Topic: First thoughts after driving JK

[gomi]

NOoooooooo!     As much as I'd like a JK Unlimited, I don't see myself getting one.  I like the nimbleness of my YJ.  It's big but it handles pretty good.  I can do a U-Turn within 3 lanes.  I hate running out of room with a longer truck then having to back up while I'm blocking traffic.  Parts are obviously going to cost more as well.  It has a larger then but it's also heavier.  A lot heavier in the case of the Rubicon Unlimited.

Although you could sell your Jeep fairly easily.  For those of us who have years and years of mods, a trade-in isn't an option so finding that 'right' person can take a while.  Then there's the attachment we get.  I couldn't sell my Jeep even if I wanted to at this point.  Kinda sucks being locked into it but I'd lose out big if I sold it.

Well, I wouldn't get rid of my 4banger, she's already been paid off for a few years so I was thinking about keeping both. I figured with the JK and the lifetime power train warranty I'd just keep it forever.

[dexetr30]

I drove one a few weeks ago, they drive pretty nice but seem way too big for trail use.  For street use they really need to offer a bigger motor so that you could tow a reasonable sized trailer (boat)

I don't see them having the ability to fit on a narrow quad trail like my TJ does.

[Mozman68]

They are only 2" wider on either side??  Seriously??  And that would probably change with different flares??

I don't think it is really THAT much wider where anyone would notice a significant difference....Just armor it up and plow on through...

[dexetr30]

They are only 2" wider on either side??  Seriously??  And that would probably change with different flares??

I don't think it is really THAT much wider where anyone would notice a significant difference....Just armor it up and plow on through...

Wow, they seem so much wider. The wife and I have been looking at them lately. I'm not sure if we'll be getting one though. She has her eye on a black hardtop X. It may be a while before we reach a decision. I'm not so sure I want to get stuck with a vehicle payment every month right now. The TJ was paid of 3 or 4 months after we got it. Paid it off fast because I hate having that payment looming over my head every month.

[Jeffy]

They are only 2" wider on either side??  Seriously??  And that would probably change with different flares??

I don't think it is really THAT much wider where anyone would notice a significant difference....Just armor it up and plow on through...

I've seen Hummers go through the Rubicon and it wasn't pretty.  I'd rather not be rubbing rocks and trees when I could be snaking between them.  I also don't really like the square tubing they're calling the roll cage.  Bent that up and the top probably won't seal or worse fit anymore. The 2" doesn't sound like much but that's 4" that will only get wider when you start adding larger tires.  When you add 12.5's on you make a YJ/TJ about 5" wider.  (Still, they are very capable after some lifting.)

Perhaps that's one of the reasons why the forestry department used explosives to take out some large rocks at the beginning of the Rubicon called 'The Gate Keeper'.  Those who couldn't make it through would try to make an illegal bypass which I believe fell on private property.

[chardrc]

the whole width thing is why i love our cj2a and 3a. they are so skinny that we can fit through the 4wheeler bypasses where we hunt whit little no no body damage. even my yj it a little wide for where we do. so as i see it the skinnier (older) the jeep the better it is for the woods.

[Jeffy]

the whole width thing is why i love our cj2a and 3a. they are so skinny that we can fit through the 4wheeler bypasses where we hunt whit little no no body damage. even my yj it a little wide for where we do. so as i see it the skinnier (older) the jeep the better it is for the woods.

Well, not being able to drive faster then 50mph would make slow going all around.   

[chardrc]

ya on road they aren't too hot but off road they do just fine. although they make the 2.5l in my yj seem like like a powerhouse. but they will let you go lower in the rpm range without stalling that my 2.5l computer will let me. (nice for going over fallen tress without some of the harshness of the stiff suspension. ow and the go-devil isn't too afraid of water either. (not that ive had much of a chance to test my jeep.... darn drought)

[neale_rs]

