Base Model Drivers...Do you hate roll-up windows/manual locks?

[Dusty Roads]

Hello.

I'm considering the base model and wondered if members with the base model ended up hating the roll up windows and manual locks....especially for 4 doors. Should I just pay up for the Sport S? Interested in whether you can live with it or if you seriously regret it.

Thank you.

Thanks for letting me know how old I am. Dimmer switches in the floor, shifter on the column, roll up windows, manual side vents, manual choke and having to use hand signals. I guess that's why I got the Willys S, I'm a meat and potato's person, the less electronics the better for me.

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[OBD]

Lot to be said for the....less is more ,mentality!

 

[four low]

My worry is that the "Basic" 2 door Sport will be overwritten in favor of the "S". Manual locks and windows are fine in a 2 door ; it keeps the price down, take the carpet too, and the rear seat . Make AC a no cost Standard, these heat waves are no joke, especially for us Dog Owners..

 

[mikibenz]

Hello.

I'm considering the base model and wondered if members with the base model ended up hating the roll up windows and manual locks....especially for 4 doors. Should I just pay up for the Sport S? Interested in whether you can live with it or if you seriously regret it.

Thank you.

I loved my roll up windows. The manual locks... meh. It was a pain. I had a 2013 Willys 4 door. I have a friend who has a 2023 Willys 2 door with manual locks and windows. They are fine with the windows but wishes they had electric locks / key fob, especially for the tailgate. LOL. Yeah. Get the electric locks.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Hello.

I'm considering the base model and wondered if members with the base model ended up hating the roll up windows and manual locks....especially for 4 doors. Should I just pay up for the Sport S? Interested in whether you can live with it or if you seriously regret it.

Thank you.

5-year-old topic, I know, but as a Willys Sport, manual doors owner, you know I got to say something!

So for me it's about failure points.

Automatic windows alone have at least five failure points I can think of. Regulator, motor, switch, wiring, circuit boards. Failure of these points is really just based on time and also use. When you're dealing with electronics, they're going to fail eventually, whether you have used them or not.

Manual windows have two failure points, the window regulator, and the handle that you grab. The failure of these is solely based on abuse. If you treat them well, they'll last you 30 years without breaking.

The other big thing is cost, manual regulator and handle for my Jeep Wrangler is about $150 for parts and no labor. It's a really easy fix, you can do it yourself with very little automotive experience.

Automatic windows are significantly more expensive. If you consider all five parts I listed above, you're looking at probably around $1,000 if you buy factory pieces. If you go for off brand pieces, maybe $500. However fixing it yourself here involves a little bit more knowledge. Your average non-gearhead probably isn't going to be able to do this fix themself.

Not that I would want to drive my Wrangler into a lake or the ocean, let's just say that somehow I did, after I yanked my Wrangler out and had to replace my engine and all of my electronics, if I had a manual windows, I wouldn't have to replace those, because I don't have to shatter my window to open it in a sinking scenario all I got to do is roll the window down.

I can go on like this for days. There's a lot of benefits to manual windows, and like anything, it can be convenience depending how you look at it. With time you get used to pretty much anything.

 

[BetterThanMine]

Im a caveman, it doesnt bother me at all. Most work trucks I've driven havent had power accessories. My first car didnt. My dads cars didnt.

The only thing I miss are power mirrors, but thats not really a big deal. I dont move my seat often and I'm the only one who drives it, so its a set it and forget it.

I squarely fall into, give me a/c and a radio and I'm good.

No power accessories and no frills is exactly why I got a sport.

 

[RadarMX]

my view point is a little different here. i didn't read all 7 pages but read enough to get the jest of the conversation. what i read on the pro manual side is why i bought my base gladiator. after a year of owning it driving in traffic the manual transmission was getting old shifting gears all the time. next was i have dogs that like to ride in the back. it was a pain trying to decide if they could have their head out the window (driving below 40mph, then not having their heads out the window 50+). the straw that broke the camels back was when i locked myself out of the gladiator (keys fell out of my pocket while driving). traded the gladiator in on the JL and made sure i had the basic power group. loving it.

i will add that there isn't any off-roading in my area, i don't have any intentions of off roading this jeep over then gravel roads and the beach. if i do need to get some dirt on the tires i have my TJ that i bought for off road use.

 

[LukeDagny]

So for me it's about failure points.

