4dr Wrangler feedback

UTfball68

UTfball68

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Location
Granite Quarry
Hey fellas, I'm looking for some feedback and advice on the 4dr Wrangler. The girlfriend is looking to get a new(ish) vehicle around Christmas time. She's interested in a mid to full size SUV, and the 4 dr Wrangler seems to be the front runner right now. It'll probably have to be something from 07 or 08 to fit her price range. Now I know little about anything Jeep and even less on anything newer than the mid-90's. She's looking at this for mild trails (she loved flogging my 73 waggy and 87 Bronco), but will be mainly as a DD, and will probably take the role as the camping/expedition rig instead of my 79 Bronco. So far her only definites are, it's gotta be a hard top, and an automatic (she's sick of driving manuals, it's all she's ever had). So any advice on strengths and weaknesses of these rigs or tips to look out for or upgrade to, I'd greatly appreciate it.
 
Hate to be the one to break it to you, Ben, but they quit making Jeeps in 1995.


Might could find a used one...
 
^^^I was almost expecting that comment, but wasn't going to say it myself for fear of the die hard Jeepers. That said, it's still a girls rig, and the most action it would see is some beach driving and dusty trails...I/we have other rigs for flogging. So assuming it's mostly a street driver, drivetrain issues? Might see a mild lift, I assume stock components can still withstand anything a 3-4" lift would entail, correct? I just don't want to set her up in something my fatass will have to be under or hanging over a fender, because chances are, if it doesn't have a carb, it's too complex for me. Which means it's headed to the shop, and I hate it when they forget the lube.
 
They are actually pretty solid and capable on the trails, actually.

Only problem is the god damn automatic transmission. It is so bad I would recommend your woman figure out manual, seriously.

Apparently the autos LOVE to randomly shift while cruising on the highway and no one can figure it out. On top of that, I've personally seen 2 4 door JKs BURN TO THE GROUND because of the trans cooling lines. Let me tell you about misery...when your shit burns to the ground.

However I heard about these issues with the 2007 models. Research and see if it has gotten better.

The 6 speed manual is hawt. I've never dealt with a stock 4 door off road but the 2 door JK in stock trim off road is pretty stout. Learn how to use the traction control and it'll be good.

The V6 is...ample. Don't expect it to be quick, or even swift for that matter.

Speaking of engines, the Burnsville Hemi conversion is BADASS. In all honesty, I would recommend this. Oh, last I heard, Burnsville has the conversion down to a 2 week period. Dunno the price but it is BADASS!!! Also if you do go automatic, they replace the stock trans with a 6 speed awesome unit. Something to possibly consider in the budget.

Very comfortable, both in hard top and soft top.

Decent turning radius. It doesn't turn like a tiny car but it doesn't feel like a 4 door, long bed PSD.

Haven't heard of any "falling apart" issues yet. Guess the vehicle is still too new.
 
In all honesty, we have a four door JK that wheels with us and its his DD. He babys it on the trails because that not what he got it for. His is an Auto and his only complaint is the lack or any sort of power. Its very slow on the interstate or highway, slow as in hard to keep up. He is going to regear his to help it. Now he is running a small lift and 35'' tires which makes a big difference in power. On the JK forum they are suggesting running 5.36s or 5.13s in the axles to help with the power loss. Which seems high but they say thats what it needs.
 
Good thread, friend of mine is looking at one also for his wife. What are the "gotcha's" to look out for? What kind'a fuel mileage do they get? What's the easy mods for longer life?

We need a sticky of "gotcha's" on different vehicles this crowd plays with; dodges, fords, chevys, toyota's and jeeps.


Jeeps are 1944-1986 - those are jeeps, my favorite would be like an '81 CJ5 V8, has the wide track axles with either of the 4 spds and 300 case. Just razzing ya'll.

Wasn't it Civilian Jeep, Yuppy Jeep and Trendy Jeep? What's a JK? The 4 doors do look nice lifted a bit.
 