I used to have a '43 GPW so am familiar with the L-head but what you say about the YJ not going lower in RPMs is interesting.  I have a '95 with MPI (I think your '90 has TBI) and am pretty amazed by how the computer automatically adjusts the idle speed to keep the engine from stalling.  If I let off the gas slowly and put both feet flat on the floor the computer takes over and it will crawl up pretty steep, rocky slopes at idle.  It seems to be able to vary the idle between 500 and about 1200 from what I have seen.  If I let off the gas too quickly the computer does not take over fast enough and it stalls.  Also, the ´95 can crawl in 2wd at idle on the street without stalling, just letting the clutch engage smoothly.  BTW, the L-head is great, I think the low horsepower keeps the wheels from spinning, allowing it to maintain traction where other jeeps just spin the tires if the driver is not really good at being easy on the gas.

[Jeffy]

I used to have a '43 GPW so am familiar with the L-head but what you say about the YJ not going lower in RPMs is interesting.  I have a '95 with MPI (I think your '90 has TBI) and am pretty amazed by how the computer automatically adjusts the idle speed to keep the engine from stalling.  If I let off the gas slowly and put both feet flat on the floor the computer takes over and it will crawl up pretty steep, rocky slopes at idle.  It seems to be able to vary the idle between 500 and about 1200 from what I have seen.  If I let off the gas too quickly the computer does not take over fast enough and it stalls.  Also, the ´95 can crawl in 2wd at idle on the street without stalling, just letting the clutch engage smoothly.  BTW, the L-head is great, I think the low horsepower keeps the wheels from spinning, allowing it to maintain traction where other jeeps just spin the tires if the driver is not really good at being easy on the gas.

The idle/stall speed is dependent on gearing.   Keep in mind most flatfenders have run gears as low as 5.38's with their 6.0x16's.  Put 5.38's in a YJ and run those small tires or even 205's and you'll be able to idle just as low without stalling.

[chardrc]

ya they have lower axle gears but 1st gear is steeper. i think i calculated it our ounce and my stock yj has a better craw ration. ya its kinda nice when the computer takes over but i was trying to say (here i go again probably not making since again) is that you can be piratically not moving for like a half a second and bring it back to life (aka no stall). that tends to happen when trying to go over a log and getting slapped in the face by a tree branch at the same time.

[chardrc]

sorry for 2 posts but my computer freaked out... anyways for the keeping traction by having less power that holds true well on the rocks in the mountains. but what we found from when our friend with a cj2a with av6 in it is that with our jeeps we have to floor it going into a mud pit because we cant get any power back/ rise in rpms ounce we are in. where the v6 could idle in and when he fells power begin lose he could giv it gas and power out... but our way does make the jeep allot muddier nice thing is i can do the idle in power out with my 2.5l so when i get a front locker and a winch i should be good to go.

[Jeffy]

ya they have lower axle gears but 1st gear is steeper. i think i calculated it our ounce and my stock yj has a better craw ration. ya its kinda nice when the computer takes over but i was trying to say (here i go again probably not making since again) is that you can be piratically not moving for like a half a second and bring it back to life (aka no stall). that tends to happen when trying to go over a log and getting slapped in the face by a tree branch at the same time.

Well, 2.79:1 vs 3.94:1 isn't that big of a difference when you consider the small tire size and gearing.  When you put larger tires on you make the differential gearing feel a lot higher.  Stock though you're comparing 36.47:1 vs 43.93.  The YJ should be able to idle just as low though.  Only problem is if you let it get too low, and the computer catches it, it will rev the engine to 1200rpm and will hold your idle high for a little while.

[dexetr30]

Situations like you're talking about make me happy to have the automatic. The only problem I've suffered so far with the out is throttle bounce when the Jeep gets tossed around a bit and my foot takes it out on the gas pedal. But, it never stalls. I'm thinking of installing a hand throttle.

[chardrc]

Situations like you're talking about make me happy to have the automatic. The only problem I've suffered so far with the out is throttle bounce when the Jeep gets tossed around a bit and my foot takes it out on the gas pedal. But, it never stalls. I'm thinking of installing a hand throttle.

ya we get that also. the worst is when your body moves seperate from the frame and motor and it either takes away all you gas or floors it... darn solid throttle links.