Whither a JL?

[NJRadioGuy]

I’ve had 3 Rubicons, They are not the Ultimate ride. They offer nothing more than a Sport or Sahara unless you are on trails that need a front sway bar disconnect for better articulation, and even then that’s do-able with add-ons to any model. If you like things a tad bit on the more dressier side then your better option may be a loaded Sahara but it’s only minimal in finer interior touches.

I'm more interested in the Dana 44s and lockers than I am the sway bar disconnect. The idea is if I'm in the back end of beyond and I hit a mud hole or a rough climb I want the most options to get through safely and undamaged on the first go. Whatever I get will be used—I can't justify the price of new.

Test drive a Gladiator, much better highway driving.

Interesting idea, although I don't know if a JT is available in my price range. They are certainly the better choice for overlanding, based on a few vloggers I follow. My Jeep club is all rock crawlers and crawling addicts; I will never be interested in that, but I do want to be able to enjoy a day out at Rausch, etc. Is there not more of a concern for high-centering on the JT, though?

I’m a bigger and older fellow as well and the 1.5” seat slammers

Whazzat??

If you want a Rubicon, get one! 100% able to customize to any desire. Just don’t buy mud terrain tires when you plan to use it 90+% Road miles. Gearing in the Rubicon gives you more pep plus resale is better.

Yeah, no intention of going with M/Ts, despite how awesome they look. I'm on Falken Wildpeak AT/3s now and I love them, and if I get a Wrangler (or Gladiator) it will either be these or Mickey Thompsons. 35 is my most likely option because getting into a rig on 37s or more is a problem for both my wife and me. That and I don't want to rebuild the entire suspension and re-gear.

As to "if I want one," that's the real issue. I've wanted a real Jeep since I was a kid. I adore the look and the freedom they offer. But I'm also over 60 and close to 300 lbs, and when I do a 7-10 hour drive I like a bit of comfort for sure. A test drive in NJ traffic is the furthest thing from real world and I don't honestly know if I can make an informed decision making four right turns at 30 MPH and a short 50 MPH stretch. There are a ton of unknowns here. They say the heart wants what it wants, and a lifted Rubicon is all that, but the head (and the butt, interchangeable parts these days, alas) might have something very different.

I'd love to hear from anybody here who actually overlands with their rig. On videos they look so much...larger than what I sat in today! I don't want IFS/IRS for a trail rig, period. My WK2 is that and, well, the repair bill will speak for itself, plus I like keeping all 4 on terra-firma. My last vehicle was a first gen Tacoma and it was OK, but very limited. I didn't wheel it crazy-hard either. I should clarify a bit, that I don't mind the slightly rougher ride that solid axles provide on blacktop, but I'm more concerned about how well it will perform on the 6-10 hour trips each way to and from the state forests I like to camp in (or out west to Moab and Ouray, which I'd planned to do in my WK2 this summer).

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[The Last Cowboy]

Rent one on Turo for a few days, then make your decision from there. Also, there are strong rumors that the 2024s will have new seats with some power adjustments. You can actually order a 2024 right now. Don’t buy on a whim from your local dealer. There are many dealers that participate on this forum that offer 8% under invoice on custom ordered Wranglers.

 

[Ratbert]

I hate to say it, but have you looked at a Bronco, Tacoma, or 4Runner? They're not going to be as insanely capable when rock crawling, but they might be quite a bit more comfortable for you.

If you're still thinking Jeep then check out the spreadsheet in my sig before buying one.

 

[Jebiruph]

Interesting idea, although I don't know if a JT is available in my price range. They are certainly the better choice for overlanding, based on a few vloggers I follow. My Jeep club is all rock crawlers and crawling addicts; I will never be interested in that, but I do want to be able to enjoy a day out at Rausch, etc. Is there not more of a concern for high-centering on the JT, though?

More of a concern for high-centering on the JT compared to what? Better off road than a Grand Cherokee and better on road than a Wrangler. MSRP for a JT sport is $3K more than a JLU sport.

 

[Joaquim]

I’ve had 3 Rubicons, They are not the Ultimate ride. They offer nothing more than a Sport or Sahara unless you are on trails that need a front sway bar disconnect for better articulation, and even then that’s do-able with add-ons to any model. If you like things a tad bit on the more dressier side then your better option may be a loaded Sahara but it’s only minimal in finer interior touches.

