Trim Level Advice

[Heimkehr]

The M220 rear with lsd is good but you can get that on a sport.

Only occasionally. The Limited Slip Diff option, and several others (e.g., engine block heater) have been absent from the Sport's configuration webpage for a good while now. Perhaps it and others will reappear in time.

Granted, the controlling authority for option availability is the dealer's Order Entry system. The interested buyer should call his nearest and/or preferred dealer to make inquiries about what is and isn't available at the time he's ready to write the deposit check.

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[kah.mun.rah]

If OP wasn't confused enough about which trim level to get before...he better be now.

One thing we can all agree on is to get one with an angry grill so that you don't have to spend money on one later. 3......2......1......

 

[BobW]

Tires are about diff clearance, not overall ground clearance. With diffs being as low as they are every little bit helps make it easier.

Sure, it's what I watch closest. I could be wrong about lifts tho....

 

[Pig-Pen]

Op, if you decide to go for a sport, learn how to identify the m220 rear end. Have pics with you to compare. Dont rely on the owner to know what theyre talking about. Im sure most people dont even know they have it.

 

[Ohio812]

I’m in Texas so no Moab level stuff around. Probably be mostly “moderately” rated trails per Trails Off-road guide. Would love to make some trips to Colorado for Imogene Pass and places up there but that would be special trips. Weekends only maybe once or twice a month.

Oh Texas has some tough Rubicon rated trails. Here's one for you: https://merusadventure.com/

 

[Ohio812]

Oh Texas has some tough Rubicon rated trails. Here's one for you: https://merusadventure.com/

And https://wolfcaves.com/. You'll need rear steer for some trails there.

 

[Shibadog]

A stock Sport with limited slip and decent rubber (Rubi takeoffs or similar) will do anything you’re talking about easily. Lockers, lifts and monster tires simply aren’t ”needed” for places people want to take a Jeep. (Slick rock? Ok. Normal trails? Nope not needed. ). Buy yourself a nice Sport, S, or Sahara. Get decent rubber on it. Put together a basic self rescue kit AND a basic “survival” kit. (You can search here for advice on those). Put them in the Jeep and just enjoy your Jeep. iF you find yourself routinely getting hung up or stuck, and IF you are using good driving techniques, then, and only then, do you need to begin looking at more clearance, more aggressive tires, yada yada yada. My lil S has rescued two Rubicons whose drivers lacked the skill to drive off road. The most important thing to take with you on a trail is your brain. You can get in trouble with ANY vehicle if you’re stupid. Also, remember there IS a trade off. The more off road specific you build a Jeep, the less capable it becomes as a DD ( poorer handling, worse fuel economy, excessive wear on drivetrain components.). There is NO free lunch.

 

[Roky]

The more off road specific you build a Jeep, the less capable it becomes as a DD ( poorer handling, worse fuel economy, excessive wear on drivetrain components.). There is NO free lunch.

Calling BS on this…….if it’s done right, you can have it both ways…..

 

[Shibadog]

Sorry, but you can’t change physics. Additional unsprung weight and a higher CG has never yet improved ride or handling-or fuel efficiency. For street use I’ll stand by my statement and based on the large number of late model, low mileage Jeeps with lifts and big tires that are sitting on used car lots it seems a lot of folks agree with me. I’ve no axe to grind, and if someone wants huge tires and a high lift that’s fine but don’t kid yourself that it will improve road manners.

 

[Roky]

Sorry, but you can’t change physics. Additional unsprung weight and a higher CG has never yet improved ride or handling-or fuel efficiency. For street use I’ll stand by my statement and based on the large number of late model, low mileage Jeeps with lifts and big tires that are sitting on used car lots it seems a lot of folks agree with me. I’ve no axe to grind, and if someone wants huge tires and a high lift that’s fine but don’t kid yourself that it will improve road manners.

I stand by my statement…..I’ll give you fuel economy, but worrying about fuel mileage in a Jeep is just silly…. The statement “ it rides better than stock” is heard on here and in the real world way more than, “this thing rides like shit, I’m going back to stock” as far as wear and tear, that falls under the “if it’s done right “ part of my statement……agree to disagree I suppose…

 

[Remorseless]

Sorry, but you can’t change physics. Additional unsprung weight and a higher CG has never yet improved ride or handling-or fuel efficiency. For street use I’ll stand by my statement and based on the large number of late model, low mileage Jeeps with lifts and big tires that are sitting on used car lots it seems a lot of folks agree with me. I’ve no axe to grind, and if someone wants huge tires and a high lift that’s fine but don’t kid yourself that it will improve road manners.

I'm with @Roky. Depends on how you control that unsprung weight, shock choice and config, coil choice, configure the steering, manage caster, etc. If your pocket book's deep enough, and you're good enough at putting the right parts together with the right tuning, you can have a rig that drives way better than stock. Most folks aren't, and that sucks for them, but not being commonly done isn't the same as not possible to do.

 

[Pig-Pen]

as with everything in life, it always comes down to funding...

 

[GMONEY]

That’s a good point. I revise my statement: MY quick disconnects don’t connect so easily.

If you have a fat guy to sit on the bumper for you it isn't too bad.

 

[swampflyer]

A stock Sport with limited slip and decent rubber (Rubi takeoffs or similar) will do anything you’re talking about easily. Lockers, lifts and monster tires simply aren’t ”needed” for places people want to take a Jeep. (Slick rock? Ok. Normal trails? Nope not needed. ). Buy yourself a nice Sport, S, or Sahara. Get decent rubber on it. Put together a basic self rescue kit AND a basic “survival” kit. (You can search here for advice on those). Put them in the Jeep and just enjoy your Jeep. iF you find yourself routinely getting hung up or stuck, and IF you are using good driving techniques, then, and only then, do you need to begin looking at more clearance, more aggressive tires, yada yada yada. My lil S has rescued two Rubicons whose drivers lacked the skill to drive off road. The most important thing to take with you on a trail is your brain. You can get in trouble with ANY vehicle if you’re stupid. Also, remember there IS a trade off. The more off road specific you build a Jeep, the less capable it becomes as a DD ( poorer handling, worse fuel economy, excessive wear on drivetrain components.). There is NO free lunch.

Yes, I agree. Most of the time I’ve watched at Moab and they have fun. Very expensive fun. you should be walking where these people get stuck. I have to really laugh sometimes at the human race. However, that being said if it’s your thing, go for it. A lot of people having fun

 

[SadRobot]

If you have a fat guy to sit on the bumper for you it isn't too bad.

I never wheel without a token fat guy. Just too risky.

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