You bought the wrong vehicle.

[ODDs]

I'm still not too crazy about the Recon's design, but I've always liked the looks of old Isuzus (Isuzii?) from the 80s and 90s. Even the weird VehiCROSS looks oddly sexy with a lift and some big tires. The Recon is a big dumpy-looking thing that reminds me of the civilian Hummers (the original H1 and HMMWV are kinda sexy in their own right).

That Vehicross was very cool. Sadly, to me the Recon looks like the boring Trooper with a big cab and a short hood. Functional, but boring. And not a Jeep.

Sponsored

 

[JLUandCJ-7]

Hi, I'm Dusty. And I am a condescending jerk. Just wanted to get that out of the way before I continue. This post is my opinion, not a statement of fact. And I know that a lot of people are going to disagree with me. I'm okay with that.

If you bought a Wrangler and you do not go off road, you bought the wrong vehicle. There are so many posts here, with owners complaining about things that are just inherent to how a Wrangler is constructed. "My Jeep rides worse than ____, my gas mileage is bad after lift and tires (duh), it's noisy inside, my steering is funny, etc, etc..."

Not all of these posts are uncalled for, but some of the people have a rather unreasonable expectation. And some wish for Jeep to change the Wrangler to be more in line to what they are expecting. That's where I don't agree with folks. Several times people have expressed the wish for the Wrangler to have IFS, fixed windshields, even a fixed top. If that's what you want, those vehicles already exist. There are other options from most manufacturers that fit those categories. But there is only one vehicle like the Wrangler. The "quirks and features" to quote Doug Demuro from YouTube are what makes the Wrangler unique and desirable. It's the only SUV still available with a solid axle. It's the only one that has a folding windshield. One of only 2 that has a removable top. The body on frame construction makes it heavy, but rugged. The recirculating ball steering has a heavy feel and combined with the sfa can have rough handling and steering problems compared to IFS. But it's much stronger and easier to modify for improved performance off road. The problems that most people complain about, are part and parcel with the attributes that make the Wrangler such a desirable vehicle to people who want to use their Jeep off road on the trails. But it makes it a bad choice for a daily commute vehicle if you don't intend to ever go wheeling. Especially if you have modified it for larger tires to look cool, but did not consider how that would impact the daily drive.

Rant over. Again, this is just words from a judgmental prick. Feel free to completely ignore me. But maybe, just maybe after reading this you will think about what I wrote and if there is a kernel of truth to it.

Yep. You're an asshole.

 

[2nd 392]

I agree totally. Leave the Wrangler alone..What I was talking about is how the XJ Cherokee was squared up like the 4 door JL years ago and then they changed the Cherokee into a car looking suv. For people who love the traditional squared up Jeep look i suggested Jeep make a larger JL inspired IFS w a few inches more room all around which as I started thinking about it, is basically the new Recon EV..ie doors and top comes off, IFS , squared up. a little more room etc but they need an ICE recon as well as the EV fad is fading..so leave the Wrangler alone but use its styling to broaden the popularity of new models...in my humble opinion...

Report : Jeep’s first ev could have a hybrid option — Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa told the UK’s Autocar that the upcoming Jeep Recon of-road EV may employ a hybrid powertrain as an option to an electric one. - kbb.com
Also May 2, 2024 : The Jeep Recon could also be produced as a Hybrid - auto123.com / others- Apr 29 2024 autocar.com/ msm.com - Car Buzz ……..

 

[AFD]

Probably a controversial opinion, but if there was anything I'd change about the Wrangler, it would be a very minor adjustment to the rake of the hood and windshield. Maybe like an extra degree or two of slope, but nothing that would noticeably change the looks or make having the folding windshield impossible.

Been wiping bugs and pollen off the hood and screen every day for weeks, and stuff that should just blow off at low speed stays put even at highway speeds. Even during a light rain, the drops of water don't move much. Think this, in combination with a slightly longer engine bay (to fit the more powerful S.O and H.O. i6 engines), would still retain the classic boxy design with just a small quality-of-life improvement (personally don't give af about aerodynamics otherwise).

Unfortunately, it's a slippery slope and an extra degree or two of rake every generation will eventually add up to something that looks like all the other ugly vehicles on the market today.

 

[2nd 392]

Probably a controversial opinion, but if there was anything I'd change about the Wrangler, it would be a very minor adjustment to the rake of the hood and windshield. Maybe like an extra degree or two of slope, “but nothing that would noticeably change the looks or make having the folding windshield impossible.”

“Unfortunately, it's a slippery slope and an extra degree or two of rake every generation will eventually add up to something that looks like all the other ugly vehicles on the market today.”

