BroncoHound
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Bud
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2020
- Threads
- 4
- Messages
- 360
- Reaction score
- 811
- Location
- Meridian, ID
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 JLUR / 2022 JLURD
- Build Thread
- Link
- Occupation
- Taxi driver-in-training
- Thread starter
- #1
First, a note about the thread title. Yes, I've read the book. Yes, I know the spoiler ending. No, that same spoiler ending isn't the case here; I just liked the name and it seemed appropriate with the current vibe of the world.
Hi, my name is Bud and the dogs name is Bear. Bear and I have been without a Jeep for about a year and half, which turns out is just too long. So, while I was finishing up a 1-year overseas work assignment to Australia, I placed an order for a new 2020 JLUR in Sarge Green, which we just picked up last week.
In this journal, I'll attempt to document the Jeeps development along the way, with particular attention to lessons learned for others to pick up on, particularly for those who enjoy more solo adventures, both with working on the Jeep and with driving/exploring in the Jeep. I'm not the most social Jeeper out there and, while I don't mind occassional social gatherings and trips and such, my Jeep time is mostly best enjoyed by me when it's just Bear and I and the great wide beyond. So, in this journal I'll try to highlight things I tackle solo and the thoughts/preparations I exercise beforehand to be successful. For the times I'm not successful, I'll attempt to document lessons learned for similar-minded folks.
And, because we just happen to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, there will be plenty of scenic Jeep shots to come.
Part 1 - the build, the order, the delivery
Bear and I's last Jeep was a 2013 JKR and this new JL was going to be our first 4-door Jeep. Here were my reasons for finally breaking down and getting an "old man" Jeep, despite my heart still crying out for 2-doors:
- our car camping trips keep getting longer and longer, and it seems like it's only a matter of time before I invest in a roof top tent and cargo rack for extended backcountry trips. The 4-door is the better platform with more space for extended driving.
- Bear likes to hang his head out the side and, with a roof rack and RTT in the future, the amount of time spent topless will be significantly less. So, having back windows that roll down are a nice comfort feature.
- Moving gear around in the back of the Jeep every time Bear needs to get in and out during a trip is annoying. Having a 4-door meant he can get in and out with the side rear doors and the gear that gets packed by the rear hatch can stay put. WAY easier on the old man who drives.
The old JKR. Her name was Jolene, and I miss her dearly:
So, when it came time to order, I knew immediately it was going to be a custom order. First, because I'm one of those archaic old fossils who still prefers 3 pedals, and finding a 6-speed on the lot isn't easy. Second, because I was pretty specific on wanting Sarge Green just as soon as I found out it was being released as a color on the JL. So, I decided on a factory order and this was exactly how I wanted the Jeep built:
- 2020 JL Unlimited Rubicon
- 3.6L Pentastar, 6-speed manual transmission
- Sarge Green exterior, black cloth interior
- Black hard top, unpainted fenders
- LED lighting upgrade
- Stereo/Nav/8.4" screen upgrade
- Cold weather group
- Steel bumper group
- Trailer tow/aux switch group
- Remote proximity keyless entry (was a requirement for the Rubicon package)
- Block heater
So, on June 3rd I placed the order with Mark Martinez at Mac Haik Jeep in Georgetown, TX (just outside of Austin, TX). I knew I was going to be coming back to Texas for a couple months prior to returning home after the Australia assignment, so I wanted to buy the Jeep from a Texas dealer and Mark at Mac Haik was phenomenal top to bottom. The Jeep was ordered June 3rd (5.1% below invoice out the door, less vehicle registration since we don't pay sales tax in Montana), it was assigned a VIN on June 8th, and it arrived at the dealership on July 6th. Mark kept me up to date along the build and shipping, and sent me pictures of the Jeep just as soon as it rolled off the truck:
The Jeep was cleaned up, the prep finished, and it was put away out of sight from foot traffic until I returned to the states on August 1st. On August 4th (last Tuesday), I drove my 2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat over to Austin from my place in Houston to say goodbye and welcome the new Jeep to the family. Mark was outstanding all the way through the deal; the Jeep was cleaned and full of gas and ready when I arrived, I got $2500 more than I was expecting for the Hellcat on trade, and when I told them the only way I'd finance through them was for 0%, they didn't bat an eyelash and got it done. Easily the best car buying experience I've ever had. The only sadness of the morning was saying goodbye to Virginia (the Hellcat), but the nice little 250 mile drive back to Houston in the new Jeep helped ease that sadness:
My initial impressions of the JLUR (who still doesn't yet have a name):
- The drive to Houston was incredibly quiet and smooth. This new JL platform is sooooo much nicer than anything named Jeep has a right to be. Just amazing at how much more refined the interior is over the JK platform, while not losing any of its distinctive "Jeep" identity. This is easily the best Jeep that's ever been made.
