Two-door Model is Popular, but Jeep Ends It in Europe. Sign of Things to Come?

[MattT69]

I agree.. a slightly longer 2dr... and with a truck bed! In all seriousness; since sales are weak on 2-door models, make 2-door models more useful! Figure out a way to easily swap the back seat/tub with a truck bed and sell it as the first transformer truck/suv - the perfect "2nd vehicle".

It's almost there as it is; they just need to make the rear portion of the roll bar something you can unbolt, make the rear corners of the tub & swing gate removable so you can add a tub extension/bed floor/drop-down tailgate, then add a shorty cab hard top/bulkhead. Sell it in one configuration or the other or offer it as a "dual back group" for a few grand. A guy can dream, can't he?

Sounds like you are dreaming of a 2 door JT Gladiator... they need to add a 2 door JT option. and leave the 2 door JL alone...

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[vasdimpop]

To the moon!

Value of my 2Dr Rubicon

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Point taken, but I don't see it as "Europe only". I see it more as "Europe first". To me, it is clear that hybrid plug-in is where Stellantis is headed.

Our beloved gasoline engines are likely to go the way of the manual transmission. Will the two door model go with them? Maybe it's time to stock up?

No, on both accounts. They can make Hybrid with a manual

No -- Ford (Bronco) and Land Rover (Defender) both just introduced a two door. Given the history of the Wrangler, we'll see a two door with a full electric drive train for the next iteration of the Wrangler. The two door will continue to live on.

Just like this- 2 dr, electric, manual transmission.

You have to remember: while the 4 door is practical for families, etc, MUCH of Jeep's marketing and image is steeped in the 2 door. They may not view it as "2 door vs. 4 door" in the US, like everyone else is looking at it- they may just view it as Wrangler sales. They sell so many 4 doors they could probably keep the 2dr alive as an option- Even if it's produced in limited numbers.

 

[AnnDee4444]

What's actually unique on the 2-door anyway?

1. Frame
2. Rear quarter panels & floor
3. Rear section of roll bar & plastic trim
4. Steps & sliders
5. Rear driveshaft
6. Fuel tank
7. Fuel lines, eTorque coolant lines, brake lines
8. Hardtop moldings & side windows (not freedom tops though)
9. Soft top (unsure of specifics, don't own one)
10. Front seats (tilt forward)
11. Rear seat
12. Rear carpet
13. Wiring harness (shorter, without rear windows, changes for subwoofer location)
14. Floor mounted subwoofer
15. Steering gear
16. Programming (steering ratio, ABS for shorter wheelbase, etc.)
17. Window switches
18. "Wrangler" stickers that should get removed anyway

Did I forget anything?

 

[eck]

What's actually unique on the 2-door anyway?

1. Frame
2. Rear quarter panels & floor
3. Rear section of roll bar & plastic trim
4. Steps & sliders
5. Rear driveshaft
6. Fuel tank
7. Fuel lines, eTorque coolant lines, brake lines
8. Hardtop moldings & side windows (not freedom tops though)
9. Soft top (unsure of specifics, don't own one)
10. Front seats (tilt forward)
11. Rear seat
12. Rear carpet
13. Wiring harness (shorter, without rear windows, changes for subwoofer location)
14. Floor mounted subwoofer
15. Steering gear
16. Programming (steering ratio, ABS for shorter wheelbase, etc.)
17. Window switches
18. "Wrangler" stickers that should get removed anyway

Did I forget anything?

Exhaust.

Rear seat belt assembly is probably different?

You kinda covered it with brake lines, but the ebrake cable is likely shorter on the 2dr.

 

[daveprice7]

What's actually unique on the 2-door anyway?

1. Frame
2. Rear quarter panels & floor
3. Rear section of roll bar & plastic trim
4. Steps & sliders
5. Rear driveshaft
6. Fuel tank
7. Fuel lines, eTorque coolant lines, brake lines
8. Hardtop moldings & side windows (not freedom tops though)
9. Soft top (unsure of specifics, don't own one)
10. Front seats (tilt forward)
11. Rear seat
12. Rear carpet
13. Wiring harness (shorter, without rear windows, changes for subwoofer location)
14. Floor mounted subwoofer
15. Steering gear
16. Programming (steering ratio, ABS for shorter wheelbase, etc.)
17. Window switches
18. "Wrangler" stickers that should get removed anyway

Did I forget anything?

