As a seasoned jeep owner I only have one thing to add. When one buys a jeep, you become a member of the jeep fraternity. You don't need to pledge or sign up or anything like that, but you do need to understand you are part of a club full of traditions. IMO, one of the most important tradition is the jeep wave. It's not a complicated wave, or some sort of finger contorting sign we flash at other jeeps, but rather a simple wave to acknowledge that you understand how awesome that other jeep drivers feels. From my experience, most jk owners have no clue (at least that's the case here in Texas). Older model owners, (cj, yj, and tj owners, that is) wave most often while jk owners just look at you with a face saying "do I know you?" It's just a fun tradition and way to honor the heritage behind all the fun we have every time we hit the road in our amazing little go anywhere machines.
I'm a JKU owner. I will wave at you. I have seen a lot of regions where people wave a lot, and others where they never do. Yellowstone yes, Tetons no, Downtown Chicago no, Northwest suburbs yes. If I am in one of the low return areas I generally will give up on it. Figure people just want to be left alone. Which is too bad, but I get tired of it being one way.
I'm from the south (Alabama), i was raised to wave on the road as a sign of respect/common courtesy. I have been thinking about buying a jeep wrangler or older cherokee, I will probably make it a point not to wave to other jeeps but continue to wave to other out of courtesy. The reason is, in my life i have had two jeeps that i can remember that have ever waved back at me (me being the one that initiated it), I'm 25, the only others are friends. The lack of courtesy from jeep owners is astounding... This is more of a rant and hopefully if i do own one in the future, i will still wave but i can guarantee it will be out of my nature and will secretly be hating that person inside.
i never get waves, most people just look confused, granted i guess to be far i do daily drive a camo xj lol. i don't get the model snobbery though, all the infighting about "real jeeps" i mean yeah i get it, my xj isn't a wrangler but theres no reason to be a jerk about it
The Jeep Wave. You talk about JK owners not waving but in my personal experience it's the TJ owners who tend to think they are superior and won't bother to wave and will even go so far as to just thumb their noses at you. Anyway, tends to be my experience. So much for that "club" you speak of...
hadd13 personally I'd never buy a jeep new period, yes they're fantastic machines, but an off-roading jeep is not worth a Camaros price. Always better to buy them used especially if you're hooking it up
Good info but you could have demonstrated or shown some of these things while you were talking about it, would have made it more interesting and impactful.
Once you start customizing you realize what JEEP stands for- Just Empty Every Pocket. I bought an unlimited to go with my old 84 CJ. Four doors is great for fishing, hunting, beaching, camping. Good stability on the road, good ride. I use both as daily drivers with both of us having 40 mile one way commutes. It's not a race car and not meant to be. Try both and then decide, either way it will make your life a lot more fun.
Mike Eh. I had an issue with the transmission popping out of reverse gear, which was fixed under warranty. Other than that it’s been running like a top. 85000 Kms in under three years.
As a fellow Jeep JKU owner, I agree with most of your statements. Before I lifted my JK and put bigger tires on it, I averaged 20 mpg highway and about 17 city. As a few have stated, once you lift it and put on bigger tires you will lose fuel economy. But one just needs to understand that a Wrangler is about as arodynamic as a bill board so fuel economy isn't all that great. Also, you do not need to lift a Jeep in order to be able to go off road. Install a good set of all terrain tires and you will be fine. My friend owns a bone stock 15' JKU Sport and has ran easy to intermediate trails at Windrock ORV in TN and also Uwharrie National Forest in NC. So right off the show room floor you have a very capable convertible SUV that you can have lots of fun with. And no, it will not tip over. Mine has a 4 in lift and I run 35 in tires and have never been remotely close to topping over. Not even on double black diamond trails. They are very safe. Enjoy the ride and Jeep on. 👍
JSTJPN 2011, Thanks for the comments. I think for most conditions they are stable. They do have a higher center of gravity though and you can't fight physics. You have to know the limits and stay within them. Here is a link to a video where everyone walked away, but it could have been significantly worse. I am linking this because it shows what can happen if you get on your side and you aren't careful. This doesn't just happen, the guy drove up the left wall. What is eyeopening is the speed in which the rollover occurred. ua-cam.com/video/UxcYOxG0fDY/v-deo.html I have no affiliation with the people in this video, nor the person who posted it.
I have 3 of em. A 94, 2000 and a 2017. No complaints. The 94 is my deep trail, 2000 is daily but build of decent off road. My 2017 is for taking my family out trailing. They all serve their purpose
they steer that way because they were ment to take tight sharp turns on trails , so there turning radius is a little diff, so if u want to get into tight areas u can
Hey man, this is fantastic information. Thank you. Just bought a 2018 Rubicon and you answered just about every question I could think of. Also, my plan for enjoying the offroad is similar to yours, as in getting to destinations you otherwise couldn't and not just seeing how extreme of terrain it can handle. No way in hell I could afford to fix this thing it was expensive enough as is. If I wanted to really fuck around and wheel I would get an old 4runner.
That's my exact thought about owning a Jeep, I don't know where I'm going, but I want to know that the Jeep will get me there! Cheers, this is a good video.
Very helpful review. I am seriously considering buying a wrangler. I am still struggling between 2dr and Unlimited. I like the style-dimensions of the 2dr but like the practicality (trunk space, getting in and out for the rear passengers) of the Unlimited. Plus I like the Jeep the wave ;). I think getting a Jeep is more about passion than anything else, I think I am developing that passion now...
I would disagree my rubi is fully loaded. I have leather seats, nav, Bluetooth, heated seats. Dana 44's with 4-10 gears and the tow package. Not sure you could add anything else I bought the top off the line rubi and it's not a hard rock. I added a 4 inch lift with 35's d, 17 xd wheels. Also if you think it's a mall crawler think again it is a hard core trail beast. I have pulled out more trucks and other jeeps and not been pulled out myself.
I had an 07 wrangler that I did a few mods on. You can count on every mod sucking a bit of fuel mileage out. In the end mine was about 13mpg highway. I think the overland style roof rack was the worst on the mileage but damn it was cool and useful. My new 16 Wrangler gets around 19 combined with the stock BF Goodrich MT's that came on my Willys edition. I have been resisting the mods but don't know how much longer I can take it lol. Informative video. I think you hit all the highlights.
SlideNoMore69 Hope you are doing well I am now in final process of buying wrangler 2007 tuned , 2.5 in 33 s But i feeling it's stupid to buy a car 10 years old with 96000 m costs 29000$ Can you please advice me if i get 2012 or its the same
$29k on an 07 jeep is pretty pricey with just a 2.5 lift and 33's. I don't have an issue buying a 10 year old vehicle but that is a bit over the top. You are close to new off the line price and just adding a lift and tires and wheels. You will get the 3.6L pentastar engine in the 2012 which is a pretty good upgrade from the 3.8L that came in the 2007 through 2011 models. Hope that helps.
Just got our 17 Rubi hard rock. Turbo lined, winch, lift, 35 inch tires, ARB differential covers, armor plating underneath, roof rack, leather heated seats, 4 door hard top. Smithy built XRC fenders, body armor and LOL Alpine X109 that completely rocks! Lots of other crap. Waited till I was 55 and kid free. Spent 80K of the kids inheritance so far. This thing flat rocks. Mud, rocks, grocery store you name it. Don't care about mileage (13) on a good day. Take the long way and get dirty. Love to live. 48 year old babe of a wife loves it more.
That's pretty awesome. I tell myself I only need about 12K to make my jeep how I want it. I tell myself that, but I don't really believe it. Seems like there is always something new.
LOL we tell ourselves we are done at 80K. But in reality, what's next? We are putting rock lights on the underside in a week. Rigid as in my opinion they are the best. Plus we already have rigid LED cubes and a bar. See what I mean?
This video was actually very helpful to me. I knew jeep doors come off, but never really thought about the indent situation. Same thing with the air bags. Thanks for making this video.
I'm thinking of buying a '95 wrangler and keeping it mostly stock, at least until I finish college. I figure I'd already have to do a bit of touch up on it and it will already take me where I want it to anyway.
