Topic: Just read Motortrend Oct, 2006 Rubicon JK Review

[chrisfranklin]

Was at a buddy's place and he's a Motortrend subscriber.  Just read the review they did on the JK Rubicon in the latest, Oct. 2006 edition of the magazine.

Review is set in Africa and was a DC arranged deal, apparently (it's kind of like, "look, just take a Rubicon JK to Moab or wherever -- a place it might be used with some regularity -- and cut loose." But, DC wanted to do it in Africa).  Anyway, they gave the JK high reviews all around, except for a couple of issues where front seat passengers were banging their arms on the door plastic over bumps or something and, when top up, the JKs lack of an exposed roll-bar to grip when driving over obstacles.  Another issue was off-the-line acceleration was a bit muted vs. the 4.0L TJ due to increased JK weight (nah!?).  No numbers on real-world mileage, but claimed figures are 17/19

Stiffness of the new boxed frame was highly praised (didn't know that of theTJs/YJs/CJs was too shabby?).  4" of increased width vs. TJ/YJ was a bit of an issue on some terrain, a TJ driver in the group having an easier time threading the needle through a squeeze-type trail segment.  Power windowed/locked doors are removable, just detach an electrical connection on the door.   A driver in the review apparently rolled one of the JK rubicons and it was pushed back over, mechanically checked and continued to drive ok.  

Overall, it seems like the Rubicon JK is a fairly decent ride, according to Motortrend. To me, it seems like the DC people put even more thought in to the JK than they did the TJ, almost like the Daimler people are getting less cautious about influencing the design, maybe for the better (new G-Wagon stiff boxed frame, "commanding" width increase).  Does seem like there aren't going to be many aftermarket Jeep ads that read, "you know the weak factory "X" part on the JK? Buy our super tough replacement."  But, I could be wrong.  

[chardrc]

good to here it performs and is strong... it still looks... plasticy to me...  but only time will tell

[Jeffy]

A friend of mine already has one on order and should be available in a few months.  He already has big plans for it.

[Mozman68]

Someone on another forum picked his up a week ago.....none on the lot when I picked up my Commander....really wanted to drive one...

[chardrc]

i went down to park jeep today (local jeep delership) adn they had the plastic  compass that they try to pass a s a jeep.. but no 07 wranglers... funnything was our 06 rubicon that we drve there was the best looking jeep there... i think jeep delershiops should have lifted tough jeeps to show the jeeps potential... but i guess that could get them intruble cuz they dont make that parts.. i dontknow jsut saying..

[Jeffy]

i went down to park jeep today (local jeep delership) adn they had the plastic  compass that they try to pass a s a jeep.. but no 07 wranglers... funnything was our 06 rubicon that we drve there was the best looking jeep there... i think jeep delershiops should have lifted tough jeeps to show the jeeps potential... but i guess that could get them intruble cuz they dont make that parts.. i dontknow jsut saying..

You won't find any JK's on the lot for a while.

As for lifting, some dealerships do but none are much bigger then 32-33" tire and a mild lift.  There is a lot of liability and warranty aspects that keep dealers from wanting to do this.

[chardrc]

thats what i was thinking.. but we used to have a dodge dealership neer me that had like 4 lifter trucks and had one of them climbing ontop of a stoyota smashing the windsheild and roof :shock: .. but then it became a dodge crystler jeep dealership and lost all its big toys :cry: .. i was looking forward to seeing big lifted jeeps there when they converted but i had no such luck(they got reed of all the lifter vehiculs)

[chrisfranklin]

Was discussed on 4banger's before, but a "2WD Unlimited" for 2007?  I think that, in the long-term, this will prove to be a true strategic mistep for DC  that will be reversed.  

Maybe a "WW2-criteria" should be the standard for any changes to the design.  Would square headlights have mattered in WW2? No. Coil springs? No. 2WD (even on some kind of LWB Willy's platform)? Yes.

