Influencer I
Apologies if this has been mentioned and I missed it, but be really careful when buying a modded vehicle. While it is great that you are getting all the upgrades you will probably want to add at some point, you need to learn if the previous owner really used those upgrades. Did that person do normal street driving and have all the gear for show? Or did that person abuse the snot out of the Jeep and you are possibly inheriting issues. I would try to take it to a 4x4 shop that didn't do any work on it before you buy it and have an inspection to see what condition it is in.Well awesome thanks for all the ideas I'll definitely be asking some more questions today!!! Also I'm looking at a Rubicon right now and so it had the Dana 44 front and rear and then it was upgraded to manual locking hubs with 4.88 gears and idk if the lockers are still factory or not.
As for the Rubi, I am not sure why someone would want to replace the factory lockers, assuming it is stock or near-stock. However I do think the Rubi is a great starting platform for off-road or overland use. But I would look for one that is near-stock. It will have plenty of capability with a good set of tires if all is running well. Plus you will know all the parts and they will be easier to replace or upgrade. It can be a bit harder when you are driving Frankenstein's monster and something breaks when you are far from home. It will do more than you think of on stock size 32 MTs. After you drive it a bit and learn more about that particular vehicle, you can prioritize a wish list. With a mechanically sound vehicle that is factory-built for serious off-road use, you won't need to focus on lift, bigger tires, snorkels, and light bars initially. You can focus on recovery, overlanding, and mods that will help you overcome obstacles you struggle with. Plus you will become a better driver in the meantime (and probably realize you don't need some of the mods you might think are required now).
Whatever you do, best of luck and welcome to the world of Jeeps! Big wave from the Windy City!