Matt Scott's article "5 Things We'd Love To See In The Next Wrangler"
- Thread starter HRPINDC
- Start date
Haf-E
Expedition Leader
A buddy of mine just got a base model Sport JKU - it still shows the GVMR at 5400 lbs on the data plate - so I suspect that the higher rating of 5700 lbs is only on the Rubicons perhaps?
The Sport is listed as weighing 4100 lbs vs the Rubicon at 4340 lbs - so 240 lbs more. Kinda makes sense. (these are the auto tranny weights)
Sport - 5400 lbs - 4100 lbs = 1300 lbs
Rubicon - 5700 lbs - 4340 lbs = 1360 lbs ?
The website does show the Rubicon as being only 5400 lbs - I did find a number of people who say there plates saay 5700 lbs but haven't seen one myself yet.
1360 lbs is a lot more than what is usually quoted...
The Sport is listed as weighing 4100 lbs vs the Rubicon at 4340 lbs - so 240 lbs more. Kinda makes sense. (these are the auto tranny weights)
Sport - 5400 lbs - 4100 lbs = 1300 lbs
Rubicon - 5700 lbs - 4340 lbs = 1360 lbs ?
The website does show the Rubicon as being only 5400 lbs - I did find a number of people who say there plates saay 5700 lbs but haven't seen one myself yet.
1360 lbs is a lot more than what is usually quoted...
Last edited:
Russ Chung
Observer
1. SEAT BELT LOCK OVERRIDE. There have been a lot of times when I have stopped and got out of my Jeep to get a good look at an obstacle, steep hill or off camber section of the trail. When I got back in, I found that I couldn't put on my seat belt because it retracted when I got out and it was locked, so I had to the drive over the difficult section of the trail without fastening my seat belt. When you really need the safety of a seat belt, it's not available to you. A mall crawler probably won't need the seat belt lock override, but a real trail rated rig needs a button that you can push to override the seat belt lock.
2. CENTRAL TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM (CTIS). Military (and some civilian) HMMWV's have a CTIS which allows the driver to adjust the tire pressure from the driver's seat "on the move". A CTIS equipped Wrangler would make it easier to air down to get over a tough obstacle, and then air up when you get to easier terrain. It would also allow the driver to adjust the tire pressure to find the "sweet spot" when driving on washboard roads.
2. CENTRAL TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM (CTIS). Military (and some civilian) HMMWV's have a CTIS which allows the driver to adjust the tire pressure from the driver's seat "on the move". A CTIS equipped Wrangler would make it easier to air down to get over a tough obstacle, and then air up when you get to easier terrain. It would also allow the driver to adjust the tire pressure to find the "sweet spot" when driving on washboard roads.
The Swiss
Expedition Leader
After about 6 years and 130kmls with my JKURs ('08 &'12) I'd just like to ask Chrysler to please not ******** it up. The JKU is an awesome vehicle the way it is and the sales success shows it. OK, if you absolutely have to change something, give it a bigger tank for extended range, give us the possibility to order it with rubber mats instead of carpet and leave the rest alone for another 10 years or so.
I wonder why people would want to strip the comfort out of a vehicle? makes no sense to me. to save 50 lbs? as for the seatbelt override? thank sue happy 'merica, that will NEVER happen.
I love my 11 JKU, sport, 3.73, trail tow package and comfortable seats, dash etc. I would never want to go to a TJ or YJ model. EWWW. love my comfort.
I love my 11 JKU, sport, 3.73, trail tow package and comfortable seats, dash etc. I would never want to go to a TJ or YJ model. EWWW. love my comfort.
87GMCJimmy
Adventurer
I'd like to see a "white body"-esque Wrangler. Something akin to the white body drag racing Challengers they offer. Basically a stripped down simplified vehicle. Except with a bit more than what the Challenger kit comes with. Say a Wrangler Rubicon but with no safety features (no air bags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, locker override), no electronic nannies (no range control on the lockers), not finicky front antisway bar (I'd rather have a manual disconnect), no luxury features (no A/C, no power windows or door locks, no key less entry, etc), overall a GREATLY simplified electrical system. Have it come with no bumpers, since these would be things taken off and replaced by the end user anyway so, why pay for them in the beginning? No carpeting or sound deadening since they'd be ripped out and the tub and it would be bedlined. Have it come sans seats, seat belts, and sport cage )or whatever they call it now) since the buyer would likely want to replace them with suspension seats, harnesses, and a real roll cage! (so, once again, why pay for things that will be taken out anyway?)
