Moving down to a Sport

[Some Random Guy]

Ok...so I don't know why no one has mentioned this to you. The controls are linked to the radio options you choose, not whether you have AC or not.

The 5 inch radio which is standard in the base has ALL AIR controls on the three big knobs below the radio. The knob closest to driver in the fan speed, middle knob is temp (and if you AC it adds the AC button to the center of that knob) the passenger knob changes from legs all the way to windshield defrost. Also the instrument cluster is the base version. Giving you a very small window for information and ANALOG fuel and temp gages.

When you upgrade to the 7 inch radio all three knobs change functions below the radio. Middle is volume for example. The instrument cluster also becomes upgraded to what you were used to in you old jeep.

The biggest change you will see is the changing around for where your AC controls are. Just keep in mind that selecting AC alone will NOT get you the bigger screen and instrument cluster.

I have the base sport. I've played with everything the rubicons have and honestly prefer the controls with the sport 5 inch radio. I do not like touch screens in vehicles. Honestly I am looking for ways to completely remove the stock radio and have a extremely basic and simple radio with Bluetooth capability, and a tiny little screen and install a communications system in the place of the radio...

I'm old school personality though. Drove humvees and MRAPs in afghan for 2 years.

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.

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[dr.dirty]

I have a Sport 4dr diesel and love it. I recently did add OEM power windows and door locks and that was a fairly simple process. When I got mine there were zero diesels available other than Rubis. I have nothing against Rubicons but I have everything against Chryslers horrible electrical track record. I do own a JK rubicon and all that is left is the sticker its on one tons blah blah blah so that was alot of wasted money on my part. I drive my sport 200 miles a day and LOVE it. The simplicity of the Sport is great in my opinion. I work on a military installation and the power windows were added just to make my life easier at the gate every morning hahahaha.

 

[jeepoch]

@Some Random Guy

Pretty good perspective on owning a Sport. But for me personally, I moved 'up' to a Sport. Don't get me wrong all Wranglers are awesome, and I've even been accused of having Rubicon envy on this forum. Yet truth be told I'm having an all out blast with mine.

Previously I drove the proverbial soccer mom's ultimate cruiser, a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan and candidly enjoyed doing so. It did everything I wanted and needed it to do. Drove the family everywhere with it. 'Fliver' certainly was the ultimate Clark Griswald mobile, all 300,000 miles of it.

But all good things come to an end. Kids have grown and flown the nest. The need to be the flockling's taxi driver sadly came to pass.

Add insult to injury, while my daughter was home from college visiting, a distracted 16 year old driver on his phone, pulled out into oncoming traffic. Luckily I swerved or would have T-Boned him at 40mph. Everyone of us walked away unhurt but he got enough of my mini-van to have totalled it.

So after 15 years of driving the world's most incredibly useful but boring utility vehicle ever conceived and looking for something completely new, I let my heart choose something I always dreamed of; not just a Jeep but a Wrangler. It was time to drive something fun.

Unfortunately, these things are not even close to being economically priced. I was breaking into every piggy bank I could find just to afford a base Sport. Certainly though my admiration goes out to everyone who can afford the Rubicon's. You are truly fortunate.

Yet I found the world's best 2019 Sport S on the planet. Purchased it almost new, less than 900 miles on it. The previous owner really had her heart set on a Sahara. After a long story, I drove it off the lot for $28.5K. It is a 3.6L Auto 2 door hardtop with AC but still the crappy 5" UConnect3 radio. But I am really enjoying the 'cold weather' package, heated seats and especially the heated steering wheel (it's simply awesome). The wife has named him 'Snoopy' since we let him wander and meander wherever he wants.

I've since lifted it, added 35's and a Sway bar Quick Disconnect kit. Along with an integrated satellite receiver, alomg with a CB and mounted ham radio. There is literally nowhere I can't take this thing. Sure, there are some cliffs or boulder fields that Rubicon jockeys dare tread and enjoy grinding through, but for me I'm seeing my home state of Colorado now better than I ever have before, up close and personal. Experiencing the high mountain peaks and passes and clean crisp pine-scented air that very few could only ever enjoy on either foot or horseback.

