Thinking about making a change, need advice from like minded people (KJ owners)

[CzarKJ]

Id wait to see what all happens when the Ford Ranger comes out
should be some very interesting packages to beat everyone else in the off road game

As far as what I would choose if I had to, would never be a Wrangler , too many cookie cutters out there already, I like to have something different :gr_grin:

I agree, the whole "one of us" mentality kinda makes me sick. I'd go for the truck personally. Endlessly useful while the wrangler you can barely fit anything in the back.

 

[KJ604]

Id wait to see what all happens when the Ford Ranger comes out
should be some very interesting packages to beat everyone else in the off road game

As far as what I would choose if I had to, would never be a Wrangler , too many cookie cutters out there already, I like to have something different :gr_grin:

Thats one thing the wrangler has going against it. Plus the stupid color selection ive seen for them so far. 3 yellows, 3 greys, an orange, a bright purple, but no dark green or dark blue.

It does have a sweet 6 speed manual though....

 

[CzarKJ]

Thats one thing the wrangler has going against it. Plus the stupid color selection ive seen for them so far. 3 yellows, 3 greys, an orange, a bright purple, but no dark green or dark blue.

It does have a sweet 6 speed manual though....

I know how you feel about driving stick. Love it. I am getting a truck next where stick is not an option and I think I am ok with that. I just have to get a trailer and a trail toy like a willys or CJ with a 4 on the floor haha.

 

[jeeplib05]

That’s what TJKJ is saying, there no sense in paying $1000s more than say a Sport model Wrangler when you’re going to mod it and remove all of the stuff you paid extra for to begin with.
So pay $15k+ less and mod the hell out of it and still come in way less than the price of a new Rubicon if going that route
If and when my Jeep blows up or I eventually get completely bored with it I’m going to get a big truck, I saw a new Colorado today and thought it was too small of a profile for me but still a nice looking one

 

[tommudd]

Yep, if some one were to buy a Sport Wrangler there are plenty who are upgrading a Rubicon with beefier diffs, skids, bumpers etc all the time and selling for pennies on the dollar you could build your own Ruby.
OR just completely go with aftermarket diffs and still be ahead of the game.

 

[KJ604]

If i bought a rubi or a ZR2 i wouldnt be removing any of the stock mechanical parts any time soon. It would stay stock until something broke giving an excuse to upgrade. And I get it you can buy a lower model of either one and build it up. But i guess the appeal is buying a complete package thats ready to go off-roading. Theres no need to build anything, just turn the key and hit the trail.

 

[kage860]

Depends what you want to do with it. I can see the truck being more useful for home depot runs and the wrangler being a better trail rig.

For my family, if our vehicles were to die I could see us buying a vw altas family vehicle and a lexus hybrid commuter vehicle. For our actual use case that would meet our needs.

 

[tjkj2002]

If i bought a rubi or a ZR2 i wouldnt be removing any of the stock mechanical parts any time soon. It would stay stock until something broke giving an excuse to upgrade. And I get it you can buy a lower model of either one and build it up. But i guess the appeal is buying a complete package thats ready to go off-roading. Theres no need to build anything, just turn the key and hit the trail.

You will find both lacking severely for any offroading besides the very rare occasion and nothing to extreme.

Start going above the stock tires and both have major issues with the front end,axle tubes and inner "C's" for the Wrangler,CV axles and R&P gear for the GM which on top of that has been plagued by wheel bearing issues for 30 years now.

 

[KJ604]

You will find both lacking severely for any offroading besides the very rare occasion and nothing to extreme.

Start going above the stock tires and both have major issues with the front end,axle tubes and inner "C's" for the Wrangler,CV axles and R&P gear for the GM which on top of that has been plagued by wheel bearing issues for 30 years now.

lacking severely? could you explain why you say that in any greater detail? to be honest i cant see how either of them would be suitable for only "very rare" off roading. I understand that neither is an extreme rock crawler or mud bogger from the factory but They seem like the only new vehicles that are built with off roading in mind as a priority. maybe not the most extreme trails but they can definitely go off road. I havent taken either one out personally but ive watched a few you tube videos at this point. and i would think either one in stock form would be more capable than my current KJ and i still consider my KJ an off road vehicle. is there something different you would buy or?

