Sponsored

At What Level of Savings Would You Do Without a Fold Down Windshield?

At What Level of Savings Would You Do Without a Fold Down Windshield?


  • Total voters
    323

2nd 392

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Jun 20, 2021
Threads
13
Messages
7,122
Reaction score
11,589
Location
Ca
Vehicle(s)
Grand Cherokee srt.V10 Dodge 4x
Yeah, the current windshield isn't worth folding, as the profile of the Jeep remains the same due to the roll over structure. But, as stated above, it forces the design to stay with certain parameters.

The original reason were for ease of shipping and to lower the windshield and cover it so that it wouldn't reflect sunlight and give a position away to the enemy. Yes, we folded and covered M151 windshields while I was in the Army for that very reason.

Modern civilian owners liked the folding windshield for job site work, hunting, or just cruising at low speeds on a hot day.

It would be nice if the front part of the roll bar could be removed, so that the profile would be correct. Jeep really doesn't need to retain the folding feature, but should continue to make the windshield and frame removable. The Wrangler should be easy to swap parts so that trail damage repairs are easy. I would like to see a molded foam insert that fits between the windshield and the roll bar for NVH reasons. They don't have to redesign anything for that.

So, are there realy that many people out there who bought a Wrangler, that really want a 4runner, Defender or Gwagen? If so, why did you buy a Wrangler? If you don't like what it is, get something else. I mean, if you want a sealed one piece body, independent suspension, and even luxury, clearly there are choices on the open market to fulfill those wants/needs.
May I add easily removed for gun mounting and clearance, also easily removed for repair. Father caught a branch, remove, heat, straighten, paint, glass, no further damage to repair.
Sponsored

 

splat

Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
22
Reaction score
20
Location
Wa
Vehicle(s)
Jeep Wrangler
The wind noise in the cabin comes from wind hitting the front of the upright windshield itself, so simply eliminating the hinged design will have no noticeable effect. Research wind noise complaints on the Mercedes G Wagen for evidence of this.

Leaking windshield seals due to usage is really a non-issue. I have done this fairly regularly on multiple models of Wrangler, and have never had a leak. Research complaints about it and you will find a few, but it's not typical or common.

The purpose of the fold down windshield for owners today is the same as that of the removable top and doors, which is an open air experience. This is best utilized when cruising around town, the beach, slow speed trails, and 2 lane roads up to 45-50 mph. The design with the rollcage on the JL doesn't reduce the amount of airflow coming in compared to previous models where the sport bar was removable, so I don't get the complaints about this.

The JL fold down windshield design is superior to previous models because you get the safety of having a full rollcage when the windshield is folded down to avoid getting crushed in a rollover or getting whipped by tree branches, but still get the same amount of airflow as could be had by previous models. You still have a windshield sitting on the hood, which is why it has always looked cool regardless of whether or not the sport bar is there.
 
Last edited:

kah.mun.rah

Well-Known Member
First Name
Merenkahre Jr.
Joined
May 16, 2022
Threads
26
Messages
2,856
Reaction score
5,627
Location
Duat
Vehicle(s)
2021 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
It would be nice if the front part of the roll bar could be removed, so that the profile would be correct. Jeep really doesn't need to retain the folding feature, but should continue to make the windshield and frame removable.
Those parts can no longer be removed because of the new options. If a folding windshield is really that important then they should not introduce new features like adaptive cruise, SOT, integrated windshield antenna, etc. so that they can maintain the original purpose of the folding windshield feature. Adding these new features are actually the root cause of making the Jeep less a Jeep. Without these new comfort and safety features however they aren't going to have the sales to even produce a Jeep in the future. Pick your poison.
 

Crowbar

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2022
Threads
31
Messages
242
Reaction score
212
Location
usa
Vehicle(s)
20 JLR, 23 JLUR XR
I could care less if the fold down windshield went away. The only time I've lowered mine on 3 Jeeps is when installing a Vector bar on the dash. Other than that - never. Had SxS's and one of the first things I did, and friends with SxS's, was put a windshield on them.
 

Sponsored

JeepFiend

Well-Known Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Nov 4, 2021
Threads
13
Messages
802
Reaction score
1,356
Location
Bryan, TX
Vehicle(s)
2022 Wrangler Rubicon 2 Door, 2011 Ford F-150 STX
Occupation
System Administrator
IMHO, they FUBARed the foldable windshield when they forced the frame to still be there.

Fiat should sell Jeep to Tesla and be done with it. They've done nothing but screw the brand since they got it.
 

Geronimo

Well-Known Member
First Name
Boltz
Joined
Mar 13, 2018
Threads
4
Messages
675
Reaction score
1,048
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
2013 JKU , 2018 JLUR, 2023 JLR all DDs
I fail to understand why people buy a Wrangler, then want everything about it that makes it unique changed, so that it’s like so many other SUVs on the road. It’s a damn Wrangler, it’s not supposed to be refined.
Fact right there! well said!
 