I've also now joined a very reputable Jeep club and have made treasured friendships. My life has gotten exponentially better now as an empty nester. Couldn't be much happier. John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" only comes close to describing it, but just barely.

So yes, driving my Sport as the best damn daily driver I've ever owned especially when off-road has been a dream fulfilled. It is undeniably a tremendous step up from the on-road prisoner I had always been. Looking back, I should of traded in that minivan for a four door wrangler a decade ago. Still, absolutely no regrets in purchasing this JL, I'm having a true blast and enjoying every minute I'm in it. I also really enjoy waving either on and off trail. Jeepers are indeed the best...

Hope you have as much fun in yours, even though I'm certain I found the best one ever.

Best regards,
Jay

 

[SteadyC]

Great! I’m looking at dropping to a 2 door. Do you think manual locks would be less of a problem there? I’m 6’2”, so reaching the passenger door isn’t a big issue.
As for U connect, I use Carplay. I don’t think it’s an issue for me if I upgrade radio which comes with the A/C.
Finally, I currently monitor tire pressure via my dash. Am I understanding I lose this without the 8.4” stereo? My Hutchinsons do require monitoring.

The air pressure monitor is in the main dash screen between rpms and speedo, scrolling through vehicle monitors like oil temp, engine temp, oil pressure, etc.

 

[Joe98]

Some pics of my Sport:

 

[AG’s ‘ 21 Jeep Wrangler]

Had a 2013 base, the new one is a Sport S. I like the power windows, A/C, hard top, auto and the turbo.

 

[Heimkehr]

I’m thinking of trying to swap my 4-dr Rubicon to a 2-door JL Sport (not S). For anyone that’s moved down to the stripped down version from any higher trim or a more luxurious vehicle, did anything bother you?

At first I thought the manual locks/windows would bother me, but in a 2 door I’m thinking they won’t. It will get built up quickly to 60’s or 70’s with at least 39’s.

Only option I’m definitely getting is A/C (and thus upgraded radio).
HD electrical would be cool, but there’s one locally without it.
I’ve gathered unless it comes with factory half doors, the wiring is not present to add power locks/windows later if I realize I made a mistake.
No car payment might be worth the risk.
Katzkin seats might get added.
Anything else I should consider when pondering this?

With respect, do consider keeping your JLU Rubicon. As written, your post suggests that this is already your unspoken preference.

Anything more than a passing thought about manual windows and doors locks means eventual regret is likely to occur. This is doubly true when observing your preemptive mention of adding power windows and locks later, if (or when) said regret rears its head.

Upgraded radio, uparmored alternator, upmarket leather seat covers...is their initial absence the "risk" that gives you pause?

The appeal of a Wrangler Sport may be said to be its inherent simplicity. That's a feature, not a bug, nor a downward shift.

 

[Spartan99]

Manual cranks and windows on mine. Doors weigh less, replacement keys are cheaper, no need to fix a faulty power lock or window (not fun). Plus it’s fun watching people struggle with cranking the windows.

 

[Traveller128]

I’m thinking of trying to swap my 4-dr Rubicon to a 2-door JL Sport (not S). My Jeep is generally not a daily driver. I will have a car during good weather, and carpool with my wife during bad weather or during winter. That being said, anytime I need to go my own way outside 40+ and dry, I’ll be driving the Jeep. For anyone that’s moved down to the stripped down version from any higher trim or a more luxurious vehicle, did anything bother you? I’m a bit excited for a simpler vehicle. At first I thought the manual locks/windows would bother me, but in a 2 door I’m thinking they won’t. It will get built up quickly to 60’s or 70’s with at least 39’s.
Only option I’m definitely getting is A/C (and thus upgraded radio). HD electrical would be cool, but there’s one locally without it.
I’ve gathered unless it comes with factory half doors, the wiring is not present to add power locks/windows later if I realize I made a mistake. If anyone knows different I’d appreciate the correction. No car payment might be worth the risk though. Katzkin seats might get added.
Anything else I should consider when pondering this?