Alright...now that's the kinda info I was looking for. The gf can handle a manual tranny, but as I said, that's all she's had and would prefer an auto. But if the trans can be an issue and doesn't have any fixes, I suppose preferences could be changed. She doesn't really expect stellar mpg's, but she is driving a 4 banger/5spd civic at the moment...and projected mpg's for the 4 door is like 18 city/24 hwy from the window sticker...I thought that was pretty optimistic...but can anyone confirm. A few mpg's won't make or break the deal, but she's not looking for anything in the 12mpg range.


Anyway, thanks for the heads up on the trannies and potential regearing. I'd love to swap a hemi in...but this is hers, not mine.
 
We recently found ourselves in the same dilema.....

After getting up close and personal my GF decided on a Gen 5 4 Runner, realizing that it is her DD 99.9% of the time "and not my toy" ultimately led us to picking out a more comfortable vehicle that can still be lifted enough to look cool and hold it's own on the beach.

Haven't got it yet but expect to have a 2010 or 2011 Limited in my driveway right after X-Mas.
 
burrellsjeep said:
Good info here
http://www.jk-forum.com/forumdisplay.php?12-Stock-JK-Tech
Click to expand...

Thanks man...I'll give that a looksee tonight

gogogadgetbiker said:
We recently found ourselves in the same dilema.....
After getting up close and personal my GF decided on a Gen 5 4 Runner, realizing that it is her DD 99.9% of the time "and not my toy" ultimately led us to picking out a more comfortable vehicle that can still be lifted enough to look cool and hold it's own on the beach.
Haven't got it yet but expect to have a 2010 or 2011 Limited in my driveway right after X-Mas.
Click to expand...

Yeah...that's the biggest hurdle thus far...me trying to remain impartial, yet get her good info, but not put my 2 cents in based on what I would do. Shoot...as soon as she showed some interest in a jeep, first thing out of my mouth was 'badass, we swap axles, lift it and lock it'.
 
We've been looking at them as well, but for something later on down the line. We have an 05 Trailblazer that we love, and it is paid off. Therefore, unless it gets totalled or stolen, we'll drive it till it is worth more as scrap. :lol:

But the next vehicle we buy for her will be one of these.
 
No matter which top you get, make SURE TO CHECK IT OUT IN THE RAIN. (Or go to a carwash)
If it leaks, there is a GOOD chance nothing you do will make it work. In theory that got better after 08, but I've heard mixed stuff about that.
Buddy sold his "freedom" (read hard) top because nothing they did at the dealer could make it stop leaking.
Another friend had a soft top that went in 6 times then got traded by the dealership.

If she can drive a manual, get it. With the Auto, and any type of a lift, plan on regearing being CRITICAL. With the manual, it isn't bad with 33/34" tires.
 
for the love of god please dont go bywhat jk-forum says, the asshat that runs that forum deletes threads and posts daily that dont agree with his opinions, you'll also notice only his sponsors that pay $2500 a year will get mentioned, no other companies exist according to jkforum. Here you go see what four wheeler magazine says about him http://blogs.fourwheeler.com/6300609/miscellaneous/fw-is-quoted-and-we-respond/index.html

There are no known problems(I've had my auto for 3 years now, 78,000 miles and been on jk forums for that long) of the trans going bad but there have been fires that the NTSB is investigating, the theory being the trans overheats, hot trans fluid comes out the dipstick onto the engine causing a fire. There is a VERY simple under $100 fix, add a B&M cooler, my trans runs 50 degrees cooler since I added mine. Chrysler's fix was a recall to add a hot oil light on the dash for the 07-08's, 09-11's have them already but that doesnt help the trans cool :shaking:

The tops leaking has been a problem on every jeep model made, nothing new there, just sucks when you pay so much for a new vehicle and it gets wet inside. They are a lot better at fixing them now, they actually have leak specialist that they will send out if the dealer cannot fix it. I actually have the pdf version of the specialists directions for fixing the leaks.

