2024 Willys 2Dr - aka Rubicon-lite

[nooBoffroader]

I was going to order a 2024 Willys S (based on jeep.com 2023 configurator), and all the options I was going to add on are now standard on the '24 - 33"(unavailable '23), LEDs, Hitch, rubber mats, premium soft top. Bonus, rear locker.
And it's cheaper than configuring a 2023 with all those.
Seems to me, unless hard core rock crawling, the '24 Willys (manual), will be well beyond my off road abilities.

What am I missing?

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[The Last Cowboy]

You are missing nothing, except the front axle is now also a M210/D44. Most indications are that it will have 4.10 gears as well. A base Sport can go places the average owner would never dare, so you will be more than fine.

 

[nooBoffroader]

You are missing nothing, except the front axle is now also a M210/D44. Most indications are that it will have 4.10 gears as well. A base Sport can go places the average owner would never dare, so you will be more than fine.

Yes - forgot - both axles are D44s. All better now.
Also gotta look Jacked for an empty nest boomer - and the Willys with factory 33" would do it. Haven't had a Jeep since a '97 TJ
Grew up on construction sites with flat fender Willys from 40s-50s. So a modern sarge green Willys is going to bring back memories. 2dr, soft top and stick - of course

 

[runningonemptyy]

i’d hold off on ordering a manual until jeep has figured their crap out regarding them. right now there’s a hold on any manual JL and JT and the ones they have built they are not delivering. and before you say “bronco”, ford isn’t currently building stick orders either because of issues there as well.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

The Mercedes 6 speed was a great transmission in my JK. The Aisin in the JL leaves a lot to be desired. The ZF based 8 speed auto in the JL is the best auto I’ve ever had.

 

[Sparty]

With a manual, the only thing you're missing is the 4:1 transfer case. I know you aren't rock crawling, but it's easy to get bit by the bug.

I did the same as you on my 04 TJ. Added lift/lockers/gearing aftermarket, but once I started playing on the rocks (manual), I missed having that 4:1 TCase.

Overall - nice choices, and you'll enjoy it. It'll be a very capable rig

 

[Reinen]

and stick - of course

I totally get that thought process, having driven nothing but sticks since the late 80's. However now is the time to consider going to the dark side. The JL has a so-so manual trans but an exceptional auto trans. It performs very well off-road and pairs much better with modern features such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Selec-Speed Control.

I won't fault you for going with the manual (I totally get it) but it's not the knee-jerk obvious choice it used to be. It at least deserves some investigation and consideration.

 

[J.Ferreira]

I was going to order a 2024 Willys S (based on jeep.com 2023 configurator), and all the options I was going to add on are now standard on the '24 - 33"(unavailable '23), LEDs, Hitch, rubber mats, premium soft top. Bonus, rear locker.
And it's cheaper than configuring a 2023 with all those.
Seems to me, unless hard core rock crawling, the '24 Willys (manual), will be well beyond my off road abilities.

What am I missing?

Almost makes it seem like I should have waited a year lmao
I love mine, but a locker from the factory would have been neat.

 

[nooBoffroader]

I totally get that thought process, having driven nothing but sticks since the late 80's. However now is the time to consider going to the dark side. ...

I won't fault you for going with the manual (I totally get it) but it's not the knee-jerk obvious choice it used to be. It at least deserves some investigation and consideration.

Convince me - is the auto with the 2.0L really that good? I had 73K on my '97 2dr TJ and no issues with the transmission/clutch
wait......
A quick search on the inter webs shows that this is the 2nd recall in 2 years of manual wranglers/gladiators

 

[nooBoffroader]

With a manual, the only thing you're missing is the 4:1 transfer case. I know you aren't rock crawling, but it's easy to get bit by the bug.

Where do I see the specs on the 2024 - that the auto has 4:1 while the 6speed does not? Or are you going by the 2023 configurator?

 

[Reinen]

Convince me - is the auto with the 2.0L really that good? I had 73K on my '97 2dr TJ and no issues with the transmission/clutch
A quick search on the inter webs shows that this is the 2nd recall in 2 years of manual wranglers/gladiators

On a TJ I would have absolutely gone manual. The TJ had a good manual and a so-so auto. The JL is pretty much the opposite.

The JL manual isn't quite as smooth as it should be. It's ok but not great. There's been exploding clutch issues, fire issues. Those aren't trivial recalls, Jeeps have been totaled by them. It's just not a great transmission as manual transmissions go.

The JL 8spd Auto is a strong stout trans. It's smart and it will adjust shift points to your driving. After a month or so of driving it, it somehow just knows when you want it to shift. There's none of that playing with the accelerator crap to push it into the gear you want, it's just always there. It even downshifts for mild engine braking when you'd want it to (for significant engine braking you would move it into manual shifting mode, which works well).

Off-road, I have more control with that auto trans than I ever did with a clutch. The JL accelerator is electronic, not directly connected to the engine. You can communicate with the auto trans through the accelerator. On a hill and want to roll backwards a bit? Take your foot off the brake. It will slowly roll backwards. Want it to hold the hill? Slight momentary tap of the accelerator and it holds the hill at idle. If you want to slowly crawl forward or send it, the auto trans does it. I find the JL's 8spd auto trans astoundingly good at knowing what you want it to do. It's not at all like the older auto transmissions that you were always fighting with.

Then there's the new electronic features. I used to live in NJ and ACC is a godsend for NJ roads. With the auto trans it will keep you right behind the car in front of you, from 75 MPH to a dead stop and back to 75 MPH. With the manual it will only work within the range of the gear you're in. Selec-Speed Control (which is basically off-road cruise control from 0.6-5 MPH) also works better with the auto trans as it has the option to shift while in 4WD LO. That's a fantastic feature as it applies brakes to individual wheels whereas a driver can only apply brakes to all 4 tires. I've gone down very slick hills with that and it kept things under control where I'd be very concerned about skidding were I to do it manually.

After 30 years of manuals I made the switch to auto on the JL and I'm quite happy that I did. My only problem with the auto was that I had to install a dead pedal because my left foot felt lost. But of course on your Jeep it's your preference. Just saying it's no longer a no-brainer decision to go with manual anymore.

 

[nooBoffroader]

I shoulda done more due diligence. This POS manual seems to be like the Pinto of yore....
Yeah - gotta get the Auto

 

[Canucklesammich]

" What am I missing? "....I'd say a purchase order. If I had a choice between my '22 Rubi (which I love, even with the manual) or the '24 Willys, I'd take the Willys. And yes, with the manual. I still believe the vast majority of manual owners have no problems with it. I may change that opinion down the road (pun intended) but I have no regerts yet.

 

[nooBoffroader]

What's a better motor? the Turbo 4 or the 6?

 

[nooBoffroader]

" What am I missing? "....I'd say a purchase order. If I had a choice between my '22 Rubi (which I love, even with the manual) or the '24 Willys, I'd take the Willys. And yes, with the manual. I still believe the vast majority of manual owners have no problems with it. I may change that opinion down the road (pun intended) but I have no regerts yet.

I am out of town, back in June, gonna order from Mitch at Ourisman in MD as soon as I get home.
I really wanted to get the stick, but don't really want to step into an ongoing issue. - this is the 2nd recall of the same crap...
Maybe hold off a couple months to see if anything actually gets resolved...

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