Motor Trend compares Jeeps from 1945 and 2012

[AYIAPhoto]

I believe he refers to someone who owns and drives a Grand Cherokee, (arguably the MOST plastic and "city-fied" of all Jeeps) complaining that the JK is too refined! I must say, I too find it kinda funny:sombrero:

I wont speak for Black_ZJ, but I also own a Grand('98 ZJ). While they are "city-fied" and cushy, the interior (mainly the dash) of the newer Wranglers are plain hideous. They look like they belong in some asian attempt at a luxury car. I understand the reasoning however, as you can't mount a passenger side airbag behind the old CJ style steel dash. I love the concept of the 4 door JK, great suspension/more room than the CJ-YJ-TJ and the Rubi package just makes it better. I just don't like the execution. Let me explain.

The 4 door JK weighs over 4k lbs with the hard top on. The horsepower numbers of the 3.6 may sound good, but the engine is pretty weak (285hp but only 265 foot pounds of torque)for a vehicle that heavy. Forget a 4 cylinder to try and save fuel. It would never pull it. A 5.2 ZJ fully loaded(Limited with every option) weighs in at about 38-3900, and has 300 foot pounds at a much lower RPM. If Jeep wants to build a barge(and compared to the CJ/YJ/TJ the JK is a boat) they should have offered a V8 option. Preferably the 5.7 hemi.

Secondly, and this is just personal preference, the interior is too molded and swoopy. That is not just the JK, it's all the new line. Yes my ZJ has faux wood grain and 4 cup holders, but it is a luxury SUV. That's why I bought it, for the luxury. With the windows rolled up I can cruise quietly down the highway at 70 with no wind noise. Try that in even a hardtop Wrangler. It is far from refined, yes it rides better than the older models but that is mostly due to the longer wheelbase and track width. There is still the wind noise and poor handling(compared to cars and CUVs), but Jeep has decided to make the interior more car like. But as stated this is just my humble opinion.

 

[jeepdreamer]

mikeg...does your early 2a have a tailgate or no? Mi likey mucho!!!!

 

[mikeg1713]

AYIAPhoto I own them, play with them, and sell them. I couldn't agree with you more. But I do like my 12 JK. I will say I've never liked the TJ. And I see that my feelings and opinions about the TJ are the same as many peoples feelings and opinions towards the JK. The interior is foo foo crap. Lol

Jeepdreamer. Yes I do have a tailgate. Its the original tailgate and the ACM number matches the tub ACM stamp.

 

[bldeagle10]

I own an XJ, my dad has owned a CJ5 YJ and now a JK, and I do have to say that any jeep newer than 06 is just rubbish. Capable yes, lots of potential? yes. but if I ever got one it would have to be a bare JKU tub and frame. no ugly interior, no ****ty motor, no crappy electronic unnecessary bull crap under the hood and on the dash...Mercedes has to much influence on new jeeps... I would be much happier if they offered a rugged bare bones jeep enthusiast package without all the frill. just a simple god honest Jeep like the good ole days. But then again I'm the guy who thinks that most all new cars are engineering nightmares...

 

[mikeg1713]

I think everything after 1989 is crap but that's just me. The YJ was the worst Jeep ever made but I love them and had 4 of them. Fuel injection and all the computers in the later YJ and the TJ sucks. Not trying to be rude.. just making a joke. JEEP is spelled WILLYS-OVERLAND.

 

[mikeg1713]

mikeg...does your early 2a have a tailgate or no? Mi likey mucho!!!!

No lockers, leaf springs, carb, 31" x9.5" swampers, no plastic just bake lite.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I wont speak for Black_ZJ, but I also own a Grand('98 ZJ). While they are "city-fied" and cushy, the interior (mainly the dash) of the newer Wranglers are plain hideous. They look like they belong in some asian attempt at a luxury car. I understand the reasoning however, as you can't mount a passenger side airbag behind the old CJ style steel dash. I love the concept of the 4 door JK, great suspension/more room than the CJ-YJ-TJ and the Rubi package just makes it better. I just don't like the execution. Let me explain.

The 4 door JK weighs over 4k lbs with the hard top on. The horsepower numbers of the 3.6 may sound good, but the engine is pretty weak (285hp but only 265 foot pounds of torque)for a vehicle that heavy. Forget a 4 cylinder to try and save fuel. It would never pull it. A 5.2 ZJ fully loaded(Limited with every option) weighs in at about 38-3900, and has 300 foot pounds at a much lower RPM. If Jeep wants to build a barge(and compared to the CJ/YJ/TJ the JK is a boat) they should have offered a V8 option. Preferably the 5.7 hemi.

Secondly, and this is just personal preference, the interior is too molded and swoopy. That is not just the JK, it's all the new line. Yes my ZJ has faux wood grain and 4 cup holders, but it is a luxury SUV. That's why I bought it, for the luxury. With the windows rolled up I can cruise quietly down the highway at 70 with no wind noise. Try that in even a hardtop Wrangler. It is far from refined, yes it rides better than the older models but that is mostly due to the longer wheelbase and track width. There is still the wind noise and poor handling(compared to cars and CUVs), but Jeep has decided to make the interior more car like. But as stated this is just my humble opinion.