Truly it sounds as if you just may not be a good fit for a Wrangler. You are going to be more pleased/situated in another Grand Cherokee. A wrangler is a different breed as they take a bit of vehicle sacrifice in a few departments. Drive wise and interior refinements from their counterparts. Great vehicles that serve their purpose and I’ll own one till I die but be warned, it’s a big grown man’s box of legos that is customizable to your hearts/wallets content and when you fully get bitten by the bug you won’t look back to any other brand ever.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide upon.

Life is definitely better in a Wrangler, period…regardless of model.

Rubicon Eswaybar disconnect has problems in mud, sport is one bolt each side and a zip tie to disconnect sway bar

 

[scj64]

I’m 6-2 275
Best money spent on my Jeep for comfort.

https://desertdoesit.com/products/seat-slammers-2018-2022-jeep-wrangler-jl-jlu-gladiator

 

[2nd 392]

“ I don’t want IFS/IRS for a trail rig, period.” Enjoy your Jeep.(Wrangler or Glad) But don’t fret, mine rides comparable to my GC ( sport mode) steering/handling exceeds expectations, minimal wander. The only issue for long drives is the hard seat itself. I would get an upholsterer if I made frequent long trips. New seat coming as mentioned, if it’s better to be determined, but likely.

 

[The Chubbernaut]

You can rent a Wrangler from most car rental companies. I got one through Avis a few times. They usually run anywhere from $50 to $100 a day depending on the location and company and they usually offer the four door but you can occasionally find a two door.

 

[Gripster]

Take a look at the 4Runner. Gas mileage is crap and not as luxurious as WK2, but is great for over landing. My last car was WK2 and was replaced by a 2016 4Runner. The 4R is way better off road and very comfortable to drive. Bought the wife a JLR and it got death wobble so now she drives the 4R if she has to take the freeway.

 

[Roky]

At the risk of walking into a lion's den wearing a suit made of pork chops, I have a serious question to ask. My first-ever (and only) Jeep branded product is my 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. I've kitted it out with a Warn 10k winch, rock sliders, front and bottom armor, bull bar, sump protection and a couple of lights. It's a beautiful rig and until recently I thought it would handle the trails just fine. But apparently it didn't. On one of my rides I must have hit the front sub frame assembly hard enough to take out both control arms and various bushings, to the tune of $6800 worth of damage (dealer cost; estimate coming next week from a body shop). It got me to thinking of whether a JL or a late-model JK might be better. But here's the issue.

When I went to the dealership to pick it up (refused the estimate) they had a new JLUR in the showroom that I was seriously ogling. I sat in it, and...I didn't like it, at least at first blush. My desire is to build a capable overlanding vehicle, but living near NYC there aren't many back-country overlanding destinations that aren't a 5 day drive away, so the only chances for wheeling in my immediate future will be at the big off-road parks in eastern PA (Rausch Creek and AOAA for those who know the area).

I'm not into serious wheeling, but I would like to be able to take on some moderate trails and a Rubicon should be the ultimate ride for this. But here's the problem. I don't fit in it comfortably. I'm a pretty big older dude and the seats in this top-of-the-line rig were just plain uncomfortable. There didn't appear to be a dead pedal and the fit-and-finish was definitely not the same as our Trailhawk. Won't get into the window controls in the center of the dash, and manual seats. Long story short, am I thinking of making a huge mistake here? I could pull the trigger on a used 2019/2020 Rubicon tomorrow but coming from a seriously nice WK2 would I resent the JLUR whenever it's on pavement, which it will be 99% of the time. Would I maybe be better off getting a cheaper 2015-2017 era JKUR instead and just build it up for off-roading and put through an insurance claim on the WK2?

The thing is, the WK2 is really nice for car camping and great on the less-technical trails; my limited slip rear diff, and air suspension will often get through obstacles and across roads that a Sport or Sahara will get bogged down in. But for overlanding it's really not a great vehicle for a number of reasons. For those who own Rubicons (stock or maybe 35s and a couple of inches lift) and overland with them, how do you manage to fit everything in? How comfortable will that 12 hour drive to the boonies be on I-95? I wish there were a place to rent one, but here in NJ, they don't even want you to test drive a Wrangler unless you're ready to buy.

I'm very confused. Your thoughts?

