Price Increase = Quality Increase?

[Lemo]

Having owned a JK and JL, I’m curious to know if people who have owned both have an opinion whether the JL is a better built vehicle - better quality control, better materials etc….

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[mwilk012]

No, pretty much just more of the same crap we have always bought. They’re definitely more overpriced now.

 

[Ratbert]

Having owned a JK and JL, I’m curious to know if people who have owned both have an opinion whether the JL is a better built vehicle - better quality control, better materials etc….

Have you driven both? There's quite a difference between the two.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

A lot more creature comforts and technology in the JL but with that come a lot more things that can break/malfunction on a JL vs a JK.

 

[mwilk012]

A lot more creature comforts and technology in the JL but with that come a lot more things that can break/malfunction on a JL vs a JK.

Like what? We still don’t have auto up windows, ventilated heated and cooled seats, only just got power sliding seats at all as an option. The radio head unit got bigger but still functions similarly. Less reliable instrument clusters, maybe. Push button start? That’s about it.

 

[Lemo]

Thanks, but was really asking about build quality, not features offered on a JL vs JK.

 

[Lemo]

Have you driven both? There's quite a difference between the two.

Well, yeah I’ve driving both-I’ve owned both. Was asking about people’s experiences with build quality.

 

[ssls6]

I've owned a JK rubicon and JL rubicon (still own). I work on my own stuff so I'd say build quality is the same but the JL has a lot more tech. More stuff means more stuff to break over time.

 

[Zandcwhite]

The build quality is basically the same. The automatic transmission is a million times better in the JL. The added sensor in the lockers has proven problematic. Adjusted for inflation, a JL costs no more than an 04 TJ Rubicon did but nobody wants to believe that. We get way more value for the money on a modern JLUR.

 

[jadmt]

I have had 5 new wranglers, a 2013, 2014 2016 and 2018 all JK's and now a 2024 jl. as far as build quality I really see no difference from a body and structural stand point. my first 4 never gave me any grief and other than having the oil filter cooler crack, radiator crack and front axle seals go out 2X on my 2014 all were fixed same day warranty work, I had no other issues with any of the JK's. My JL had an check engine light issue that hopefully just got resolved on Monday and it has been in the shop since early sept. sounds like a problem that is not going to be resolved as there are several posts of a similar nature on here.

 

[CT_LFC]

Never owned a JK but build quality i assume would not be very different since it's the same crappy labor, just that they get paid more.

Jeep totally nailed the JL design where it makes the JK look like it's a poor imitation from China or India.

 

[Aturking]

My 23 JL is a better driver and has more features/upgrades but is an absolute piece of shit compared to my 2013. The build quality is significantly worse in my opinion. That being said I had 90K worry free/trouble free miles on my 13. I had the oil cooler replaced under warranty and had to put a coolant temp sensor in it. So far on the JL, 37K miles without any mechanical issues. (several paint/warranty issues at delivery as well as the clutch recall, and one of passive entry handles went bad) Still love Jeeps, will continue to buy them, and will always have one.

 

[jadmt]

The build quality is basically the same. The automatic transmission is a million times better in the JL. The added sensor in the lockers has proven problematic. Adjusted for inflation, a JL costs no more than an 04 TJ Rubicon did but nobody wants to believe that. We get way more value for the money on a modern JLUR.

I don't know if a million times better but I do think it is an improvement I hope it proves to be as bullet proof. I think the old tranny was one of the only benefits of the mercedes deal.

 

[Zandcwhite]

I don't know if a million times better but I do think it is an improvement I hope it proves to be as bullet proof. I think the old tranny was one of the only benefits of the mercedes deal.

Early JKs 1st gear was 2.86-1... this 8 speed is 4.7-1. To match the crawl ratio of a stock rubicon that JK would need 6.73 axle gears. To match the crawl ratio of the XR it would need 7.5 axle gears. And yet we still have 22% more top end with the 2nd overdrive. With this transmission I can slap 39s on my stock XR drivetrain, set the cruise control at 85mph for 7 straight hours, get to the trail head, air down, and dominate trails like John Bull and Holcomb creek thanks to that 85-1 crawl ratio, and torn around and drive home like it's never been off road. Try that in an early JK with that transmission and get back to me.

 

[jadmt]

Early JKs 1st gear was 2.86-1... this 8 speed is 4.7-1. To match the crawl ratio of a stock rubicon that JK would need 6.73 axle gears. To match the crawl ratio of the XR it would need 7.5 axle gears. And yet we still have 22% more top end with the 2nd overdrive. With this transmission I can slap 39s on my stock XR drivetrain, set the cruise control at 85mph for 7 straight hours, get to the trail head, air down, and dominate trails like John Bull and Holcomb creek thanks to that 85-1 crawl ratio, and torn around and drive home like it's never been off road. Try that in an early JK with that transmission and get back to me.

I did that many times to Moab, and to the rubicon and dusy ershim all the colorado trails . set the cruise at 80 for much longer than 7 hours getting to those places. but yea I only was on 35's. and I agree the 8speed is a better tranny just not a million times better . The WA580 nag 1 proved to be a pretty tough tranny I have not read any horror stories on issues and they had a long run. I agree the 2011 and earlier not in the same league.

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