- The new Aisin 6-speed transmission is an inprovement over the NSG, though I didn't have any complaints over the old transmission. But the gearing on this one makes each gear so much more useable. I actually spend time in 3rd and 4th gear now, rather than just using them as a conduit between 1st and 2nd to get started and 5th and 6th for most all cruising. The shifter is tight with a slightly sporty feel yet not too sporty as to take away from the "Jeep" identity I mentioned before. The pedal is light, almost too much so. Coming from the heavier clutch of the Hellcat and the heavy dual-disc clutch on my Ram Cummins pickup, I almost put the clutch pedal through the floor the first time in the Jeep. My only non-positive thus far is the size of the shifter is a bit large and awkward, though I'm quickly getting used to it.
- The cabin is much quieter, with a much more insulated and solid feel of the doors closing and such. Again, all this points back to being a much more refined vehicle, while still being distinctively Jeep.
- I'm not sure what to think yet about an electric steering box. This is the first vehicle I've owned without a hydraulic steering box (though not the first I've driven as my F150 work pickup has electric steering) and I'm personally someone that prefers a heavy steering feel requiring direct feedback. It makes me feel more in tune with the system. The electric steering just feels distant and vague and, while it's effortless, I'm still not sure I like it. It isn't exactly something I could've optioned out though, so whether I like it to not is pretty inconsequential. It is.
So far, it's on its way towards being the best $46,500 I've spent in recent memory.
Next up, the mods begin.
Hi, my name is Bud and the dogs name is Bear. Bear and I have been without a Jeep for about a year and half, which turns out is just too long. So, while I was finishing up a 1-year overseas work assignment to Australia, I placed an order for a new 2020 JLUR in Sarge Green, which we just picked up last week.
In this journal, I'll attempt to document the Jeeps development along the way, with particular attention to lessons learned for others to pick up on, particularly for those who enjoy more solo adventures, both with working on the Jeep and with driving/exploring in the Jeep. I'm not the most social Jeeper out there and, while I don't mind occassional social gatherings and trips and such, my Jeep time is mostly best enjoyed by me when it's just Bear and I and the great wide beyond. So, in this journal I'll try to highlight things I tackle solo and the thoughts/preparations I exercise beforehand to be successful. For the times I'm not successful, I'll attempt to document lessons learned for similar-minded folks.
And, because we just happen to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, there will be plenty of scenic Jeep shots to come.
Part 1 - the build, the order, the delivery
Bear and I's last Jeep was a 2013 JKR and this new JL was going to be our first 4-door Jeep. Here were my reasons for finally breaking down and getting an "old man" Jeep, despite my heart still crying out for 2-doors:
- our car camping trips keep getting longer and longer, and it seems like it's only a matter of time before I invest in a roof top tent and cargo rack for extended backcountry trips. The 4-door is the better platform with more space for extended driving.
- Bear likes to hang his head out the side and, with a roof rack and RTT in the future, the amount of time spent topless will be significantly less. So, having back windows that roll down are a nice comfort feature.
- Moving gear around in the back of the Jeep every time Bear needs to get in and out during a trip is annoying. Having a 4-door meant he can get in and out with the side rear doors and the gear that gets packed by the rear hatch can stay put. WAY easier on the old man who drives.
