Shopping for new Rubicon - noises on test drive

[jayvis]

If the Sport's ride is so superior, I wonder why the majority of Sport owners put lifts and larger tires on their rigs? Must be gluttons for punishment.

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[jdubya421]

How do you find the handling / steering is at 70 - 75 on the highway?
I really want a 2 door and mine would be a daily driver (short drives), but I do one or two 2 hour highway trips a week.
- Dave

I just did a 1000 mile road trip in my 2 door. I have never driven a 4 door so I can't compare it to one, but I have never felt unsafe or out of control. Sure, if you mash the brakes it gets a little wobbly, but its nothing that you can't control. The steering is a little loose, but its a Jeep. Mine is also a daily driver and I can't complain at all.

 

[apb]

Curious what the tire pressure was on the stock Rubicon you drove. They ship way too high and most dealers don't lower them. I run 25lbs in my 37s and they ride like a dream. I aired the stock tires down to 30 before I drove it home. I think they were at 45 when I took delivery. Tire pressure makes a giant difference in how these things ride.

My wife bought her Jeep earlier this year and soon discovered the tires were inflated to a ridiculous 45psi. She has a Sahara, we dropped the pressure to 35psi and it made a very noticeable difference.

When I picked up my JLR I had a feeling the tires would be like they were with my wife. Yep, 46psi in all four. I dropped mine down to 32 and it's amazing how big a difference that made.

I wonder, do they leave the factory at this level or does the dealer do this? I understand vehicles may sit on lots for a while and ambient temperatures may vary a bit, but 45psi?! That seems a bit extreme, but it's not a world ending problem and is easily fixed.

Anyhow, love driving my new 2 door JL any and every chance I get.

 

[blnewt]

I just did a 1000 mile road trip in my 2 door. I have never driven a 4 door so I can't compare it to one, but I have never felt unsafe or out of control. Sure, if you mash the brakes it gets a little wobbly, but its nothing that you can't control. The steering is a little loose, but its a Jeep. Mine is also a daily driver and I can't complain at all.

We have 8k miles on our JL Sport S (and have been on a couple 1500 mile round trips), agree w/ your assessment, braking performance is the only real downside we've seen since we added larger and much heavier 295/70/17s on 30 lb wheels. I'm going to go w/ some Powerstop Extreme brake pads in the near future and see if they have a more aggressive bite under heavy braking. If that's not much help I may end up w/ the larger front rotors/calipers w/ better pads.
My steering is fine for a solid axle setup, haven't got the V41 recall done yet, but got the notice a couple months ago.

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

I wonder, do they leave the factory at this level or does the dealer do this? I understand vehicles may sit on lots for a while and ambient temperatures may vary a bit, but 45psi?! That seems a bit extreme, but it's not a world ending problem and is easily fixed.

The tires are overinflated at the factory for shipping. The dealers *should* correct that, but don’t.

We had the exact discussions about tire pressures on the Miata forum for the same reason

 

[Alpha Delta]

I give up.

I think he’s confusing BLD with LSD.

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