Thinking of going with a "bare bones" model

[Terrymo]

Many of the trails in WA are man-made and can be intentionally very, very challenging. Have you done Sasquatch on Tahuya? I did it, but there were lots of bashing / banging / crashing sounds.

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[Ratbert]

Lol, I have a 25 Rubicon with the 6 speed and daily a 99 5 speed Ranger. They are definitely different. FYI the 6 speed is the same transmission that is in the last gen Tacoma.

You're thinking Toyota used an Aisin?

 

[MojitoWilly]

You're thinking Toyota used an Aisin?

Correct the last generation was a Aisian, drive a 4th gen 6 Speed tacoma its very similar.

 

[JohnnyG]

The last gen Camaro with V6 also used the Jeep Aisin trans with similar gear ratios to the JL, i.e. a very low 1st gear ratio. I drove one of those, it had a completely different feel although I believe it did not use shifter cables like the JL. It was much easier to master for the average user. The Chevy V6 was amazingly similar to the 3.6, it looked liked the same engineers designed it.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

Many of the trails in WA are man-made and can be intentionally very, very challenging. Have you done Sasquatch on Tahuya? I did it, but there were lots of bashing / banging / crashing sounds.

I have not done Sasquatch. The boat ramp has some pretty gnarly rocks. I did it in a TJ but not in my JL. Last time I went the group I was with recommended that me and a stock rubicon not do the boat ramp because we weren’t tall enough. Only an LJ and a JKU did it. Both were on Metalcloak 3.5” long arm kits. And the JKU was the only one to do Sasquatch. He had to redeem himself cause last time he was out there he snapped his control arm. I only know of tahuya Elbe funny rocks and moon rocks to be of similar difficulty.

 

[YJdude]

I like my dog shit 6mt. Is it the worst manual I've ever driven? Absolutely. Would i switch to an auto? Absolutely not.

 

[donmontalvo]

I'm thinking of ordering a 2 door model with the only option being a hard top. This will get me a 6 speed V6. May add LSD or something similar at a later date. Not much reason for AC where I currently live. Do all models come with AC? This will be a 4th vehicle and will only be driven about 20% of the time. Maybe off road on occasion but no hard core stuff. Been driving manuals for over 50 years so no issues there.
Anyone here go with the base model and ended up happy with their decision? I might use it as a TOAD once we get our RV in the future.

The first was a Sport. Manual, came with AC. Had a soft top and no power windows or mirrors or anything. I had to stop on the highway to adjust my passenger mirror, and to roll up and down the passenger window. The first time I hit the trails with my buddies, I began to hate it. No lockers, 32" (245) all weather tires...ugh.

Long story short, I ended up getting a JLUR and retiring as a full time boondocker. Koda and I have no regrets.

 

[etoften]

All the cool kids have manual locks/windows and the 5" screen!

Count me as a cool kid then. I love the crank windows and manual locks. It's my third vehicle granted. I would probably want the remote start if it was my daily driver. I don't miss the other stuff at all. I do have ac though and agree about the need for ac to defog the windshield at times.

 

[JEEP4U]

I have a 2025 sport base 6MT and I love it! I also knew I was going to modify it and didn’t want to spend the extra money for the rubicon if I was just going to be removing the more expensive things I paid for.

That is exactly what I did.

Now, I can wheel anywhere a Rubi can and places they can't

 

[Zon]

I love mine. The 6 speed is essentially a 4 speed unless you’re going over 70-75. Get the tinted glass and floor liners.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

That is exactly what I did.

Now, I can wheel anywhere a Rubi can and places they can't

I love it! Your hood is sick too!

 

[Guv]

This man says no need for AC in easter TN lol

Easter is still pretty decent weather in Tennessee

 

[zouch]

i'm a big fan of buying only the J**p you need to build to be the J**p you want. i've bought very close to bottom-end trims a couple of times and built them to be what i wanted.
(this of course assumes you know what your end goal is.)

i'd totally support your adding a Truetrac (gear-driven) Limited slip for use in your likely environment; i've had them in the back of a couple of my J**ps and they work excellently on snow/ice.

the transmission choice is a personal choice. a manual used to work better for maintaining traction control on ice and not allowing for an automatic to shift when it wants to, but our modern automatics allow us to lock into a gear so that's less of a factor than it once might have been.
another aspect is that i don't always like having to deal with multiple pedals when wearing winter boots (but i wear a large boot).

i would not consider a vehicle without AC (if that's even possible) as i'd want that for use in defrost mode if nothing else.

I'm thinking of ordering a 2 door model with the only option being a hard top. This will get me a 6 speed V6. May add LSD or something similar at a later date. Not much reason for AC where I currently live. Do all models come with AC? This will be a 4th vehicle and will only be driven about 20% of the time. Maybe off road on occasion but no hard core stuff. Been driving manuals for over 50 years so no issues there.
Anyone here go with the base model and ended up happy with their decision? I might use it as a TOAD once we get our RV in the future.

 

[Thunderjet]

Appreciate all the input. Decided if I purchase another it will most likely be a 2 door Bronco with no options and the 7 speed manual.

 

[JL 2D]

Appreciate all the input. Decided if I purchase another it will most likely be a 2 door Bronco with no options and the 7 speed manual.

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