Realistically, the pricing on this vehicle would probably be the same as a loaded Rubicon (I really doubt they'd be willing to discount it since it would require a LOT of production line differences) BUT, without any hesitation, I would have bought a stripper version like this instead of my loaded Rubicon when I bought in 2011!!!
When purchasing, they should make it available to the general public (not only to race teams like the white body Challengers) but make buyers sign a bunch of liability waivers (similar to other white bodies). The white bodies are not typically street legal BUT, one could get around this by their selling it as an incomplete vehicle (as described above) and buyers could register the rigs with the DMV as kit cars.
IMO- This would make a MUCH better overland vehicle as it would be slightly lighter weight (even when re-equipped to be a road worthy vehicle) and MUCH easier to trouble shoot any electrical issues (when compared to a normal JK).
I'd also like to see the availability of a diesel engine, a diesel engined white body would be an AWESOME base for an expedition rig!!! I'd be tempted to trade my Power Wagon in for one! (though, my wife would kill me since I sold my 2011 Rubicon to buy my Power Wagon, LOL!)
Realistically, the pricing on this vehicle would probably be the same as a loaded Rubicon (I really doubt they'd be willing to discount it since it would require a LOT of production line differences) BUT, without any hesitation, I would have bought a stripper version like this instead of my loaded Rubicon when I bought in 2011!!!
When purchasing, they should make it available to the general public (not only to race teams like the white body Challengers) but make buyers sign a bunch of liability waivers (similar to other white bodies). The white bodies are not typically street legal BUT, one could get around this by their selling it as an incomplete vehicle (as described above) and buyers could register the rigs with the DMV as kit cars.
IMO- This would make a MUCH better overland vehicle as it would be slightly lighter weight (even when re-equipped to be a road worthy vehicle) and MUCH easier to trouble shoot any electrical issues (when compared to a normal JK).
I'd also like to see the availability of a diesel engine, a diesel engined white body would be an AWESOME base for an expedition rig!!! I'd be tempted to trade my Power Wagon in for one! (though, my wife would kill me since I sold my 2011 Rubicon to buy my Power Wagon, LOL!)
My JK unlimited as is is an awesome base for an expedition rig. only thing really needed, is larger gas tank. you can go pretty well anywhere in a stock Jk with ac on and comfortable. I don't know why anyone would not want to be comfortable, esp. on a long trip. I don't get it.
87GMCJimmy
Adventurer
It's plenty comfy without A/C. I live in NC so, it's hot and humid here but I still preferred top down to A/C on, every day in the summer!!! I don't really think A/C is necessary on a soft top vehicle, I'd rather have an engine driven air compressor in its spot instead! Plus, the elimination of all the wiring associated with all the comfort and safety features would be 100% worth it, IMO. The electrical system on JKs is crazy complex!!! (just like any other new vehicle)
I was wanting to put an auxiliary fuel tank in my JK when I had it, like one of the Long Ranger tanks, or maybe a TJ tank behind the rear axle (cutting out the storage area underneath the cargo area floor to allow the tank to sit up pretty high)
I by no means disagree on JKs being a great overland vehicle platform. (although their payload is a bit on the low side, especially after adding beefy aftermarket parts, recovery gear, etc. It would be nice to see an upgraded GVWR, just me in my JKU was 1/4 of its payload capacity! (I'm 6'3" 300lbs)) Just saying that a simplified electrical system (for easier trouble shooting) would be quite beneficial!!!
I was wanting to put an auxiliary fuel tank in my JK when I had it, like one of the Long Ranger tanks, or maybe a TJ tank behind the rear axle (cutting out the storage area underneath the cargo area floor to allow the tank to sit up pretty high)
I by no means disagree on JKs being a great overland vehicle platform. (although their payload is a bit on the low side, especially after adding beefy aftermarket parts, recovery gear, etc. It would be nice to see an upgraded GVWR, just me in my JKU was 1/4 of its payload capacity! (I'm 6'3" 300lbs)) Just saying that a simplified electrical system (for easier trouble shooting) would be quite beneficial!!!
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
Because everyone has different goals and needs.
We're not for one second saying you should not be able to get your comfy model if that's what you want, we're just asking for a less comfy model for ourselves because that better suits our needs and goals.
Us asking for something you have no use for doesn't impact you one little bit.
-Dan
87GMCJimmy
Adventurer
VERY good point!!! I never did specify but yes, I was calling for this as an additional option package, not to replace any existing option packages!