Honest review. Just a few things i would mention. Gas mileage Your Jeep 4 door is a bit over 5000lbs mine is 5400 so a Ram 4 door is 5600 Thanks Chrysler for putting a V6 that always having to work hard when the 5.7 V8 would probably get better mileage since the Ram does. Second if you want to put 35s change your diff gears it will keep your gas mileage closer to stock the formula is simple so plan for that in your budget. I have had a jeep in my driveway for the last 30 years so I'm used to all the jeep things. But its good that you give a new comer point of view for people that never had one
thanks for this blog. im from joliet and thinking of getting a used jeep wrangler. wife had on 12 years ago then came my first son and she sold it for a Durango. i miss that jeep. would like to sell my truck and invest in a jeep 4 door. hope to see more of your vids. thanks again
I own a farm in Indiana I can show u tons of free places round here. I'm thinking of getting a 03 wrangler sport and trying to learn as much as I can about them. I used to have a WRX and was into the sport car thing but now getting into jeeps
its not a car or a truck, its a JEEP. With that mindset you'll be good to go. Any qualms you may have about owning a JEEP will fly out the window on that late summer-early evening cruise along the coast with your top off.
Many Jeep JK 2010 burn oil after some 35000 miles. I had tu trade mine for a 2016 at around 40000miles. The stock suspension is pretty crappy on the Sport JK. Need to install at least a leveling kit right of the bat because the front comes 1in. lower than the rear. I opted for a 2.5in. lift kit but it needs to be done by someone who knows well how to do it because it involves a lot more than just springs and shocks. Once that was taken care of and some larger tires it's an absolute joy to ride.
Questions for seasoned jeep owners. I am in need of a vehicle that can handle a muddy,gravel,sand...and occasionally a very rocky driveway. I live in the middle of nowhere and we own a ranch. I also drive a long way to work, what is a goid Jeep for me? Wrangler,cherokee,compass,renagade? I'm confused and in need of so help in the right direction. Thanks!!
Very well done, I enjoyed it. I am one of those Jeep guys that bought a Jeep and drive it like a car... I love it. That's probably because its not my main vehicle. After 35 years of riding Harley Davidsons and never getting hurt I decided to retire them and that's when I decided to replace it with a Jeep, No regrets... I have the 2 door Jeep The 4 door jeep would be like having a 4 door Corvette. Ha, ha
I use mine to travel in the midwest, rockies and the desert SW for my work. I spend time on all road conditions from high altitude mountain trails and roads (light to moderate) to droning on at 80 MPH on the freeway. The Wrangler has obvious weaknesses as a freeway cruiser, but the on paper weaknesses translate to real world fun driving. I do stop more frequently than when driving a sedan, however it's as much to stop a minute to take a look at a new area as it is to stretch my legs and back. I prefer the overland experience, too. Mine is a TJ rubi, mostly stock, very well maintained, and I enjoy driving it in everything except high, gusty winds at 70+ mph. I enjoyed your video, thanks.
Wondering if you've had any reliability/maintenance issues so far, heard this was a problem for some of the older jeeps. Hoping the newer ones are fixing this
I have a 2007 JK Unlimited. Lifted 4" with 33's 6sp Manual. I've loved all 13-15mpg in the 95000 miles I have with city, highway, and offroad miles. It's JUST now got a SLIGHT leak in the right rear axle seal. That's the only thing wrong, which is necessary to replace to prevent further damage to the connected parts (excuse my lack of knowledge).
The older ones like to over heat. Ive seen people with older cherokees blowing rads and same with older tj's and stuff. If you get a lift and big tires make sure you get a transmission cooler and an engine oil cooler as well cause it's gonna work alot harder.
Good review. Thanks. Would be cool if you could hit a button to take soft top on and off. It sure would be convenient. Just something else to consider when buying.
These Jeeps are tough alright, I put some wheel spacers on mine, the next day I went to pick up my cousin, coming back I had just got off the highway taking an exit and the front left wheel flew off, I slowed down as fast as I could, two guys in a work truck saw what happened and stopped, I didn't even see the wheel come off and had no idea where it went. I asked them if it hit them and they said no, but knew where it was, they went into the bushes and got it for me. I removed the spacer and jacked up the jeep along side the freeway exit and put it back on, and drove to my son-in-laws house and when he got home we took off all the wheel spacers, Only damage was to my inner fender plastic that's needs replacing and the edge of the brake rotor was scratched up where it rolled on the pavement but it looks to be ok. Love this jeep...
Hi, Thank you. Two things I was grateful for was, one my little grand kids were not with me and two the wheel didn't hit another car and cause a big chain reaction. My 67 year old cousin was pretty worked up about it...lol I put them on using lock tight and torqued them, but my son-in-laws friend said the ones I bought were cheap Chinese ones and the nuts were kind of cheap. I am not going to put anymore spacers on the jeep. I just bought it in Feb brand new and I really love this thing. I am buying things for it to make it into a safari jeep so I can take it camping with the grand kids when they get a little older I bought a roof top tent and right now buying a cargo rack and other things as I can afford them...I don't do any rock crawling. I like watching your videos, they are very informative and you explain everything just fine. Keep up the good work
Comfort? It's ok, if there are a lot of potholes though it can be rough. But, at least I don't have to worry about the Jeep. On our trip to Alaska we hit some monster pot holes and ruts, but the Jeep took it all.
Harry Waltersson - congrats! I still love my JKU, I've put on about 90,000 miles and have enjoyed every one of them. Here's a wave right back at you! Welcome to the club.
I’ve always contemplated a buying a Wrangler but my better judgement tells me it’s simply not practical for where I am... (Chicago as well). Sure, great in snow and bad rain storms, ice etc which we get a ton of but what has always bugged me is the HORRIBLE reliability ratings the Wrangler consistently gets. The joke is that they are always in the shop getting fixed! Is this true? I read and hear horror stories all the time. Also, I would want the hard top and it seems like a huge pain to always be checking the weather to take the top off and then you need the room to store that top. Let’s say you go on a road trip which sounds awesome in a Wrangler, where do you put the top once at your destination?
Thanks for the video, very informative for a guy like me looking to jump into the Wrangler arena for the first time... I have two young kids, anything I should consider when driving around with kids?
I like the JL better personally. I think they are just the next better iteration of the Jeep. It depends what you want to do though if you really want to modify it and take it rock crawling, you might be better off with a JK. Also with new JK stock running low at dealers, they are probably going to be giving decent deals on them. If money isn't a major concern, and you don't mind waiting for some of the mods, I would go for the JL.
jl = just ladies are great for mall crawling, especially the 4 door limo version. Get a real Jeep, a 2 door JK, preferably from '07 - '09. The rest of that generation is mostly shit with the exception of the 2013, 2 door Rubicon 10th Anniversary.
Mario Jimenez not good for family function, but as far as saftey , those roll bars will withstand alot before they cave in. but thats only if u roll it. technology not really, but anything u can get and add to it, gps, back up cam etc. but if u wanna take it offroad then u wont beat a jeep. also get one 2004 and older , with 4.0 inline .
The modern models meaning 12' and newer are getting better for the daily drive, kids etc. I have a 16 JKU and my wife has a 16 Cherokee. I commute 10-15 miles so the Wrangler is perfect but long trips we take the Cherokee.......unless it's 85 deg then the top down in the Wrangler makes it worth the rougher ride.
My buddy has a jeep and I really enjoy riding in it with him, Im getting my vehicle this summer and I've been telling my parents I wanted a Silverado. But after riding in my buddy's jeep I really want one as well. Would a wrangler be a good first car for a young guy???
I'm looking for a Jeep and probably just get The Rubicon and then buy the cosmetics for the Hard Rock because it seems that it would be cheaper that way. I think the major differences between the 2 models are the hood and the bumpers and that's about it (is that true)??? I totally agree with you with buying the model that you want with the gear ratio in it because it is beefier. Even if you wanted to change the 4.10 gears to a 4.88 you still have a beefier gear ratio. I'm not sure if you did change the gear ratio to a 4.88 if you would need a more heavier duty axle. I would just change the gearing for the bigger tires I'm not into the rock climbing where you probably would need a heavier duty axle. As far as taking the drain plug out and the carpeting out for going through rivers and creeks does the drain plug come through the carpeting or do you have to take the carpeting out to access the drain plugs and is it really that easy??? Also is it that necessary to take the drain plugs out and carpeting out to cross rivers and creeks (how many drain plugs are there)??? I'm sure that would screw up your sub that's on the floor with the optional Alpine head unit. As I said I'm looking for a jeep but I've had full size Ford pick ups and Ford Broncos that were jacked up with 40" tires and I would cross creeks and rivers where the water would be above the door and I never ever had water come inside. Are the gaskets on full size vehicle's like the Ford's that much greater than the Jeeps that they keep the water out when you do cross creeks and rivers??? Also if you take the tops off above the drivers and passenger seats and your driving on the highway doing 60-70mph is it not recommended, would it be too windy for the passengers in the back seat??? I also live in the Chicago area where do you go 4-wheeling at??? Great informational video, maybe I'll see you on the trails one day when I get one...
