Looking to buy first jeep

[natzuen]

I'm looking at buying a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Willy's sport, I'm curious about what things should I be looking for on the test drive, and when looking under the vehicle? Also I've heard about the death wobble, and it has my wife concerned. This will be a DD along with light to moderate off-roading and my son does ride with me a lot. Is it a huge thing to worry about?

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[whitechocolate]

Since you're buying used see if you can find a CPO, you'll get a 6yr 100k/bumper to bumper with no bullshit warranty.

 

[John VonJeep]

DW is most likely to arise traversing oscillating pavement where the two sides of the axle are moving asynchronously, often on certain bridges. Does the Jeep have a lift? Stock DW is fairly rare.

 

[natzuen]

Since you're buying used see if you can find a CPO, you'll get a 6yr 100k/bumper to bumper with no bullshit warranty.

Yeah I’ve been looking, carmax so far has the one I want the most.

 

[natzuen]

DW is most likely to arise traversing oscillating pavement where the two sides of the axle are moving asynchronously, often on certain bridges. Does the Jeep have a lift? Stock DW is fairly rare.

No lift from I’ve seen other then stock lift for the Willy’s version, it was a prior lease vehicle.

 

[AcesandEights]

... my son does ride with me a lot. Is it a huge thing to worry about?

As long as your son doesn't pull on the steering wheel while you're driving, unbuckle your seatbelt, etc. you should be fine.

 

[Reinen]

In spite of its name, Death Wobble rarely causes death or even injury. It's just really disconcerting and has been given a dramatic name. It's caused by loose components in the front suspension and steering components. So check those, there should be zero play in any of them. If any component can be moved by hand even the slightest amount it's a problem.

For CO, which is high altitude, I strongly recommend the 2.0T engine. The 3.6 is quite noticeably weaker at the altitudes you'll be wheeling.

 

[John VonJeep]

No lift from I’ve seen other then stock lift for the Willy’s version, it was a prior lease vehicle.

Yeah, not a strong DW candidate.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

For a 2020 I would check the hinges for corrosion under the paint and avoid one with adaptive cruise. That said, I am not sure if adaptive cruise was even an option for a Willys Sport.
Check the bottom for signs off off-roading damage (scrapes and dents). Look at the steering box and avoid buying the Jeep if the pump is silver (aluminum). Check your dipstick and coolant overflow tank to make sure that there isn't coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant. Instead of a 2020 with an aux battery, move up to a 2021 with eTorque.

 

[Guinevere]

I'm looking at buying a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Willy's sport, I'm curious about what things should I be looking for on the test drive, and when looking under the vehicle? Also I've heard about the death wobble, and it has my wife concerned. This will be a DD along with light to moderate off-roading and my son does ride with me a lot. Is it a huge thing to worry about?

lf this is your first jeep I highly recommend getting a TJ…

 

[Heimkehr]

In spite of its name, Death Wobble rarely causes death or even injury. It's just really disconcerting and has been given a dramatic name.

I'm normally on the side of disregarding dramatic nicknames, like "Death Wobble", but this one is a rare exception where I don't mind its use.

One of my pre-purchase test drives was in a JLU where the so-called wobble came on fast and furious just after reaching interstate speeds...at which point the condition demanded and got my immediate attention. I'll admit that it startled me.

Having been away from Jeeps for 25 years, and not yet having joined this forum, I had no idea what was happening, only that it was occurring and that it was dangerous. My only concern was whether I could safely slow the vehicle without being rear-ended. I could, and I wasn't.

So, for those unfamiliar with and/or not expecting Death Wobble, it can indeed seem very serious when it happens. I'd say that's because it is just that.

The DW that I describe occurred on a box-stock Wrangler, no less. So, I'm not as quick to dismiss or redirect the matter as others might choose to do.

 

[Reinen]

I'm normally on the side of disregarding dramatic nicknames, like "Death Wobble", but this one is a rare exception where I don't mind its use.

One of my pre-purchase test drives was in a JLU where the so-called wobble came on fast and furious just after reaching interstate speeds...at which point the condition demanded and got my immediate attention. I'll admit that it startled me.

Having been away from Jeeps for 25 years, and not yet having joined this forum, I had no idea what was happening, only that it was occurring and that it was dangerous. My only concern was whether I could safely slow the vehicle without being rear-ended. I could, and I wasn't.

So, for those unfamiliar with and/or not expecting Death Wobble, it can indeed seem very serious when it happens. I'd say that's because it is just that.

The DW that I describe occurred on a box-stock Wrangler, no less. So, I'm not as quick to dismiss or redirect the matter as others might choose to do.

But did you die??
...no?
I still contend it's a dramatic name.

 

[SBLACK502]

No lift from I’ve seen other then stock lift for the Willy’s version, it was a prior lease vehicle.

The stock Willy’s does not come with a lift .

 

[dchemphill1]

If the 2020 is your purchase first thing to do is remove the small battery and never put it back. Stupid design that can lead to all sorts of issues. Plenty of threads about it. If it is a lease highly unlikely anyone wheeled it off road.

 

[BobW]

Well, no sudden moves, it's not a sports car.
The only scary thing I've had was getting kicked by very high side wind gusts on CA-14 north of Mojave, had to slow down since it felt like I might get blown over...

On the plus side, a Wrangler is a full-size Lego kit.

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