Newbie

[KYMason]

I posted this in the Welcome section, but I am going to post it here too. I hope that is okay.
Hello. Glad to join the group. Hoping to join the JL crew. Actually looking for a new one at the moment. I have owned a couple XJs. I have a 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road at the moment, but I am really wanting a two door Wrangler. To me that is the iconic Jeep. I have two kids that are nine and twelve. I also enjoy hunting, fishing, and camping. My only concern is making it work to do the things I want it to. Hoping to to get a little feedback from this group. Thanks in advance.

Sponsored

 

[martoaj]

If you are regularly carrying 2 passengers and gear for all of your activities, just get a 4-door. Can you make a 2-door work? Sure, you can always force it. You'll see countless examples on this forum, people have a lot of ingenuity. But why? Even with our 4-door we regularly feel like we're running out of room in the back. It's a pretty tight cargo area if you're used to a typical SUV. We're folding down the back seats way more than I expected just to fit a simple amount of stuff for a long weekend. Not to mention a camping trip or during ski season. And again, that's in a 4-door.

If you never needed to use the back seats I could almost be convinced a 2-door would make sense. But if one of your kids will be back there regularly, it just makes it very difficult to carry much else.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Welcome to the Cult! err... I mean Tribe!

 

[gsbrockman]

I posted this in the Welcome section, but I am going to post it here too. I hope that is okay.
Hello. Glad to join the group. Hoping to join the JL crew. Actually looking for a new one at the moment. I have owned a couple XJs. I have a 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road at the moment, but I am really wanting a two door Wrangler. To me that is the iconic Jeep. I have two kids that are nine and twelve. I also enjoy hunting, fishing, and camping. My only concern is making it work to do the things I want it to. Hoping to to get a little feedback from this group. Thanks in advance.

What part of KY do you reside?

 

[Blazing Saddles]

If you regularly need the back seat and want a 2dr, you can look into trailer options for camping/storage. The 2dr is the best, except at cargo space (and whatever the 4dr crowd in the 2dr section wants to bring up as to why they are the best).

 

[KYMason]

What part of KY do you reside?

South central.

 

[Tethmes]

I removed the back seat and have all the room I need... BUT! I don't have 2 kids to come along on the adventures with me. Just my wife, the dog, and myself. If kids are involved and they're going to be in it a lot, the 2 door just might not be an option for you.

I'd suggest finding one to test drive and take the kids along. Make it as long of a drive as you're allowed to and see how well they do in the back seat. Even with them being smaller now, long drives sitting back there they'll probably start complaining. And they're only going to get bigger. The 2 door's back seat is more of a formality than actually useful. I love my 2 door, but my situation allows it to be all the Jeep I need. If I needed it for more general purpose people transporting, that would be a different story.

If you're dead set on it though, a small trailer for gear as Blazing Saddles mentioned would almost be a necessity if you want to take any hunt/fish/camp gear with you and the family was along for the ride.

 

[ColoradoMike]

Maybe a 2-door used to be iconic, but rolling around the iconic trails in Moab, the vast majority of Jeeps I see are 4-doors. It just makes sense for your use case. I load my 4-door up with adventure gear, and it barely has enough room for three people-let alone 4. But it sure as hell shreds on the trails. If you’re talking kids and gear, I think a 2-door would be a very silly choice. The JL 4-doors are awesome.

 

[Jimac]

Maybe a 2-door used to be iconic, but rolling around the iconic trails in Moab, the vast majority of Jeeps I see are 4-doors. It just makes sense for your use case. I load my 4-door up with adventure gear, and it barely has enough room for three people-let alone 4. But it sure as hell shreds on the trails. If you’re talking kids and gear, I think a 2-door would be a very silly choice. The JL 4-doors are awesome.

2 door is ICONIC to us old people who where born around the time the jeep was. I have always owned 2 door jeeps from 1955 willys to present 2018 JLR.

 

[KYMason]

I have a two door Rubicon that is available now, but it has the halogen headlights. After reading several posts about how terrible they are, I don’t know if I want to go that route. Really not wanting to put aftermarket in either. I had rather stay with the factory LED lights. Would the halogen headlights be a deal breaker for you guys? Are they that terrible? Thanks in advance, and sorry for beating a dead horse if that is the case.

 

[gsbrockman]

I have a two door Rubicon that is available now, but it has the halogen headlights. After reading several posts about how terrible they are, I don’t know if I want to go that route. Really not wanting to put aftermarket in either. I had rather stay with the factory LED lights. Would the halogen headlights be a deal breaker for you guys? Are they that terrible? Thanks in advance, and sorry for beating a dead horse if that is the case.

If it’s a JL that fits your needs....don’t hesitate, as there’ll be several more people most likely looking at it as well.

 

[Industrialwrench]

The real question is if you have another family vehicle. I’ve got a 4Runner for the kid stuff. Most of the time the rear seat is not in my 2door Jeep. Occasionally I’ll throw it back in for the kids to ride some trails. They are 15 & 10. But if I do that the top is off and it feels like there is more space? I love my 2 door and would never buy a 4 door, but I don’t need it for anything other than personal adventures. Actually sold my TJ when my daughter was born. I’m taller and so my wife. Maybe if you’re a shorter family it’ll work, zero chance for me.


Headlights are up to your situation. I live down a country road with no lighting so the led is needed. If I was in the city I’d stick with the cheaper lights and throw on a light bar for when it’s needed.

 

[Dan M.]

Happy 2 door owner here. As much as I love it, I will admit for your use case it wouldn't make sense unless you are ok towing a trailer around. with the back seats occupied there is pretty much 0 room for stuff.
-
As far as the headlights go, if that Rubi you see has everything else you want, get it. The halagens aren't great, but are easily replaceable.

 

[KYMason]

The real question is if you have another family vehicle. I’ve got a 4Runner for the kid stuff. Most of the time the rear seat is not in my 2door Jeep. Occasionally I’ll throw it back in for the kids to ride some trails. They are 15 & 10. But if I do that the top is off and it feels like there is more space? I love my 2 door and would never buy a 4 door, but I don’t need it for anything other than personal adventures. Actually sold my TJ when my daughter was born. I’m taller and so my wife. Maybe if you’re a shorter family it’ll work, zero chance for me.


Headlights are up to your situation. I live down a country road with no lighting so the led is needed. If I was in the city I’d stick with the cheaper lights and throw on a light bar for when it’s needed.

We actually have a Jeep Grand Cherokee L for the family stuff. I do live in a rural area, so that is what has me wondering about the halogen headlights. I see so many mixed reviews on them.

 

[Industrialwrench]

We actually have a Jeep Grand Cherokee L for the family stuff. I do live in a rural are, so that is what has me wondering about the halogen headlights. I see so many mixed reviews on them.

I originally traded the TJ for the Grand Cherokee. Halogen bulbs have been around forever and work just fine. The led is brighter but like people have stated you can always swap them out. Enjoy your 2door when you get it. There’s nothing else like it.

Sponsored