Moving down to a Sport

[flyer92]

Purchased my 2-door Sport last year and have had zero complaints. That said, it is important to note my perspective, previously owning a couple pretty basic Jeeps and spending the majority of my military career operating (and enjoying) bare-bones helicopters and ground vehicles. After owning a '99 TJ (without A/C...and living on the Gulf Coast) for about 6 years, I yearned for even fewer creature comforts, and purchased/restored a 1980 CJ-5 that became my baby for over 16 years. Now that I'm a bit more advanced in age, and having moved out West with more off-road opportunities, my use case changed and required something a little more updated, comfortable and reliable. With a heavy heart, I had to put my beloved CJ up for sale and purchased the most bare-bones JL I could find, save for the HD electrical/tow package and A/C, which is pretty much required in the 100+ degree Summertime. Clearly, I'm not a fan of infotainment, power seats, automatic/automated anything, and only wish that the JL actually came with fewer options. Only thing I would have preferred, is the automatic sway bar disconnect, but that's something I can rectify with a variety of aftermarket options and will probably just go with quick-disconnects anyway. While I'd never disparage anyone's preference on trim levels and options, I've found that the Sport is perfect for my use case, and is far more capable than most give it credit for. I do hope you find the right JL model for your situation, but no complaints about the Sport here. Best of luck and enjoy!

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[blnewt]

and purchased/restored a 1980 CJ-5 that became my baby for over 16 years. With a heavy heart, I had to put my beloved CJ up for sale

Wow, my heart is breaking for you, what a gem! I miss the old CJ days too!

 

[TheBirdie72]

I guess I would prefer someone walk up and call me “Sport”, vs “Rubi” or “Sahara.” Sport implies a “young, energetic man.” The other two are the names of his two older sisters.

If I had a Jeep family, I would consider those names for a boy and two girls.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Yesterday's trail run (with @Suffolklou I believe) was a reminder that my useage has changed, and that's further evidence I'll be happier in a Sport. Originally, I bought it as the primary commuter and my car would only come out on nice days. So the 4 door was an acceptable compromise, and the nice safety features seemed more important. However, since then my wife and I are now in the same building for work it really has turned into a weekend rig that pulls occasional duty when our hours or locations are split up. The Rubicon's electronics are now a liability for me. I still might go Sport S if I do a custom order, but I'm hopefull I can remove the lift/steering and put the stock tires back on some cheap alloy rims and trade this one out for a local Sport so I can enjoy the 2-door life this summer.

 

[chcg12]

If you think you want power windows later, just get the Sport S. We tried to spec out a Willys Sport, we have no problem with manual windows. But, a couple things on the S version are things we wanted, heated/power mirrors and the LED headlights. Since those are only available on the S model Willys, that's the way we went. Added the HD electrical/tow group as I wanted the wiring prep and switches, plus really wanted the 240 amp alternator and the factory wiring to support it. It also comes with a larger battery (we'll have a winch). A/C is standard instead of an option, and the delta between adding things to a Sport versus just getting the standard Willys wasn't much.

By the time you spec out the dual door option and A/C, you're a good part of the way towards a standard Willys and you still won't have the wheels/tires, LSD or front LED lighting.

That's why we just did a standard WIllys with the tow/HD electrical. We could have done without the power windows, but no way to separate the power mirrors from the package. I pushed around a lot of options, spec'd a Rubicon manual, and we kept coming back to the standard Willys.

Well explained..you go w stick or auto?

 

[Traveller128]

Well explained..you go w stick or auto?

Stick. We're planning on keeping the Jeep long term, and it's the only trans we felt we'd like long term. Both of us like manual transmissions. We are going to install the B&M shifter for the shorter throw, and I want a shift ball.

 

[Capricorn]

We are going to install the B&M shifter for the shorter throw, and I want a shift ball.

This one suppose?

 

[TheNewGuy]

The one I’m looking at locally has A/C and the radio. The inline configurator adds the radio when you add A/C, so I thought the dash upgrade was needed for A/C. I’ll pay close attention now based in your feedback.

For '22, adding A/C to the Sport automatically upgrades you to the 7" screen. So, the only way to get the 5" screen in a '22 JL would be a Sport without air conditioning.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Talked to the local dealership, looks like this is going to happen. I just need to pull my lift, onboard air, winch, and get some cheap rims to put the stock tires back on. They’re giving me more than I paid for the Rubicon after 18 months of hard (for a normal car) ownership. Sticker on the Sport, so only a few hundred over invoice.
I should only be out the tire carrier and front recovery hooks. Maybe a winch plate.
Crank passenger window is easy for me to reach, and honestly I usually drive with them closed. I’d rather pull the top down if I want open air.

 

[Traveller128]

This one suppose?

Just the shifter. I'm having a hard time justifying $216 for the dogleg transfer stick.

 

[Glovetown]

Talked to the local dealership, looks like this is going to happen. I just need to pull my lift, onboard air, winch, and get some cheap rims to put the stock tires back on. They’re giving me more than I paid for the Rubicon after 18 months of hard (for a normal car) ownership. Sticker on the Sport, so only a few hundred over invoice.
I should only be out the tire carrier and front recovery hooks. Maybe a winch plate.
Crank passenger window is easy for me to reach, and honestly I usually drive with them closed. I’d rather pull the top down if I want open air.

Sport S is the way to go
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[Falcor]

I'm on the fence between buying a 2 door Base or Willys Sport, or lease a Gladiator. This thread has made a great case for the 2 door.

 

[blnewt]

I'm on the fence between buying a 2 door Base or Willys Sport, or lease a Gladiator. This thread has made a great case for the 2 door.

Gladiator's a bit over 4 feet longer, better measure your garage first
And yeah, just get the 2dr, they're a blast!

 

[Falcor]

Good point on the length. I test drove a used Gladiator and a 2 door JK a couple months ago, and actually liked the 2 door better. My last Jeep was an 05’ LJ Sport, and I kick myself for selling it.

Not trying to take over the thread, but does the limited slip rear get you the D44 on the 2 door? I have not found a good answer in my searching.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Good point on the length. I test drove a used Gladiator and a 2 door JK a couple months ago, and actually liked the 2 door better. My last Jeep was an 05’ LJ Sport, and I kick myself for selling it.

Not trying to take over the thread, but does the limited slip rear get you the D44 on the 2 door? I have not found a good answer in my searching.

Yes, but it is still the narrower axle.

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