Land Cruiser 100 to Jeep Rubicon Unlimited: Capability? Comfort?
- Thread starter KlausVanWinkle
- Start date
KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
I think it was weakened when he was rear ended. But there's a lot more force involved in an accident than when towing. My first 100 was totalled when I ran into BlueCruiser's steel rear bumper in a dust cloud. I wonder what would have happened if I'd had the slee front bumper on at the time.
when I install my bags im going to flex the jeep and run the lines then. The lines come right up through the teraflex spacer on the rear so it should be plenty protected and once flexed and ran I should have no issues. I may even upgrade to a tougher air line.
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
A slightly twisted angle on your dilema...
I just picked up a JKUR-X. The only options not purchased were the nav system, and the "Max Tow Package" (you have to say that in your best Monster Truck announcer voice).
I totally dig it! The vehicle it replaced was an '04 Grand Cherokee Overland, that I would put up against the 100 any day of the week.
All that said the only reasons I did this was for the Ursa Minor J180, and the ease of running 35" tires. Otherwise, they'd have pried my cold dead fingers off the steering wheel of the Grand Cherokee (that thing was awesome!).
Your 100 has more towing capacity, more load capacity, more comfort and convenience, than any Wrangler.
It's also a great driver on the road. The Wrangler will struggle to stay on a wind blown freeway, where in the 100 you only noticed the wind due to stuff blowing across the freeway (like Wranglers with Gobi racks and roof top tents...
).
On the AEV front, it's great for someone who fits their mold, but man, don't even try to color outside the AEV lines, because they just can't support it.
The rear bumper is a great example. By the time you add the swing out carrier, fuel caddy, and bracket for the Hi-Lift, it's over $2,600. And that's it brother! Don't even think about adding an over tire rack, or water cans, or a place to hang your chain saw. Not happening, because it's all swinging off the outside of the right rear frame horn, behind the energy absorbing section.
Was very disappointed when I noticed this, because I really liked the idea of the 5 gallons of non-potable water storage in their bumper.
Fortunately for everyone who doesn't fit that exact mold, there are plenty of reasonably priced American made products that are flexible enough to fit the bill.
Don't think I'm down on the JKUR, or AEV. Both are awesome, but both are niche, and demand serious compromises. I'm abso-freaking-lutely thrilled to make those compromises to get the awesome pop top, and ease of use off road.
I Hope you are too! Would be fun to watch your build, and have someone to commiserate with about the monthly payments... :beer:
I just picked up a JKUR-X. The only options not purchased were the nav system, and the "Max Tow Package" (you have to say that in your best Monster Truck announcer voice).
I totally dig it! The vehicle it replaced was an '04 Grand Cherokee Overland, that I would put up against the 100 any day of the week.
All that said the only reasons I did this was for the Ursa Minor J180, and the ease of running 35" tires. Otherwise, they'd have pried my cold dead fingers off the steering wheel of the Grand Cherokee (that thing was awesome!).
Your 100 has more towing capacity, more load capacity, more comfort and convenience, than any Wrangler.
It's also a great driver on the road. The Wrangler will struggle to stay on a wind blown freeway, where in the 100 you only noticed the wind due to stuff blowing across the freeway (like Wranglers with Gobi racks and roof top tents...
). On the AEV front, it's great for someone who fits their mold, but man, don't even try to color outside the AEV lines, because they just can't support it.
The rear bumper is a great example. By the time you add the swing out carrier, fuel caddy, and bracket for the Hi-Lift, it's over $2,600. And that's it brother! Don't even think about adding an over tire rack, or water cans, or a place to hang your chain saw. Not happening, because it's all swinging off the outside of the right rear frame horn, behind the energy absorbing section.
Was very disappointed when I noticed this, because I really liked the idea of the 5 gallons of non-potable water storage in their bumper.
Fortunately for everyone who doesn't fit that exact mold, there are plenty of reasonably priced American made products that are flexible enough to fit the bill.
