Thinking the unthinkable

[Jeepeto]

I don’t off-road like I used to anymore; I think I have developed a mental blockage towards bashing such a beautiful —and expensive— Jeep against the rocks. Driving the Jeep around town and on the freeway seems to have become a chore for some reason.

Beat on it or get rid of it. I did the same with my WRX; it was precious and now it's gone. No sense in keeping it around just to look at it. It's a tool to bring joy, if it is no longer doing so then it's time to let it go or re-evaluate your relationship with your tool. (that's what she said?)

Colorado ZR2 or Ranger Tremor come to mind. They're solid, body on frame rigs that drive better on road and can still fit on trail.

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[J.Ferreira]

2door can turn in a circle so tight it is ridiculous! JLU is not bad but the 2door is freakish.

I've owned some small cars over the years, and u-turns have never been easier than with this JL!

 

[longfiredragon]

I didn't read all of this. I could be wrong but I feel if you get rid of the beautiful red Sahara you won't be happy.

If you think you will be ok with something else and don't have anything against Nissan I saw the newly redesigned 4x4 version of the frontier the other day. Pretty dam nice looking truck I thought.

Best for you in whatever you decide.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Some turning radius numbers for fun.

Smart Car	11.4'
Fiat 124 (OP's other car)	15.4'
Jeep JL	17.25'
Jeep CJ-5	17.5'
Jeep JLU	20.4'
Jeep JT	22.25' - 22.4'

 

[aldo98229]

I can't disagree with any of the suggestions y'all have contributed so far.

Yes, downsizing to a 2-door will probably fit the bill. Yes, I will miss my red Sahara. Yes, I should suck it up, buttercup, and enjoy the Jeep. Etc.

In terms of bringing my Sahara back to stock: I need to stick with 35-inch tires due to the 4.88 gearing. I can't undo that.

In order to regain some of the original handling characteristics, I have been thinking perhaps swapping the current 35x12.5R17 General Grabber ATXs with a set of narrower and much lighter 285/75R18, which measure 35x11.2.

I still have the original Sahara rims, so I would be going back to 18-inch wheels, a 1.3-inch narrower tire, and SHED a whopping 10 POUNDS per tire (65 lbs vs 55 lbs).

But I am hesitant to spend $2,000 only to find out that it didn't make any difference.

I have been looking at the Nokian Outpost AT. Nokian Tyre is a Finnish tiremaker with an excellent reputation.

Thoughts?

 

[AnnDee4444]

I can't disagree with any of the suggestions y'all have contributed so far.

Yes, downsizing to a 2-door will probably fit the bill. Yes, I will miss my red Sahara. Yes, I should suck it up, buttercup, and enjoy the Jeep. Etc.

In terms of bringing my Sahara back to stock: I need to stick with 35-inch tires due to the 4.88 gearing. I can't undo that.

I order to regain some of the original handling characteristics, I have been thinking perhaps swapping the current 35x12.5R17 General Grabber ATXs with a set of 285/75R18, which measure 35x11.2R18.

I still have the original Sahara rims, so I would be going back to a 1-inch taller wheel, 1.3-inch narrower tire, and SHED a whopping 10 POUNDS per tire (65 lbs vs 55 lbs).

But I am hesitant to spend $2,000 only to find out that it didn't make any difference.

I have been looking at the Nokian Outpost AT. Nokian Tyre is a Finnish tiremaker with an excellent reputation.

Thoughts?

You noted that driving the Jeep has become a chore... Have you tried adjusting the steering box, added caster, and/or added a trackbar brace?

I think I can sympathize with the driving effort... my daily driver is a MX-5 with a few suspension refinements. In comparison the JL handling is absolute crap, but the modifications I listed above have made it tolerable at highway speeds.

 

[AFD]

Some turning radius numbers for fun.

Smart Car	11.4'
Fiat 124 (OP's other car)	15.4'
Jeep JL	17.25'
Jeep CJ-5	17.5'
Jeep JLU	20.4'
Jeep JT	22.25' - 22.4'

17.25' turning radius for the 2-door is pretty crazy. Immediately noticed it was insanely better than in my Evo X, which get this.. was almost 39 f'ing feet! Goofy thing could take tight corners like a sumabitch at speed, but slowly navigating a parking lot was oddly difficult for a car. Never realized until now that it was actually worse than a JT, let alone by that damn much.

 

[Bocephus]

I bet you’d enjoy the 2 door bronco. ????‍?️

 

[epd313]

My 2018 Sahara turned three years old last November. It only has 16,300 miles. It has Mopar lift, 35-inch tires, 4.88 gears, is fully equipped and has given me very few problems.

I’ve owned Wranglers for 14 years. But I barely drive this Jeep any more. Every time I get a chance, I hop in the Fiat Spider instead. I prefer the maneuverability, the precise steering, the fuel economy.

