Xtreme Recon Edition Highway Steering?

[JerseyMark]

I recently bought a 2023 JLU Willys without the XR package(I wanted stick). Recently I have seen more XRs and I am starting to regret my decision not to get an XR edition. So, this weekend I test drove one and really liked it. However, at highway speeds 55+mph I noticed that it had a lot of steering wander and required frequent steering input compared to my 2023. I’m guessing it was due to the tire width, but wasn’t sure if it was an anomaly with that particular JLU.

So, for XR owners out there, how is your highway steering?

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[aldo98229]

Most likely it had to do with the dealer inflating the tires to 45 PSI! ?

Having said that, the steering on my Sahara became a lot more squirrelly after the dealer installed a Mopar lift. It appears the OE steering design is very sensitive to small changes in height. My guess is that might be some of what you were feeling.

I was able to tame the steering down to some degree by (1) lowering the pressure on my tires, (2) swapping the OE track bar with a beefier YETI unit, and (3) swapping the OE stabilizer with a beefier Fox 2.0.

In my particular case, doing the steering box TSB yielded the greatest improvement. But you shouldn’t have to worry about that with a brand-new JL.

Good luck.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Most likely it had to do with the dealer inflating the tires to 45 PSI! ?

Having said that, the steering on my Sahara became a lot more squirrelly after the dealer installed a Mopar lift. It appears the OE steering design is very sensitive to small changes in height. My guess is that might be some of what you were feeling.

I was able to tame the steering down to some degree by (1) lowering the pressure on my tires, (2) swapping the OE track bar with a beefier YETI unit, and (3) swapping the OE stabilizer with a beefier Fox 2.0.

In my particular case, doing the steering box TSB yielded the greatest improvement. But you shouldn’t have to worry about that on a brand-new JL.

Good luck.

Concur on all your points...

 

[TheBirdie72]

Time to increase castor with some longer control arms… ?

 

[FloridaMan]

My 392 XR steering is super solid, virtually the opposite of what you are describing. Drives straight as could be, not loose at all. I’m not sure if the fact it is a 392 matters, but it is shockingly good.

 

[AirportDave]

My stock '22 XR drives very well at all speeds, notably better than my previous '18 JLR. Concur on high tire pressure being a likely culprit on the one you drove. I run mine at about 33-34.

 

[NCPolock]

Time to increase castor with some longer control arms… ?

This. Can't speak to the 392s but my '19 JLUR came off the lot with serious play. I was fortunate to have the aluminum steering box replaced with the steel one. Added the longer Mopar LCAs and that really dialed it in.

Also, while some might say the fuse trick w/the steering is voodoo, I thought it helped.

 

[Xorak]

Something I've noticed is the v6 Wranglers have a much "looser" steering feel than the 2.0 turbo. This is based on currently owning one of each and have had 2 v6 JLs, a JT, and 2 2.0 Turbo JLs.

Your manual is obviously a v6, but you don't mention what the XR was. If it was also a v6, it may be normal. My 2020 feels very loose if I drive it right after driving the other one, but after a day or so I get used to it again. If I drive them back to back on the same roads, they both get identical steering corrections, but the 2.0 power steering just has a better feel to it and is more firm than the v6. The v6 power steering feels a little over powered.

Side note, my v6 has had the steering box replaced and has a Teraflex adjustable track bar that was put on with the lift and it still feels a little loose but I guess it's normal.

 

[JerseyMark]

Something I've noticed is the v6 Wranglers have a much "looser" steering feel than the 2.0 turbo. This is based on currently owning one of each and have had 2 v6 JLs, a JT, and 2 2.0 Turbo JLs.

Your manual is obviously a v6, but you don't mention what the XR was. If it was also a v6, it may be normal. My 2020 feels very loose if I drive it right after driving the other one, but after a day or so I get used to it again. If I drive them back to back on the same roads, they both get identical steering corrections, but the 2.0 power steering just has a better feel to it and is more firm than the v6. The v6 power steering feels a little over powered.

Side note, my v6 has had the steering box replaced and has a Teraflex adjustable track bar that was put on with the lift and it still feels a little loose but I guess it's normal.

The one I test drove was a 2.0 Turbo. I wonder if that is what felt different. It did feel tighter than mine and I would probably get used to it.

 

[Wheelin Matt]

My ‘21 XR drives great, steering has been fine and now with 37’s (no lift or any changes to suspension or steering) drives great also.
I had a ‘21 Ecodiesel before this and the steering felt about the same

 

[aldo98229]

Something I've noticed is the v6 Wranglers have a much "looser" steering feel than the 2.0 turbo. This is based on currently owning one of each and have had 2 v6 JLs, a JT, and 2 2.0 Turbo JLs.

Your manual is obviously a v6, but you don't mention what the XR was. If it was also a v6, it may be normal. My 2020 feels very loose if I drive it right after driving the other one, but after a day or so I get used to it again. If I drive them back to back on the same roads, they both get identical steering corrections, but the 2.0 power steering just has a better feel to it and is more firm than the v6. The v6 power steering feels a little over powered.

Side note, my v6 has had the steering box replaced and has a Teraflex adjustable track bar that was put on with the lift and it still feels a little loose but I guess it's normal.

There really is no rhyme or reason.

I test drove TWELVE (yes, 12) JLs before buying my 2018. Some had the steering more loose than others. Some were V6, some were 2.0T, some were Rubicon, some were Sahara, some were 2-door, some were 4-door.

Granted, this was before FCA issued the steering box TSB. But to this day we continue to see daily posts from owners of brand new JLs, regardless of powertrain, trim or body style, complain about the steering.

Apparently, we can now add XR to the mix.

PS - mine is a V6: it drove straight...until the dealer installed lift.

 

[CjMiller7]

I recently bought a 2023 JLU Willys without the XR package(I wanted stick). Recently I have seen more XRs and I am starting to regret my decision not to get an XR edition. So, this weekend I test drove one and really liked it. However, at highway speeds 55+mph I noticed that it had a lot of steering wander and required frequent steering input compared to my 2023. I’m guessing it was due to the tire width, but wasn’t sure if it was an anomaly with that particular JLU.

So, for XR owners out there, how is your highway steering?

Did a 900mile road trip immediately off the lot (bought out of state). Drove butter smooth and stayed straight the entire time. At 5800miles now and still no issues. Mine is a 22MY but that should make a difference, im not aware of any changes between the MY’s.

 

[GobiCoin]

This was the first thing I noticed when I got my XR. Aired down to 36 and it drove well even at 75 mph.

 

[GobiCoin]

My ‘21 XR drives great, steering has been fine and now with 37’s (no lift or any changes to suspension or steering) drives great also.
I had a ‘21 Ecodiesel before this and the steering felt about the same

Let's see some side pics of the 37s no lift!

 

[RELBUS]

My 21 392 stock suspension on 35's seemed to require less steering correction than my 22 392 XR which is stock.

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