Joe, I think your best bet money-wise is to get the Hard Rock from the dealer. Seats are nicer, sound is better, hood, bumpers and a few smaller things. I'm not sure if you change the gearing to 4.88 if you need to upgrade the axels. It probably depends on the tires you are planning on turning and the type of driving you want to do. The Rubicon is rated for up to 30 inches of water. You only need to use the drain plugs if you flood the cabin. They are under the carpet and are not real easy to access until you take the carpet out once. Then it gets easier because you have to cut a few small sections that are designed to be cut. You only have to do that once though. You can drive as fast as you want with the tops off. It is pretty windy though. I haven't found anywhere good to go around Chicago. I have been 4-Wheeling in Wisconsin, Wyoming and in Ontario Canada. Thanks for watching!
+Exploring Jeeps there's a place in Ottawa Illinois that you can go 4-wheeling. I haven't been there in year's but they have all kinds of 4-wheeling to do there. A lot of people camp there also and they have some ATV'S and motocross bikes there but they are all very friendly and everybody stays out of each other's way but will help you if you need it...
Yeah okey but how's the market for the elctronics of the car. Will this car last me until im old? My biggest fear is electronics failing. Bolting on extras isn't really that importand for me. For me it's about long term reliability.
Great video man, how does it compare to driving a sports car. I realize that sounds silly but what I mean is I have been driving my 325i for about a year now and I can't even remember a time when I didn't. I love it that much. That being said it was wanting to drive a 4x4 that made me want to learn to drive stick and I have yet to drive one. How does it compare to going fast and driving really tight and precise. Is it as fun as I imagined it to be, does the sheer capability of it make up for it's handling and so forth...thanks!
I went to www.Insure.com and compared a few, the Jeep is pretty good compared to other SUVs like Explorers and Acadias, even Honda Pilots. Mine didn't go up at all, until we added my 17 year old to our policy.
Good video I use my XJ for just about everything the Dana 30 is an ok axle I wouldn’t go much bigger then 33”s but if it’s just a daily or a weekend overlander it’s not bad if it’s heavy beating I’d up grade to something a little bigger the jeep wave isn’t a big thing were I’m at but every once and a while I’ll have some one wave back form what I understand the newest jeep waves first but I wave anyway I hope you enjoy your JKU 👍
Helpful video! Thx. I've been looking into buying one of these Jeep's used.. on my first test drive I found that the steering is real wobbly and rough when in 4 wheel drive, is that normal? The guy did say he put about a 6" lift on it.. maybe that's effecting it🤔
Thanks for the info, thinking about getting a jeep for a few years now. One huge concern I have living in the northeast that you didn't cover is Rust. Every used Jeep I see be it wrangler or whatever has a ton of rust on it. More than other vehicles of the same year. How big of an issue is this and should Wrangler owners be putting anything on or under it to prevent that?
I use Fluid film and wipe the undercarriage down. Rust is a visual problem, but there is some heavy steel down there, so structurally I think it is safe for many many years of normal use. The other issue is there are a lot of scratches and rock dings that can start rusting.
thankyou for this video! I am about to buy my first jeep and this for sure helped. Can you explain further about lifts. I know I want a lifted jeep and if I get a stock jeep, Ill lift it myself and I want to be sure I'm buying one that can be lifted?
Thanks PiperCub49 for the comment. Sweet plane. I've always wanted to fly a Piper cub. I have only flown a Piper Arrow, a few Beechcrafts and a Cessna. Personally I would love to get a Super Cub with some Tundra wheels and take this whole Jeep thing to a new level.
Novel idea, show the items you are talking about rather than just talking about them. I don't think the fit and interior is that bad, not a Rolls Royce but very acceptable. The Jeep Wrangler is my favourite 4WD, I love the roof options & the off road ability.Unfortunately I was forced to sell my 2011 JK Wrangler due to unemployment. The only complaint I had was the 6 speed manual as it's a pain to drive on winding mountain roads as all you do is change gears up to 5th back to 2nd and so on. I don't know if it's better with the Penastar. In Australia the Rubicon comes in 4 door and auto only and with Goodyear Wranglers not BF Goodrich Mud-Terrains. The Jeeps should come with a reversing camera as standard.
I just want a 2 DOOR Wrangler X so can drive on fairly smooth dirt roads. No interest in rock crawling or mud bogging. I will have to get an automatic because I am disabled and my left leg can no longer handle a clutch for any length of time. I really don't NEED a Jeep, a2 DOOR pickup would do, but I have wanted a Jeep for a long time. I love their looks and rugged construction. I also love the fact that I can modify it down the road if I decide to. I plan to buy used one, I can save about half the price of a new one with no sales tax, dealer fees, and all that crap.
Thanks for the descriptive video. I appreciate your time and view! I am looking at used jeeps, I have one question that wasn't covered. How many miles are on the engine are considered too many when buying used? I'm looking at the 4.0. Everyone that has one around me says the 4.0 is the best engine for the TJ.
Destin Parkinson, That is a tricky question, it will depend on how it was driven and how well it was maintained. Sometimes it is hard to tell what you have. Is it possible to take it to a mechanic that you trust and get their take on it? The cost of the checkup might save you a lot of money in the future.
Yep Metric. Not sure why, maybe because the rest of the world is doing it. I've read that 30 percent of parts are from outside of North America. That is actually a very high percentage of North American parts. Probably helps with overseas and Canadian sales too.
I have had a Jeep Cherokee, Mistsubishi Montero Sport, and Volvo XC-90. Hands down this is the best performance I have ever had in the snow. I have the Rubicon model that has pretty aggressive stock tires for heavy snow. I'll be honest, if you don't speed around, I rarely even need to put it into 4wd. But when I do need 4wd, it is there. The traction control and the stability control work great to keep things under control too. It is a big heavy vehicle which helps here in the flat lands of Illinois. I can't comment on how it would do in a mountain snow, but I would probably buy some chains and then never worry about anything.
If you hate to 😁, don't buy a Jeep, 2015 2 door 6 spd soft top, have back seat out. As to mpg.. tires matter. My 32" a/t 3s are surprisingly quiet on the Fwy, have excellent wet/dry traction.. I've gotten as high as 25mpg crusing at 60 mph. As to safety.. it's much safer than my MC.
just got one question. is the interior able to take getting caught in the rain when you get caught with the top off? I'm talking about the radio and electrical stuff. thanks
I'm tired of people saying that you jeeps rollover easily they don't it is true that they have a shorter wheelbase and a higher center of gravity but it all depends on the driver and if the driver is driving responsibly and not Is treating the jeep like it's supposed be like taking turns at crazy speeds (which isn't responsible at all) also don't forget most jeep drivers also add lift kits and bigger tires which off sets the center of gravity EVEN MORE. Jeeps are wonderfully fun/safe vehicles in THE RIGHT HANDS and it the the hands of some crazy person looking for a sporty SUV.😂
I agree that the driver has a lot to do with the safety of any vehicle. It is important to note though, the higher your center of gravity the more you have to adjust. Sometimes you can't predict what is going to happen. Would you take a Jeep with a 4" lift and 37" tires on the highway? At 70 MPH, if someone abruptly cuts you off, you might be thinking about how a lower vehicle might be safer.
Visikaran - I haven't had any leaks in my jeep. I have the hard top, and I am careful when I take the freedom tops off not to damage the seals that are protecting against leaks. Always take off the driver side first. If you take off the passenger side first, there is a lot of pressure on the seals. (I saw our car salesman try to do it) Time will tell, but at 20K miles we haven't had a drop of unwanted water. Thanks for watching.
I had a soft top on my Jeep when I bought it, I did have a few leaks and a lot of wind noise. I got a one piece hard top and that took care of the leaks and most of the wind noise. I don't really miss going topless, it's fun for about ten minutes, then you get tired of the sunburns and bird poop on the seats.
i like jeeps i think jeeps are amazing, but i do notice at the biginning of the video, someone or something walking fast in the bushes seems like a bigfoot maybe im wrong.