You can run 35's with 2.5 inch of lift and yes if you have an auto regearing will GREATLY help get your power back. 5.13's for 35s with auto, 4.88 if its 6spd. IF you dont regear dont expect to hold your speed on hills on the highway without downshifting a lot, stock the auto will be fine. IF you get an 07-08 with tow package it should have 4.10 gears which will help if you dont regear right after going to larger tires.
The traction control has to be shut off when you are wheeling, if you are in 4low it is automatically disabled, if 4hi you just press the button for 7 seconds.

The 6spd manuals actually have a lot more trouble then the autos, the throwout bearing is the biggest POS and so is the clutch, almost everyone has noise trouble with the throwout bearing, there is a TSB on it, they get it replaced and it starts doing it again and know one makes an aftermarket yet.

Any other questions let me know and check out www.jkowners.com
 
My wife and I leased a '07. As mentioned before: not much power, at highway speeds, the hood tries to open up, but we didn't have any bad issues with it other than the top leaked(took it back to the dealer several times. They even put a new top on it, didn't help). On the plus side, it has a Dana 44 rear. Be careful when looking. They offered the 4-dr models in 2WD also.
 
burrellsjeep said:
Ouch, That hurts.
I would say your year is wrong, its 2006 :flipoff2:
Click to expand...

On one side you've got the flatty... on the other side, you've got the Compass. They went wrong somewhere.

The CJ guys have a good argument for 86, but a YJ is just a CJ with a funny grill and a plastic dash. Either way, 95 is the absolute latest it could be. :flipoff2:

I've got nothing else to contribute here... except that JK stands for Just Kidding.
 
saf-t scissors said:
On one side you've got the flatty... on the other side, you've got the Compass. They went wrong somewhere.
The CJ guys have a good argument for 86, but a YJ is just a CJ with a funny grill and a plastic dash. Either way, 95 is the absolute latest it could be. :flipoff2:
I've got nothing else to contribute here... except that JK stands for Just Kidding.
Click to expand...

Man what were they thinking with the Compass :shaking:

Come on Saf-t, you know Jeep was going back to their roots with the TJs :D
 
I'm not going to read through all this cause I personally can't stand them. The fact they made a 2wd option killed it for me. Anyways its the minivan motor, they had a bunch of problems with the 3.8L with intake gaskets leaking along with other gaskets. I have seen my self a 07 4 door that had the head gaskets leaking at 20 some thousand miles. It was under warranty but what's going to break later on. Not taking into account I don't like them and just basing my opinion on the mechanical side of it, I'd say look at some other suvs.
 
'08 JK Rubicon Unlimited

Over-all, I'm happy with mine.
I had to replace the front drive shaft in the first 6 months, it seems the rubber lube barrier on the "Rzeppa" (look it up) shaft gets into the tranny during articulation.
I bent a rear dana44 (that was all me).
I run 35' KM2's and the rig is deffinately sluggish, but tollerable until i regear.
interior is great, wife and 2 kids fit nicely. I can lay the seats down for plenty of cargo room.
Add-on's are a bit more. tube fenders and bumpers are about 1.5X.
I have the hard top and I really like how warm it stays in the winter.
I give the over-all design and value a solid B.
good luck, and the proper place to research the JK is http://www.jk-forum.com/forum.php.
 
openloop said:
Over-all, I'm happy with mine.
I had to replace the front drive shaft in the first 6 months, it seems the rubber lube barrier on the "Rzeppa" (look it up) shaft gets into the tranny during articulation.

good luck, and the proper place to research the JK is http://www.jk-forum.com/forum.php.
Click to expand...

the driveshaft was your own fault also for not replacing it after you lifted it 3+, everyone knows once you lift the auto the front shaft will rub and rip the boot, there are also plenty of guys that run the shaft with the torn boot for months after without trouble. it certainly ins't a problem of a stock jk

now go put down the jkf koolaid unless you like all that bias info and thread deleting daily crap:shaking:

Ut if you or your gf want to take mine for ride let me know, I am running 35's and 5.13's, well they are like 33.5 now I NEED tires bad
 
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