A viewer pushed back on a Jeep video that treated these trims as basically the same: the Rubicon has 4.10 axle gears, a different transfer case and gearing, bigger tires, optional steel bumpers, lockers and a sway bar disconnect. I checked each of those against what Jeep publishes, and he's right. Here's the version with the real numbers, so you know what you're paying for or shopping for.
All specs below are for the 2026 model year unless I say otherwise. Jeep shuffles content most years, so confirm your own Jeep on its window sticker.
The Quick Comparison
| Sport / Sport S | Willys | Rubicon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x4 system | Command-Trac part-time | Command-Trac part-time | Rock-Trac part-time |
| Low range | 2.72:1 | 2.72:1 | 4:1 |
| Axle gearing | 3.45 | 4.10 rear axle ratio | 4.10 rear axle ratio |
| Front axle | Dana solid axle, conventional differential | Heavy-duty Dana 44 | Heavy-duty Dana 44 |
| Rear axle | Heavy-duty Dana 44, conventional differential | Dana 44 with Tru-Lok locker | Dana M220 full-floating with Tru-Lok locker |
| Front locker | No | No | Tru-Lok |
| Sway bar disconnect | No | No | Electronic |
| Steel bumpers | Not listed in the trim specs I read | Available (two-door; also a factory WARN winch) | Standard on Rubicon X; Jeep lists winch-capable steel bumpers as available |
| Factory tires | Smaller than the others (check your sticker) | 33-inch mud-terrain | 33-inch off-road |
If you're comparing a specific used Jeep, the window sticker or a VIN decode beats any table, because options and model years vary.
Transfer Case: 2.72:1 vs 4:1
The transfer case sets your low-range multiplication. Sport and Willys get the Command-Trac part-time system with a 2.72:1 low range, which is plenty for steep driveways, snowy roads and moderate trails. The Rubicon gets Rock-Trac with a 4:1 low range.
That 4:1 is the reason the Rubicon can crawl so slowly. Jeep says the Rock-Trac system can deliver a 100:1 crawl ratio on a Rubicon with the manual transmission and the available 4.88 axle ratio. With the stock 4.10 gears, the numbers when the JL launched were 84.2:1 with the six-speed manual and 77.2:1 with the eight-speed automatic, according to Jeep's 2018 launch materials.
Crawl ratio is simple math: first gear times low range times axle ratio. It describes how slowly the Jeep can move with the engine making usable torque, which is exactly what matters on a technical rock section.
Axles and Gears: Dana 30 vs Dana 44, 3.45 vs 4.10
The Sport's axle gearing is 3.45, and the Willys and Rubicon get 4.10. Lower numbers favor highway fuel economy and quiet cruising. Higher numbers favor off-road torque and make bigger tires easier to live with, which helps the Willys and Rubicon carry their 33-inch tires.
On the axle hardware itself, the picture has shifted a bit over the years. When the JL launched in 2018, Dana's own press release said the Sport and Sahara came with Dana 30 front axles and Dana 35 rears, while the Rubicon came with Dana 44s front and rear. Jeep's current 2026 spec sheet lists the Sport with a "Dana solid front axle" and a heavy-duty Dana 44 rear. Mopar's own fluid chart for the JL lists both a Model 30 and a Model 44 front axle, so which one you have depends on the trim and year. If you're buying used, don't assume. Look at the axle.
The Rubicon's rear is a different animal. Jeep lists it as a Dana M220 wide full-floating rear axle, and describes the full-float design as carrying the vehicle's weight on a spindle and hub instead of the axle shaft, for maximum strength and durability.
Lockers vs Limited-Slip: Know the Difference
This is where marketing terms get confusing, so here are the plain-English versions:
- Conventional (open) differential: the standard setup. Power goes to the wheel that spins easiest, which can leave you stuck with one wheel in the air.
- Trac-Lok limited-slip: an optional rear differential that sends extra torque and grip when a wheel slips. Jeep describes it as extra torque and grip for sand, gravel, snow and ice. It helps, but it is not a locker.
- Tru-Lok electronic locker: a locking differential you engage with a switch. Jeep says it locks and evenly distributes power for traction. This is the real off-road tool.
The Willys has a rear Tru-Lok. The Rubicon has Tru-Lok in both the front and rear axles. The Sport has conventional differentials. A Trac-Lok limited-slip rear has been offered as an option in past model years, so check whether a used one has it.
Sway Bar Disconnect: Rubicon Only
The sway bar disconnect lets the front wheels move more independently so the suspension can articulate further over uneven terrain. According to Jeep, the electronic sway bar disconnect is a Rubicon feature that remotely disconnects the bar. If you have a Sport or Willys, you'd need an aftermarket disconnect to get that effect.
Bumpers, Winches and Tires
The viewer's comment mentioned optional steel bumpers. Here's how that shakes out. The Rubicon X includes steel bumpers. Jeep also offers available steel bumpers and a factory WARN winch on the two-door Willys for 2026. Jeep's site also lists available winch-capable steel bumpers and a factory WARN winch rated at 8,000 pounds, so check the options for your trim and model year.
Tire size follows the same pattern. Willys and Rubicon come on 33-inch tires, while the Sport comes on smaller factory tires. A 245/75R17, a size Jeep has used on Sports, works out to roughly 31.5 inches tall, versus about 32.7 inches for a 285/70R17. Check the door sticker on your Jeep for its real size.
So Which One Is Right for You?
Think about what you'll really do with it:
- Sport: a great daily driver and a fine platform for a build. If you plan to add bigger tires, budget for gears too. Our regearing guide explains why.
- Willys: the value pick for trail use. You get 4.10 gears, 33-inch mud-terrains, Dana 44s and a rear locker without the Rubicon price.
- Rubicon: the one for serious rock crawling and heavy-duty use. The 4:1 transfer case, front and rear lockers and sway bar disconnect are the things that are expensive and hard to add later.
If you shop used, the same split existed on the JK: Jeep's 2011 specs list Command-Trac with a 2.72:1 low range and Rock-Trac with 4.0:1. The factory axle ratios on a 2018 JK were 3.21, 3.73 and 4.10, so check which one you're looking at.
The Bottom Line
The Sport, Willys and Rubicon do not share the same drivetrain. The differences, a 2.72:1 versus 4:1 low range, 3.45 versus 4.10 gears, open differentials versus lockers, and a sway bar disconnect on the Rubicon, are the whole reason the price gap exists. Know which one you're looking at before you decide what you need to add.
Specs reflect 2026 Jeep Wrangler trim information read on October 18, 2026 and can change by model year.