn't justify the extra $$$ for a diesel when I was going to upgrade later.

I initially ordered a manual but after some discussions I changed to an auto and glad I did. The auto is a very strong gear box. I believe its a Mercedes AMG gear box?

I still plan to own a Rubi one day but for now am glad I bought the Sport and kitted it up... Still kitting it up!

Might see you on a track soon.

Cheers

[timbotrog]

E lockers front and rear, D44 front diff, swaybar disco's, rock rails, 4.1:1 transfer case, (sport is 2.72:1) and a much better resale value if you decide to upgrade.

[SeaComms]

(4:1 transfer case) plus the 4.1 diff ratios as opposed to the sport's 3.21 allows much better acceleration and allows bigger tyres before it slows it too much. ie, 35's will run fine on a stock Rubi, whereas a Sport would have difficulties.

The rear D44 is also a higher spline count than the sport.

If its going to be a demo vehicle, it will depend on what sort of equipment you want to demo! If you sell lockers and diff ratios then I would go for the sport since the rubi already has them. Also for a company vehicle I would go for the diesel, which rules out the Rubi anyway. Auto / manual debate is really a personal one, though if diesel I would go auto as they manual was 'detuned' to drop the power to preserve the clutch a little longer!

[Calibrated]

I am presently leaning towards Diesel Auto (will be my first Auto), which of course means Sport.
We will be tuning it (Viezu), which has better gains on the Diesel (26kw 70nm)
We are also Harrop dealers (Eaton ELocker), so the Sport is starting to make more sense.

Would love to run 35's but we'll stay closer to the legal side of things and run 33's.

Is there any aftermarket option or way of retrofitting the electronic swaybar disconnect from the Rubicon to the Sport?

[krawlinboy]

Just bought a new 2013 unlimited diesel with the auto box and it's a match made in heaven! Only just put 2k on the clock and the box is starting to bed in nicely! Couldn't be happier! The diesel auto also have 3.73 ratios and 33"s would be perfect, until you spend the coin for ratios to go bigger.

Dev.