Retirees...a ride question.

[VKSheridan]

If you’re confident with its reliability, I’d keep it. You know what you have.

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[richk225]

First thing you should do is check your tire PSI and drop it down to 30 or 32 and that alone will change your ride quality. What tires are you running C Range?
What tires are you running 315/70/17 or 35x12.50x17?
I am retired due to a bad back, a 5 level lumbar fusion is just the start of it and I am running my tires at 30-32 psi on my 392 Rubicon and it rides better than my wife`s Grand Cherokee Overland with air ride, because of the 20" rims and hardly any sidewall at all, dropping the psi in hers made a difference but it`s still no where near as smooth as my 392 XR

 

[Shibadog]

Retired is a vague description. I’m retired in my 50s. Some don’t retire until they’re 80.

That having been said, you already expressed your concerns and answered your question. Your wife’s old Wrangler isn’t for you. Returning the suspension to factory specs will cost as much as a new lift kit, plus the old lift kit will have little residual value. Since you don’t like the ride, keeping it as it is will wear on you quickly. Plus there is the issue of getting in and out of it, you ain’t getting any younger. My 85 year old dad wanted a new Gladiator, until he tried to get in my stock suspension 2 door. He had a tough time and I could see him hating it if he had to do that a few times a day. After we were down the road a few miles he said that the Gladiator was off his list. I don’t know how old you are, but every year or two my dad buys a new car that’s going to be his last one. He’s done that about 6 or 8 times now.

I suggest getting a new one, a Sport with the options you want. If you don’t want to buy a new one, get a low mile used one that hasn’t been modified in any way.

Edit;

Looking at the avatar pic, it looks like the 35s are stuffed without much lift. If it's just a spacer lift, put new shocks on it and go down to 33" tires on a factory wheel. That will improve the ride quite a bit. Avoid load range E tires.

This. 35’s, esp 35’s with an “E” rating aren’t helping you. A Sport with limited slip and decent tires will go pretty much anywhere (except “extreme” off road), rides decent and has plenty of space with the back seat removed.

 

[richk225]

35"s or 33's s long as they are a C range will not make a difference, PSI and the unknown information about the lift will. HD or standard springs? Spacer lift, What what shocks?
You could even try a set of take off Rubicon shocks that are dirt cheap to see if that helps but id the springs and HD and rated for a steel bumper and winch there's your problem or at least one of them. I think that you would all agree that more information is needed to figure out what is the first step.
It`s cheaper to update or fix what you have, especially if it`s reliable than to buy another Jeep. Once everything is known about the setup and also what type of off-roading will be done will make it an easy fix

 

[Old Jeeper]

I am asking retirees since we most often worry about ride quality and I need an opinion.

My wife's 2 door 2018 S (see avatar) is now in darn near showroom shape after all the repairs. She's going to trade it in in 2 years for her new car. When I retire in 2 years, I thought with 2 years more depreciation, I'd buy it from her and keep it in the family. Us it as my retirement daily driver. But the ride is OEM with 35s. A bit harsh and bouncy. It has 5" less wheelbase than my Renegade. And my 6 speed Renegade rides far better as a DD, but has to go then.

Guess my question is... if it's likely to be your last vehicle, would you buy a 8 YO Wrangler in perfect shape but breaks your teeth with its Wrangler ride, OR not have it as a retiree's DD. One option is to soften the ride on a retirees budget.

Opinions?

Its a JL and I have owned 2 JLRs both with 35s and I think its a comfortable ride. I also have a spine full from top to bottom with Arthritis...from carrying 150 lbs on my back half my life in the US Army Infantry.

When was the last time you replaced your SHOCKS?

 

[Jeffy56]

A 4 door will ride better. Yes, getting in/out was a consideration when I bought my '18 a year ago. Ditto all the above on tires and shocks.

 

[richk225]

Its a JL and I have owned 2 JLRs both with 35s and I think its a comfortable ride. I also have a spine full from top to bottom with Arthritis...from carrying 150 lbs on my back half my life in the US Army Infantry.

When was the last time you replaced your SHOCKS?

Good advice, and most of all thank you for your service.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Good advice, and most of all thank you for your service.

THANK YOU and I appreciate it!!!!

 

[wuzwiz]

We are 76, retired since '12. We have had many jeeps over the years starting with a CJ-3A through my '23 JL 2-door. Wifey has a '20 Cherokee LTD but we tend to take the JL as it is more fun. Ride is as good as a short wheel-base Jeep can get; not as good as our previous JKU's. It's Toledo stock and with the oem side steps is easier to step up into and slide down out of than the Cherokee. It is, by choice, our current "last car" even is it isn't a "car". I'd go with a stock JL or JLU and enjoy the ride.

 

[DogsRule]

My wife and I are retired and use "her" 2019 (purchased in late-2018) 2-door as a daily driver. We've taken several long 3500+ mile road trips in the Jeep and it's been fine. That said, our tires are 255/75-17 (32s), not 35s. With the rear seat removed, it has enough cargo space for our weekly Costco runs.

This is exactly what I want to do. Seat's already out, fill it up and head out for a road trip. Son's a ranger at MOAB and darn if I'm flying out and renting a Corolla for the trails.

 

[richk225]

This is exactly what I want to do. Seat's already out, fill it up and head out for a road trip. Son's a ranger at MOAB and darn if I'm flying out and renting a Corolla for the trails.

By chance any more info on your Jeep build that you have so maybe we can help you with the ride quality? Tiree, lift, shocks, springs, etc

 

[Mos.Jeep]

I join the "retired ranks" on August 22, but I just turned 60. Bought my retirement present '21 Rubicon 4 door 9 months ago. I am STILL very impressed with the ride quality. Trips from Wisconsin to Moab and back have been fantastic. My friends all say, "I thought Jeeps rode really rough, this is nice!" I love my Jeep...

 

[Heimkehr]

if it's likely to be your last vehicle, would you buy a 8 YO Wrangler in perfect shape but breaks your teeth with its Wrangler ride, OR not have it as a retiree's DD.

In the Geezer Analysis™, I'd opt for comfort, meaning the ox cart Wrangler would have to be an infrequently used and secondary mode of transportation.

 

[Boatbuilder88]

My wife and I are retired and use "her" 2019 (purchased in late-2018) 2-door as a daily driver. We've taken several long 3500+ mile road trips in the Jeep and it's been fine. That said, our tires are 255/75-17 (32s), not 35s. With the rear seat removed, it has enough cargo space for our weekly Costco runs.

This is exactly what I want to do. Seat's already out, fill it up and head out for a road trip. Son's a ranger at MOAB and darn if I'm flying out and renting a Corolla for the trails.

Sounds like a great plan to me! Wifey and I are planning a road trip for later this year to visit Utah's national parks. Our daughter will fly out and meet us there so the back seat will be going back in for this trip. We will be staying in the Moab area for five days and want to drive some easy/moderate trails.

 

[2nd 392]

Similar to others- also some back issues, started with a 3A in the mid 60’s, my 63 after a Rancho lift felt like no springs…… now 392 rides like my GC in sport mode (typically run), better than the GC after 35/12.50’s at 30-32 psi. Unfortunately it doesn’t have the GC’s comfortable seats and therein lies any long trip discomfort. If my very hard seat doesn’t start breaking in more than the so far just slightly I will seek professional help for a remedy.

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