Precisely, and why you should never want the folding windshield eliminated, use it, like it or not.

 

[Wbino]

No doubt a bunch of idiot simps paid for that...monstrosity. The number of "men" today that don't understand the concept of "never buy the cow when you can get the milk for free" amazes me.
We really should try to do something about the fact that men today on average have less than half the testosterone as their grandfathers before it's too late.

How many men have you gone thru to make that conclusion?

 

[autotragic]

How many men have you gone thru to make that conclusion?

I don't know what you're asking and frankly I don't think I want to know.

 

[jeepingib]

A lot of people are arguing for the practicality of it in the snow. Yeah, it's not any better on a snowy road than a Grand Cherokee. I know this because I lived in Upstate New York. Watertown/Ft Drum. One of the snowiest places in the country suffering from lake effect snow from Lake Ontario. 2006 Grand Cherokee with QuadraDrive II worked great from 08-13. There are other similar unibody SUVs available from your pick of manufacturers. And to be perfectly honest, IFS is better in snow than a solid axle rig.

If you want a Wrangler and don't want to take it off road, then there absolutely is a better vehicle for you. You just don't want to admit that. It's okay, I get it... The Wrangler is "cool" and everything. And I know that I'm not convincing anyone of anything here. Go ahead and rationalize it however you need to. Justify it so that you can feel better.

Poser

 

[AFD]

A lot of people are arguing for the practicality of it in the snow. Yeah, it's not any better on a snowy road than a Grand Cherokee.

Just curious, but do you really need a Wrangler to "off-road" on the beach? Never been to Texas beaches, but drove regular RWD passenger vehicles up and down several Florida beaches without any problems.

 

[jeepingib]

Just curious, but do you really need a Wrangler to "off-road" on the beach? Never been to Texas beaches, but drove regular RWD passenger vehicles up and down several Florida beaches without any problems.

Nope, not even a little bit. Lots of cars on the beach even. But, that's definitely not all I do. I had it in Hot Springs before I ever had plates on it going on trails and seeing what it was capable of. Since then, I've been to almost everything here in Texas, and across to NM quite a bit.

 

[2nd 392]

Just curious, but do you really need a Wrangler to "off-road" on the beach? Never been to Texas beaches, but drove regular RWD passenger vehicles up and down several Florida beaches without any problems.

You know why- don’t play dumb, c’mon it’s

 

[Beachcomber]

Wait.

we’re still doing this?…

 

[2nd 392]

Wait.

we’re still doing this?…

Nah- after 28 pages it has achieved unofficial

“delete thread” status.

 

[Pat’s Sahara Unlimited]

My wife never takes her Sahara off the pavement but it's her money so she bought it. Let people buy it if they can afford it. She already paid it off so I don't care what she does with it.

To Dusty’s point, his rant seems to target those that buy Wranglers but complain about creature comfort, rough ride, fuel economy without understanding the engineering compromises made in roder to have a trully rugged rig for offroading. Remember when Nissan’s Pathfinder was a real offroad vehicule, and is now just a glorified minivan?

Also, we have the same phenomenon here, where I see used JLUs for sale accessorised to the max, with 37s, beadlocks, 4 in. lift kit, bumpers, winches and tons of lights. advertized as never been on a trail, which I believe because most have not invested in belly armor.

In my case , I DID buy the wrong vehicule. Got into a Jeep by mental weakness. I was unloading a RAM 1500 Sport after a bad divorce in 2019 before the end of the lease, and the dealer actually gave me money to take the truck before the end of the lease. I was kind of locked to pick something and the sales guy pushed a 2019 Sahara fully loaded minus a better axle option as I did not know anything at the time. I only joined a club 2 years later, and discovered the fun of the « sport ». Now I regret not going for a Rubicon, as I’m stuck with open diffs on Dana 30 and Dana 35.

Stellantis/Jeep, please don’t turn our Wrangler into soccer mom Pathfinders…

 

[Wraif]

I get a wrangler for a do everything rig- if it does do some off-roading.
But you mention a rig for your wife- did you test drive other makes or models? It just seems like a rav4 or a CRV would be a better choice than a wrangler in that situation. Both of those vehicles handle significantly better, are safer, get much better mpg, have more features, more reliable, cheaper, and can still handle a dirt road here and there.

I won’t own a Japanese car. And they can’t tow a trailer like a Gladiator. You can only take the top off of those things ONCE, with a sawall. You were right about one thing, they are definitely ‘cheaper’. We like Jeeps, not cars. My wife would be embarrassed to drive around in one of those little POS’s. She gets compliments everywhere she goes on her Gladiator, and she looks great in it. It’s a Jeep thing, maybe you DONT get it. I

Sponsored