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.

 

[Some Random Guy]

With respect, do consider keeping your JLU Rubicon. As written, your post suggests that this is already your unspoken preference.

Anything more than a passing thought about manual windows and doors locks means eventual regret is likely to occur. This is doubly true when observing your preemptive mention of adding power windows and locks later, if (or when) said regret rears its head.

Upgraded radio, uparmored alternator, upmarket leather seat covers...is their initial absence the "risk" that gives you pause?

The appeal of a Wrangler Sport may be said to be its inherent simplicity. That's a feature, not a bug, nor a downward shift.

I do love my JLUR, we’ve just had some rough times. She eats wheel speed sensors for every meal. I have lost lockers quite a few times while wheeling because if this. I don’t want to take it to 1-tons, though. I’d rather have a 2 door to go that route.
I AM afraid of regret, but I feel like projects can bring back the things I do like. And the wrangler has rekindled my wrenching hobby.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[entropy]

Thanks. I’m looking at going air locker. I do offroad a lot.

Great to hear! I use Apple Carplay for navigation, which comes with the A/C anyway!

Hold it. Back in 2018 and 2019 a base sport with A/C did not come with apple play. They came with a base 5inch touchscreen. Did this change?

 

[cosine]

@Some Random Guy

i went from a 07 grand cherokee to a 2019 2 door base sport with 4 options which were a/c, auto, xm and hardtop. that was it. its my daily driver and road tripper. i'm at the point that i dont want any bells and whistles and keeping things plain and simple. i love it and have no regrets what so ever. the manual locks and windows doesnt bother me at all. the plain jane radio with the xm is all i need. i have a memory stick with all my music on it and it works for me. the space of a 2 door works well with me and i've folded down or removed the rear seat multiple times and its no big deal. the best thing about the 2 door is that its easy to maneuver around traffic, tight parking, etc.

the best thing about the base model sport is that its a perfect starting point in building it the way you want it to be. i'm modding mine in stages and picking out what i like and what i need while keeping it on a budget. i'm pretty much at the last stage, which would be the rims and tires (once the org. wares out), belly pan, and a couple of other things.

its funny when my buddies saw what i got and thought i was crazy. some oldtimer friends was like wow and love the fact that i went with a 2 door vs a 4 door. i have to laugh at my one friend when he realize that he has to crank the window or lock the door.

i am considering in picking up another base model sport as a 2nd vehicle. havent decided if it would be another 2 door or perhaps a 4 door. maybe a gladiator. but i would jump on a 2 door version of a jeep truck if it ever comes out.

 

[Some Random Guy]

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.

I think if I custom order, the Sport S will be the winner.

Hold it. Back in 2018 and 2019 a base sport with A/C did not come with apple play. They came with a base 5inch touchscreen. Did this change?

The one locally does. The configurator online bumps up your radio when you add A/C. I wonder if parts ran low for the old radio and now they “upgrade” you when you add A/C.
The sticker shows A/C and has sub-items of Android Auto, Carplay, and Uconnect 4 7” touchscreen.

 

[Capricorn]

Hold it. Back in 2018 and 2019 a base sport with A/C did not come with apple play. They came with a base 5inch touchscreen. Did this change?

You are correct, the 5 inch touchscreen does not support Carplay. Aux and Bluetooth but not Carplay.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Just a side note. Buying a base Jeep is not a downgrade. They are all built to the same grade, built on the same assembly lines by the same workers. The higher trim models don’t get sent down a separate line where clean cut workers in lab coats hand fit and finish it. They are all built by a fat dude in a Metailica T shirt and cut offs or a woman built like a lineman. Options are what drives the price up, nothing else.

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