New Willys XR

[Aonarch]

This is good to know.
Plus the fact Matt's crew uses them frequently compared to what I'll probably be doing makes me think it's a good call.

After that, I may get some additional skids for added protection underneath.

The XR really is a great package whether it is on a Willys or Rubi.

I almost went Willys XR, but found a good deal on a Rubicon instead.

To me the big deal was the 4:1 low range transfer case.

I do really like the XR suspension, gears, wheels and tires though. The last three are very expensive to add after-purchase.

The Willys XR is the best Wrangler for the money IMO.

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[Gio]

I almost went Willys XR, but found a good deal on a Rubicon instead.

To me the big deal was the 4:1 low range transfer case.

I do really like the XR suspension, gears, wheels and tires though. The last three are very expensive to add after-purchase.

The Willys XR is the best Wrangler for the money IMO.

Well, the Rubi is the pinnacle of the bunch so I am a fan of them as well.

I can add the front locker for a reasonable price if needed but I don't see the 4:1 coming our way.
I'm not sure I'll need it and I'm also not sure if we're 100% keeping this rig. I'd like to if it holds up.

So far I've been very impressed with what the Willys XR can do.

 

[Aonarch]

Well, the Rubi is the pinnacle of the bunch so I am a fan of them as well.

I can add the front locker for a reasonable price if needed but I don't see the 4:1 coming our way.
I'm not sure I'll need it and I'm also not sure if we're 100% keeping this rig. I'd like to if it holds up.

So far I've been very impressed with what the Willys XR can do.

I've never used my front locker.

I'd rather have a front LSD.

 

[WrangleredUp]

I've never used my front locker.

I'd rather have a front LSD.

What does the Willys have in the front axle? Is it some type of LSD or just completely open?

 

[entropy]

After wheeling for about 6 years and understanding what I enjoy and how difficult of trails I am willing to do. John bull is probably the hardest I would ever do. The Willys XR is going to serve me better than a base Rubicon. The 35inch tire package and the small lift are more practical upgrades than the 4:1 transfer case and front locker. A base Rubicon on 33s will get high centered everywhere. The front locker and 4:1 transfer case shine on some really hard stuff, when you truly need to push the Jeep to a point most of us never will.

Awesome choice OP.

 

[WrangleredUp]

After wheeling for about 6 years and understanding what I enjoy and how difficult of trails I am willing to do. John bull is probably the hardest I would ever do. The Willys XR is going to serve me better than a base Rubicon. The 35inch tire package and the small lift are a better upgrade than the 4:1 transfer case and front locker. A base Rubicon on 33s will get high centered everywhere. The front locker and 4:1 transfer case shine on some really hard stuff, when you truly need to push the Jeep to a point most of us never will.

Awesome choice OP.

Thanks! Yea I don’t need to push my DAILY that far so I feel that it’s perfect. Thats what a fully built 2 door on 40s is for!

 

[entropy]

What does the Willys have in the front axle? Is it some type of LSD or just completely open?

it is fully open. But electronic traction control has come long ways. All Jeeps, including Willys, are fitted with BLD (Bake lock differential). It works really really well, especially in the JLs. What it does is that it uses the brakes to stop the tire without traction from spinning and delivers torque to the tire that has traction, acting almost like a locker for a short period of time and with a small lag to it.

With a mechanical rear locker and BLD on the front I guarantee you are going to be pleasantly surprised. And doubt you will need to add a front locker.

 

[Gio]

What does the Willys have in the front axle? Is it some type of LSD or just completely open?

It is just an open dif.

"it is fully open. But electronic traction control has come long ways. All Jeeps, including Willys, are fitted with BLD (Bake lock differential). It works really really well, especially in the JLs. What it does is that it uses the brakes to stop the tire without traction from spinning and delivers torque to the tire that has traction, acting almost like a locker.

With a mechanical rear locker and BLD on the front I guarantee you are going to be pleasantly surprised. And doubt you will need to add a front locker."



Edit: The above is spot on.

TFL did side by side testing with a stock sport to show how much better the BLD works than other 4x4 vehicles.

 

[WrangleredUp]

it is fully open. But electronic traction control has come long ways. All Jeeps, including Willys, are fitted with BLD (Bake lock differential). It works really really well, especially in the JLs. What it does is that it uses the brakes to stop the tire without traction from spinning and delivers torque to the tire that has traction, acting almost like a locker.

With a mechanical rear locker and BLD on the front I guarantee you are going to be pleasantly surprised. And doubt you will need to add a front locker.

I doubt I will as well.

 

[Gio]

it is fully open. But electronic traction control has come long ways. All Jeeps, including Willys, are fitted with BLD (Bake lock differential). It works really really well, especially in the JLs. What it does is that it uses the brakes to stop the tire without traction from spinning and delivers torque to the tire that has traction, acting almost like a locker for a short period of time and with a small lag to it.

With a mechanical rear locker and BLD on the front I guarantee you are going to be pleasantly surprised. And doubt you will need to add a front locker.

I just looked up John Bull Trail.

And yeah,,,,,,,
I think that's about the max I would be willing to do, if even that.

If the Willys XR handles that, I can't ask for more.

 

[Jeep Wick]

I've never used my front locker.

I'd rather have a front LSD.

Same. I've already bought shims and bearings for when I take apart the front diff.

 

[gek]

ABSOLUTELY GO HAWKS!!! love seeing Hawkeyes in gopher land! My ex in laws live in the cities, my ex wife and daughters and I used to go up there all the time.
I was surprised to see how many were on lots in small town Iowa! I live in central Iowa and just got lucky enough to have one of the family dealerships very close to me that had 3 Willys XR’s on another one of there lots in Eastern Iowa!

Love yours by the way!

I tell all sorts of people about Jeeps here, but even Jeeps at decent prices aren't enough to get people to come here. I guess I'm ok with that, more for me.

 

[WrangleredUp]

Just picked it up yesterday!

 

[LARSONEM]

Just picked it up yesterday!

Looks nice. Too bad Jeep doesn’t offer the steel bumper package on a Willys. A factory bumper from a Rubicon should fit; just expensive unless you can find a takeoff bumper. I picked one up for my Jeep JK a few years ago from AEV which does conversions about 60 miles from my home in Michigan. It was about half price. I also have a 2 door Willys in addition to my 4 door Rubicon. Personally I prefer a color keyed grill in the Willys as opposed to black so I picked up a take off from Facebook Marketplace.

 

[ArmyRN]

23 JLU Willys XR 2.0T Sting Grey. Love it. Mild factory lift, 4.56 gearing, 35" tires, nice rims, wider axles, etc.

I could have got a Rubi, but didn't. Didn't think I'd need the 4:1 transfer case (I feel it's really only useful in hard-core rock crawling). Also didn't want the "All or nothing" lockers.

Basically added 0.5" spacers front and rear, Mopar front LCAs, Fox 2.0 IFP shocks, and TrueTracs front and rear. Mopar FAD delete plate and a Tazer to make the Jeep think there never was a FAD up front.

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