Is 2023 Willys better/different from 2024?

[iklo]

Newbie here. Be gentle. The 023 can be had with a steeper discount. Hence the question. I am specifically interested in a car with the manual transmission. I know about extra airbags and different screen upfront, but heard that the LSD is no longer available.

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[BLS65]

Newbie here. Be gentle. The 023 can be had with a steeper discount. Hence the question. I am specifically interested in a car with the manual transmission. I know about extra airbags and different screen upfront, but heard that the LSD is no longer available.

The LSD is no longer available because the 24 Willys comes with the Dana 44 wide axles and a rear locker.

 

[Ratbert]

Full float rear axle?

 

[BLS65]

Full float rear axle?

Not the full float, those are reserved for the Rubi. The 24 Willys gets the old Rubi setup.

 

[Bryce]

Full float rear axle?

I think that's a negative on the full float.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Full float rear axle?

No, Rubicon only.

OP,

Is one better than the other? Depends on how you intend to use it. One is not built better or higher quality than the other.

The 24 has 33" tires, high clearance fenders, D44/M210 up front, wide track axles, rear locker, and a few other things that make it more than a Sport and not quite a Rubicon.

The 23 has 32" tires, Rubicon shocks, LSD rear diff, M186 front axle, narrow track axles, heavy duty brakes, and design elements that make it different than other Sports, but the 23 Willys is a Sport nonetheless.

The 23 has what many consider a better looking grille and dashboard. The 24 has a weird white cloth materiel on the dash. The big screen is a love it or hate it thing. There has already been much debate about that and the grille on this site.

 

[BLS65]

I think that's a negative on the full float.

Yep! no full float on the Willys.

 

[John VonJeep]

2024 Willys is far better, as an off-road rig, than the 2023, and it’s not even close.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Yep! no full float on the Willys.

That's neither a good thing, nor a bad thing. I still don't see much benefit to it, unless the owner plans to go with 37s. It's not like a 3/4 ton and up truck with an axle shaft mounted through the hub, it's a splined hub, similar to the front hubs on 4x4 half ton trucks.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Newbie here. Be gentle. The 023 can be had with a steeper discount. Hence the question. I am specifically interested in a car with the manual transmission. I know about extra airbags and different screen upfront, but heard that the LSD is no longer available.

The lsd was replaced with an actual locker. The front was upgraded to a Rubicon width Dana 44. There were big upgrades to the 2024 and I can't think of a single advantage a 2023 has aside from price. And let's not forget the gearing. 3.45 gears with the manual especially are not good even on the stock 32s. The 4.10s will work well even up to 35s with the manual.

 

[BLS65]

2024 Willys is far better, as an off-road rig, than the 2023, and it’s not even close.

Agreed, I'm almost two months in on taking delivery and so far I am more than pleased with the 24 setup.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

If you just want a Jeep to drive around in, go to the beach, and hit some mild trails with, the 23 will be fine.

If you know you want to hit more technical trails, or you know you want 33s right away with ability to go up to 35s without really needing to regear, then the 24 is the way to go.

 

[alphawolff]

I'd strongly suggest the 24 over the 23. The upgrades are rather substantial. The curtain airbags alone make it worth the upgrade.

 

[iklo]

Thank you all. Looks like 24 is the way to go.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

2024 Willys is far better, as an off-road rig, than the 2023, and it’s not even close.

While I do agree with you on some levels, the average off-roader isn't going to need a locker very many times in their whole lives. Honestly there's a guy follow on YouTube who has a bunch of old XJ's, no lockers whatsoever and does things that guys with rubicons would be afraid to do.

Though I think that's more of a $2,000 rig being treated like a $2,000 rig more than anything else. Lockers are for people with inexperienced and no new tire money.

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