Weighing My Options: Suggestions, please

[Foxmannc]

Background: I’ve never owned a Jeep. My wife and I saw a Wrangler JL Rubicon in Crystal Metallic for sale over a year ago that just really grabbed our attention and has led me down a rabbit hole. We’ve mostly been GM, Honda, or Mazda owners.

For the past year, I have been considering different Jeeps and options. I plan to purchase in the next 2-3 months. It will probably be used, and I am leaning toward a 24 Willys Wrangler. It will be my daily, will likely do some trail riding, but not likely rock crawling. It’ll be in some snow and some mud, and I want the rear lockers. I like the factory “33” mud terrain that measures 32? Would like to do a spacer lift and 35s, unless I can find an XR.

Here are my questions. Is there a better bang for the buck in the Wrangler family that I should be looking at?

Engine. I like the V6. For those familiar with the 4 vs 6, what are your thoughts on the difference?

Options. I know I want a hard top, LED’s, and heated seats, etc. Is there an option package I should hold out for? The packages are a mystery to me, as I am unsure what all they are and what they include.

Towing. I know Wranglers don’t tow much. I seldom tow and never anything real heavy. But should I at least be able to tow my mower to the shop for service?

Any other thoughts are appreciated. I was set on the Gladiator, but we both like the look of the Wrangler, and it fits in the garage, which is nice.

Sponsored

 

[Murphy Slaw]

You can tow your mower no problem, There are members here who pull little campers all over.

I’m not a rock crawler either, just an old man with some under-developed property, and a wanderer with an eye for adventure.

What I’ve learned is this bunch will wave, help you change a flat, or pull you out of a ditch. They’ll offer you advice, or rescue you if you ignore them. They’ll offer shelter to a total stranger and a warm meal on a cold night.

Now I know why my brother has driven a Jeep for 20 years…

 

[cansberry]

1. Willys is best bang for your buck, given the options you want. That said, from your brief description, I don't think you'd need the rear locker which would expand your range to look at other trims.

2. Engines are an emotional conversation around here, but anecdotally, the 2.0L is more reliable than the 3.6L. The 3.6 has had rocker arm and cylinder head issues forever and the 3.6L tick is infamous. There's no real widely known issues with the 2.0L. It does sound like a sewing machine tho. I've had both, and have appreciated the drama free nature of the 2.0.

3. Sounds like the only things you'll need are the convenience pack (has the heated seats, and the options ticked for a tow hitch and hardtop. LED headlights are standard on the Willys and up.

4. It'll tow your lawn mower. Unless it's over 2 tons.

 

[Ol’ Timey Manual SWB Guy]

They’re legos. But do pay attention to the flavors of transfer cases and their various types of 4wd through the years. The better t-cases have lower crawl ratios (i.e., they’re numerically higher, like 4:1), and they’ll give your DD full time, automagical AWD, which is useful when encountering (on road) snow and ice, wet leaves, etc.. The less good ones (Sport, etc.) are basically rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame trucks which - with a very intentional throw of a lever - can become 4wd only off-road. Given what you described, you’re not a likely candidate for upgrading your transmission and transfer case. it’s essentially cost prohibitive to do so (e.g., AMW). So do some research and get the transfer case you want; think of your transfer case like the big green Lego brick atop which you’ll build everything else.

 

[bd100]

Recommend all-terrain tires instead of mud tires, considering daily driving and not hard trails.

 

[jeepingib]

Drive one for a bit before you buy one. I've seen so many folks come from uni body SUVs buy a Wrangler then complain about it constantly. It doesn't ride or handle like those lightweight little things. It's not bad, just different.

Otherwise you have a decent take on getting what you want, but I would also discourage you away from the V6. I have one, it's dead. Numerous others have had cam failures, or head gasket failures.

 

[SEW]

Foxman,
Our (you & me) needs/wants seem similar. I ordered a 2dr Sport S with 3.6/manual and customer preferred package, anvil paint, trailot towing pkg, conve pkg, active safety group, hard top & insulation pkg and AT tires/Al wheels (ie, loaded).

The factory tuning/set-up of the 3.6L is TERRIBLE! You live relatively close to Brad (BP tuning). His tune transformed the vehicle! I can’t imagine not taking advantage of his services. Best money I’ve ever spent.

Short comings of the Sport S I’ve found so far: 1) the gearing of the 6-sp manual are far from optimal (could take some lessons from the 7-sp manual in the base Bronco), 2) the 3.45 differential (with no option for the 4.1 or 4.56 ) is also a very poor choice by Jeep - the Willis ‘41 has the 4.1 as standard -much better, 3) start/stop on a manual , Brad deactivates, 4) clutch engagement is too early, 5) clutch effort is too light - easily corrected with an aftermarket $10 spring, 6) the 3.6’s flywheel is too light for a manual transmission, fine for an automatic. With time, driver compensation for this becomes natural.

