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2 Doors vs 4 Doors Jeeps for wheeling?

mrmarco21

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So I have a question. I have owed only 2 door Jeeps JK's Sport. I've always loved the look of the 2 door vs the 4 door Jeeps. So we went out and bought a 4 door Unlimited Rubicon. My first Rubicon. Besides the room that the 4 door Jeeps have how is it for wheeling? It has a longer wheel base then a 2 door which make it harder to get into tighter places.
I have never been a fan of 4 door Jeeps, because to me they are just a medium size SUV, not like a real 2 door Jeep. I do like how much room they have, but is it Really a Jeep?
I just want to bring this topic up to see what the Jeep community has to say about it. Thanks everybody for your thoughts on this topic. John
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vavaroutsos

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So I have a question. I have owed only 2 door Jeeps JK's Sport. I've always loved the look of the 2 door vs the 4 door Jeeps. So we went out and bought a 4 door Unlimited Rubicon. My first Rubicon. Besides the room that the 4 door Jeeps have how is it for wheeling? It has a longer wheel base then a 2 door which make it harder to get into tighter places.
I have never been a fan of 4 door Jeeps, because to me they are just a medium size SUV, not like a real 2 door Jeep. I do like how much room they have, but is it Really a Jeep?
I just want to bring this topic up to see what the Jeep community has to say about it. Thanks everybody for your thoughts on this topic. John
There are pros and cons to both. I think the 4-door has the advantage on steep/large step ups/downs. It's probably also more stable at high speed desert type stuff. The 2-door definitely has a better turning radius and better break over angle. Just watch some of the videos of the 4-door in action. It's plenty capable.
 
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mrmarco21

mrmarco21

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There are pros and cons to both. I think the 4-door has the advantage on steep/large step ups/downs. It's probably also more stable at high speed desert type stuff. The 2-door definitely has a better turning radius and better break over angle. Just watch some of the videos of the 4-door in action. It's plenty capable.
Thanks I have been watching videos of the 4 Doors. Just have a hard time with a 4 door Jeep for some reason. Not sure why.
 

Todkavonic

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I think that you can simply say that you prefer one or the other without calling into question the real-ness/authenticity of either. 80% of wranglers sold are four-door. If the majority of any given group no longer shares a defining initial characteristic of that group, who’s to say which version is authentic? Where along the evolutionary path does authenticity reside?

Regarding the off-road prowess of 2 vs 4 door, you’re in a unique position to evaluate things and to report back because you’ve own(ed) both. I’m guessing you’ll be happy.
 

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Or you could up with tires and lift until the break over angle is the same as a 2dr - Problem solved!
 

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In my opinion if you’re inquiring about the 4 x 4 capability, I lived in Utah for 15 years went to Moab multiple times a year. The two door and the four-door have their own unique strong points for different trails. I would never be able to compare one as better than the other. It just depends on what your needs are. I had an FJ 40 for years until I had three kids. At that point a 100 series LC for the bill. I had a two door Jeep when I was first married and loved every minute of it!
 

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Or you could up with tires and lift until the break over angle is the same as a 2dr - Problem solved!
I’m thinking it’s more fair to compare both vehicles at the same height with the same size tires. Of course you could lift a four-door to have a break over angle of the two door but you could also lift the two door and so on and on , You could also shorten the four-door , you could also lengthen the two door , so we have to compare them stock to stock not modified to be fair.
 

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I’m thinking it’s more fair to compare both vehicles at the same height with the same size tires. Of course you could lift a four-door to have a break over angle of the two door but you could also lift the two door and so on and on , You could also shorten the four-door , you could also lengthen the two door , so we have to compare them stock to stock not modified to be fair.
Stock to stock the 2 door breakover will kill the 4 door. If you want the same capability you need bigger tires/lift to offset the disadvantages so advantage 2 door.

As stated previously the 4 door with its longer wheel base will be better at climbing and descending.

Turning radius and maneuverability is a 2 door Plus

More fun is a 2 door thing. But not by much

Looks, I think its another win for the 2 door. At least with top off and especially with doors off

If your into hard core most think the sweet spot of a good wheeling rig wheelbase is about 110 and the new wrangler 4d is 116 so it's a bit long, but the 2 door at 96 is very short.

I've had both. I like the 2 door since it is more REAL jeep but having a 4 door now I would never go back to a 2 door. It's just too dang versatile, for what I and most everyone does with a jeep now, hard core, moderate wheeling, mall crawling.
 
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mrmarco21

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I’m thinking it’s more fair to compare both vehicles at the same height with the same size tires. Of course you could lift a four-door to have a break over angle of the two door but you could also lift the two door and so on and on , You could also shorten the four-door , you could also lengthen the two door , so we have to compare them stock to stock not modified to be fair.
So I have a stock JK with 35" and I have a stock JL with 35" with no lift. Both are awesome in there own way. The 4 door is much long almost 24" long. Does that make it harder to wheel with in tighter spots because it's longer? I had no problem wheeling with my JK at all. But I'm not sure about the JL being longer. It wont have any wheeling issues, but because it's longer will it be harder to get out of tighter spots then wheeling with my JK 2 door?
 
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mrmarco21

mrmarco21

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Stock to stock the 2 door breakover will kill the 4 door. If you want the same capability you need bigger tires/lift to offset the disadvantages so advantage 2 door.

As stated previously the 4 door with its longer wheel base will be better at climbing and descending.

Turning radius and maneuverability is a 2 door Plus

More fun is a 2 door thing. But not by much

Looks, I think its another win for the 2 door. At least with top off and especially with doors off

If your into hard core most think the sweet spot of a good wheeling rig wheelbase is about 110 and the new wrangler 4d is 116 so it's a bit long, but the 2 door at 96 is very short.

I've had both. I like the 2 door since it is more REAL jeep but having a 4 door now I would never go back to a 2 door. It's just too dang versatile, for what I and most everyone does with a jeep now, hard core, moderate wheeling, mall crawling.
Now that's what I was thinking. Thank you
 

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If they had made a long wheelbase 2dr like they used to, it would have have gotten my money. I like cargo space. As it is, my rear seat stays folded so I just use the rear doors as cargo access points.
I also think the longer wheelbase flows better now . The 2dr seems a little long in the nose. But neither of those reasons have anything to do with capabilities.
 

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type "lite brite" in youtube. This couple is either amazing or half crazy with the wheeling they do in their brand new JLUR
 
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mrmarco21

mrmarco21

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type "lite brite" in youtube. This couple is either amazing or half crazy with the wheeling they do in their brand new JLUR
I will Thanks
 

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If they had made a long wheelbase 2dr like they used to, it would have have gotten my money. I like cargo space. As it is, my rear seat stays folded so I just use the rear doors as cargo access points.
I also think the longer wheelbase flows better now . The 2dr seems a little long in the nose. But neither of those reasons have anything to do with capabilities.
I agree. If the rubicon LJ had a 3.6 motor and decent tranny, I'd be in it vs the JL. I like the 4 doors but it's not a deal killer so long as I have room in the back.
 
 



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