Could anyone show me a reference of what he’s talking about when he explains the gear ratio (6:50) I’m looking for a Jeep Wrangler that’s good on a highway.
Pretty much for the lockers and the Dana 44 front Axle. I also wanted 4.11 gearing and an automatic which is only an option with a Rubicon. I ended up getting 3.73 gearing, because I couldn't find a 4.11 which stinks because after market gearing changes cost more than from factory. I am very glad I got the Rubicon for it's ability to get through stuff that wouldn't be possible without lockers.
Do stock Jeep Wrangler Sports (as in straight off the lot) have tight or loose steering? If they have loose steering, can anything be done to tighten it up? I really love Jeeps but I do NOT love loose steering.
I wouldn't say it was loose. Just not precise. It takes a little getting used to. I would guess that the Sport models that are stock with the smaller tires would be a little bit better and the stock Rubicons with the larger more knobby tires. Those would probably be the worst for Steering feel. I haven't driven a stock Sport model though. Even with the steering feel not being perfect, it is a very fun vehicle to drive around. Definitely test drive one though if you are thinking about it.
Wow... a little scared by your gas mileage. So far I'm averaging 19mpg on my 2016 Wrangler two-door hard top with 6spd manual, 3.21 gears, & stock 255/R17 tires. It's been as low as 17 when pulling a 5'x8' utility trailer and as high as 20+ on long highway runs. How much of that do you think is due to the larger tires or perhaps even more, the 3.73 gears? I'd like to maybe go a little bigger with tires when the stock ones wear out but I don't want to turn 19mpg into 15 or 16.... Love your vids! I subscribed to your channel. Thanks! :)
Pulling the trailer is fine. It has an effect on gas mileage but nothing dramatic. I'm currently down to 18.5 mpg. I was running 19.5+ previously but I don't tow the trailer very often or very far. The thing I am keeping in mind for my Wrangler is that I don't want to add significant weight or drag to the vehicle itself which I would have to deal with every time I turn the key. I'd like to run slightly larger tires when the stock ones wear out but I need to research what kind of effect running 32's or 33's has on mileage, what kind of effect that has in conjunction with no lift, a 2.5" lift, etc. I love my Jeep. Love driving it as much as I can.
Theresa, No I don't know of any others really. Shop around and do your research until you get what you want. It should take some time, but you'll get the feel of it that way. Some people baby them, and some beat on them. It is hard to tell what life they led. Need to look close at it .
The ''Fit and finish'' on a Jeep is great! What are you talking about? "Fit and finish"….Pft! The precision of manufacture and attention to detail is there in a Jeep. A Jeep is purpose built for utility and it's made very nicely. I think you meant to critique the Jeep's interior aesthetics and creature amenities. The Jeeps's interior aesthetics/amenities are not luxurious but instead minimalistic and simple by design. It's like the difference between a sexy fine, low maintenance country girl with real bikini tan lines, and high sex drive VS a high maintenance, fake tan, beach bitch who wears jewelry to bed and thinks her snatch is the only one ever made. If you want capable, simple yet interesting, sexy, and provocative, buy a Jeep. If you want plush, pampered, and fancy yet cookie cutter boring, buy a Lexus and stay at Starbucks with your sissy ride, WIFI, and prissy coffee!
What he said was correct. Unibody crossovers are cheaper to manufacture, which means more money can be spent on interior niceties. When a Rubicon Unlimited starts around $50,000 up here in Canada, the interior falls a bit short when compared to other SUVs in their price range. But I agree that you don't buy a Rubicon for it luxury, you buy it to take you places nothing else can.
The 2004-2006 model years had a 2 door extended body as an option. It was called the LJ. Starting in 2007 Jeep only offered the standard 2 door and the four door.
I am looking to buy a Jeep and I have heard that the 2011 and below models have engine issues is that true??? I just want to make sure I get a good year.
I think it would be a good idea to take it to a mechanic for a check out before buying anything. I can't say I know too much about the older models, but I have heard similar things. That is probably true of most vehicles though.
Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail. That is pretty cool. I will definitely try that someday. Now I just need to figure out how to get a few more vacation days. Thanks srkn100!
As a seasoned jeep owner I only have one thing to add. When one buys a jeep, you become a member of the jeep fraternity. You don't need to pledge or sign up or anything like that, but you do need to understand you are part of a club full of traditions. IMO, one of the most important tradition is the jeep wave. It's not a complicated wave, or some sort of finger contorting sign we flash at other jeeps, but rather a simple wave to acknowledge that you understand how awesome that other jeep drivers feels. From my experience, most jk owners have no clue (at least that's the case here in Texas). Older model owners, (cj, yj, and tj owners, that is) wave most often while jk owners just look at you with a face saying "do I know you?" It's just a fun tradition and way to honor the heritage behind all the fun we have every time we hit the road in our amazing little go anywhere machines.
I'm a JKU owner. I will wave at you. I have seen a lot of regions where people wave a lot, and others where they never do. Yellowstone yes, Tetons no, Downtown Chicago no, Northwest suburbs yes. If I am in one of the low return areas I generally will give up on it. Figure people just want to be left alone. Which is too bad, but I get tired of it being one way.
I'm from the south (Alabama), i was raised to wave on the road as a sign of respect/common courtesy. I have been thinking about buying a jeep wrangler or older cherokee, I will probably make it a point not to wave to other jeeps but continue to wave to other out of courtesy. The reason is, in my life i have had two jeeps that i can remember that have ever waved back at me (me being the one that initiated it), I'm 25, the only others are friends. The lack of courtesy from jeep owners is astounding... This is more of a rant and hopefully if i do own one in the future, i will still wave but i can guarantee it will be out of my nature and will secretly be hating that person inside.
Exploring Jeeps I'll wave at you. Don't know if we'll ever cross paths. Maybe...🖐
i never get waves, most people just look confused, granted i guess to be far i do daily drive a camo xj lol. i don't get the model snobbery though, all the infighting about "real jeeps" i mean yeah i get it, my xj isn't a wrangler but theres no reason to be a jerk about it
The Jeep Wave. You talk about JK owners not waving but in my personal experience it's the TJ owners who tend to think they are superior and won't bother to wave and will even go so far as to just thumb their noses at you.
Anyway, tends to be my experience. So much for that "club" you speak of...
It's not that I want to drive a stock jeep it's that I can only afford to drive a stock jeep
SAME!!
Me rn
Buy a 2001
You got a jeep doe
glad to see im not the only one likes to go off road mildly for enjoyment. wranglers are fun even if your not in mountain climbing competitions
...ESPECIALLY if you're not into comps...
I am a jeep owner but Never understood who would spend 40,000 on a new jeep and go rock crawling .... to each his own
lol ur not beating rocks ur goin 1mph up a rock
hadd13 personally I'd never buy a jeep new period, yes they're fantastic machines, but an off-roading jeep is not worth a Camaros price. Always better to buy them used especially if you're hooking it up
hadd13 agreed spending 40,000 dollars on a jeep just to tear it up is stupid at best.
I agree.
Well if they last on the rocks then they must be very reliable road vehicles?
Just purchased a black on black unlimited. Absolutely LOVE it! My only regret is not buying one sooner! Thanks for the vid. Informative.
Y0ur only regret should be not getting a two door...
Good info but you could have demonstrated or shown some of these things while you were talking about it, would have made it more interesting and impactful.
Daniel, I agree it would have been better with a lot of supporting video. It would just take more time than I have right now. Thanks for watching.
Daniel King how about you make a video to show Us how it's done
Daniel King Why do you have a Colorado flag on the Texas state? lol 😂😂😂
Love your Profile Pic. I relate.
Once you start customizing you realize what JEEP stands for- Just Empty Every Pocket. I bought an unlimited to go with my old 84 CJ. Four doors is great for fishing, hunting, beaching, camping. Good stability on the road, good ride. I use both as daily drivers with both of us having 40 mile one way commutes. It's not a race car and not meant to be. Try both and then decide, either way it will make your life a lot more fun.
Or Just Enjoy Every Penny :)
That too! :)
OIIIIIIIO
I I I I
just bought my 1st Jeep. 😍 im in love. i just got stock everything and i love it!! feels like riding in a boat when i have to drive somewhere! 😁
"you may just want to drive a stock jeep" --- said no one ever ;)
Until you get 7mpg😂
7 mpg means that you need to re-gear the axles to a lower ratio, which is dependent on tire size and diameter...
