The "hate" on Jeeps + Speed

[Terrymo]

This is not a personal attack on you just on the concept.

If you think any Jeep Wrangler is fast (even just in a straight line) without a motor swap you haven’t driven a real sports car with any real power or anything from the true muscle car era. In comparison a Wrangler has no speed, no handling, and even worse aerodynamics. I think the saying that comes to mind, when someone talks about a Jeep like this, is polishing a turd.

I think you need to go test drive some modern sports cars and then hop back into your Jeep and feel the sad reality creep over you. Quickest best handling car I drove was a Dinan chipped twin turbo 911 putting out 450 horsepower. Hop out of that, change your chonies, and hop into a wrangler and it will feel like a riding lawn mower. Or don’t and continue to live in a happy, happy dream world.

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[jadmt]

I suppose the only issue with that speed on road is local speed limits and crushingly bad fuel economy.

My speed limits are 80mph on interstate and usually 70 on secondary roads so you are good for at least 5mph over without getting pilled over. Some places 10 over is not an issue. We drive to moab and speed limits are pretty much 80 and even 85 in sections so yea mpg can take a hit but not a limiting factor for us.

 

[2nd 392]

This is not a personal attack on you just on the concept.

If you think any Jeep Wrangler is fast (even just in a straight line) without a motor swap you haven’t driven a real sports car with any real power or anything from the true muscle car era. In comparison a Wrangler has no speed, no handling, and even worse aerodynamics. I think the saying that comes to mind, when someone talks about a Jeep like this, is polishing a turd.

I think you need to go test drive some modern sports cars and then hop back into your Jeep and feel the sad reality creep over you. Quickest best handling car I drove was a Dinan chipped twin turbo 911 putting out 450 horsepower. Hop out of that, change your chonies, and hop into a wrangler and it will feel like a riding lawn mower. Or don’t and continue to live in a happy, happy dream world.

Bingo- what’s wrong with a Jeep that’s not only capable off road but will GO and is fun on road too ? 60 - 72 HP Jeeps that wouldn’t get out of their own way, worthless on road, had to be towed. Jeeez, 72 HP Jeep got a 5X upgrade and was a ball on road and great off road. Yeah, nose heavy and range compromises, a very small price to pay. ….. Besides, I couldn’t afford both a Diesel Jeep and a Hellcat, drive a 392, happy with my jack of both trades.

 

[cripton805]

Personally, driving Jeeps fast is just sketchy. They don't steer all that well and the early JLs were even worse. I could turn my steering wheel 1/5th turn without the wheels turning at all. Wandering at 65mph and the new ones still do. Also, worn components are known to cause steering wobble.

If you want to drive fast, just get something else.

 

[jadmt]

Personally, driving Jeeps fast is just sketchy. They don't steer all that well and the early JLs were even worse. I could turn my steering wheel 1/5th turn without the wheels turning at all. Wandering at 65mph and the new ones still do. Also, worn components are known to cause steering wobble.

If you want to drive fast, just get something else.

With my AEV dualsport 2.5 mine handles great at speeds into the 90's..never felt sketchy.

 

[cripton805]

With my AEV dualsport 2.5 mine handles great at speeds into the 90's..never felt sketchy.

Compared to what?

I've had at least 30 vehicles and Wranglers were probably the worst handling. Even from a 90s Ranger without power steering.

The Gladiator was better than the Wrangler. IMO.

I would consider good handling anything other than a straight line. Stock Jeeps struggle with that too.

 

[grimmjeeper]

What do a Jeep and a Delorean have in common?

 

[Pape]

With my AEV dualsport 2.5 mine handles great at speeds into the 90's..never felt sketchy.

I get you there, you need to have no slope in your steering for this one. But in the grand realm of thing still slow

Why is it that a lot of people somewhat throw "hate" or "shade" on people who want a Jeep, but also want to drive fast? I've seen it in this forum, on YouTube, all over the internet. I get it, most Jeeps are used for exploring the scenery of the trails, and I am all for that. However, when the Jeep was originally created it was used to transport soldiers over any terrain, and as fast as possible. Key words there: any terrain and as fast as possible. I've dug deep into the "prerunner" scene and can say without a doubt that if a big ole boxy truck can do it, so can a Jeep Wrangler. FOX advertised their 3.0 Race shocks in a stock Jeep Wrangler, drifting and kicking up dirt like any other prerunner. There are a plethora of Gladiator owners who are slamming the dirt roads at high speeds, comparable to even a WRX or Tacoma. Cassie Currie, Debertti, KebbeTech, all of these are some examples of Jeeps going to high speeds and yes they are modified but they have the potential even with limited or minimal mods. I am not saying that a Jeep Wrangler Sport is going to be a podium finish in a rallycross, but at the same time, its not always about the car but the driver. So, yes a Jeep Wrangler *could* enter and win a rallycross. Sure independent suspension is better, but solid axles aren't impossible for fast offroad (or even on-road) travel.
Basically, TL;DR:
From what I have seen in my life, and online, and in person - The Jeep Wrangler is the vehicle that *can* go anywhere, and, in most cases, do anything. It can be a prerunner, and enter rallycross AND can overland or take the trail slow and explore.

