J8 Expedition Project:
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
Scott Brady
Founder
The J8 still showing its worth after years of hard work. This time we used it with the USMC on a field evolution. Metric-ton capacity, FLIR, small-displacement turbo diesel and bomber drivetrain.
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
And pretty much completely unobtainium for the average US overlander....right?
Don't get me wrong, super cool and if Jeep would offer it in the US then I would be seriously thinking about one instead of converting my old burb to diesel.
But they aren't.
And they won't.
Regardless of how often they hear from our community the reality is we are a tiny voice in a sea of vehicle buyers/Fed reg's/cost analysis.
So very cool that is working for you, even cooler that you and other in the Overland Empire get to play with unobtainium toys but the reality is the rest of us are like Ghetto kids riding by the private school playground looking out our window wistfully.
Don't get me wrong, super cool and if Jeep would offer it in the US then I would be seriously thinking about one instead of converting my old burb to diesel.
But they aren't.
And they won't.
Regardless of how often they hear from our community the reality is we are a tiny voice in a sea of vehicle buyers/Fed reg's/cost analysis.
So very cool that is working for you, even cooler that you and other in the Overland Empire get to play with unobtainium toys but the reality is the rest of us are like Ghetto kids riding by the private school playground looking out our window wistfully.
Scott Brady
Founder
No different from the $140,000 camper you drove around in for a few years.
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Which is a bit strange since Mopar seems to be the manufacturer with the coolest Skunkworks, take their Skunk rigs to Easter Jeep Safari, etc etc. But yet when it comes to a very usable and cool rig like the JK8(haven't they seen how popular their JK's seem to be?), it doesn't arrive. Political red tape and bureaucratic B.S. perhaps?
Brandon Libby
GeeK
As Scott has stated previously, Jeep is selling as many JK's as they can make right now.
Besides, It's unlikely they would sell very many J8's on the U.S.market. For example, most pre 2012 JK owners complain about the under powered performance of the 3.8L engine. The J8 probably accelerates in the same disappointing manner. But what about the other perks? Sure, it has a D60 in the rear, but those can be had on the aftermarket either new or you can build your own; it's leaf sprung in the rear, if in 2007 Jeep had released the JK with rear leaves, nearly all Jeep enthusiasts would have picketed Jeep headquarters; it's not any more capable off road than a JKU Rubicon, in fact it's probably worse in some scenarios -it has open differentials. It's possible that they may sell a few to contractors, but they don't have the same cargo space as a pickup or industrial van. In all likelihood, they would probably sell 300 or less a year, hardly an incentive considering their success with the current line up.
So what do you really get with the J8? Better fuel economy, torque, a more rugged construction, and a much increased load capacity. What do you get with the JKU? A better ride, ergonomics, agility, 500lb lighter chassis, much quieter interior, lockers, ...and with a ~20% lower price tag. What you do with that extra $15,000 will most likely make you much happier in the long run.
*Just the casual observation of someone who has no actual experience with the J8 (but still wants one too).
Besides, It's unlikely they would sell very many J8's on the U.S.market. For example, most pre 2012 JK owners complain about the under powered performance of the 3.8L engine. The J8 probably accelerates in the same disappointing manner. But what about the other perks? Sure, it has a D60 in the rear, but those can be had on the aftermarket either new or you can build your own; it's leaf sprung in the rear, if in 2007 Jeep had released the JK with rear leaves, nearly all Jeep enthusiasts would have picketed Jeep headquarters; it's not any more capable off road than a JKU Rubicon, in fact it's probably worse in some scenarios -it has open differentials. It's possible that they may sell a few to contractors, but they don't have the same cargo space as a pickup or industrial van. In all likelihood, they would probably sell 300 or less a year, hardly an incentive considering their success with the current line up.
So what do you really get with the J8? Better fuel economy, torque, a more rugged construction, and a much increased load capacity. What do you get with the JKU? A better ride, ergonomics, agility, 500lb lighter chassis, much quieter interior, lockers, ...and with a ~20% lower price tag. What you do with that extra $15,000 will most likely make you much happier in the long run.
*Just the casual observation of someone who has no actual experience with the J8 (but still wants one too).
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
AFSOC
Explorer
Very well developed post. I agree with your points. One thing I do think that the J8 holds over the JKU that cannot be addressed in the aftermarket is exclusivity. The J8 is a great package but isn't a formula for commercial success. For 99.99% of any consumer application it is a solution looking for a problem. The JKU can do most anything a J8 can do but is much more palatable for the masses.
X-plorenow
Adventurer
The problem with exclusivity is that in order for it to make sense for a company to offer, it will be very expensive...
toddz69
Explorer
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
What kind of stuff do you want to know?
like the J8 has a reinforced frame, bigger axles, bigger breaks, leafs in the rear, etc. etc.
Obviously Dave from AEV knows everything, he's always happy to answer questions over at the AEV discussion forums.
There is also a guy in some other country who just got a J8 and is driving it around there...he's answered a few questions for us.
-Dan
