Thinking the unthinkable

[Old Jeeper]

If folding down the windshield “is what makes a Jeep a Jeep,” then I must be driving a Ford... ! ?

I’ve never folded down the windshield, and have no desire to do so. My guess is 99% of Wrangler owners don’t either.

IMO, what makes the Wrangler driving experience unique is the combination of the four coil suspension and the two solid axles. This I get to enjoy every single time, and no other vehicle offers it.

My friend, there are other cars that have it, such as some Toyotas, Jeep Grand Cherokee and I think the Bronco had it at one time, IIRC. I don't think anyone was as successful with it as Jeep, not sure why they were discontinued.

That said I only know of one other vehicle with a fold-down windshield and they are technically both Jeeps. I believe they stopped the fold down windshield in 68 IIRC. That is a distinguishing factor. I have driven as much as 300 miles with the windshield down. In the military, almost all Jeeps outside of the garrison traveled with the windshield down.

This is a Jeeps thing since 1941 and its a visual, unlike axles and coil springs unless you crawl under. The profile of the Jeep is not much different than 1941 and if the fold-down windshield goes it won't be long before our fabled Jeep looks like a car.

Sponsored

 

[multicam]

This is a Jeeps thing since 1941 and its a visual, unlike axles and coil springs unless you crawl under. The profile of the Jeep is not much different than 1941 and if the fold-down windshield goes it won't be long before our fabled Jeep looks like a car.

Yes, this right here is the key point.

@aldo98229 I’m like you, I haven’t folded my windshield down yet on my JL (but I did on my YJ and TJ every once in a while).

But I think what Old Jeeper is saying is that if the jeep loses the ability to fold down the windshield it will effectively cease to be a Wrangler because it will end up with a curved, long windshield. It would turn into that Recon concept which to my eyes is basically a Renegade.

Windshields that can fold forward have to be flat-ish and mostly upright. That forces the jeep to remain a jeep.

 

[LCW]

IMO, what makes the Wrangler driving experience unique is the combination of the four coil suspension and the two solid axles. This I get to enjoy every single time, and no other vehicle offers it.

RAM Power Wagon

 

[Old Jeeper]

Yes, this right here is the key point.

@aldo98229 I’m like you, I haven’t folded my windshield down yet on my JL (but I did on my YJ and TJ every once in a while).

But I think what Old Jeeper is saying is that if the jeep loses the ability to fold down the windshield it will effectively cease to be a Wrangler because it will end up with a curved, long windshield. It would turn into that Recon concept which to my eyes is basically a Renegade.

Windshields that can fold forward have to be flat-ish and mostly upright. That forces the jeep to remain a jeep.

Ahhh the GOLDEN HAMMER Award...you NAILED IT!

1941-2023 same basic profile, change that your next Jeep will look like a Camry with 4 wheel drive.

I get a kick when folks say: I am waiting on the REFRESH before I buy...REALLY?

NOW you know why they call Jeep an ICON!

Not much Revolution in the Evolution...you change it you lose ICON status and no longer have a Jeep...LMFJA!

 

[imperial4ever]

RAM Power Wagon

Power Wagon with it's 33" inch tires. Like a bodybuilder who continues to skip leg day.

 

[imperial4ever]

Ahhh the GOLDEN HAMMER Award...you NAILED IT!

1941-2023 same basic profile, change that your next Jeep will look like a Camry with 4 wheel drive.

I get a kick when folks say: I am waiting on the REFRESH before I buy...REALLY?

NOW you know why they call Jeep an ICON!

Not much Revolution in the Evolution...you change it you lose ICON status and no longer have a Jeep...LMFJA!

Remember the uproar from Jeep purists when the 1997 TJ's coil springs replaced the previous generation YJ's leaf spring set up???

 

[Old Jeeper]

Remember the uproar from Jeep purists when the 1997 TJ's coil springs replaced the previous generation YJ's leaf spring set up???

LOL I sure did, BUT I was not one of the purists, the leaf springs were KILLING this old Infantry rucksack back, I was glad for the coils!

 

[Old Jeeper]

Exactly. Body-on-frame, solid axles front and rear, recirculating ball steering and so on and so forth which is why I feel in love with my TJ.

IMO had Jeep stayed with leaf springs Jeep would be gone and it was the TJH that turned the corner and the Rubicon that turned the tide and made it what it is today. They told me at Chrysler when I was consulting that the Rubicon would be a short tun and expected no more than 5000 units and would die off at the end of the TJ run...and the rest is history!

 

[imperial4ever]

IMO had Jeep stayed with leaf springs Jeep would be gone and it was the TJH that turned the corner and the Rubicon that turned the tide and made it what it is today. They told me at Chrysler when I was consulting that the Rubicon would be a short tun and expected no more than 5000 units and would die off at the end of the TJ run...and the rest is history!

Yep my goal was to trade in my 97TJ for a 2003 Rubi in Inca Gold with it's industry first 31" inch tires but my wife to be wanted a house instead...roll eyes.

 

[aldo98229]

Funny how every automaker, from Willys, to AMC, to Chrysler, all seemed to have such low expectations for CJ/Wrangler. They were mostly kicking the proverbial can down the road. Those automakers are all gone, but Jeep is still here.

Today, Stellantis executives hinge their plans on that home on the French Riviera on how much fat gravy Jeep can rake in by end of fiscal year.

 

[imperial4ever]

Funny how every automaker, from Willys, to AMC, to Chrysler, all seemed to have such low expectations for CJ/Wrangler. They were mostly kicking the proverbial can down the road. Those automakers are all gone, but Jeep is still here.

Today, Stellantis executives hinge their plans on that home on the French Riviera on how much fat gravy Jeep can rake in by end of fiscal year.

Thee best decision by Lee Iacocca to purchase AMC in 1987, Right? Jeep has been a cash cow ever since.

 

[aldo98229]

Thee best decision by Lee Iacocca to purchase AMC in 1987, Right? Jeep has been a cash cow ever since.

Agreed.

His worst decision was to bypass Bob Lutz as CEO and bring in Bob Eaton. That’s when Chrysler started unraveling: Daimler, Cerberus, Fiat, Peugeot...

 

[Mikehikespnw]

Two door wrangler or a RAM TRX

 

[imperial4ever]

Agreed.

His worst decision was to bypass Bob Lutz as CEO and bring in Bob Eaton. That’s when Chrysler started unraveling: Daimler, Cerberus, Fiat, Peugeot...

And Lee acknowledges that in his book.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Thee best decision by Lee Iacocca to purchase AMC in 1987, Right? Jeep has been a cash cow ever since.

Chrysler needed AMC innovations in design and manufacturing as much as AMC need money. Both companies would have died otherwise.

As far as the folding windshield, I'm glad it's still there as it forces the design to remain in such a way that it has to be accommodated for it. Sadly, the JK and JL look bad when with it folded. At least it's easier to do on the JL, but the roll structure negates the folded windshield profile and the winshield is still a chunky look on the hood, but better than the curved JK windshield is. The TJ was the last one that looked right folded, but it was still using a tub somewhat based on the CJs.

Sponsored