[chardrc]

yab thats what they should do.. it would keep it offroad wiorthty and worthy of the jeep name.

[Jeffy]

Was discussed on 4banger's before, but a "2WD Unlimited" for 2007?  I think that, in the long-term, this will prove to be a true strategic mistep for DC  that will be reversed.  

Maybe a "WW2-criteria" should be the standard for any changes to the design.  Would square headlights have mattered in WW2? No. Coil springs? No. 2WD (even on some kind of LWB Willy's platform)? Yes.

Problem is we're not in WWII anymore.  I'd say around 97% of all Jeeps never touch dirt.  So why lug around another 300-400lbs worth of stuff.  Like I mentioned before there have been 2wd Jeeps almost since the beginning.  The VJ's were 2wd back in the mid to late 40's.  DJ's in the 50's were 2wd also.  I'm sure not all the J-Series were 4wd.  Then you've got the XJ and MJ in the 80's to early 90's.  ZJ, KJ, WJ, Commander, Compass and Patriot.

In this day and age 4wd is not a necessity and if they can drop the price to get more people to buy it they will.  Out of all the Jeeps the Wrangler was the only one that did not come in 2wd.

[chardrc]

man thing taht worys me about no 4x4 is when we go to vagus we usualy rent a jeep but the wranglers are too small for all our stuff so we have to get grand cherookes or libertys and rentals are usualy chepest model so they maynot be 4wheel drive and we usualy go t deathvalley or atleast somewere off road when we go there so we dont loose tomuch mone in the casinos

[chrisfranklin]

Yeah, but DC has acknowledged that the "essence of Jeep" is the Wrangler, a vehicle which evolved from its WW2-era 4x4 Willy's format to the present day JK.  The 2007 JK Unlimited is the first instance in which "the essence of Jeep" has come in 2WD.  I think you're nuts if you think that's a reasonable long-term move by DC.  They need to draw the line somewhere with the Wrangler; 2WD crossed over it  I say the 2WD Unlimited gets discontinued after 2 years.  But, I'm frigging dreaming -- the UCLA cheerleader crowd will buy those things like they are going out of style.

[Jeffy]

Yeah, but DC has acknowledged that the "essence of Jeep" is the Wrangler, a vehicle which evolved from its WW2-era 4x4 Willy's format to the present day JK.  The 2007 JK Unlimited is the first instance in which "the essence of Jeep" has come in 2WD.  I think you're nuts if you think that's a reasonable long-term move by DC.  They need to draw the line somewhere with the Wrangler; 2WD crossed over it  I say the 2WD Unlimited gets discontinued after 2 years.  But, I'm frigging dreaming -- the UCLA cheerleader crowd will buy those things like they are going out of style.

This is DC you're talking about.  It's not an American company any more.  Daimler took over the company and suger-coated the take over with their German chocolates.  Mmmm, chocolates...  Wanna know what they called a 'Jeep'?  It was called a Kublewagon.



DC wants and needs to sell more to keep teh company alive.  The only way they can get better gas mileage is to sell lighter cars.  Hence the Compass and Patriot.  Those will allow 'Jeep' to keep lower sellers alive.

[chrisfranklin]

Great, sell the Compasses and the Patriots so that the volume will bring up DCs mileage average.  But don't sell 2WD Wranglers, LWB or no, DC.  If I want 2WD in a truck or convertible, I'll buy a Toyota, not a frigging Jeep

[chardrc]

in my eyes buying a 2wd wrangler wuld be like buying a z06 corvette with a 4banger in it.. its pointless (inn my eyes i know theabove is the point) wranglers are made for offroad and they cant do that with 2wd... but if they do it right maybe in 10years when they get sold as used you could get them for cheap cuz only 2wd and you could through a tcase and a front axle in it and go offroad for cheaper than havign to buld up 2 axles.. but then again you would have to get tcase and 2 driveshafts...