Don't think I'm down on the JKUR, or AEV. Both are awesome, but both are niche, and demand serious compromises. I'm abso-freaking-lutely thrilled to make those compromises to get the awesome pop top, and ease of use off road.
I Hope you are too! Would be fun to watch your build, and have someone to commiserate with about the monthly payments... :beer:
That's probably the only downfall I see with my JKU. the square shaps is aerodynamic as a brick. Other than that its ALL GOOD! I love that mine is paid off and I OWN IT! woot! I love the fact that I can just turn it into a convertible at any nice day, and go have a ball in it all year. I cannot stop driving it.
KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
It's also a great driver on the road. The Wrangler will struggle to stay on a wind blown freeway, where in the 100 you only noticed the wind due to stuff blowing across the freeway (like Wranglers with Gobi racks and roof top tents...
Day to day, I don't notice wind. But driving across Utah and Nevada on the way back from Moab, I had the steering wheel locked at 2 o'clock to stay on the road. The 100 is more rounded but probably a similar surface area. There's a lot of sheet metal on 100s. The slightly smaller JKU might be better for both tight trails, Los Angeles parking decks and parallel parking.
My conclusion is that the JKUR can be made way more capable, way more cheaply. (If you think AEV bumpers are expensive, check out the $2795 Slee rear bumper, a lot more $$$ and lbs and a lot less engineering. You can also just get the $750 AEV tire carrier). The JKUR's struggle is cargo capacity and possibly comfort. Since it's just me, my wife and our small German Shepherd, we should be able to make the space work. I also read that the 2015s moved the subwoofer out of the cargo area. So I'm hoping the ARB RD745US drawers will fit again. The 100 is pretty comfy. But with all the sacrifices inherent in building it up, the comfort between a stock JKUR and a built 100 might be negligible. I would miss the tan leather, tailgate, venting side windows and sunroof a lot though.
Despite all the fanboy-dom, there are a lot of expensive things that could still break on a 6500lb 100-Series with 180k miles that's used off road regularly. Financially and rationally it makes more sense to just fix things as they break on the 100. But marriages aren't rational.
My wife doesn't like my overlanding obsession. She likes camping. She likes the trips we take in the 100. And she likes Wranglers (what girls don't?). I think the money, attention, time spent wrenching on the truck, and all the times we take her car because the Land Cruiser won't fit or is too thirsty are what really tip her over the edge. The 100 is now a constant reminder of that frustration. So, I'm hoping that buying something new together, spending more time using it, and less time wrenching will help both of us.
So it all comes down to whether a new Jeep will actually alleviate some of the martial tension. And if relieving that tension, the perceived reliability of a new vehicle, and the fun-factor of a Jeep will outweigh the $$$ I'll be losing selling the 100 and paying for a $38,000 Jeep. And that's probably only something we can decide for ourselves.
My dad and I are taking the 100 down to Baja next month. Also, 2015 orders start next month. We'll see what happens next month.
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Sweet! Glad you are swaying this direction!
Happy wife, happy life! :beer:
And the rear door windows go all the way down as well. Happy dog, happy...er... uh... well, you know what I mean.
They are awesome. BTW: despite what you read, it is possible to make a good deal on a JK. The one i bought was $2K under invoice, on a special order build. The more options, the more room there is to reduce the price.
Just another thought, Chrysler Nav systems are pretty poor, but resale is decent. So if you make a smoking deal on one with the nav, you could sell the head unit, and put something back in that has some "meat" to it.
The U-connect feature is worthwhile (imo), and there are aftermarket integration kits to keep them functional.
Hth,
Happy wife, happy life! :beer:
And the rear door windows go all the way down as well. Happy dog, happy...er... uh... well, you know what I mean.
They are awesome. BTW: despite what you read, it is possible to make a good deal on a JK. The one i bought was $2K under invoice, on a special order build. The more options, the more room there is to reduce the price.