I had to sit here and remember where the other 2 cup holders were at, then realized that since removing the rear carpet, plastic, and seats that there used to be some back there that pulled out. I just have the I6 in mine, but it has been tweaked a bit to put out about 20 hp over stock. Been lifted for over 11 years now and has proven many "Wrangler" owners wrong. Shoot, Jeep copied the ZJ's suspension design to use in the TJ. And Jeep went on to use the TJ aftermarket suspension designs for ideas to use in the JK. Come to think of it, when was the last time that "Jeep" designed anything of their own from scratch that wasn't based on a currently used platform or engine?

 

[comac90]

hmmm ... let me just say, all Jeeps suck except for 2012 JKU Rubicons (I know, I have one). It is truly the greatest vehicle that man has ever created - barring Land Rover Series IIIs and the Defender, of course (seriously, Jeeps don't even COME with full-floating rear axles ). And, if you think differently about jeeps ... well, you're wrong.

... and with the 2012 Rubicon being the one exception, REAL men only drive Land Rovers - or maybe a G-wagon.

:REOutShootinghunter







T

 

[bldeagle10]

^that is just blasphemy...I do like a few land rovers, a few land cruisers, a lot of Jeeps, a few full size domestic rigs, but no one vehicle is "The Greatest" EVERY vehicle has its flaws, and nothing is all around the best. they all have their strong points. I wouldnt want to take a Suburban down a trail like Black Bear Pass in Colorado, but I can't load up 6+ people in a Jeep plus all our gear and haul it to a camp site in the back country... And really, I feel the need to remind anyone who is a hardcore LR or LC fan that all rovers and cruisers were originally based off the JEEP platform...can't even come up with their own design....

 

[reece146]

It's as valid an opinion as any in this thread - and I'm guessing meant as a playful troll to see who will take the bait.

I think the JK would be an awesome vehicle if it was built by a manufacturer that knew/understood what vehicle quality and longevity meant. If the JK was built to TLC standards... oh man, you'd have to restrain me to keep me from buying one.

New Jeeps are made to last the three year lease/warranty cycle and nothing more. I guess that is an improvement since 1945 when the original Jeep was made - I'm guessing that the life cycle was measured in weeks given it was meant to survive a few battles and not much else.

 

[mikeg1713]

The ww2 Willys MB had a 30 day warranty. The 1945 CJ2A had a 60 day warranty. Its funny how my jeep is still running coming up on its 67th birthday September 20th. There is no way in H3ll any JK will see that kind of life.

 

[reece146]

Its funny how my jeep is still running coming up on its 67th birthday September 20th. There is no way in H3ll any JK will see that kind of life.

^^ This

In fairness though, the typical mileage over lifetime on a vintage flat fender more closely resembles that of a motorcycle (10s of thousands of miles) compared to a modern vehicle (100s of thousands of miles).

 

[mikeg1713]

True. i have 75,000 on my 1945 cj2a.

 

[comac90]

It's as valid an opinion as any in this thread - and I'm guessing meant as a playful troll to see who will take the bait.

I think the JK would be an awesome vehicle if it was built by a manufacturer that knew/understood what vehicle quality and longevity meant. If the JK was built to TLC standards... oh man, you'd have to restrain me to keep me from buying one.

New Jeeps are made to last the three year lease/warranty cycle and nothing more. I guess that is an improvement since 1945 when the original Jeep was made - I'm guessing that the life cycle was measured in weeks given it was meant to survive a few battles and not much else.

"troll" .... LOL - no, just pure satire from 'one guy on the internet's perspective'. Of course there's no greatest truck. I just came out said what everyone else is thinking about their own Jeep (or rover, GS, cruiser, g-wagon).

I just find some of these 'debates' (read: vehicle bashing) and the brand and model elitism amusing, that's all - thus my "troll" (read: satirical) post. Granted, sometimes (often times?) things get lost in translation on the WWW.

Case in point - To use your quote from above: "New Jeeps are made to last the three year lease/warranty cycle and nothing more" ----

.... So, Prove it.

I don't think Scott Brady (and many others, i would circumstantially argue) would agree with you given the reliability success Expeditions West has had with their JK. But, that's not even my point .... Give me some technical research, some definitive evidence, an internal Chrysler memo - anything to back up that statement that adds to the collective knowledge base and something that's not simply a vehicle bash. That's my point.

That said, it's a free country AND an Internet forum - say whatever you want. :sombrero:

Hopefully, that clears up my post.

Back to the jeep opinions ....

T

 

[Ian]

My girlfriend has an 01 TJ that has 150k miles of hard use and has been beat to hell. Other than some transmission problems early on (covered by the warranty), it's mechanically fine and the interior is trashed. The inside door handles are broken, one of the seat belts is broken, the seats are torn up, the seat adjustments are in bad shape, the shifter handle is trashed, the center console lid fell off, and interior blower fans and vents are long gone.

If figured I'd avoid those problems on my Jeep by getting a 2A that didn't use any of those parts in the first place.