I don’t off-road like I used to anymore; I think I have developed a mental blockage towards bashing such a beautiful —and expensive— Jeep against the rocks. Driving the Jeep around town and on the freeway seems to have become a chore for some reason.

But I don’t know what else to get. Ideally, I’d want something a little nimbler, with AWD/4WD, that is comfortable, with room for four, is easy on gas, fun to drive, and doesn’t cost an arm an a leg. Body-on-frame preferred, but not required.

A few months back I placed an order for a 2023 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works. After waiting eight months, when the vehicle finally arrived I couldn’t pull the trigger. Paying $51,000 for a Mini was one of my holdbacks; another was my lack of trust in German/British durability. Otherwise, I think the vehicle would have fit the bill.

I don’t know what else get, though. I owned a Tacoma before: loved the solidity but hated the power train and the seats; I kind of like GMC Canyon AT4 but the interior is just old. I’m not considering Broncos. Grand Cherokee is out of the question: I’m not spending that kind of money, and I am pretty much done with Jeep dealers. I don’t like Subarus; they look like shit. But I’m open to Toyotas, Mazdas, GMs, and to some Hondas.

Any other thoughts? Suggestions? Keep the Jeep and suck it up...?

Camaro ZL1 convertible! Preferably in orange, it will only go up in value when they stop making them next year

 

[aldo98229]

You noted that driving the Jeep has become a chore... Have you tried adjusting the steering box, added caster, and/or added a trackbar brace?

I think I can sympathize with the driving effort... my daily driver is a MX-5 with a few suspension refinements. In comparison the JL handling is absolute crap, but the modifications I listed above have made it tolerable at highway speeds.

Yes. After the Mopar lift, I added a YETI HD adjustable track bar and had the steering box TSB done. Both helped; especially the latter. The shop that installed the track bar did a full alignment as well. He specializes in Jeeps.

 

[dragoneggs]

I agree about 35s.

As good as these Jeeps look on 35s, and as capable as they are off-road, from a day-to-day drivability standpoint, 35-inch tires really suck the fun —and the fuel economy— out of them.

33-inch tires is the sweet spot for these rigs.

JLR 2dr here... I went from 285 to 315s. Lost maybe 1 mpg. I'm 6'2" and it is still easy enough for my 62 year old body to get into.

 

[scj64]

If anyone has trouble driving a JL 2 door on the freeway, take it somewhere and have it set up properly.
My wife and I took her JLR to Atlanta last year and we decided to leave after I got off work late. I wake up and she’s blasting up through Jellico running 92 mph! That Jeep was stock except for Rusty’s adjustable lower control arms lengthened 1/4” from stock. It stuck to the road as good as anything comparatively.
We have a Grand Wagoneer, a CTD Ram 2500 and wanted another vehicle to play around in. We debated over another Challenger but the JLR with a 6MT got the nod. Wife wants me to install a Magnuson super charger for that wow effect when she punches the skinny pedal!

 

[Chief_Dan]

Well my friend, I say try the different tires, cheaper than starting over & might make you like your Sahara again.

Right now I can't imagine getting rid of my JLUR, but it is perfect for the offroading I do which is mainly muddy roads to get into GREAT hunting & fishing locations, & hopefully soon some trips to places only a 4x4 can go. Wife wants to "see" the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, & go to Colorado & the Moab area.

But, I do miss my MR2. It was really fun to drive. Coilovers that were corner balanced with Koni double adjustables, lower ratio steering pinion, & a 350mm Sparco cloth steering wheel. Engine had a turbo kit, computer, adjustable cam gears, ported/polished & fully tuned & the car stripped down to 2750 lbs, making right at 300rwhp/tq with a fast spooling turbo, power band from around 2800 - 6800 rpms was AMAZING. Steering was almost telepathic & in street form, was easy a right at 12 second quarter mile car. In 5th gear at around 75 MPH on the freeway I could massage 30 MPG out of her. On the track, about 8 MPG with 93 octane. So, traveling around to races wasn't too bad. But, I busted knuckles every time I worked on it & finding parts, shoot, was practically making parts for it myself, when I sold it.

So, again I say keep it & the sports car. If the new tires don't work out, I say 2dr Willys or Rubicon.

 

[en480c4]

I had the same issue with my JL. My JLR was Jeep #16 in 30 years of driving. Stupid money to pay for something I just didn’t love.

Currently driving a ‘91 Range Rover Classic. It needs stuff, but the damn thing puts a smile on my face whenever I look at it. And only JL parts could make a RRC reasonable to maintain.

As Fred Williams said on Dirt Every Day, “Everyone loves old trucks until it’s time to do old truck stuff.” Doing my best to embrace old truck stuff.

 

[dragoneggs]

Come join the JL 2dr club! At least go rent one and see how fun it is to drive around town or off road. Maybe it will rekindle your off-roading. Doesn't have to be a rock crawler but seeing some of your nature pics you posted, it seems you enjoy that.

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