Automatic windows alone have at least five failure points I can think of. Regulator, motor, switch, wiring, circuit boards. Failure of these points is really just based on time and also use. When you're dealing with electronics, they're going to fail eventually, whether you have used them or not.

Manual windows have two failure points, the window regulator, and the handle that you grab. The failure of these is solely based on abuse. If you treat them well, they'll last you 30 years without breaking.

The other big thing is cost, manual regulator and handle for my Jeep Wrangler is about $150 for parts and no labor. It's a really easy fix, you can do it yourself with very little automotive experience.

Automatic windows are significantly more expensive. If you consider all five parts I listed above, you're looking at probably around $1,000 if you buy factory pieces. If you go for off brand pieces, maybe $500. However fixing it yourself here involves a little bit more knowledge. Your average non-gearhead probably isn't going to be able to do this fix themself.

I hear ya. I sold a Jeep Wrangler TJ Unlimited for my 2021 JLUR. In my TJ, manual doors were not a problem, and easy to work on. I added sound deadening, and it only took a few minutes to get the inner door panels off. I tried to add sound deadening to my JLUR and gave up. What a nightmare of electronics and cables inside the door. I hope I never have problems.

 

[Obviousbicycleco]

Given my daily work vehicle is an F550 with no power locks and roll up windows, I look forward to getting into my JLU with power windows and locks everyday. I’m now doorless as much as I can be. However, when they’re on, I’m so glad I don’t have that f-ing window crank poking me in the damn leg and when I get out I can just hit a button to lock the doors. I am grateful I don’t have to jump out and walk to the other side to lock or roll down the windows when it’s hot (or back up when it starts to rain).

So at the end of the day, if you like to torture yourself by making simple tasks even harder, love getting poked in the legs by window cranks, or showing off to the youth of today on how things used to be, by all means manual is the way to go. (Ha ha! Happy Friday!)

 

[Vincenzo]

I have a base Sport but I've only ever had similar Jeeps with manual windows, locks, and transmission. I like that part of the experience but I am a little nervous about lockout seeing as how I usually lock the door on my way out but also use the key to get in the glovebox and center console.

 

[Heimkehr]

Power windows, door locks and mirrors are pleasant conveniences, true enough, but the absence of such fitments is hardly a dealbreaker, at least for me.

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It's instructive to observe the tone of the discussion in recurrent threads like this one, doubly so in an owner community that enjoys, and boasts about, driving doorless to the extent possible. For such folks who were old enough to have come up with crank windows, etc., how on Earth did the poor dears survive before those magic buttons appeared?

 

[TrailScooter]

Hello.

I'm considering the base model and wondered if members with the base model ended up hating the roll up windows and manual locks....especially for 4 doors. Should I just pay up for the Sport S? Interested in whether you can live with it or if you seriously regret it.

Thank you.

I find the auto functions well worth it. It saves on staff, logistics etc. Having the butler roll the window up/down, lock/ unlock the door is a more elaborate operation with manual windows and door locks. I often find I can manage the window without staff assistance.

 

[BetterThanMine]

Power windows, door locks and mirrors are pleasant conveniences, true enough, but the absence of such fitments is hardly a dealbreaker, at least for me.

--------------

It's instructive to observe the tone of the discussion in recurrent threads like this one, doubly so in an owner community that enjoys, and boasts about, driving doorless to the extent possible. For such folks who were old enough to have come up with crank windows, etc., how on Earth did the poor dears survive before those magic buttons appeared?

I remember being in the backseat, no a/c, no power anything, dad smoking away (windows down, he wasnt a complete ass). I survived that, riding in the bed of his pickup, him handing me a hammer and bucket of nails to keep me busy.... and so much more... who hands their kid a hack saw?

... it builds... character. And no, I'm not making any of this up.

 

[Flip]

I prefer manual windows & locks, no regrets. I guess a 4 door might make this decision a little more difficult.

 

[Wheels3738]

Hello.

I'm considering the base model and wondered if members with the base model ended up hating the roll up windows and manual locks....especially for 4 doors. Should I just pay up for the Sport S? Interested in whether you can live with it or if you seriously regret it.

Thank you.

New 2024 Wrangler bone stock with the exception of hardtop. Manual windows are not a big deal. Locks a little more of an issue but didn’t think you got much for the money with the upgrade. Stock has the new bigger screen and AC. Love it

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