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Jeepeto

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I can't believe I'm saying this, but... I'd get the 4 door. (sorry, i still really like 2 doors, but hear me out)

I was in the same position a few years back, and I went through with the purchase of a 2 door, manual, soft top. To me, that is the iconic Jeep. It was fantastic! I made it work for our small family (wife, and two medium dogs that travel with us) and with the rear seats out it was tight but do-able. The big issue I ran into was the lack of stability off road. The 4 door's are just more stable on steep climbs, and the extra wheelbase was often a benefit. I was so impressed (and scared) that I ended up selling my 2 door and ordering a 4 door just 2 years in.

I am really loving the extra room with the 4 door. It has gone from "tight but do-able" to "lets bring the 1:10 scale RC, why not?". If i had children it would be an absolute no brainer. It runs all the same trails I did in the 2 door, has a smoother more stable ride, and more aftermarket support.

The halogen lights didn't seem like a candle in a windstorm that you'd expect based on what you read online. They're not the best, but not the worst. To me the more compelling argument is the LED's are just fantastic.

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KYMason

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Well people, I am strongly considering the two door Rubicon. It almost checks every box. Price, manual transmission, and giving me good trade in. The only thing that I am on the fence about are the halogen headlights instead of LED. I really want to stay factory without doing any mods. Should I let that hold me back, or wait around for one with the LEDs? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance.
 

azwjowner

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Well people, I am strongly considering the two door Rubicon. It almost checks every box. Price, manual transmission, and giving me good trade in. The only thing that I am on the fence about are the halogen headlights instead of LED. I really want to stay factory without doing any mods. Should I let that hold me back, or wait around for one with the LEDs? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance.
You can always upgrade to factory LED headlights later if you desire.
 
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KYMason

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You can always upgrade to factory LED headlights later if you desire.
Are the halogen headlights as terrible as I see several comments about? My Tacoma TRD Off Road has LED lighting and the adaptive cruise control. I just wonder if I will miss those options if I get the Rubicon. I have always really wanted a Wrangler and join the group of Wrangler owners, but I do not want to have regrets after the purchase.
 

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Are the halogen headlights as terrible as I see several comments about? My Tacoma TRD Off Road has LED lighting and the adaptive cruise control. I just wonder if I will miss those options if I get the Rubicon. I have always really wanted a Wrangler and join the group of Wrangler owners, but I do not want to have regrets after the purchase.
I have the halogen headlights and the low beams are...adequate.

My real gripe is the high beams which are absolutely pathetic because they're not any better than the low beams at illuminating the road at night. Every other vehicle I've owned had high beams that actually lit up the backroads at night. So I've actually just ordered aftermarket LED "fog" lights that will neatly replace my fogs (I'm in Arizona - I've never driven in fog in my entire life) and act as pseudo-high beams when no other vehicles are around at night on the two lane roads.
 

ajkitebrder40

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Are the halogen headlights as terrible as I see several comments about? My Tacoma TRD Off Road has LED lighting and the adaptive cruise control. I just wonder if I will miss those options if I get the Rubicon. I have always really wanted a Wrangler and join the group of Wrangler owners, but I do not want to have regrets after the purchase.
I mean.....coming from a XJ and JK, the normal headlights are passable. Again, this is a really easy fix to switch to LED aftermarket, so I wouldn't get too hung up on that. Your other option is to bounce over to the ordering forum and pick out a volume dealer and order exactly what you want at a discount below invoice. Gupton in Springfield, TN should be pretty close to you.

I debated the 2 door vs 4 door, I've always had 4 doors, but for different reasons - no kids, but a lot of surf gear, and now mountain bikes. It's a dilemma between wanting the 2 door just for something different and because I've always wanted one and the nice practicality of having 4 doors. I'm still researching and debating whether I can make it livable, ha.
 

Mikeoso

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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.
I really dont understand the problem with halogens. They're plenty bright enough for me, and my eyes are 73 years old. May just be an issue of expectations.
 

Bill_P

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Are the halogen headlights as terrible as I see several comments about? My Tacoma TRD Off Road has LED lighting and the adaptive cruise control. I just wonder if I will miss those options if I get the Rubicon. I have always really wanted a Wrangler and join the group of Wrangler owners, but I do not want to have regrets after the purchase.
TBH I think you're getting way too hung up on the whole halogen/LED thing. If you're buying off the lot, get what they have. If you don't like the halogens, order OEM LED lights. That way you aren't really modding anything, just swapping OEM parts. Either that or order and get exactly what you want. You can even get a better deal through ordering and these questions will answer themselves.

I honestly think your biggest regret is going to be getting a 2-door with a family. There's going to come a time when you'll want to go somewhere with the family and take the jeep, like the Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion for example, and there ain't going to be any room for stuff or that back seat ain't going to be a comfortable ride for the kids. Just my .02.
 
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KYMason

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After listening to several of the comments on here, I have came to the realization that the four door with two kids is definitely what I probably need to do. I am going to look at a four door Rubicon tomorrow. It too has the halogen headlights, but as I have heard from everyone here, if I do not like them an LED swap is nothing major. Kind of nervous to be honest. If I get the Rubicon, I will have quite a bit more invested in it than the Tacoma TRD Off Road. I just keep thinking what does it matter if you aren’t enjoying what you are driving, but I do not know if I want to sink that kind of money in a vehicle. Decisions. Decisions. LOL.
 

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I couldn’t fit fishing tackle for 3 of us in a 2 door. 7’-8’ one piece rods are a PIA even in a 4 door with kids in the back.
 

Jeepeto

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You just have to decide if the trade off in breakover angle is worth it.
It was for me. I thought it would be a bigger factor, but in reality the benefits of the 4 door generally outweigh the negatives for me and where I wheel. To be fair I went up in tire size and lift when I moved to a 4 door, which helps with break-over angles among other things.

I will say, I still call it quits about the same level of difficulty. I hit all the same trails with the 2 door budget sport that I do with the built 4 door (different lines and alternate routes but still very impressed with the 2 door). They’re both impressive as hell.
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