2 DOOR JL build/order discussions master thread

[biTToe]

Honestly it’s not just frustration at this point it’s become practicality. If 2019 brings BSG standard then that means if I have a 2018 JL two door that the drivetrain will be 3-4 months production of that combo only , talk about rare and possible limited aftermarket support. The new BSG powertrain will be in the new pickup and all new wranglers being built so that powertrain will get all the support and attention, there already taking About all the cool accessories they can run off of the generator. Anyways I don’t want to have a super limited very rare limited production model so that’s also my reasoning for waiting at this point.

You bring up a good point. I had a '75 CJ 5 that I purchased in the early 90's.
It had the 304 V8 and an electronic ignition. The problem was, it must have been a transition year. Jeep catalogues showed parts for '74 and below, and for '76 and above. Some '74 parts were compatible, some '76 were compatible, and some parts were '75 specific.

Often the '75 would get lumped in with the '76, but the '75 frame rails were straight, the '76 were wishbone. The electronic ignition was only used that one year then scraped or replaced with something else? I ended up replacing the distributor with a points distributor. Parts were a nightmare, especially with minimal internet and no eBay.

Now I am starting to rethink my 2d Rubi order as well.

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[OldGuyNewJeep]

2019 BSG is a reason for me to stay with a 2018. That's just me.

Not just you.

 

[jbe89]

I checked out a JL rubicon unlimited on a dealer lot and I’m really disappointed to see the rock rails are bolted to the body instead of the frame and they are apparently no longer including the light in the cargo area as it is a loaded rubicon and it doesn’t have it, nor do any of the other JL’s on the lot. All of them when they first came out except base sport models had cargo lights.

 

[FatBoy01]

I checked out a JL rubicon unlimited on a dealer lot and I’m really disappointed to see the rock rails are bolted to the body instead of the frame and they are apparently no longer including the light in the cargo area as it is a loaded rubicon and it doesn’t have it, nor do any of the other JL’s on the lot. All of them when they first came out except base sport models had cargo lights.

Huh..... You seem confused/mistaken about rubi rails and the way they have always been mounted. No, they do not get bolted to the frame rail.

And what light.. show a pic of what you are talking about.

 

[jbe89]

Huh..... You seem confused/mistaken about rubi rails and the way they have always been mounted. No, they do not get bolted to the frame rail.

And what light.. show a pic of what you are talking about.

This is from a 2-door Sport S review, but this is the light circled in the red. I checked out two rubicon’s and a few sports when they first started hitting dealers lots in my area in February and all had this light except the base sport models.

 

[FatBoy01]

@jbe89

Ok, see the cargo light pic. Perhaps others will chime in and tell us what they know about it.
There was a 12v receptacle still there right?

As for the rubi rails. You are mistaken thinking they bolt to the frame rail. They bolt up at pinch seam area... hide pinch seam.

 

[angrynewyorker]

You bring up a good point. I had a '75 CJ 5 that I purchased in the early 90's.
It had the 304 V8 and an electronic ignition. The problem was, it must have been a transition year. Jeep catalogues showed parts for '74 and below, and for '76 and above. Some '74 parts were compatible, some '76 were compatible, and some parts were '75 specific.

Often the '75 would get lumped in with the '76, but the '75 frame rails were straight, the '76 were wishbone. The electronic ignition was only used that one year then scraped or replaced with something else? I ended up replacing the distributor with a points distributor. Parts were a nightmare, especially with minimal internet and no eBay.

Now I am starting to rethink my 2d Rubi order as well.

This engine and transmission are used across multiple FCA vehicles, parts will not be an issue. Now if the aftermarket makes parts to take advantage of this bsg as a generator then yes you’ll miss out on that, but you’ll also miss out on a vehicle with possibly a lot less numbers produced for the model year, which happens to be the first year of an all new vehicle. Could potentially make it a more sought after vehicle down the road. As far as the rest of the Jeep, the other parts will be identical and again parts won’t be an issue. For me, the less electronic gizmos on my engine the better.

