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Thinking about a JK

971 views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  Flyfisher590 
#1 ·
I have a 2001 Tj and I love it. However I have been thinking about a Jk lately. I don't really want the 4 door. My dad has a JKR and i like the way my Tj drives better. I like that his Jk is quieter (even with his BFG M/T verses my Kumho A/T) and his ride is much smoother. I also love the 3.6. My wife has a dodge Journey with the 3.6 and it is a great little engine.

I have a few questions. What should I expect to pay on a decent used one? How well do they tow? I have a 5x8 utility trailer with a rack that I haul up to 10 kayaks on. Also I want a manual. How good is the 6 speed? Lastly how are they are on long trips? That's what I would like to do with it.

I'm not really concerned about off road capability. I will use it off road a good bit but I've been out with JK's and I know they are plenty capable.
 
#2 ·
Most of these issues have been covered pretty extensively.

The JK is going to hold it's value pretty well, so you're going to pay a premium if you buy a used one with low miles.

It should be able to handle your trailer just fine, though I don't know about the weight of the 10 kayaks. I think the towing capacity of the JK is ~1K-1500 pounds. I've pulled a 5X10 utility trailer with no issues, even with a 900 pound motorcycle on it.

I found the manual transmission to be too sloppy and loose. The best way that I can describe it is like trying to shift and old 80s chevy pick up that has worn out shift linkage. Others have found that the JK shifts like a dream and have no issues. I'd suggest you try to test drive one that you like, and create your own opinion.

The two door JKs are not all that great on an interstate. My JKRHR maxes out (comfortably) about 70MPH. It'll go faster, but the wind shear starts to affect it more often, and the wind that gets up underneath isn't real pleasant either. It bounces, the seats are OK, but not designed for the long haul. Much depends on your gear ratio, but I tend to get about the same mileage on the interstate that I get around town, everything is within 1-2 mpg (usually 15-17 for me).

I'll probably be selling or trading my JK within the next month or so. I am only waiting to see if I can find the Charger that I want. I drive too much on the interstate, and I have neither the time or the ability (nothing close) to get the Jeep out and get it dirty.

good luck

Exco
 
#3 ·
My 2012 6spd shifts nice and crisp, coming from a 5spd tj I have zero complaints abut the jk 6spd. The stick shakes like hell off road, but that's the nature of the beast.

As far as street driving is concerned, it shifts smooth and tight into every gear and there is no way to hit reverse by mistake when shifting into 6th.
 
#4 ·
One thing at a time.
The JK/U get the same Pentastar 3.6 as other CJDR offerings, but it's extremely undertuned, so don't expect any pep without some sort of performance flash.
The manual trans is hit or miss, either nice and responsive or slushy. Depends on the individual Jeep.
The question of coin - again, depends on what you're wanting. Figure the JK/U's drop ~$2k/yr in cost from new, with no big depreciation hit the first day. Also, if you're looking to buy a manual, look towards the larger metropolitan areas with lots of traffic. Prices get steeply discounted because nobody wants a left-leg-only-exercise. Inverse is true for Automatics - the worse the traffic in the area, the bigger the premium you'll pay.
On towing - I'll start with "not very well". If you want to tow any good amount of weight, you'll need to update the brakes with a real BBK (something with multi-piston calipers).
On long trips - better than a U-haul E350 van, worse than a luxury car. I mean, the drone from the tires needs to be covered with some kind of music, but otherwise you're in a long haul in a fairly comfortable position, but the seats are nothing to write home about...

If you're going to do a lot of highway miles hauling a trailer full of kayaks, I don't think a JK/U is the vehicle for you.

O_E
 
#6 ·
I went over my impressions of the JK in this post http://www.wranglerforum.com/#/topics/2059345?page=1

Long story short, it handled the trip from DC to Florida just fine, no problem with 80 on the highway unless there are large bumps or dips.

The used ones I've seen were within spitting distance of new price wise.

Towing with a 2door is not so great. 2000# limit, 2 motorcycles and a trailer is about 1500# for a crotch rocket and a small cruiser. Also, the tow package only includes receiver and hitch. No hd suspension or radiator or anything like that.
 
#11 ·
I know you said you didn't want a four door, but if your goal is to have a Jeep that's more comfortable on longer trips, you should at least consider the Unlimited. The longer wheelbase is, IMHO much nicer to drive. I replaced the KMs on my Rubicon with K02s and the ride and tire noise is much better than stock. Good luck!
 
#9 ·
I don't know what to tell you other than I love my '15 JK Rubicon. I've taken it on several very long trips with no ill effects. San Antonio to StL and back. San Antonio to southern MO...and back (fishing trip. I liked that one!). Several from San Antonio to Mobile...and back. The latest trip was from San Antonio to Savannah, GA,....one way....I live here now.

On the highway it's no Infiniti G37 (my previous car), but I routinely set the cruise control at anywhere from 77 - 80 and can one-hand-finger tip it down the highway....all the while listening tho XM or my Spotify tunes on factory speakers. It's louder than my Infiniti, sure, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I can hear my tunes without affecting my hearing.

I've had it on big rocks in Texas (impressive as hell), but it mostly sees DD duty. I get 17 - 18 mph on the highway, but closer to 14 around town.

It's also a 6-speed manual. I drove a 6-speed Porsche Cayman S once, and the Jeep tranny ain't like that one. It's a Jeep manual and I like it. You can't slam, or fast shift it into each gear like that Porsche, but it works just fine once you realize it's geared for off road. It likes a "1/2 Mississippi" pause between gears. First and second gear are rather short, as you'd expect and off road vehicle to be (real handy off road), and you won't beat anyone away from a stop light with it.....but it scoots along pretty good from third gear on.

I like it. I think I'm going to keep it for a while.

 
#10 ·
I don't know what to tell you other than I love my '15 JK Rubicon. I've taken it on several very long trips with no ill effects. San Antonio to StL and back. San Antonio to southern MO...and back (fishing trip. I liked that one!). Several from San Antonio to Mobile...and back. The latest trip was from San Antonio to Savannah, GA,....one way....I live here now. On the highway it's no Infiniti G37 (my previous car), but I routinely set the cruise control at anywhere from 77 - 80 and can one-hand-finger tip it down the highway....all the while listening tho XM or my Spotify tunes on factory speakers. It's louder than my Infiniti, sure, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I can hear my tunes without affecting my hearing. I've had it on big rocks in Texas (impressive as hell), but it mostly sees DD duty. I get 17 - 18 mph on the highway, but closer to 14 around town. It's also a 6-speed manual. I drove a 6-shipped Porsche Cayman S once, and the Jeep tranny ain't like that one. It's a Jeep manual and I like it. You can't slam, or fast shift it into each gear like that Porsche, but it works just fine once you realize it's geared for off road. It likes a "1/2 Mississippi" pause between gears. First and second gear are rather short, as you'd expect and off road vehicle to be (real handy off road), and you won't beat anyone away from a stop light with it.....but it scoots along pretty good from third gear on. I like it. I think I'm going to keep it for a while.
Thanks! This was pretty informative. By the way I am sitting on Tybee Island right now. I love this area. We vacation here every year. Savannah Ga. is such a great area.
 
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