Not about miles per gallon, all about smiles per gallon
I can't wait!!!!...going for the Rubicon :)
Monica Go me too , The Rock 👍
gas mileage depends on wind direction. LOVE IT! So true!
I must say I owned a 07 sport and now a 12 Sahara and his information is spot on!!! #jeeplife
Going to buy a wrangler tomorrow... this video helped me decide. Thanks.
That's Great! Welcome to the club. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.
Did your Jeep spend countless hours at the dealers shop?
Mike Eh. I had an issue with the transmission popping out of reverse gear, which was fixed under warranty. Other than that it’s been running like a top. 85000 Kms in under three years.
As a fellow Jeep JKU owner, I agree with most of your statements. Before I lifted my JK and put bigger tires on it, I averaged 20 mpg highway and about 17 city. As a few have stated, once you lift it and put on bigger tires you will lose fuel economy. But one just needs to understand that a Wrangler is about as arodynamic as a bill board so fuel economy isn't all that great.
Also, you do not need to lift a Jeep in order to be able to go off road. Install a good set of all terrain tires and you will be fine. My friend owns a bone stock 15' JKU Sport and has ran easy to intermediate trails at Windrock ORV in TN and also Uwharrie National Forest in NC. So right off the show room floor you have a very capable convertible SUV that you can have lots of fun with. And no, it will not tip over. Mine has a 4 in lift and I run 35 in tires and have never been remotely close to topping over. Not even on double black diamond trails. They are very safe.
Enjoy the ride and Jeep on. 👍
JSTJPN 2011, Thanks for the comments. I think for most conditions they are stable. They do have a higher center of gravity though and you can't fight physics. You have to know the limits and stay within them. Here is a link to a video where everyone walked away, but it could have been significantly worse. I am linking this because it shows what can happen if you get on your side and you aren't careful. This doesn't just happen, the guy drove up the left wall. What is eyeopening is the speed in which the rollover occurred. ua-cam.com/video/UxcYOxG0fDY/v-deo.html I have no affiliation with the people in this video, nor the person who posted it.
I have 3 of em. A 94, 2000 and a 2017. No complaints. The 94 is my deep trail, 2000 is daily but build of decent off road. My 2017 is for taking my family out trailing.
They all serve their purpose
I am torn about buying another jeep, I have owned 2 of them and I do not know if I would buy the 2018. Is the quality there?
they steer that way because they were ment to take tight sharp turns on trails , so there turning radius is a little diff, so if u want to get into tight areas u can
Hey man, this is fantastic information. Thank you. Just bought a 2018 Rubicon and you answered just about every question I could think of. Also, my plan for enjoying the offroad is similar to yours, as in getting to destinations you otherwise couldn't and not just seeing how extreme of terrain it can handle. No way in hell I could afford to fix this thing it was expensive enough as is. If I wanted to really fuck around and wheel I would get an old 4runner.
this is a perfect video for beginners
I'm pretty sure it's going to help a lot of people out there good job
Thanks!
Sure did help me out!
That's my exact thought about owning a Jeep, I don't know where I'm going, but I want to know that the Jeep will get me there! Cheers, this is a good video.
love my jeep wrangler jk. Everything you said is true. my biggest problem is road handling. It was a task to drive from Chicago to Tampa.
Very helpful review. I am seriously considering buying a wrangler. I am still struggling between 2dr and Unlimited. I like the style-dimensions of the 2dr but like the practicality (trunk space, getting in and out for the rear passengers) of the Unlimited. Plus I like the Jeep the wave ;). I think getting a Jeep is more about passion than anything else, I think I am developing that passion now...
I would disagree my rubi is fully loaded. I have leather seats, nav, Bluetooth, heated seats. Dana 44's with 4-10 gears and the tow package. Not sure you could add anything else I bought the top off the line rubi and it's not a hard rock. I added a 4 inch lift with 35's d, 17 xd wheels. Also if you think it's a mall crawler think again it is a hard core trail beast. I have pulled out more trucks and other jeeps and not been pulled out myself.
I have the same and love mine. I did a 3" with 35's.
I had an 07 wrangler that I did a few mods on. You can count on every mod sucking a bit of fuel mileage out. In the end mine was about 13mpg highway. I think the overland style roof rack was the worst on the mileage but damn it was cool and useful. My new 16 Wrangler gets around 19 combined with the stock BF Goodrich MT's that came on my Willys edition. I have been resisting the mods but don't know how much longer I can take it lol. Informative video. I think you hit all the highlights.
I went the exact same route
SlideNoMore69
Hope you are doing well
I am now in final process of buying wrangler 2007 tuned , 2.5 in 33 s
But i feeling it's stupid to buy a car 10 years old with 96000 m costs 29000$
Can you please advice me if i get 2012 or its the same
$29k on an 07 jeep is pretty pricey with just a 2.5 lift and 33's. I don't have an issue buying a 10 year old vehicle but that is a bit over the top. You are close to new off the line price and just adding a lift and tires and wheels. You will get the 3.6L pentastar engine in the 2012 which is a pretty good upgrade from the 3.8L that came in the 2007 through 2011 models. Hope that helps.
11. The gas station will be your hangout
12. It’s going to break a lot
13. It will drain your account
joshua morales for real?
Right fr? Cuz I wanted a Jeep for a long time and I want it to be a daily driver but I don’t want to use a lot of money for it
Is this for real
I've heard this from people that do more off road but I've heard they are very reliable for daily driving.
Just got our 17 Rubi hard rock. Turbo lined, winch, lift, 35 inch tires, ARB differential covers, armor plating underneath, roof rack, leather heated seats, 4 door hard top. Smithy built XRC fenders, body armor and LOL Alpine X109 that completely rocks! Lots of other crap. Waited till I was 55 and kid free. Spent 80K of the kids inheritance so far. This thing flat rocks. Mud, rocks, grocery store you name it. Don't care about mileage (13) on a good day. Take the long way and get dirty. Love to live. 48 year old babe of a wife loves it more.
That's pretty awesome. I tell myself I only need about 12K to make my jeep how I want it. I tell myself that, but I don't really believe it. Seems like there is always something new.
LOL we tell ourselves we are done at 80K. But in reality, what's next? We are putting rock lights on the underside in a week. Rigid as in my opinion they are the best. Plus we already have rigid LED cubes and a bar. See what I mean?
great tips. jeeps are definitely different from other vehicles. new wrangler owners should practice breaking on wet pavement
This video was actually very helpful to me. I knew jeep doors come off, but never really thought about the indent situation. Same thing with the air bags. Thanks for making this video.
I'm thinking of buying a '95 wrangler and keeping it mostly stock, at least until I finish college. I figure I'd already have to do a bit of touch up on it and it will already take me where I want it to anyway.
I love My 2013 JK two door. I have had no issues at all and it is all stock. I get as much as 25 mpg highway, Good video.
Jeep Man I’ve been looking into that exact model of jeeps, any advice for the price?
im going to look at a 09 wrangler today im so excited to get another jeep its been 2 long years since my old jeep died on me
best budz I think I’m buying an 09 this weekend. How is it
Honest review. Just a few things i would mention. Gas mileage Your Jeep 4 door is a bit over 5000lbs mine is 5400 so a Ram 4 door is 5600 Thanks Chrysler for putting a V6 that always having to work hard when the 5.7 V8 would probably get better mileage since the Ram does. Second if you want to put 35s change your diff gears it will keep your gas mileage closer to stock the formula is simple so plan for that in your budget. I have had a jeep in my driveway for the last 30 years so I'm used to all the jeep things. But its good that you give a new comer point of view for people that never had one
thanks for this blog. im from joliet and thinking of getting a used jeep wrangler. wife had on 12 years ago then came my first son and she sold it for a Durango. i miss that jeep. would like to sell my truck and invest in a jeep 4 door. hope to see more of your vids. thanks again
I own a farm in Indiana I can show u tons of free places round here. I'm thinking of getting a 03 wrangler sport and trying to learn as much as I can about them. I used to have a WRX and was into the sport car thing but now getting into jeeps
its not a car or a truck, its a JEEP. With that mindset you'll be good to go. Any qualms you may have about owning a JEEP will fly out the window on that late summer-early evening cruise along the coast with your top off.