 

[jbe89]

@jbe89

Ok, see the cargo light pic. Perhaps others will chime in and tell us what they know about it.
There was a 12v receptacle still there right?

As for the rubi rails. You are mistaken thinking they bolt to the frame rail. They bolt up at pinch seam area... hide pinch seam.

Thank you, I didn’t realize that, just figured being they are called rock rails that they actually bolted to the frame rather than a rock guard that bolts to the body. I’m disappointed about that.

As for the cargo light, I’m really disappointed to see that missing from the at least 10 JLU’s on a dealers lot, when they were on the earlier batches two months ago. I’m pretty sure the 12v outlet was still there.

 

[That One Guy]

We should be happy they worked out the bugs and fine tuned the production process on 4-doors. Now the employees are qualified to build 2-doors.

I really hope that's what happens. But it could potentially be "starting over" in some regards.

 

[That One Guy]

We also know the early first year units will have more production related problems than ones next year or later this year.

To me this just means its a vehicle I cant order, cause I am going to buy it like it was used, and check everything out. If the doors all out of align and the frame was bubble welded to hell, top has wind whistling inside, or half the electronics are out of whack I will pass on that unit.

Does this post mean you've decided to not get a JL? Or perhaps just not a first year?


As far as asking a bunch of users here of their experience, it'll give me data sooner than waiting for others to compile 2018 data, I guess. Frankly it's a vehicle I'm willing to take a risk on, but not a monumental one.

 

[PavementWarrior]

Does this post mean you've decided to not get a JL? Or perhaps just not a first year?


As far as asking a bunch of users here of their experience, it'll give me data sooner than waiting for others to compile 2018 data, I guess. Frankly it's a vehicle I'm willing to take a risk on, but not a monumental one.

If I buy one it will one one on a lot I can check out first, treating it like buying a used car. The thing that has me worried on these is the electronics (well and frame welding/body fitment). Old jeeps had quirks and issues, but were pretty simple vehicles. These new JLs are anything but simple. I plan on going up into sierras in my vehicle, and prefer to avoid a "Jeep Donner party" incident.

The JL is the vehicle I want, but probably not the one I need. If they had 2 door JLs 2-3 months ago I would have one already and be done with the over thinking it. As the months drag on, I start looking at options that can haul my Kayaks and dogs into the outback, not as far as the Wrangler but to the lake is great, just have to pass on harder trails.

 

[That One Guy]

If I buy one it will one one on a lot I can check out first, treating it like buying a used car. The thing that has me worried on these is the electronics (well and frame welding/body fitment). Old jeeps had quirks and issues, but were pretty simple vehicles. These new JLs are anything but simple. I plan on going up into sierras in my vehicle, and prefer to avoid a "Jeep Donner party" incident.

The JL is the vehicle I want, but probably not the one I need. If they had 2 door JLs 2-3 months ago I would have one already and be done with the over thinking it. As the months drag on, I start looking at options that can haul my Kayaks and dogs into the outback, not as far as the Wrangler but to the lake is great, just have to pass on harder trails.

This describes me pretty well also. I wanna beat on the jeep offroad just like I have with every previous Wrangler generation. I'd like to not get stranded lol.

A wrangler has always been my halo vehicle, so hopefully this can work. If it gives me trouble, but quality improves later, I could potentially trade up to a later JL pickup, which sounds lime a pretty sweet plan B.

Something tells me FCA will slowly fix the known issues and have a somewhat reliable vehicle with good build quality in the future. They themselves have said they need the wrangler to succeed.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

<shrug>

Am I the only one who’s not overly upset? When it comes it’ll be great. And, if not, I’ll get rid of it and move on.

 

[PavementWarrior]

<shrug>

Am I the only one who’s not overly upset? When it comes it’ll be great. And, if not, I’ll get rid of it and move on.

Oh I am not upset, but I am over thinking it big time while waiting. The longer I wait, the more I over think it.

 

[jman]

Could today be the day it all begins?!

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