The light flywheel, the absolute lack of torque <3,000 rpm, the transmission gearing, the 3.45 differential, the ultra hi valve lift (causing a missing sensation and surging) , the poor throttle pedal programming, the light clutch feel make the manual with the 3.6L just unacceptable UNTIL GETTING BRAD’s tuning. He corrects all the drivability problems. Plus, it feels much more powerful. This largely masks the gearing shotcomings. My Sport S feels very powerful.

The Baxter Performance Cartridge corrects the dry oil start (Why does Jeep not fix this problem? - it only been around for 14-15 years!!).

New, low profile, Aluminum bumper(s) are in the future: hate the appearance if the factory front bumper. Aftermarket locking gas cap, mud flaps and running boards saved a lot over factory.

I love my (2dr) Jeep. Hope all this gives some perspective on some answers to ideally equipping your future Jeep.

PS. I am a “car” person. Do almost all of my own maintenance, servicing, etc. Keep them long term. Our other 2 vehicles are current generation BMW 330i and X5. Great driving and comfortable vehicles! For myself though, I actually enjoy driving my 2-dr Wrangler, 6-sp/3.6L, Brad tuned even more than my excellent ‘25 330i.

 

[yokramer]

For sure rent one for a week to see how you feel about how it drives vs what youve had before. Also if you can afford it seriously consider ordering one exactly the way you want it from one of the dealers in @Ratbert signature that usually is 6-8% below "invoice". That way you dont compromise on buying more or less than you want.

 

[sixspeed]

For sure rent one for a week to see how you feel about how it drives vs what youve had before. Also if you can afford it seriously consider ordering one exactly the way you want it from one of the dealers in @Ratbert signature that usually is 6-8% below "invoice". That way you dont compromise on buying more or less than you want.

I agree, drive one. Given your previous cars, you will find a Jeep Wrangler a very different animal. It essentially drives like a 1960's truck. There is no road feel on highways and big play in the steering wheel. It will wander all over the road. My Rubicon and my wife's Mercedes Benz are in different universes. BUT it's supposed to be this way. It has a solid front axle, not independent front suspension, which is better off road. (If this is not appealing, you might look at Ford Broncos.) It's my daily driver but might not be ideal for you.

You sound like the Willys is for you. I rarely if ever lock the front differentials. On the Jeep website, there is a "build you Wrangler" section. The options on it are not what you'll find at the dealer, but if you play with it for a while, you'll learn a lot.

Good luck. I'm keeping my 2020 Rubicon forever.

 

[TKY]

Did Wranglers offer heated seats prior to 2025? When I looked to upgrade my JKU Sport, I had the impression that 2025 was the first year they offered heated seats and then only in certain models or packages.

 

[Roky]

Did Wranglers offer heated seats prior to 2025? When I looked to upgrade my JKU Sport, I had the impression that 2025 was the first year they offered heated seats and then only in certain models or packages.

My antique 2018 JLUR has heated seats and steering wheel, plus everything else available except proximity locks, adaptive cruise wasn’t offered back then but I would’ve passed on it anyway……

 

[Foxmannc]

Did Wranglers offer heated seats prior to 2025? When I looked to upgrade my JKU Sport, I had the impression that 2025 was the first year they offered heated seats and then only in certain models or packages.

I see it on the Willys pretty frequently. I'm not clear on whether it comes only with a cold-weather package or is optional, but I don't think it is standard on the 24 unless I am mistaken.

 

[Ratbert]

Did Wranglers offer heated seats prior to 2025? When I looked to upgrade my JKU Sport, I had the impression that 2025 was the first year they offered heated seats and then only in certain models or packages.

Heated seats have been an option since JL day one. Powered seats didn't appear until much later (24?).

 

[JT1]

Did Wranglers offer heated seats prior to 2025? When I looked to upgrade my JKU Sport, I had the impression that 2025 was the first year they offered heated seats and then only in certain models or packages.

Heated seats and steering wheels have been around since the JL was introduced in 2018.

 

[Foxmannc]

For sure rent one for a week to see how you feel about how it drives vs what youve had before. Also if you can afford it seriously consider ordering one exactly the way you want it from one of the dealers in @Ratbert signature that usually is 6-8% below "invoice". That way you dont compromise on buying more or less than you want.

I would love to order a new one, but I suspect that would destroy our budget. The idea of renting one for a week is a great idea. I have driven two different ones, but a demo drive and living with one are not in the same conversation. While I fully love the way it drives for the 15 minutes I have driven one, after a long day, or on a windy day, I may not. So, here is a question: I never see them on rental lots. Where can a person rent a Jeep for a week in the Triad of North Carolina?
Never mind, according to chat GPT I should find a wrangler at many companies.

Sponsored