Geronimo

Well-Known Member
First Name
Boltz
Joined
Mar 13, 2018
Threads
4
Messages
675
Reaction score
1,048
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
2013 JKU , 2018 JLUR, 2023 JLR all DDs
Welcome to my hell. Nothing but out of state refugees in the brand new subdivisions spring up like weeds around me. Some look terrified when I walk into a store or restaurant around here with a cowboy hat on.
I took my 2013 JK into a large refinery back in the fall. An engineer asked to ride with me to go over to a substation. He gets in and we're ridding along and he say's " damn this thing smells like cow Sh^t" and I said yep, idn't it great. Had just come off a week of deer and hog hunting on the ranch. He said well at least it doesn't smell like cat or dog crap.
Actually cow flop does not really stink, kind of a cross between cut grass that has started to compost. I like it, it reminds me of better places.
 

Geronimo

Well-Known Member
First Name
Boltz
Joined
Mar 13, 2018
Threads
4
Messages
675
Reaction score
1,048
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
2013 JKU , 2018 JLUR, 2023 JLR all DDs
I'm always amazed everytime these fold down windshield threads pop up that some people sit around thinking about taking away a completely unobtrusive feature of the vehicle that is beloved by so many others. One thing I can almost guarantee is that Stellantis will NOT reduce the price of the vehicle if the fold down windshield is replaced with a fixed windshield. They will likely market it as an improvement, and continue with the price increases.
Just like how they are killing off the 2D and replacing it with some 7 passenger mini bus wanna be something or other. Its a dying breed along with many other good things.
 

00 Trans Ram

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
Dec 25, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
629
Reaction score
1,197
Location
New Orleans
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLU Sport
Got all you people that like folding windshields, old-fashioned antennas, 2-doors, manual transmissions, no screens, etc. ... why don't you just go buy a CJ5 or something?
 

Sponsored

AFD

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2021
Threads
15
Messages
3,462
Reaction score
6,464
Location
Northeastern US
Vehicle(s)
2023 JL Rubicon (2DR/V6)
On my ride home, two profound thoughts occurred to me - The insane amount of bugs plastered to my windshield and how stupid I'd have to be to drive around with it folded down. And in a post-apocalyptic future scenario, where commie cyborg aliens invaded our homeland, how would I ever get a hot chick to ride around with me shooting her rifle out the front during a chase?

Now I'm completely undecided about the topic.

?
 

ek1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2022
Threads
19
Messages
229
Reaction score
231
Location
People's Republic of New York
Vehicle(s)
Private
The most useless feature for me so far. Like many others pointed out, you still have the frame when the windshield is folded, which totally defeats the purpose. The windshield looks moronic lying on the hood, especially with a huge mirror+active cruise control module still sticking out of the frame.

Get rid of it, get rid of stupid hinges that will rust and peel, get rid of ugly windshield bumpers mounted on the hood. Use the area previously occupied by the folding mechanism, seals, etc. to make the windshield a little taller. Invest the money saved on not having the folding windshield into something useful, like not having mismatched Rubbermaid plastics and ugly exposed bolts in the interior.

This is a classical example of a feature that is used by .001% of Wrangler owners. I have seen thousands of jeeps without tops, hundreds without doors, but I have NEVER seen one with the windshield folded down.
 

Kyanche

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2019
Threads
9
Messages
1,505
Reaction score
1,549
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
2020 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
It's not about the air flow, in fact, the air flow is the worst part about a folded windshield. It's about exactly what you say, the "open" air experience.

This open experience:

1681342706708.png


is far from this open experience:

1681342696677.png


Unless you have experienced both it's hard to understand or explain. But since we are forced to have the full frame option shown above because of the new electronics of the JL, we might as well not even have the folded option to begin with.
Oh come on dude, there's like no difference!

You know what I see a lot more often? Pics of rolled over JKs where the windshield frame instantly crushed because it can't take any weight whatsoever.
 

2nd 392

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Jun 20, 2021
Threads
13
Messages
7,122
Reaction score
11,589
Location
Ca
Vehicle(s)
Grand Cherokee srt.V10 Dodge 4x
On my ride home, two profound thoughts occurred to me - The insane amount of bugs plastered to my windshield and how stupid I'd have to be to drive around with it folded down. And in a post-apocalyptic future scenario, where commie cyborg aliens invaded our homeland, how would I ever get a hot chick to ride around with me shooting her rifle out the front during a chase?

Now I'm completely undecided about the topic.

?
Ahh— but you have the choice to leave it down or fold it up ( for now) choice is good. ? When you found one that would, she’s a keeper. ?
 

Chile1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2021
Threads
29
Messages
836
Reaction score
1,349
Location
Missouri
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR & 2016 BMW X5M
Occupation
Biotech Sales Management
Vehicle Showcase
1
It’s part of the Jeep Wrangler DNA (like the iconic grill) so i would say never.
Sponsored

 
 





Top