Many Jeep JK 2010 burn oil after some 35000 miles. I had tu trade mine for a 2016 at around 40000miles. The stock suspension is pretty crappy on the Sport JK. Need to install at least a leveling kit right of the bat because the front comes 1in. lower than the rear. I opted for a 2.5in. lift kit but it needs to be done by someone who knows well how to do it because it involves a lot more than just springs and shocks. Once that was taken care of and some larger tires it's an absolute joy to ride.
Questions for seasoned jeep owners. I am in need of a vehicle that can handle a muddy,gravel,sand...and occasionally a very rocky driveway. I live in the middle of nowhere and we own a ranch. I also drive a long way to work, what is a goid Jeep for me? Wrangler,cherokee,compass,renagade? I'm confused and in need of so help in the right direction. Thanks!!
Get a Cherokee, you don't need a real Jeep.
An awesome unbiased review! Thanks so much!
Great video. Thanks for posting. I just got my first Jeep--a '97 TJ. Really liking it, except it's a crappy 2.5L. I should have got the 6-cylinder.
Very well done, I enjoyed it. I am one of those Jeep guys that bought a Jeep and drive it like a car... I love it. That's probably because its not my main vehicle. After 35 years of riding Harley Davidsons and never getting hurt I decided to retire them and that's when I decided to replace it with a Jeep, No regrets... I have the 2 door Jeep The 4 door jeep would be like having a 4 door Corvette. Ha, ha
One thing about owning a Jeep, your part of a community. If you get one embrace it.
I use mine to travel in the midwest, rockies and the desert SW for my work. I spend time on all road conditions from high altitude mountain trails and roads (light to moderate) to droning on at 80 MPH on the freeway. The Wrangler has obvious weaknesses as a freeway cruiser, but the on paper weaknesses translate to real world fun driving. I do stop more frequently than when driving a sedan, however it's as much to stop a minute to take a look at a new area as it is to stretch my legs and back. I prefer the overland experience, too. Mine is a TJ rubi, mostly stock, very well maintained, and I enjoy driving it in everything except high, gusty winds at 70+ mph. I enjoyed your video, thanks.
Wondering if you've had any reliability/maintenance issues so far, heard this was a problem for some of the older jeeps. Hoping the newer ones are fixing this
I have a 10 Unlimited that I purchased new. I have almost 100,000 miles. no big issues to report.
I have a 2007 JK Unlimited. Lifted 4" with 33's 6sp Manual. I've loved all 13-15mpg in the 95000 miles I have with city, highway, and offroad miles. It's JUST now got a SLIGHT leak in the right rear axle seal. That's the only thing wrong, which is necessary to replace to prevent further damage to the connected parts (excuse my lack of knowledge).
The older ones like to over heat. Ive seen people with older cherokees blowing rads and same with older tj's and stuff. If you get a lift and big tires make sure you get a transmission cooler and an engine oil cooler as well cause it's gonna work alot harder.
Hit every nail on the head.
Good review. Thanks. Would be cool if you could hit a button to take soft top on and off. It sure would be convenient. Just something else to consider when buying.
Brian Gilson Q
These Jeeps are tough alright, I put some wheel spacers on mine, the next day I went to pick up my cousin, coming back I had just got off the highway taking an exit and the front left wheel flew off, I slowed down as fast as I could, two guys in a work truck saw what happened and stopped, I didn't even see the wheel come off and had no idea where it went. I asked them if it hit them and they said no, but knew where it was, they went into the bushes and got it for me. I removed the spacer and jacked up the jeep along side the freeway exit and put it back on, and drove to my son-in-laws house and when he got home we took off all the wheel spacers, Only damage was to my inner fender plastic that's needs replacing and the edge of the brake rotor was scratched up where it rolled on the pavement but it looks to be ok.
Love this jeep...
Wow, glad to hear you and your jeep are ok. What failed with the spacers? These are relatively popular. Did you use locktite and torque them down?
Hi,
Thank you.
Two things I was grateful for was, one my little grand kids were not with me and two the wheel didn't hit another car and cause a big chain reaction.
My 67 year old cousin was pretty worked up about it...lol
I put them on using lock tight and torqued them, but my son-in-laws friend said the ones I bought were cheap Chinese ones and the nuts were kind of cheap.
I am not going to put anymore spacers on the jeep. I just bought it in Feb brand new and I really love this thing.
I am buying things for it to make it into a safari jeep so I can take it camping with the grand kids when they get a little older I bought a roof top tent and right now buying a cargo rack and other things as I can afford them...I don't do any rock crawling.
I like watching your videos, they are very informative and you explain everything just fine.
Keep up the good work
Thanks for sharing.. I wonder how does it drive on regular roads.. I'm looking for a comfort ride cuz I'm driving on crappy pavements
Comfort? It's ok, if there are a lot of potholes though it can be rough. But, at least I don't have to worry about the Jeep. On our trip to Alaska we hit some monster pot holes and ruts, but the Jeep took it all.
These crash ratings usually with vehicles in there own class so if a car were to hit you on side it would probably blow out your tire at best
Going to buy my first JK this friday, got a WJ now. Great and informative video man, so thanks! Jeep wave from Sweden!
Harry Waltersson - congrats! I still love my JKU, I've put on about 90,000 miles and have enjoyed every one of them. Here's a wave right back at you! Welcome to the club.
I’ve always contemplated a buying a Wrangler but my better judgement tells me it’s simply not practical for where I am... (Chicago as well). Sure, great in snow and bad rain storms, ice etc which we get a ton of but what has always bugged me is the HORRIBLE reliability ratings the Wrangler consistently gets. The joke is that they are always in the shop getting fixed! Is this true? I read and hear horror stories all the time. Also, I would want the hard top and it seems like a huge pain to always be checking the weather to take the top off and then you need the room to store that top. Let’s say you go on a road trip which sounds awesome in a Wrangler, where do you put the top once at your destination?
Thanks for the video, very informative for a guy like me looking to jump into the Wrangler arena for the first time... I have two young kids, anything I should consider when driving around with kids?
Duane Barlow - Yeah-don't. Leave the little buggers behind.
I agree about what you are saying about Jeep Wrangler. I ❤️❤️ Jeep Wrangler
It will be in the shop the week after you buy it...that number 1?
Lol good joke
You did a great job with this video! I enjoyed it and your opinions. Thank you good sir.
the thing is how much gas does this use if its as much as an suv truck or car
im looking at buying my first jeep, which is better: Jk or JL?
I like the JL better personally. I think they are just the next better iteration of the Jeep. It depends what you want to do though if you really want to modify it and take it rock crawling, you might be better off with a JK. Also with new JK stock running low at dealers, they are probably going to be giving decent deals on them. If money isn't a major concern, and you don't mind waiting for some of the mods, I would go for the JL.
jl = just ladies are great for mall crawling, especially the 4 door limo version. Get a real Jeep, a 2 door JK, preferably from '07 - '09. The rest of that generation is mostly shit with the exception of the 2013, 2 door Rubicon 10th Anniversary.
Its no longer an American 100% brand, now that it belongs to FIAT (Italian) I really doubt it keeps its roots, but still love it!!!
What about baby seat friendly?, comfort? safety technology(baby wise)? would you recommend as a daily commute car? Thanks!
Mario Jimenez not good for family function, but as far as saftey , those roll bars will withstand alot before they cave in. but thats only if u roll it. technology not really, but anything u can get and add to it, gps, back up cam etc. but if u wanna take it offroad then u wont beat a jeep. also get one 2004 and older , with 4.0 inline .
Medieval jeep Thank you so much for your advice, keep it rolling amigo!!! Cheers
The modern models meaning 12' and newer are getting better for the daily drive, kids etc. I have a 16 JKU and my wife has a 16 Cherokee. I commute 10-15 miles so the Wrangler is perfect but long trips we take the Cherokee.......unless it's 85 deg then the top down in the Wrangler makes it worth the rougher ride.
My buddy has a jeep and I really enjoy riding in it with him, Im getting my vehicle this summer and I've been telling my parents I wanted a Silverado. But after riding in my buddy's jeep I really want one as well. Would a wrangler be a good first car for a young guy???