Just my thoughts - no hate , no wanting to argue, just wanting to explain why Speed + Jeeps aren't a bad thing.

here is the short version:
Can you modify your jeep to go fast ? yes you can
Would the average joe do it properly ? no
Would the average joe try to go fast on the trail ? yes
Would the average joe snap a axle because he was going to fast ? for sure
Would the average joe jump on the forum and complain about it ? I bet ya

 

[jadmt]

skip ahead 30 seconds

 

[shagles]

Caels4x4 on Instagram is the first that comes to mind. It is a Gladiator, but still in the same realm of - its a fast "wrangler" with a truck bed.

That’s not even remotely correct. A gladiator has a foot and a half longer wheelbase than a JLU, giving it a substantial edge going “fast” off-road. And then a Mojave like Caels4x4 has yet a different suspension than other gladiators. Getting a JLU to the level of a Mojave is way more than ”mild” mods. Thats full long arms, vehicle specific tuned reservoir or likely bypass shocks, and you still won’t be there. You’d need a significant stretch.

 

[gek]

except some kinks deserve to be shamed

Why is it that a lot of people somewhat throw "hate" or "shade" on people who want a Jeep, but also want to drive fast? I've seen it in this forum, on YouTube, all over the internet. I get it, most Jeeps are used for exploring the scenery of the trails, and I am all for that. However, when the Jeep was originally created it was used to transport soldiers over any terrain, and as fast as possible. Key words there: any terrain and as fast as possible. I've dug deep into the "prerunner" scene and can say without a doubt that if a big ole boxy truck can do it, so can a Jeep Wrangler. FOX advertised their 3.0 Race shocks in a stock Jeep Wrangler, drifting and kicking up dirt like any other prerunner. There are a plethora of Gladiator owners who are slamming the dirt roads at high speeds, comparable to even a WRX or Tacoma. Cassie Currie, Debertti, KebbeTech, all of these are some examples of Jeeps going to high speeds and yes they are modified but they have the potential even with limited or minimal mods. I am not saying that a Jeep Wrangler Sport is going to be a podium finish in a rallycross, but at the same time, its not always about the car but the driver. So, yes a Jeep Wrangler *could* enter and win a rallycross. Sure independent suspension is better, but solid axles aren't impossible for fast offroad (or even on-road) travel.
Basically, TL;DR:
From what I have seen in my life, and online, and in person - The Jeep Wrangler is the vehicle that *can* go anywhere, and, in most cases, do anything. It can be a prerunner, and enter rallycross AND can overland or take the trail slow and explore.

Just my thoughts - no hate , no wanting to argue, just wanting to explain why Speed + Jeeps aren't a bad thing.

Yes and "as fast as possible" meant faster than a horse and buggy or marching. See many Jeeps transporting troops currently?

 

[Pape]

skip ahead 30 seconds

This is the edge of what can be done, at some point he is tree wheeling it.

 

[jadmt]

Compared to what?

I've had at least 30 vehicles and Wranglers were probably the worst handling. Even from a 90s Ranger without power steering.

The Gladiator was better than the Wrangler. IMO.

I would consider good handling anything other than a straight line. Stock Jeeps struggle with that too.

I spent over 30 years driving some what fast cars or a living...I have had probably close to 35 new cars some fast some not..my other car current car is a cx5 turbo. is a jeep a sports car no but mine is not sketchy at 90mph. I had a 1990 ranger

 

[gek]

skip ahead 30 seconds

professional driver on closed course, I've met very few people I'd trust driving a vette like that in real life.

[edit] either a corvette or a chevette

 

[yokramer]

skip ahead 30 seconds

so slower lap times than a well driven Miata and so on the edge its barely able to keep 3 wheels on the ground? Seems like a real race car to me

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