The old JKR. Her name was Jolene, and I miss her dearly:
So, when it came time to order, I knew immediately it was going to be a custom order. First, because I'm one of those archaic old fossils who still prefers 3 pedals, and finding a 6-speed on the lot isn't easy. Second, because I was pretty specific on wanting Sarge Green just as soon as I found out it was being released as a color on the JL. So, I decided on a factory order and this was exactly how I wanted the Jeep built:
- 2020 JL Unlimited Rubicon
- 3.6L Pentastar, 6-speed manual transmission
- Sarge Green exterior, black cloth interior
- Black hard top, unpainted fenders
- LED lighting upgrade
- Stereo/Nav/8.4" screen upgrade
- Cold weather group
- Steel bumper group
- Trailer tow/aux switch group
- Remote proximity keyless entry (was a requirement for the Rubicon package)
- Block heater
So, on June 3rd I placed the order with Mark Martinez at Mac Haik Jeep in Georgetown, TX (just outside of Austin, TX). I knew I was going to be coming back to Texas for a couple months prior to returning home after the Australia assignment, so I wanted to buy the Jeep from a Texas dealer and Mark at Mac Haik was phenomenal top to bottom. The Jeep was ordered June 3rd (5.1% below invoice out the door, less vehicle registration since we don't pay sales tax in Montana), it was assigned a VIN on June 8th, and it arrived at the dealership on July 6th. Mark kept me up to date along the build and shipping, and sent me pictures of the Jeep just as soon as it rolled off the truck:
The Jeep was cleaned up, the prep finished, and it was put away out of sight from foot traffic until I returned to the states on August 1st. On August 4th (last Tuesday), I drove my 2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat over to Austin from my place in Houston to say goodbye and welcome the new Jeep to the family. Mark was outstanding all the way through the deal; the Jeep was cleaned and full of gas and ready when I arrived, I got $2500 more than I was expecting for the Hellcat on trade, and when I told them the only way I'd finance through them was for 0%, they didn't bat an eyelash and got it done. Easily the best car buying experience I've ever had. The only sadness of the morning was saying goodbye to Virginia (the Hellcat), but the nice little 250 mile drive back to Houston in the new Jeep helped ease that sadness:
My initial impressions of the JLUR (who still doesn't yet have a name):
- The drive to Houston was incredibly quiet and smooth. This new JL platform is sooooo much nicer than anything named Jeep has a right to be. Just amazing at how much more refined the interior is over the JK platform, while not losing any of its distinctive "Jeep" identity. This is easily the best Jeep that's ever been made.
- The new Aisin 6-speed transmission is an inprovement over the NSG, though I didn't have any complaints over the old transmission. But the gearing on this one makes each gear so much more useable. I actually spend time in 3rd and 4th gear now, rather than just using them as a conduit between 1st and 2nd to get started and 5th and 6th for most all cruising. The shifter is tight with a slightly sporty feel yet not too sporty as to take away from the "Jeep" identity I mentioned before. The pedal is light, almost too much so. Coming from the heavier clutch of the Hellcat and the heavy dual-disc clutch on my Ram Cummins pickup, I almost put the clutch pedal through the floor the first time in the Jeep. My only non-positive thus far is the size of the shifter is a bit large and awkward, though I'm quickly getting used to it.
- The cabin is much quieter, with a much more insulated and solid feel of the doors closing and such. Again, all this points back to being a much more refined vehicle, while still being distinctively Jeep.
- I'm not sure what to think yet about an electric steering box. This is the first vehicle I've owned without a hydraulic steering box (though not the first I've driven as my F150 work pickup has electric steering) and I'm personally someone that prefers a heavy steering feel requiring direct feedback. It makes me feel more in tune with the system. The electric steering just feels distant and vague and, while it's effortless, I'm still not sure I like it. It isn't exactly something I could've optioned out though, so whether I like it to not is pretty inconsequential. It is.
So far, it's on its way towards being the best $46,500 I've spent in recent memory.
Next up, the mods begin.
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