 

[tjkj2002]

lacking severely? could you explain why you say that in any greater detail? to be honest i cant see how either of them would be suitable for only "very rare" off roading. I understand that neither is an extreme rock crawler or mud bogger from the factory but They seem like the only new vehicles that are built with off roading in mind as a priority. maybe not the most extreme trails but they can definitely go off road. I havent taken either one out personally but ive watched a few you tube videos at this point. and i would think either one in stock form would be more capable than my current KJ and i still consider my KJ an off road vehicle. is there something different you would buy or?

I've seen some vids of that new GM also,and right in my neck of the woods in Colorado.Even been to the same area's they took it on,what they didn't show you was the line of prius's and subaru's that passed a few mins ahead of them to view outlook.

I've also wheeled with some stock Rubicons,the TJ Rubicon's yeah could take a beating but the JK version not so much when stock.They really cheaped out on the JK.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

One thing that does not sit well with me about the JL Rubicons is that now they have ATs instead of MTs. If they softened on the tire choice, you know under the skin it's even more poser. The Rubicon name shouldn't be applied to anything 4 door even, those things are a bus off road and need massive lifts and tires to get a good break over angle.

Yeah, I know I run ATs but I don't act like the KJ is a KOH buggy, it's a solid jack of all trades vehicle, the Rubicons should be a no compromise off roader, like how the TJs were (within reason of what can be sold new).

 

[KJ604]

I've seen some vids of that new GM also,and right in my neck of the woods in Colorado.Even been to the same area's they took it on,what they didn't show you was the line of prius's and subaru's that passed a few mins ahead of them to view outlook.

I've also wheeled with some stock Rubicons,the TJ Rubicon's yeah could take a beating but the JK version not so much when stock.They really cheaped out on the JK.

Yeah fair enough. I'm not familiar with the areas they were at and I realize lots of the videos are Chevy giving someone a vehicle to do a "review".

The good news is I have seen a few videos of guys jumping them already so hopefully we'll find out what they're really made of soon.

 

[Damotee]

I would go the Rubicon.

 

[tommudd]

Yeah fair enough. I'm not familiar with the areas they were at and I realize lots of the videos are Chevy giving someone a vehicle to do a "review".

The good news is I have seen a few videos of guys jumping them already so hopefully we'll find out what they're really made of soon.

Jumping them only means one thing, some jerk thought it would be either fun or an advertising " look at me " so next day was back in the dealership/ shop getting suspension reworked.
Buddy took his old 1968 Plymouth station wagon with 340,000 miles and jumped it over a ramp we made in the hay field couple of years back. He did drive it another two days to work before he laid down alongside the road.

 

[KJ604]

Jumping them only means one thing, some jerk thought it would be either fun or an advertising " look at me " so next day was back in the dealership/ shop getting suspension reworked.
Buddy took his old 1968 Plymouth station wagon with 340,000 miles and jumped it over a ramp we made in the hay field couple of years back. He did drive it another two days to work before he laid down alongside the road.

The guy I've seen with the most jump videos is a fellow I've been following on their forum. The videos don't have an advertising feel to them. They seem like they come from a legit owner who is a bit crazy, but I wouldn't go so far as to call the guy a jerk. He starts off small and everyone eggs him on to hit it harder so he keeps posting more vids of himself hitting it harder each time. And I'm.not sitting here saying I need a vehicle that can be jumped I'm saying that there are already guys beating the piss out of these trucks so it won't take long to find out what's going to break them. So far that guy hasn't put up any posts saying he broke his truck. So far....

 

[KJ604]

Picked up my 2018 Colorado ZR2 last week and said goodbye to my KJ this past weekend. Its been fun, thanks for all the help guys!

I have a pair of 927 springs that were used for about 500 kms and a pair of 60069 shocks that were used for about 500 kms if anyone wants them I will sell for a good deal.