Real world, 2 v 4 door?

[Zandcwhite]

We sound similar. I like to try challenging lines, but I’m a finesse driver, and don’t like to hammer my rig.

I know guys are running 40’s in the gladiator in stock axles (same ones the XR has) without many issues.

Looks like 37’s or 38’s are next on my list of upgrades.

I know we drive faster than a lot of jeep drivers on here so I always throw in that caveat on these gearing discussions. With that being said, 4.56s with 39s is still geared lower than a stock sport/sahara with 3.45s and 32s. 4.56s and 37s is almost identical gearing to 4.10s and 33s in a stock Rubicon. Having run deep gears, I wouldn't go into the 5.xxs unless I was building Dana 60s for 42s or larger in a JL.

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[SadRobot]

I think we're all looking at this wrong. Maybe we need to be going 6 door.

 

[Heimkehr]

Where does the fun factor come in between two doors and 4 doors? I’ve owned both and the difference between the two seems to have nothing to do with “fun”.

"Fun" is a fluid term, subject to individual interpretation. As much as I like the refinement and utility of my JLU, there are absolutely those days when I miss the coziness of my YJ, and by extension, the singular vibe of a two-door Wrangler.

How much junk are y’all driving around with?

I live with two women.
Women have stuff.
Women like to bring stuff with them.
I've become adept at managing their stuff.

Ask it another way:
Jeep announces they are ending the 4DR. Will people with a 4DR make sure they buy one of the last ever built?

Stellantis has been on a bender, with respect to the Wrangler's near-constant price increases. There's any number of forum posts from folks who've declared that said increases mean their current Jeep is the last one they'll purchase.

I've empathy for that point of view, which has indeed had an effect similar to what you mention in the quoted post.

 

[Zandcwhite]

How much junk are y’all driving around with? My Hell. Two-door is plenty, even with 3 people on a trip and a backseat.

You fit luggage or camping gear for 3 in a 2dr? If we are doing a long road trip it's either multiple days of camping or a week+ vacation. If it's camping the 2 65lb dogs/sleeping bags/blankets fill the backseat of a 4 door. The recovery gear, camp box, ice chest, tools, 2 chairs, and tent fill the cargo area to the roof. There's no chance you could fit the ice chest alone with 3 people in a 2dr. Sure you can drive 3 people around with no stuff. Maybe 3 people outfitted like backpackers or each with an overnight bag. Enough beer for 4 days with 3 people would be tough to fit and you better like drinking it warm.

 

[AcesandEights]

If you can't fit it into a two-door JLR, you're bringing too much.

Leave the Starlink and dual battery solar powered workstation at home? One tool that serves multiple functions, or it stays home? Lots of ways to cut the fat.

 

[Zandcwhite]

If you can't fit it into a two-door JLR, you're bringing too much.

Leave the Starlink and dual battery solar powered workstation at home? One tool that serves multiple functions, or it stays home? Lots of ways to cut the fat.

It can be done for 1 or 2 pretty easily. Add a 3rd which necessitates the back seat and now you're into backing or motorcycle camping style of packing. If I wanted to filter river water to drink and eat dehydrated meals I wouldn't be camping in a vehicle that is just as wide and barely more maneuverable than my 4dr.

 

[YJdude]

2-door. It's classic. It's classy. It's what most people see when they dream about owning one. It's what EVERYONE did before JK.

 

[jadewolf]

This is all my junk for a 1 night/ 1 person camping trip. The passenger seat is also filled with all my recovery gear. I've been trying to cut it down but haven't had any luck.

Yup, ditto this.

Average camping trip. Add in my photography gear and the dog is starting to give me dirty looks about his lack of space (if he'd ride in the front seat, maybe he'd have a little more headroom.. but he's stubborn and wants to ride on the gear in the back)

I love my 2 door. But I've crammed four people in my JK to take coworkers to lunch and... lemme tell you, nobody likes riding in the backseat. Personally, I wouldn't take a third or fourth person (at least not one I liked) anywhere farther than a 20 minute drive. And definitely not on a multi-day road trip. Especially a morose teenager, lol.

Also, three people and a dog means somebody's getting drooled on the whole way. Tried that once. Didn't have any repeat takers on it, ha!

OP might be better off with a 4 door.

 

[TJDave]

Drive a Gladiator for a few years. It will make a JKU seem tiny! Coming from a TJ, and then a 2 door JK, I bought a brand new 2020 Gladiator. I was following their release, and couldn't wait to get one. After dragging my a$$ and 5 point turns on the trail, I couldn't take it anymore. Traded it for a JLUR. It's like driving a Jeep again. Last trail run where the TJs and YJs needed their lockers on a loose steep climb, the JLUR walked right up it... open. I was surprised and impressed. My now grown daughter likes to meet us for camping and jeeping. Back when I had the TJ and she was little, she loved climbing on the rear tire to get in back with the safari top. Now she loves the 4dr and room in the JLUR. As a previous 2 door guy, I really like wheeling and driving this JL 4 door.

 

[J.Ferreira]

I have a 2 door. Use it for camping trips with 3 people in it all the time. We just pull a small teardrop trailer. If no trailer, you will need a 4 door.

He posted later that he'd be pulling a trailer.
2 door for the OP!

 

[Tredsdert]

It's just a simple fact, two doors have more fun!!!

Just ask @Flip @Opus and any other two-door guys I can't think of.


Sadly I have a four-door. If the EcoDiesel was offered in a two-door, I would be rolling around in a two-door EcoDiesel right now. Or if they never offered the EcoDiesel engine, I would be rolling around in a two-door 3.6L.

Like I said, two doors have more fun!

 

[entropy]

He posted later that he'd be pulling a trailer.
2 door for the OP!

Oh yeah with a trailer youre good. Look at all the crap I carry around with me lol. 5walled gazelle gazeebo + outdoot carpet, 3 tables, solo stove firepit, kayak, electric espresso grinder, yakima roadshower, and a bunch of other crap. I even bring firewood with me.

 

[AtoB]

I just came out of a 4-door JK... bought a 23 JL 2-door. it's just me, the wife and the dog. the 2D I prefer.. I removed the back seat... parking is a breeze, turn radius is amazing, lighter/faster than a $.... its perfect for me... only downside ive seen it is a bumpier ride for sure w the short wheelbase.

 

[Joe98]

Given these parameters would you go two-door or four-door and why

Love my 2 door
Back seats are out all the time
Use a trailer for camping or overlanding
.

 

[JeepFan]

I agree that for OP's use case, I think a 4-door would be better, but I have to disagree that a 2-door is not a good road trip vehicle in general. I've done lots of road trips will full camping/backpacking gear with me and a passenger or me and my dog, and I haven't wanted for room (no trailer, no hitch basket, nothing on the roof). Had a blast driving it and getting to the destination for days of hikes. That said, a road trip with a passenger and my dog was pretty tight and took creative packing and strapping to make sure gear didn't shift and fall on my dog.

I agree with OminousSkitter. I've taken 3,500 mile trips in my 2-door JL and in my two previous 2-door JKs, and found them to be just fine.

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