I read your post a couple of times and it sounds like you’re basing your opinion on the Rubi by sitting in one ??? If you don’t like the seats, change them out…. You’re gonna have to put in the work to get it how you want it, but it’s 100% doable……you can mod the inside just like you can the outside…. I made/installed my own seat jackers and installed a dead pedal…. Three, four, five hour trips are a breeze…..I mean, you’ll stop often enough for fuel, that you can’t get stove-up……?

diy seat lift….

dead pedal

 

[aldo98229]

A Wrangler High Altitude will come closer to your Grand Cherokee in terms of comfort features and still be a helluva off-roader. Especially in the conditions you describe. On-road it will drive better than a Rubicon, too.

But if you don’t fit inside a JL, you don’t fit. No way around it.

 

[Old Jeeper]

I’ve had 3 Rubicons, They are not the Ultimate ride. They offer nothing more than a Sport or Sahara unless you are on trails that need a front sway bar disconnect for better articulation, and even then that’s do-able with add-ons to any model. If you like things a tad bit on the more dressier side then your better option may be a loaded Sahara but it’s only minimal in finer interior touches.

Truly it sounds as if you just may not be a good fit for a Wrangler. You are going to be more pleased/situated in another Grand Cherokee. A wrangler is a different breed as they take a bit of vehicle sacrifice in a few departments. Drive wise and interior refinements from their counterparts. Great vehicles that serve their purpose and I’ll own one till I die but be warned, it’s a big grown man’s box of legos that is customizable to your hearts/wallets content and when you fully get bitten by the bug you won’t look back to any other brand ever.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide upon.

Life is definitely better in a Wrangler, period…regardless of model.

To the OP NJRadioGuy I agree with the above. I am biased, been driving SWBs since '65 when seats felt like you were wearing plywood underwear and doors, tops and a heater were options. To save money I bought a rain coat and a heavy overcoat but nothing I could do with the seat, which was not much more than a canvas pad.

Yes, its come a LONG way and it may not be for you. That said I would try to find one to rent if possible. The JLUR for those that want the best of both worlds 4 doors and Rubicon to is the top of the line solution for Overlanding. There is no better solution. However, you do make some sacrifices.

Another option: Back in the mid 80's Jeep built a rather boxy-looking Cherokee. I bought on to travel in and I can say it was one of the best vehicles I ever owned and I put almost 140k miles on that rig and drove thru almost every state in the US. Slept in it, worked out of it. The back seat folded down and my 6' 2" frame fit with no problems. I drove thru Snow blizzards, when no one else was on the roads they were so bad, but I had job to get a 1000 miles away and snow did stop me. Spent time in Death Valley and Mojave, never overheated, ice cold air.

IF you are inclined, doing a build on one of those Jeeps could be well worth it.

Here is one: https://buysellsearch.com/view/vehicles/cars/136369875/r/vehicles/cars/mk-jeep/ml-cherokee/yr-1989

$2500 -. This vehicle is in great condition... interior is excellent. FWD - part-time & full-time, 4.0 Liter straight 6 and it comes with 2 sets of wheels and tires. Stock fog lights. Automatic windows & auto-control seat adjusting.

Its got 260k miles on it...scary? NOT for the Jeep straight 6 about as bulletproof as an engine can get.

 

[Dan M.]

The first time I drove a JL (rental on a vacation). I immediatly knew I was going to buy one when I got home. I think for most people it's an instant love/hate. It sounds like a Wrangler might not be for you which is fine, they definetly are not for everybody. Yes you can mod them and maybe get to the point where you find it acceptable, but why put the money/effort into it. For your use case it sounds like the Trailhawk should work. Any vehicle can break on a trail if you take a bad bump even Wranglers. If you want to try something different, I agree with all the suggestions of a 4 Runner. Or, if you can find a good one at a reasonable price an FJ Cruiser. My Aunt/Uncle have one and it is bad ass.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Ratbert]

Take a look at the 4Runner. Gas mileage is crap and not as luxurious as WK2, but is great for over landing. My last car was WK2 and was replaced by a 2016 4Runner. The 4R is way better off road and very comfortable to drive. Bought the wife a JLR and it got death wobble so now she drives the 4R if she has to take the freeway.

You've fixed the death wobble, right?

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Rubicon Eswaybar disconnect has problems in mud, sport is one bolt each side and a zip tie to disconnect sway bar

Where I live, if you want to wheel, odds are it's wet and muddy. Never had an issue with the sway bar nor saw anyone else with an issue. Not saying it doesn't happen but I wouldn't say they all have "problems".

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