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Differences Between a JK and JL...

Nitehawk92

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I have had several JLU's but I never owned a JK, I had my 2001 TJ until 2019. I found this interesting video on Youtube. It is a little over 20 minutes, but I found it very educational.

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kah.mun.rah

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I own both and each has its pros and cons. The JL is is much more comfortable but is a lot more fragile when it comes to electronics that can leave you stranded on the trail. Daily driver, JL all day. Rock crawler, JK....or even better, LJ.
 

John Benoit

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I have had several JLU's but I never owned a JK, I had my 2001 TJ until 2019. I found this interesting video on Youtube. It is a little over 20 minutes, but I found it very educational.

If you’re asking which is a better vehicle, I would have to say my opinion goes to the JK. I feel it was better built. My 2017 Rubicon had limited slip in both rear and front differentials from the factory. The JK also had better storage than the JL. I can’t even fit the owners manual in the glove box of the JL. Don’t get me wrong, the JL does have some nice features.
 

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AZ Hella

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Welcome to 2018 my friend. welcome.
Just kidding, I watched that video when I was first looking to buy a Jeep. That was back in 2018 and I almost ordered a 2018 JK Willys with the rear locker and half doors which would have been a great Jeep. That said, I'm glad I bought a JL.
 

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I prefer the JL, but agree that the latter-half of the JK generation was built better. Seats were definitely more comfortable, too.
 

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As of now I own a 2 door JK and a 392 JL so to compare the two is like comparing a grape to a watermelon. People ask me all the time why I still drive the JK more and I always say that it’s not that I don’t trust the 392 I just trust the JK more. On the upside I have a 2 door rubi JL on order so when it arrives I’ll be able to do a much better comparison But so far the 13 year old JK has far fewer electrical gremlins and the 392 is quickly becoming a pavement princess.
 

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John Benoit

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JK built better. JL drives better. Have had 3 JK and now have a JL. I still prefer the JK. Rubi only comes/and came with lockers
My JK was a Rubicon Unlimited Recon Edition and Jeep listed it with limited slip, it was called true trac at that time, in the front and rear and had front and rear lockers. That was why I bought it with the standard radio and 3.73 gearing. I did 90% of my off-roading in 2 wheel drive. If you go to the dealer website and look at a specific vehicle they have on the lot, you can pull up the build sheet and see what the vehicle has.
 

John VonJeep

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The JK didn’t have the JL’s self-grenading manual transmission. Sure, it shifted like a tractor, but you never had to worry about it.
 

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The JK didn’t have the JL’s self-grenading manual transmission. Sure, it shifted like a tractor, but you never had to worry about it.
On the flip side, the ZF 8 speed is wonderful compared to the NAG 1, IMO.
 
 







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