JK as a family vehicle

[troy]

Wow, this under-power argument is old...and unfortuneately totally inaccurate.

:victory::sombrero:

I'd agree with that statement. I test drove a Rubicon last week and it felt very similar to my YJ, TJ, XJ.

I think it would be a great family hauler, if you know what you are buying. Will it handle the highway better than a GC, no. Will it be as convenient as a minivan, no. For what it is, it comes as close to all-around utility as you get, and the top comes off.

That being said, I still won't buy one until there are more used ones on the market and price has come down. I'm too cheap.

 

[booger]

i can only go by my personal experience. granted i drove the 09 for under 100 miles, but it was more than just an around the block test drive.

i currently own a 98 XJ, an 06 TJ, and an 07 XK so i have plenty of variety to compare to. my XK should be on par with the weight and overall heft of a JK Unlimited, but it was a night and day difference between the two as far as performance goes. the JK was doing good to get out of its own way and my XK is nice and peppy.

i may have to go drive a used one to see if they pick up a bit with some mileage under their belts.

 

[keithro]

We have two kids and it is our family car. They aren't as nice as others, but it works well for a family car if you need something that you can wheel and is convertible...

 

[kjp98TJ]

wife, 2 kids and a big dog here. kids are 10 and 7 and had only 1 yr when we didn't have a SWB jeep (TJ). it's a PITA w/ small kids, lg dogs and lack of space. and we wouldn't want it any other way. :sombrero:

 

[Pskhaat]

For 2 kiddos I think they'd be great, but you can't fit 3 brittaxen in the 2nd row. I wish they'd introduce even 1 3rd row OEM seat.

 

[grahamfitter]

In think once one has caught the Jeep CJ/Wrangler bug its impossible to let it go. People get the same somewhat irrational affinity with Series/Defender Land Rovers, VW Buses, etc. I'm sure that other vehicles would be more practical, comfortable, economical, etc. for a family car but they'll never feel quite right.

So I say go for it!

Cheers,
Graham

 

[GTABurnout]

I like the 4 doors, Kinda a new age XJ.

 

[alosix]

Never really had any issues with the power of the 4 door rubi.

It didn't have the 'grunt' of my TJ, but I wouldn't call it underpowered. I'd consider the 3.8 to have a more 'civilized' delivery of power.

Granted.. I'd much rather have a factory hemi option.


Jason

 

[mcm4090]

The JK has a modelling program in it that adjusts itself to the driver. It usually takes about 3000 km's for the JK to adjust itself to the drivers style of driving, then adjusts output accordingly.

So if you're heavy footed, then it will adjust for max HP output, but it will cost you in fuel mileage, just as an example.

I have seen people making a smellier comments before and a vehicle ECM does not work this way.
Yes, the ECM does have "Leaned Values" but it dose not matter if grandmother drive a car for a year or a teenager drives the car. The car will perform the same way.

 

[Andy G]

Holy cow...!!! Thanks for the answers, everyone! I truly appreciate it!

We just gotta get rid of our POS truck first (for downpayment) and then we'll be getting one.

The wife absolutely LOVES the new JK, fyi!

:victory:

 

[Pskhaat]

I have seen people making a smellier comments before and a vehicle ECM does not work this way.

Now I have no idea about a Jeep computer, but many control modules do indeed have fuel and delivery curves that have timed and decayed factors applied to them, not simply a set of distinct maps like the old GM's.

Is there a reason Jeep would not have the same?

 

[Zeero]

It does have the same and it does work as I described. My partner in Overland is also an Employee of Chrysler in manufacturing and has spent many months in Toledo OH building the JK and assures me this is the function. He is now in the Brampton plant building Chargers and Challengers....for how long? Who knows...yikes.

Spicy McHaggis, you're going to love it. You love it now, but you'll love it more when you own it! Pictures when you get it!!

 

[durango_60]

Holy cow...!!! Thanks for the answers, everyone! I truly appreciate it!

We just gotta get rid of our POS truck first (for downpayment) and then we'll be getting one.

The wife absolutely LOVES the new JK, fyi!

:victory:

Great, sounds like you certainly have a good wife! Where do you live?

 

[chuck45]

i can only go by my personal experience. granted i drove the 09 for under 100 miles, but it was more than just an around the block test drive.

i currently own a 98 XJ, an 06 TJ, and an 07 XK so i have plenty of variety to compare to. my XK should be on par with the weight and overall heft of a JK Unlimited, but it was a night and day difference between the two as far as performance goes. the JK was doing good to get out of its own way and my XK is nice and peppy.

i may have to go drive a used one to see if they pick up a bit with some mileage under their belts.

I think the JK's are misgeared from the factory - even the Rubi - and especially the automatics. I would grant that it would be nice if it had more power but the only time I feel that there is a problem is high elevation highways in the 55-75 mph range. And that was pretty much fixed when I regeared. Off road with the Rubi you are never short of power. Most of the time I am around 1500 rpm and rarely see 3000 and have never been unable to do something because of power.

The 4 dr JK is a hell of a platform. It has an amazing amount of rigidity but it is heavy. I love mine and can't think of any other vehicle I would rather own. The kids are long gone and it's just the wife and I and we love the space, wheelbase and access to the rear thru the rear doors. I do think that due to the wheelbase a 4 dr needs a lift and more rubber; something like 2 1/2 to 3" and 34's or 3"-3 1/2" and 35's makes a huge difference. And the power problem goes away with 4.88's with a stick and 5.13's with an automatic. I'd factor in the costs of the above into the purchase price of a 4 dr JK. Probably 3000 on the low side up to 6000 depending on the lift and if you used stock or aftermarket wheels.

 

[Andy G]

Great, sounds like you certainly have a good wife! Where do you live?

Right now...Juneau, Alaska. In 3 months - Kodiak, Alaska!