Just another thought, Chrysler Nav systems are pretty poor, but resale is decent. So if you make a smoking deal on one with the nav, you could sell the head unit, and put something back in that has some "meat" to it.
The U-connect feature is worthwhile (imo), and there are aftermarket integration kits to keep them functional.
Hth,
KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
I know! But I routinely go everywhere with my dog since she comes to work with me. Can't really leave her in a topless doorless Jeep while I'm at the gym... (It rarely gets above 70 here and the garage is underground. Calm down. She just naps the whole time).
There seem to be a few rip offs in the build sheet. At this rate, I'd wait to order a 2015. But Truecar's pricing on 2014s was pretty good.
I think the Black, Granite or Red JKUR I wanted with Auto trans, 4.10 gearing, seat heaters, side airbags, auto climate, black clothe interior, Uconnect, black hard top, and black fenders was about $37,000. That's still a ton for a Jeep in my mind. You can get a used 200-Series for that price, that would need another $10,000 in mods (gun to head emoticon).
I saw OEM trailer hitches for $50 on craiglist. Not going to waste money on their tow package. I've also heard that the oem leather is not great. I'd rather get Tan Katzkins or spare oem seat covers off ebay for $250. I wish you could order them with different size tires. I'd rather have 255/80R17s but that doesn't seem worth wasting a perfectly good set of OEM tires for. I'd probably hold off for some 285/75/17s instead.
The other thing that worries me about the JKUs is safety. The 100 is very safe. Probably too safe, in the sense that it'd kill everyone in the other car. I don't have a lot of faith in Chrysler. And the JKU's side impact crash tests aren't confidence inspiring. I'm amazed so few order theirs with side airbags.
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
I have a GSD as well. They make a pretty nice cargo net system. That with a Spyder Web Shade would keep your dog protected and cool. So no top is still an option.
Had Super-Dog in the work car one day with the windows down, and i hit the keyfob to set the alarm. The store clerk was standing outside, and asked why I set the alarm with a GSD in the car. I explained it was to give the crook an extra minute to see the dog, before doing something very stupid.
Rubicon take off wheels and tires sell pretty good, so you can always trade up there. I'd like a tire that is better in the rain and snow, but may just have the KMs siped by a local shop.
Katzkins would be a great way to go. You can even add the seat heaters.
I had heard the same thing in regards to the subwoofer on the 2015. On the 2014 it can be removed, and standard Sport trim installed (this is what I plan to do).
The other advantage to putting your own tow hitch on, is you can get the Mopar 7 pin trailer connector harness. The factory "Max Tow Package" (that still makes me laugh) only comes in 4 pin. So for less than half the cost of the factory option, you get a better kit.
I ordered the side air bags, although taking the doors off pretty much negates any safety there. A good lift, and frame mounted rock sliders would be more protection (IMO). My hopes would be for the side air bags to keep our heads inside the vehicle, and somewhat attached to the shoulders. The open casket ceremony would be nicer for friends & family if our heads are still attached to the body.
With the JK, pretty much anything a person can think of is being built by someone to sell to others, and can be found at a reasonable price. After years of building and modifying vehicles, that is really appealing. I am looking forward to rocking a "Bought Not Built" bumper sticker.
KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
Haha. After making my own drawers, I'm totally down with buying. I'm more worried about someone stealing my dog than someone stealing the car. My friends dog was stolen from his yard last week, although it wasn't a GSD. Mine is only protective if we're with her.
You can get some of those bar doors for a little added safety. The lift might not help that much though. I've seen a lot of lifted trucks roll when hit from the side. I like the looks of the KM2s but Toyo Open Country AT2's would be a better choice for the terrain out here.
You can get some of those bar doors for a little added safety. The lift might not help that much though. I've seen a lot of lifted trucks roll when hit from the side. I like the looks of the KM2s but Toyo Open Country AT2's would be a better choice for the terrain out here.
KlausVanWinkle
Explorer
Not worried about her comfort. I'm worried about someone walking up and walking away with her.
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