you will regret not getting the hard top. I will sell you my soft top in fact! I really dont like it or want it. And those that say its a waste to get the rubicon, need to rethink that aspect. If your PLANNIN on swaping axles EVER and doing a new tcase, then yes, its a waste.
But like in my situation, why in the world would I go through all that stuff AGAIN, when the Xj is the trail trash? I got the Unlimited Rubicon because when I go snow wheelin, camping, huntin, fishing, and bad weather trips to go wheelin, I dont want to be in the nearly bodyless XJ. So the stock WARRENTIED lockers, and the stock WARRENTIED tcase was well worth it.
I just got home from a 400 mile round trip to LA and back, and wow, do I love the room the Unlimited has, we had 4 6'+ guys in there with out any leg issues. The only bad thing was I averaged 15mpg on the highway. getting about 10 around town :wierd:
i say, if your going to BUILD it with new axles, get a regular unlimited. If your going to just do a small lift, bumpers, and armor. Get the rubicon. Also, get the hard top for sure, I cant stress that!