I am looking into getting a Brand New 2013 Jeep Wrangler. My big question is the model differences and are they worth there weight? I know the Rubicon is the monster, and I won't be venturing that way for my first Jeep.

But I was looking at the Sahara, I know it's got the heavy duty shocks etc in it, and comes with some toys i don't really need. What I am looking for is an affordable starting cost, and modifyability (if it's not a word i just made it!) So the Sahara options all i wanted was the 3.73 rear axle gearing, I've read alot of really good things and heard it's the option to get if I want to do some offloading (which i will) But not so severe as the 4.10 as i can still get to work in it.

But I did compare the Wrangler Sport S Model comes with some good options, even with the Hard Top Option, 3.72 gears, Power Package, and upgraded audio to apline, it's still quite a bit cheaper! I figured the major upgrade was the heavy duty shocks. So I got to thinking, hmm well i want to eventually lift it anyways, how much is it to replace the shocks and lift it? Kits i saw were around 1 - 2 grand or so, plus i'd assume install is very close to that price also.

So in conclusion (im sure your tired), the Sport S with upgraded shocks (saw some really nice Skyjackers) with some air lockers after market, is it the same as if you did it to a Sahara? Does the Sahara have some suspension components left on after the upgrade? Because paying for a 2 - 3 grand less for the Initial buy and put that towards upgrading the tires and suspension later (i know the sport has 17" and sahara has 18") would basicly turn out the same vehicle in the end?

Thanks for your Help Guys!

 

I think you've already got this worked out for yourself, but I'll put in my two cents worth in anyway.
If you don't need the painted fenders/hardtop, power window/locks, overpriced 18" rims/tires and AC, there is no reason to order a Sahara over a Sport. They are the exact same vehicle, and if your planning a lift, there is no reason to pay for the "heavy duty suspension" ( a OEM mis-nomer is there ever was one!). I ordered the Sahara because those were (most of) the upgrades I wanted. I have since swapped out springs (JKU tow package into and no tow JK), change bumpers and swapped wheels and tires for 16"ers.
So, if you don't need those upgrades, use the money you save, to built a Sport into what you want your Jeep to be.
Topbanana

 

Thanks, I appreciate your 2 cents. Like I said, this will be my first Jeep. I will also change my front bumper, i'd like to replace it with a winch and maybe a tire pump also. I thought so also, but even with the Power Package (windows, locks and remote) added to it it's still alot cheaper then the Sahara is for sure. I was looking at possibly 3.5" lift in around a year or two after buying it maybe. Not sure, need to spend some time with it off road and find out what works for me.

Again thanks.

 

3.5 lift? That's some serious lift for 35"+ tires and it's gonna run you into some differential angle issues as well as gearing issues (if you go 35's). 33"er on a set of aftermarket, properly backspaced rims will get your through a lot of offroading, using the money you didn't waste on those Sahara 18'ers.
Plus, 33's will fit without paying for a lift. My two cents (again) is, you've been reading too many Jeep forums and not done enough (any?) real world "Jeepin' ". Start with a set rims and 33's, and go have some fun and see just what you really do and don't need!
topbanana

 

should i be worried about driving shaft angle issues with a 2.5 bb lift?

im about to get a rough country 2.5 lift and still going with the OEM 32 tires and rims

 

that's what I was really looking to do, just test it out and see whats what before i decide anything. Your jeep does look pretty aggressive, how much clearance is that aprox? And i could always look into a suspension system with differential ride high adjustment system, similar to coil overs with adjusters. Like i said, offroading is new to me but i am super afraid of scraping. I see the JK-Project guys have 3.5 Inch Lifts so that's why i am assuming that's the best way to go. I don't need a tank, but I don't want to get to a bit of trail and second guess if I am going to make it across without scraping my diffs.



Similar to this, it's fitting a 3.5" Lift on it, not sure what the tire size is though.

EDIT:
http://jalopnik.com/5620613/the-secr...-jeep-warranty

This really made me think twice.. Might go with a 2" lift and 33" tires like he did to be safe. I wouldn't want a brand new jeep wrangler to void the warranty.

 

Yep, that is a sweet ride! And I can see why you would like to have yours look like it. Bumper's an
ARB or RockHard, (I think). Love the look, but the price is hefty. I went with chopping a spare stocker and adding new end caps (from Rough Country). Appears the guy (gal?) kept his stock 18" Gladiator
(Sahara) rims and put on Toyo's, not an inexpensive option. I'd kill to get his OEM (factory) half
doors, yet another BRUTALLY expensive option.
I'm not exactly sure on what lift kits do for/against your warranty. Cat in this forum named JeepCaCares, is our "inside man" at Jeep who can give you the lowdown there.
I opted to install springs from a 4dr JKU with the tow package into my 2dr (with no tow package) and
this gave me about an 1" lift all the way around and it's all factory parts. Guy in town put a lift kit into
his 4dr and gave me a hell of a deal on the stock springs, ("Get them the hell outta my garage!").
Again, just my two cents - of which our Canadian goverment phased out Feb 4th - *********!

 

I did look up Rough Country's stuff and it's pretty decently priced. I watched this youtube video, it's a pretty light lift but with the bigger tires it really does get the look i want. I think the most expensive thing will be labor and the tires. Rough Country Sells some really nice lift kits using Gas Shocks for less then $500. The stock 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport S comes with Hydraulic Shocks, I read that they heat up pretty badly if you go on very bumpy road and they end up stop working after extended use. So gas shocks is the way to go (makes sense since the Rubi and Saha have gas shocks) But i figure.. 500 bucks for the shocks and a couple hundred for labor, it's totally worth it for sure!

This video shows installing a suspension/shock system that is displayed on there site for less then $400! I know to properly fit it may need a few extra parts, but the site is very good about showing you the possibles.
Rough Country Suspensions 2.5" Lift Kit for Jeep JK Wranglers With Performance 2.2 Shocks - YouTube

I will definetly talk to JeepCaCares about voiding the warrenty with a lift kit. also talk to my dealer when i have the sit down with them next monday to see if I can get it ordered.

 

Checked out the video, and I gotta admit it seems to be a well designed kit and simple to install.
I'd maybe do a forum search to see if anybody else has installed it and what their ride impressions
were after. You've got all the time in the world for researchin' as you don't have your Jeep yet.
I just seem to recall some people having issues with this kit, it could have been an older form of the kit or just my beer addled brain misfiring on a couple of cylinders. lol.

 

https://www.jeepscanada.com/jeep-jk-...stions-124139/

4th post he seemed to have pretty good things to say about it.. But i really need to brush up on my mechanical suspension lingo. I'm no good at this right now, I am still extremely basic.