I'm looking for a Jeep and probably just get The Rubicon and then buy the cosmetics for the Hard Rock because it seems that it would be cheaper that way. I think the major differences between the 2 models are the hood and the bumpers and that's about it (is that true)??? I totally agree with you with buying the model that you want with the gear ratio in it because it is beefier. Even if you wanted to change the 4.10 gears to a 4.88 you still have a beefier gear ratio. I'm not sure if you did change the gear ratio to a 4.88 if you would need a more heavier duty axle. I would just change the gearing for the bigger tires I'm not into the rock climbing where you probably would need a heavier duty axle. As far as taking the drain plug out and the carpeting out for going through rivers and creeks does the drain plug come through the carpeting or do you have to take the carpeting out to access the drain plugs and is it really that easy??? Also is it that necessary to take the drain plugs out and carpeting out to cross rivers and creeks (how many drain plugs are there)??? I'm sure that would screw up your sub that's on the floor with the optional Alpine head unit. As I said I'm looking for a jeep but I've had full size Ford pick ups and Ford Broncos that were jacked up with 40" tires and I would cross creeks and rivers where the water would be above the door and I never ever had water come inside. Are the gaskets on full size vehicle's like the Ford's that much greater than the Jeeps that they keep the water out when you do cross creeks and rivers??? Also if you take the tops off above the drivers and passenger seats and your driving on the highway doing 60-70mph is it not recommended, would it be too windy for the passengers in the back seat??? I also live in the Chicago area where do you go 4-wheeling at??? Great informational video, maybe I'll see you on the trails one day when I get one...
Joe, I think your best bet money-wise is to get the Hard Rock from the dealer. Seats are nicer, sound is better, hood, bumpers and a few smaller things. I'm not sure if you change the gearing to 4.88 if you need to upgrade the axels. It probably depends on the tires you are planning on turning and the type of driving you want to do.
The Rubicon is rated for up to 30 inches of water. You only need to use the drain plugs if you flood the cabin. They are under the carpet and are not real easy to access until you take the carpet out once. Then it gets easier because you have to cut a few small sections that are designed to be cut. You only have to do that once though. You can drive as fast as you want with the tops off. It is pretty windy though. I haven't found anywhere good to go around Chicago. I have been 4-Wheeling in Wisconsin, Wyoming and in Ontario Canada. Thanks for watching!
+Exploring Jeeps there's a place in Ottawa Illinois that you can go 4-wheeling. I haven't been there in year's but they have all kinds of 4-wheeling to do there. A lot of people camp there also and they have some ATV'S and motocross bikes there but they are all very friendly and everybody stays out of each other's way but will help you if you need it...
Joe Tarlos Thanks, I will check it out. That's a lot closer than Wyoming.
Yeah okey but how's the market for the elctronics of the car. Will this car last me until im old? My biggest fear is electronics failing. Bolting on extras isn't really that importand for me. For me it's about long term reliability.
thanks for the great video , I like the casual way of your narrative , who needs all these polished fake presenters
Great video man, how does it compare to driving a sports car. I realize that sounds silly but what I mean is I have been driving my 325i for about a year now and I can't even remember a time when I didn't. I love it that much. That being said it was wanting to drive a 4x4 that made me want to learn to drive stick and I have yet to drive one. How does it compare to going fast and driving really tight and precise. Is it as fun as I imagined it to be, does the sheer capability of it make up for it's handling and so forth...thanks!
Great video! What about insurance? Are your premiums thru the roof since there are less airbags?
I went to www.Insure.com and compared a few, the Jeep is pretty good compared to other SUVs like Explorers and Acadias, even Honda Pilots. Mine didn't go up at all, until we added my 17 year old to our policy.
just got a jeep I had a mazda 3 2008 and paid 490$ for 6 months for the jeep I pay 350$
Wow it's like the jeep is paying you... so you can get some new mods. LOL
That's a pretty good chunk of change though.
Your beautiful
My insurance went down. I have both front and side airbags
Thanks for the video! Im hoping to one day get a TJ!
Good video I use my XJ for just about everything the Dana 30 is an ok axle I wouldn’t go much bigger then 33”s but if it’s just a daily or a weekend overlander it’s not bad if it’s heavy beating I’d up grade to something a little bigger the jeep wave isn’t a big thing were I’m at but every once and a while I’ll have some one wave back form what I understand the newest jeep waves first but I wave anyway I hope you enjoy your JKU 👍
Helpful video! Thx. I've been looking into buying one of these Jeep's used.. on my first test drive I found that the steering is real wobbly and rough when in 4 wheel drive, is that normal? The guy did say he put about a 6" lift on it.. maybe that's effecting it🤔
Thanks for the info, thinking about getting a jeep for a few years now. One huge concern I have living in the northeast that you didn't cover is Rust. Every used Jeep I see be it wrangler or whatever has a ton of rust on it. More than other vehicles of the same year. How big of an issue is this and should Wrangler owners be putting anything on or under it to prevent that?
I use Fluid film and wipe the undercarriage down. Rust is a visual problem, but there is some heavy steel down there, so structurally I think it is safe for many many years of normal use. The other issue is there are a lot of scratches and rock dings that can start rusting.
thankyou for this video! I am about to buy my first jeep and this for sure helped. Can you explain further about lifts. I know I want a lifted jeep and if I get a stock jeep, Ill lift it myself and I want to be sure I'm buying one that can be lifted?
Your videos are FANTASTIC.
Thanks PiperCub49 for the comment. Sweet plane. I've always wanted to fly a Piper cub. I have only flown a Piper Arrow, a few Beechcrafts and a Cessna. Personally I would love to get a Super Cub with some Tundra wheels and take this whole Jeep thing to a new level.
Novel idea, show the items you are talking about rather than just talking about them. I don't think the fit and interior is that bad, not a Rolls Royce but very acceptable. The Jeep Wrangler is my favourite 4WD, I love the roof options & the off road ability.Unfortunately I was forced to sell my 2011 JK Wrangler due to unemployment. The only complaint I had was the 6 speed manual as it's a pain to drive on winding mountain roads as all you do is change gears up to 5th back to 2nd and so on. I don't know if it's better with the Penastar. In Australia the Rubicon comes in 4 door and auto only and with Goodyear Wranglers not BF Goodrich Mud-Terrains. The Jeeps should come with a reversing camera as standard.
I just want a 2 DOOR Wrangler X so can drive on fairly smooth dirt roads. No interest in rock crawling or mud bogging. I will have to get an automatic because I am disabled and my left leg can no longer handle a clutch for any length of time. I really don't NEED a Jeep, a2 DOOR pickup would do, but I have wanted a Jeep for a long time. I love their looks and rugged construction. I also love the fact that I can modify it down the road if I decide to. I plan to buy used one, I can save about half the price of a new one with no sales tax, dealer fees, and all that crap.
Thanks for the descriptive video. I appreciate your time and view! I am looking at used jeeps, I have one question that wasn't covered. How many miles are on the engine are considered too many when buying used? I'm looking at the 4.0. Everyone that has one around me says the 4.0 is the best engine for the TJ.
Destin Parkinson, That is a tricky question, it will depend on how it was driven and how well it was maintained. Sometimes it is hard to tell what you have. Is it possible to take it to a mechanic that you trust and get their take on it? The cost of the checkup might save you a lot of money in the future.
Really enjoyed this video. Nice job :-) Makes me want a new Wrangler sooner than later.
quick question, jeep uses metric sockets? isn't jeep American made?
Yep Metric. Not sure why, maybe because the rest of the world is doing it. I've read that 30 percent of parts are from outside of North America. That is actually a very high percentage of North American parts. Probably helps with overseas and Canadian sales too.
+Exploring Jeeps thanks, great video :)
You mentioned the saftey aspect, how do these compare in snow with other four wheel drive vehicles?
I have had a Jeep Cherokee, Mistsubishi Montero Sport, and Volvo XC-90. Hands down this is the best performance I have ever had in the snow. I have the Rubicon model that has pretty aggressive stock tires for heavy snow. I'll be honest, if you don't speed around, I rarely even need to put it into 4wd. But when I do need 4wd, it is there. The traction control and the stability control work great to keep things under control too. It is a big heavy vehicle which helps here in the flat lands of Illinois. I can't comment on how it would do in a mountain snow, but I would probably buy some chains and then never worry about anything.
If you hate to 😁, don't buy a Jeep,
2015 2 door 6 spd soft top, have back seat out.
As to mpg.. tires matter. My 32" a/t 3s are surprisingly quiet on the Fwy, have excellent wet/dry traction.. I've gotten as high as 25mpg crusing at 60 mph.
