Will JL Wrangler (Rubicon) ride quality be better or worse on highway?

[Cal_JLU]

The new Super Duty F-Series pickups ride like a dream, and that's with solid axles. You're never going to eliminate road vibration with SA's, but it sure as hell can be made to be tolerable for all but the most grouchy drivers and passengers. No reason why the JL Wrangler can't do the same, that's really up to Jeep engineers and something we'll have to wait and see about.

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[guarnibl]

Every iteration of the Wrangler has been significantly better on the highway than the outgoing model. I have no doubt this new generation will be the same level of improvement.

 

[Phenomenon]

Every iteration of the Wrangler has been significantly better on the highway than the outgoing model. I have no doubt this new generation will be the same level of improvement.

I hope you're right. The whole reason I'm waiting for a 2018 JLU is because I want a dual-duty vehicle that will be great off-road and at least tolerable on-road.

 

[wooderson]

Speaking of ride quality is it safe to assume the JT will have a better ride quality compared to the JLU while the JLU will be more off road capable then the JT?

 

[Billy]

Speaking of ride quality is it safe to assume the JT will have a better ride quality compared to the JLU while the JLU will be more off road capable then the JT?

No way. If the JT is a true truck, it'll have overload springs in the rear & ride fairly rough when unladen.

 

[wooderson]

Ok thanks. I've only test driven a JKU and I own a F-150. My F-150 seems to drive much smoother. I was thinking the JT would be more like my F-150.

 

[Billy]

Ok thanks. I've only test driven a JKU and I own a F-150. My F-150 seems to drive much smoother. I was thinking the JT would be more like my F-150.

Let's hope! I want the JT now, and while a controlled ride is fine, I don't want to have to wear a kidney belt when I drive it. ;o)

 

[CorpCow]

Ok thanks. I've only test driven a JKU and I own a F-150. My F-150 seems to drive much smoother. I was thinking the JT would be more like my F-150.

The JT with a longer wheelbase than the JL and JLU should ride smoother than the JL/JLU, but it probably still won't be as smooth as the F-150 since the JT's wheelbase will be shorter than the F-150's.

 

[wooderson]

That's what I was thining as well.

 

[BillyHW]

Doesn't the F150 have independent front suspension? The JT will have solid axle.

 

[JJ75]

Doesn't the F150 have independent front suspension? The JT will have solid axle.

Yep the F150 hasn't had a solid front axle since the late 70's. So if we're comparing... the JT should ride rougher than the F-150 because of solid axles and shorter wheelbase.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

Yep the F150 hasn't had a solid front axle since the late 70's. So if we're comparing... the JT should ride rougher than the F-150 because of solid axles and shorter wheelbase.

While true the F250 is sold axel and rides awesome. Drove my father's 2018 F250 on a hunting trip for 8 hour ride and its not much different then driving a luxury car. I'm hoping Jeep can push the Wrangler and Scrambler in this direction (doesn't have to be as good but just comfortable would be nice).

 

[TTEChris]

I wouldn't compare the bigger solid axle trucks to luxury cars, but they ride very well for what they are. I had a 2015 Ram 2500(Lariat/Mega Cab) It was coil sprung front/rear, and the ride was about as good as you could expect from a solid axle truck. We recently lifted my buddies 2017 Ford F250 with similar options, and it rode very nice before/after the lift. What killed the ride was the 37" tires he ended up putting on it with 26" wheels.

I have a 2004 Mercedes S500 with factory air suspension that I daily drive, and no truck I've driven comes remotely close to how that thing rides on the street. With that said, I'd pick the trucks to daily drive any day of the week. They offer a good enough ride, better technology than my old MB, and I can get almost anywhere when Houston floods. Now if I could only afford both a JL, and a new Super Duty.....

 

[Alex D]

Most of the Rubicon test mules were running KO2s. I'm hoping there will be an option to get KO2s or KM2s. The KO2s should be much better on paved roads for ride quality. And you can always ask the dealer to swap the rubber for you.

They will! If you look at BF's tire list the "old" M/T is only available in the Jeep 255 size for the JK. All other sizes have been discontinued and moved on to the KO2. BF has only continued to make them for Rubicons and Willys and that's gonna stop.

 

[WXman]

The original Rubicon had 245/75-16 load range E tires from the factory. These were LT rated tires. In the U.S., LT tires are rated B, C, D, E, F, etc. Passenger tires are rated P. The TJ's small wheelbase, combined with heavy duty Rubicon suspension, and 1-ton truck tires made it ride like ***t.

So, when the JK debuted Chrysler pulled a trick that they used several years prior and developed their own tire size. The 275/70-17 was a lighter duty C rated tire used on the Ram 1500 Off Road. Jeep had the 255/75-17 tire size made specifically for the Rubicon so that it would ride better on the highway.

In both of these cases, having unique tire sizing caused prices to be very high on replacement tires. So, with the JL they are clearly going with commonly available sizes to make finding replacements easier and less expensive. For this reason, I would be surprised if they contract with a tire maker to create an entirely new load range of an existing tire. I expect Jeep to use what's already on the market for production vehicles this time around.

Sources are saying the JLU will be 9" longer and 4" wider. This alone will make it ride better on the highway. Not to mention the suspension tweaks. It's going to be a very comfortable 4x4. I can't wait.

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