19. Sex appeal

 

[Heimkehr]

I agree.. a slightly longer 2dr... and with a truck bed!

In the JL (and the JK, come to that), you already have a stretched two door Wrangler.

Compare the square rear window panels of the YJs and TJs (hardtop or soft top, it won't matter) to the equivalent rectangular windows on the JK and JL-generation two door Jeeps. Compare the wheelbases, and track widths.

Just like many owners, the two door Wranglers have grown larger over time.

If "slightly longer" had real support in the market, we'd have seen a much longer production run for the here-and-gone LJ.

 

[five9dak]

The Wrangler JL is already stretched. Compare it to a YJ or TJ; those prior generations look comparatively svelte in comparison. The JM may well need a diet, not a growth regimen.

The last time the two door Wrangler was lengthened, we got the original Unlimited: the here-and-gone LJ. DaimlerChrysler/CCM wised up, killed the unicorn, and gave us a proper four door Jeep. The two door Wrangler was then restored to a more fitting dimension, although the JK brought with it a few extra calories.

Yes, coming from 7 years in a TJ, the JL 2 door is HUGE. I am still getting used to the proportions and don't feel ready to offroad it yet. The TJs best feature was its small stature weaving in and out of trees in the northeast.

 

[daveprice7]

In the JL (and the JK, come to that), you already have a stretched two door Wrangler.

Compare the square rear window panels of the YJs and TJs (hardtop or soft top, it won't matter) to the equivalent rectangular windows on the JK and JL-generation two door Jeeps. Compare the wheelbases, and track widths.

Just like many owners, the two door Wranglers have grown larger over time.

If "slightly longer" had real support in the market, we'd have seen a much longer production run for the here-and-gone LJ.

I want to believe that there is and will always be a market for 2 door trucks. They were everywhere back when the LJ existed, so, maybe the market was to crowded for it to thrive. These days, your only choice for a two door truck (I'm using that term not just for pickups) is Jeep, Bronco, or Chevy/Ford full size long bed work trucks.

I think that puts Jeep in a strong position to produce a midsize 2 door with a bit more utility than the current JL. The current configuration, while I love it (I have two after all), is not super practical/useful.

 

[EugenesAJeep]

Exhaust.

Rear seat belt assembly is probably different?

You kinda covered it with brake lines, but the ebrake cable is likely shorter on the 2dr.

Price is substantially smaller.

 

[MattT69]

In the JL (and the JK, come to that), you already have a stretched two door Wrangler.

If "slightly longer" had real support in the market, we'd have seen a much longer production run for the here-and-gone LJ.

This is interesting, If the LJ was so popular why didnt Jeep use that size for the 2 door JL?
And why was the production of the LJ so limited? Did the 4 door JK kill the LJ?
Could Jeep have made the 4 door JKU and keep the 2 door in a LJ size?
or did the TJ out sell the LJ even when both were in production?

 

[AnnDee4444]

I put this together a while ago, might be of some interest to this tread:

 

[Francis405]

From a CAFE standpoint, discontinuing the 2-door would be retarded. In any configuration you care to name, it gets better mileage than a similarly equipped 4-door.

Not mine,2 door 3.6 average 15 mpg
Friend, 4 door Rubicon 2.0 turbo average 17 mpg

 

[Retrograde]

Not mine,2 door 3.6 average 15 mpg
Friend, 4 door Rubicon 2.0 turbo average 17 mpg

You've either got mechanical issues or monster tires (or both). I'm getting 25-27 on the highway, and a lifetime average (to this point) of 20.5.

 

[MattT69]

You've either got mechanical issues or monster tires (or both). I'm getting 25-27 on the highway, and a lifetime average (to this point) of 20.5.

The low mpgs are typically for the 3.6 na engine especially on larger tires. Thankfully the 2.0 i-4 turbo helps with power and gas savings. I'm averaging 19mpgs in my 2 door JLR on 37s and 2.5 lift.

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