Which Trim to Purchase

[BuyHold]

Auto has no feeling.

So true!

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[40Caliber]

I have a Rubicon and drove roads more extensive than fire roads. I never used the lockers, never used the sway bar disconnect. Frankly my uses seems slightly heavier than yours and probably could have gotten by with a sport.

I am not saying get a sport. I probably would still have gotten a rubicon as some day I may grow into it. if your requirements don't change you don't need it.

on the other hand, if you want a rubicon, get it

 

[aldo98229]

I went with a 23 rubicon manual and have no regrets. Wanted a manual bad and drive a few and some autos. Auto has no feeling. Yes it drive smooth but it’s still a lifeless auto. Got the rubicon for the 4.10 gears so I wouldnt need to regear for stock tires. No regrets. Too much built up hate for the manual. But it’s not near as bad as people claim.

Wranglers are about going on the trails, learning to pick your lines, and rolling over rocks and ruts at 2 MPH. The automatic transmission is simply much better suited for those tasks.

If you want “feeling” in your transmission get a sports car.

 

[2nd 392]

I mean if there were no financial constraints at all, I'd just buy a 392 turn off the cylinder deactivation and be done, lol.

Sadly, it cannot be just turned off- only manual shift disables. ? Life is short— get one and enjoy! Soon, they are on borrowed time now. ? Heck—if you get them just give up the double frappachino mocha espresso whatever’s and ya got the difference covered. Sorry, I don’t know fancy high dollar coffee lingo, prefer a simple additive ?

 

[SH556JL]

Wranglers are about going on the trails, learning to pick your lines, and rolling over rocks and ruts at 2 MPH. The automatic transmission is simply much better suited for those tasks.

If you want “feeling” in your transmission get a sports car.

I get just as much enjoyment out my Jeep top down and doors off. With some good tunes and nice company rolling around town changing gears. With the 4.88, I get to change more often. Then crawling over a bunch of rocks (this actually doesn’t sound as fun anymore after the accident and my sore back/neck).

I have owned sports car and just can’t get any enjoyment out of driving a fast car slow on public roads. Now a old British roadster, I can enjoy those.

 

[aldo98229]

I get just as much enjoyment out my Jeep top down and doors off. With some good tunes and nice company rolling around town changing gears. With the 4.88, I get to change more often. Then crawling over a bunch of rocks (this actually doesn’t sound as fun anymore after the accident and my sore back/neck).

I have owned sports car and just can’t get any enjoyment out of driving a fast car slow on public roads. Now a old British roadster, I can enjoy those.

...or perhaps one of these

 

[SH556JL]

...or perhaps one of these

I still regret not buying one of those. I wouldn’t have bought the 21 JLR if I did though. They were a steal back then.

 

[Beantown]

Only read the first page so I am not sure anyone brought this up but my '21 JLU Sport S 5MT w/o LSD came standard with Dana 44 rear axle.

 

[Cutterone]

Only read the first page so I am not sure anyone brought this up but my '21 JLU Sport S 5MT w/o LSD came standard with Dana 44 rear axle.

Yes I believe all 6sp JL's have come with the D44 rear, I am pretty sure both my 2018 and now 2021 6sp have had them

 

[Cutterone]

Only read the first page so I am not sure anyone brought this up but my '21 JLU Sport S 5MT w/o LSD came standard with Dana 44 rear axle.

And I'm sure it was a mis-type but you nailed it! It really is a 5sp with the 3.45 gears!

 

[Beantown]

And I'm sure it was a mis-type but you nailed it! It really is a 5sp with the 3.45 gears!

My bad. Yes. I should have said 6sp MT. Forgot about the 6th gear since I seldom use it.

 

[Willys_Wonka]

Hey guys,

I’m looking to order a Wrangler.

I am leaning towards 4-door because I used to have a 96 4.0L Cherokee Sport and I feel like a 4-door Wrangler is it’s spiritual successor. I already have a 2-door car and will be keeping it.

I will be doing very minor off-road driving. Dirt roads and very basic trails. No rocks. I will be driving the Wrangler anytime there is snow. This will be a daily driver in the winter and when transporting 3-4 people in the summer.

I want manual. I want premium audio/technology groups. I want LED headlights. I want hard top. I do not want leather. I think I want a LSD. I think I want trailer-tow group because those things seem like a pain to add later.

