Interesting read about Jeep dependability.......

[deserteagle56]

I'm one of the guilty ones who complains a lot on this forum about Wrangler dependability. Found this article tonight that puts a whole new face on the matter, authored by someone who has taken his Wrangler places most of us wouldn't even dream of trying....
https://expeditionportal.com/old-versus-new-a-real-world-perspective/

Sponsored

 

[JP29]

Good info and perspective. I have to say aside from the occasional death wobble, my JL has given me two trouble free years. Compared to my two S10s that were loaded with issues, I think we've made a ton of leaps in reliability with modern vehicles.

 

[MtCamper]

Great info. I had lots of issues with my 18 JLUR the first two years but only two that left me stranded. One was by design-the dual battery setup with the baby battery. The other was my fault-improper ly locating the alternator charging wire after installing a Genesis. After the first two years, all the bugs were finally worked out and it's been a joy to wheel. The problems I encounter now are all due to my putting (or trying to put) it into places it doesn't belong.

 

[John VonJeep]

Exactly this:

When driving into an overlander campground or hangout, it is always easy to spot the drivers battling constant vehicle problems—their first question is not where I’m from or where I’m headed—but where do I source parts for my not-so-common Jeep. They never seemed to like my reply. The answer is I just didn’t need to. My Jeep never broke down, and I only once turned a wrench for anything other than routine maintenance. I distinctly remember one couple in Peru asking if I had trouble running out of T-shirts. Not following them, I asked for an explanation, and they had to admit lying on the ground under their vehicle was a daily occurrence, and it had become impossible to keep their clothes oil-free.​

​

While I’m sure this debate about old versus new will continue for years to come, we only need to examine the vehicles chosen for the world-record-setting Expeditions 7 around-the-world endeavor. With the ability and resources to select any vehicle on the entire planet, the team decided to drive modern computer-controlled vehicles straight off the showroom floor. It’s no surprise they never encountered a single mechanical issue while crossing all seven continents.​

​

Think long and hard about how you want your trip to be defined: lying in the dirt wrenching on your vehicle or eating street food and bantering with locals about the price of a cold beverage. We should all think twice before romanticizing old vehicles that are extremely expensive and difficult to legally import into North America. It is almost a certainty an old vehicle will require more repairs and constant attention than the newer one already sitting in your driveway.​

Reminds me of a buddy of mine who drives an old Toyota. He gives me a hard time when I buy a new Jeep (usually after I've traded the old one for close to what I paid just a few years ago).

His Toyota "was paid for a long time ago." He will often say something like this right before telling me about a $7,000 repair bill, or the $20,000 engine replacement bill he's staring at.

 

[aldo98229]

Well, he drives a JK. Clearly he hasn’t had to deal with the stupid dual battery setup on JL.

I doubt he would have gotten past Tijuana...

 

[zakaron]

I feel like the same factory workers that build his Wrangler must have built mine. I read so many posts about issues & problems (the TSB, recall, issues thread makes my stomach turn), that I feel *lucky* to have a problem free build. The worst I can complain about in 11K+ miles so far was a squeaking clutch pedal at mile 500 that I fixed with lithium spray at the spring & pivot points, and a creaking steering wheel that I fixed with silicone spray at the rubber grommet & plastic ferrule that goes through the firewall. I keep waiting...

 

[Maverickxeo]

I've owned 4 Jeeps at this point - 2 ZJs (96 and 94; both 5.2L), a 02 TJ sport (4.0L), and now a 21 JL Unlimited Sport S (3.6L mild hybrid).

I clearly am a fan of the reliability of Jeeps. The two ZJs got through so much - I only got rid of them (at different times) for body rot. The TJ I still own (have had a trouble-free 160k KM - has 300k KM on it now!), and the JL only has 1350KM. I have no doubts in the reliability of it long term.

 

[desmo2]

Jeep content acknowledged. However....

...JK content on a FAR superior JL forum is unforgivable*.

As a non-mod, I must ban you to a non-existent JL-snobbery version of Gulag, where you shall rot until you purge all JK content from your soul...

...*unless you are just a Jeep purist, in which case we shall let your transgressions slide. Because JEEP!

Sponsored