As to safety.. it's much safer than my MC.
what are your thought on a 2015 willys 2 door
just got one question. is the interior able to take getting caught in the rain when you get caught with the top off? I'm talking about the radio and electrical stuff. thanks
yup.
You need to put the top back on if it's going to rain.
love the video. good info. just bought a 2017 willys, and loving it so far. thanks brother!
Thanks for the comment and congrats on the Jeep!
I'm tired of people saying that you jeeps rollover easily they don't it is true that they have a shorter wheelbase and a higher center of gravity but it all depends on the driver and if the driver is driving responsibly and not Is treating the jeep like it's supposed be like taking turns at crazy speeds (which isn't responsible at all) also don't forget most jeep drivers also add lift kits and bigger tires which off sets the center of gravity EVEN MORE. Jeeps are wonderfully fun/safe vehicles in THE RIGHT HANDS and it the the hands of some crazy person looking for a sporty SUV.😂
I agree that the driver has a lot to do with the safety of any vehicle. It is important to note though, the higher your center of gravity the more you have to adjust. Sometimes you can't predict what is going to happen. Would you take a Jeep with a 4" lift and 37" tires on the highway? At 70 MPH, if someone abruptly cuts you off, you might be thinking about how a lower vehicle might be safer.
nice review. I have been hearing about leaks. I feel like that's what's holding me back from buying a jeep for 40k+. what is u r opinion on that
Visikaran - I haven't had any leaks in my jeep. I have the hard top, and I am careful when I take the freedom tops off not to damage the seals that are protecting against leaks. Always take off the driver side first. If you take off the passenger side first, there is a lot of pressure on the seals. (I saw our car salesman try to do it)
Time will tell, but at 20K miles we haven't had a drop of unwanted water. Thanks for watching.
+Exploring Jeeps thanks☺
I had a soft top on my Jeep when I bought it, I did have a few leaks and a lot of wind noise. I got a one piece hard top and that took care of the leaks and most of the wind noise. I don't really miss going topless, it's fun for about ten minutes, then you get tired of the sunburns and bird poop on the seats.
Really informative. Thank you!
i like jeeps i think jeeps are amazing, but i do notice at the biginning of the video, someone or something walking fast in the bushes seems like a bigfoot maybe im wrong.
this wrangler is the best wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Wrangler
How long have you had your jeep
My dream at is a white jeep 🚙 with black rims and I've been wanting it all my life
I always wanted a red one. My family wanted black. While I settled on color, I did get a Wrangler!
Could anyone show me a reference of what he’s talking about when he explains the gear ratio (6:50) I’m looking for a Jeep Wrangler that’s good on a highway.
On the fence of buying a jk unlimited sport with a manual transmission. I drive a mustang gt right now. Someone convince me!
Question, why did you get a Rubicon if you weren't planning to do a ton of off-roading?
Pretty much for the lockers and the Dana 44 front Axle. I also wanted 4.11 gearing and an automatic which is only an option with a Rubicon. I ended up getting 3.73 gearing, because I couldn't find a 4.11 which stinks because after market gearing changes cost more than from factory. I am very glad I got the Rubicon for it's ability to get through stuff that wouldn't be possible without lockers.
I live in Chicago too! Thanks for the details, I’ve definitely made up my mind. ❤️❤️😘
Awesome review, man. Great detail and in-depth knowledge.
Thanks Zachary!
Do stock Jeep Wrangler Sports (as in straight off the lot) have tight or loose steering? If they have loose steering, can anything be done to tighten it up? I really love Jeeps but I do NOT love loose steering.
I wouldn't say it was loose. Just not precise. It takes a little getting used to. I would guess that the Sport models that are stock with the smaller tires would be a little bit better and the stock Rubicons with the larger more knobby tires. Those would probably be the worst for Steering feel. I haven't driven a stock Sport model though. Even with the steering feel not being perfect, it is a very fun vehicle to drive around. Definitely test drive one though if you are thinking about it.
For sure. I'll definitely be test driving before I buy. Just haven't had the chance to do so yet. Thanks so much!
haleyyrae101 they're not loose at all
Wow... a little scared by your gas mileage. So far I'm averaging 19mpg on my 2016 Wrangler two-door hard top with 6spd manual, 3.21 gears, & stock 255/R17 tires. It's been as low as 17 when pulling a 5'x8' utility trailer and as high as 20+ on long highway runs. How much of that do you think is due to the larger tires or perhaps even more, the 3.73 gears? I'd like to maybe go a little bigger with tires when the stock ones wear out but I don't want to turn 19mpg into 15 or 16.... Love your vids! I subscribed to your channel. Thanks! :)
Joseph, how did pulling the trailer go? I was looking at the little one from Harbor Freight, wasn't sure how it would impact the drive.
Pulling the trailer is fine. It has an effect on gas mileage but nothing dramatic. I'm currently down to 18.5 mpg. I was running 19.5+ previously but I don't tow the trailer very often or very far. The thing I am keeping in mind for my Wrangler is that I don't want to add significant weight or drag to the vehicle itself which I would have to deal with every time I turn the key. I'd like to run slightly larger tires when the stock ones wear out but I need to research what kind of effect running 32's or 33's has on mileage, what kind of effect that has in conjunction with no lift, a 2.5" lift, etc. I love my Jeep. Love driving it as much as I can.
Do you have a good website reference for finding a fair price for a used model? Kelley Blue Book, but are there any other references you trust?
Theresa, No I don't know of any others really. Shop around and do your research until you get what you want. It should take some time, but you'll get the feel of it that way. Some people baby them, and some beat on them. It is hard to tell what life they led. Need to look close at it .
Thank you!
Great video dude . Very useful. Thanks!
Enjoyed the video. Good tips. Thanks for posting.
The ''Fit and finish'' on a Jeep is great! What are you talking about? "Fit and finish"….Pft! The precision of manufacture and attention to detail is there in a Jeep. A Jeep is purpose built for utility and it's made very nicely. I think you meant to critique the Jeep's interior aesthetics and creature amenities. The Jeeps's interior aesthetics/amenities are not luxurious but instead minimalistic and simple by design. It's like the difference between a sexy fine, low maintenance country girl with real bikini tan lines, and high sex drive VS a high maintenance, fake tan, beach bitch who wears jewelry to bed and thinks her snatch is the only one ever made. If you want capable, simple yet interesting, sexy, and provocative, buy a Jeep. If you want plush, pampered, and fancy yet cookie cutter boring, buy a Lexus and stay at Starbucks with your sissy ride, WIFI, and prissy coffee!
Yes I fell that's what he meant as well. Otherwise this is a great video. Recommend to any one about to purchase a jk.
What he said was correct. Unibody crossovers are cheaper to manufacture, which means more money can be spent on interior niceties. When a Rubicon Unlimited starts around $50,000 up here in Canada, the interior falls a bit short when compared to other SUVs in their price range. But I agree that you don't buy a Rubicon for it luxury, you buy it to take you places nothing else can.
are all the unlimited Rubicon's the same length? some seem a little longer than others...
The 2004-2006 model years had a 2 door extended body as an option. It was called the LJ. Starting in 2007 Jeep only offered the standard 2 door and the four door.
I am looking to buy a Jeep and I have heard that the 2011 and below models have engine issues is that true??? I just want to make sure I get a good year.
I think it would be a good idea to take it to a mechanic for a check out before buying anything. I can't say I know too much about the older models, but I have heard similar things. That is probably true of most vehicles though.
Exploring Jeeps yes for sure!!! Thank you.....good info!
great insights! Thank you for sharing! Much appreciated!
You're welcome. Thanks for the comment.
Drive up to Michigan if u want to go off roading
Live in chicago and own a rubicon. I know what you mean. Where can i overland in midwest? Any places you can recommend.
Not yet. I have driven to Ottawa and Jackson Wyoming to find some. Would love to find some good places that are closer.
+Exploring Jeeps did you hear about a trail that runs from south wisconsion to north wisconsin called intercontinental trailway or something similar
No, I looked on line for it but that name didn't pull anything up in Wisconsin. Sounds great though.
+Exploring Jeeps trans Wisconsin adventure trail, I found it earlier this week
Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail. That is pretty cool. I will definitely try that someday. Now I just need to figure out how to get a few more vacation days. Thanks srkn100!