• Is the Sport Altitude essentially a Sahara with the option for a manual and no leather or LED turn signals/markers?
• If I get the LSD on the Sport Altitude, will I get the same rear axle as the Willys and Rubicon?
  • Follow-up, does this mean the remaining mechanical difference between Sport Altitude w/LSD and Willys is just the Rubicon shocks?
• On the Willys, how bad will the OEM mud tires be in the snow/rain? I’m not bothered by road noise.
• I think a Rubicon is overkill, but if I bought a second set of tires/wheels for the Willys, I’d be most of the way to a Rubicon already. How dumb would it be to pick up a Rubicon for my usage?
  • Is the added weight of the Rubicon noticeable compared to the others in daily driving?

Thanks in advance

A Willys JLU seems to be your best option based on the application. I own a 2020 Willys and the first thing I did was upgrade the tires to an a/t ( recommend size 285/75/17, three peak winter rated in load-C).You can then install Rubicon springs for a small lift. That will put you at rubicon height on 34” tires right off the back. I highly recommend hot heads hard top sound reduction. I’ve owned several wrangles starting in ‘91, I would not buy a soft top due to the noise and security alone. Automatic, 3.6L Pentastar transmission has been solid, as well.

 

[NewbJLUOwner]

Hey guys,

I’m looking to order a Wrangler.

I am leaning towards 4-door because I used to have a 96 4.0L Cherokee Sport and I feel like a 4-door Wrangler is it’s spiritual successor. I already have a 2-door car and will be keeping it.

I will be doing very minor off-road driving. Dirt roads and very basic trails. No rocks. I will be driving the Wrangler anytime there is snow. This will be a daily driver in the winter and when transporting 3-4 people in the summer.

I want manual. I want premium audio/technology groups. I want LED headlights. I want hard top. I do not want leather. I think I want a LSD. I think I want trailer-tow group because those things seem like a pain to add later.

• Is the Sport Altitude essentially a Sahara with the option for a manual and no leather or LED turn signals/markers?
• If I get the LSD on the Sport Altitude, will I get the same rear axle as the Willys and Rubicon?
  • Follow-up, does this mean the remaining mechanical difference between Sport Altitude w/LSD and Willys is just the Rubicon shocks?
• On the Willys, how bad will the OEM mud tires be in the snow/rain? I’m not bothered by road noise.
• I think a Rubicon is overkill, but if I bought a second set of tires/wheels for the Willys, I’d be most of the way to a Rubicon already. How dumb would it be to pick up a Rubicon for my usage?
  • Is the added weight of the Rubicon noticeable compared to the others in daily driving?

Thanks in advance

Jeep Wave ?
All the above makes sense
I also strongly recommend driving all Trims AND engine types at any dealer
Test drives are free. I rented a Jeep for a few days before buying.
I even brought empty suitcases, just like I would travel on business trips
Doing the above, although silly to many, was incredibly important to me
It changed my mind immediately to start with the Hard Top
After test driving all engines & trims, including all 3 top options
I was sold instantly on the JLURD.
Regarding your comments above specifically the TOW Package
ABSOLUTELY make sure this is added when purchasing
Most folks don't realize you're battery is actually upgraded as well when upgrading to the tow package AND it's pre-wired for the Aux switches
Lastly.
The Rubicon sits up the highest I believe from Factory, it was significant enough for me to upgrade to a JLURD. Do I use any features on the Rubicon for off-roading? No
Will I ever use the Front/Rear lockers? Probably not, but it's cool I can lol
The Rubicon also comes standard with several options included, 8.4 Uconnect with Subwoofer, Radar proximity lock/unlock, and several other features not included in the entry level trims
Best of luck & Happy Holidays

 

[Montanabound]

Get a 2 door

 

[mnforester]

Good info across the pages. We bought a 2021 Sport Altitude Unlimited and added tow package, LSD (anti spin) that comes with Dana 44, cold weather group, and Alpine system. Altitude package on Sport adds Rubicon/Willys brakes, upgraded suspension, and head liner, amongst other goodies. We've swapped out the tires for Gladiator Rubicon take offs (33" Falken Wildpeak AT3WS) and will soon add Rubicon springs and shocks. Pretty happy with our Wrangler. Oh, and, we opted for the 3.6 with automatic.

In the end you'll love whatever you end up purchasing - and probably have second thoughts...should I have gotten X, Y, or Z Wrangler?!? No matter, you've got one of the most capable off roaders out there no matter which trim you select.

Good luck!

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