I've been saving for the past year to order a 2012 Wrangler 2 door and am very 'exciting' to pull the trigger when the orders open up.

But the wife has recently brought it to my attention that if her and I are going to have a kid, the 2 door may not be the best route due to the difficulty getting a stage 1 child carrier in/out of the back seat.

She even took me to a local Target store to show me just how big one of these carriers are.

The way I see it, we're only having 1 kid and I don't expect him/her to need that carrier forever. The kid will get bigger and develop the dexterity to eventually get his/her self into the backseat.

Should I have to deprive myself of 2-door maneuverability for what will only be a few years inconvenience (not that I think of kids as such)?

I've researched the hell out of this and *think* that it is possible to have a kid and a 2 door. It would just take a little extra effort (I hope that's all).

With the carrier's base already preinstalled on passenger side of the bench:

Note: I'm 5'8", 160#, not a 'big guy'...still kinda nimble.

1. Tilting the front passenger seat *forward* and the driver seat backrest *back*. Place infant carrier with kid in the driver's seat.

2. Climb into the back seat from passenger side. Maneuver over the base and sit in the middle of the bench seat.

3. Grab carrier by handle and pull it through the space between the 2 seats *towards* me and position into base. Lock it in - DONE (getting kid out, just work in reverse order).

Going to try this out later this week with a loaned carrier, a 2 door Wrangler, and a 20 lb weight to be sure.

But...

If the idea fails or if it's too much of a PITA, is there a major difference as far as off road ability between the 2 and 4 door models?

In my honest opinion, the 4 door is set up better for a kid, family, friends, towing a boat or camper, the wife never complains when she has to go somewhere with our kid in a hurry about trying to get the car seat just right
Later on with a small lift and better tires the four door topless and doors off make for an incredible view for all or just yourself.
I have a 2009 four door paid for and will be ordering a 2012 four door in August.
My daughter has stated the 2009 is hers at 16 and I can't take anything mods ect off.
I will just empty every pocket again Jeep on my 2012. That is how much my family and friends live the jeep

You also have to remember your kid will have friends, bikes, hockey bags and any number of things you could use the extra cargo room for

It may be a bit different for your wife being able to get the carrier and child in the back of a two door. If this is a second car you may be able to get by with a two door. If this will be the primary baby bus, the four door would be the way to go.
JMHO.

Having a four door is a must if you plan on having a kid let alone a baby riding in it. The all in stroller/ car seats are big. Well the stroller is at least. With the 4 door you have storage behind the back seat. If the wife an you ever have to swap, she can still get groceries or what ever in the jeep.

I am completely happy with my 4dr. After market parts can be a LITTLE more, I think rock rails were like 20 more in cost and about that in shipping. And the back seat will lay flat out of the way for even more hauling. Taking the family anywhere in the jeep, a 4 door is a must, IMO.

Make sure you consider the fact that--unless you remove the rear seat--the 2 doors basically only have about 12" of depth in the trunk.

Kids need more than carseats. Have you ever heard of "strollers"? Impossible in a 2 door other than the flimsiest umbrella stroller. Especially if you're planning on leaving a bag of recovery gear in there, or of you plan on buying anything while you're out and about with the kid.

Further, kids tend to beget more kids. Most couples who have one end up with more.

That's not to say it can't be done--I'm sure some of the folks with kids and 2 doors will chime in. But my recommendation is always that if you think you MAY need a 4 door, you probably do.

I have three kids ages 3 and under and have been in many 2 doors. They would not have been a reasonable choice.

Im 6'3 240 have a 17 month old an a 2.5 year old. So can I do it all in a 2 door jeep, yes!! Do I want to ever again, no!!! The four door is the way to go.

I have a 3 year old and a 2 door JK. I love it. It does take a little more effort sometimes but you get used to it and it doesn't bother you. I love having the Jeep that I always wanted and that was a 2 door model. As far as stroller and extra stuff is concerned, the car seats fit on one side of the back and doesn't really take up any more room than a full adult would sitting back there. A 2 door model can fit 4 adults. I bought a smaller stroller to fit while my daughter used it and that didn't last very long. Before you know it they don't need the stroller anymore and you can get rid of it. Also, on that same note...the giant baby seat that your wife showed you will only be used for a short period and then they move onto a booster seat which takes up a lot less room and is supper light and easy to get in your jeep and out. After that they don't even need it and will love climbing in the back of your Jeep and over the seats. Trust me on this one, children love to climb all over stuff. Its an adventure each time.

You do have less room for other stuff though but honestly I haven't ever felt like I couldn't bring with me what was needed. I think some times the fear of not having enough room actually means that you might be taking more than you really need? All of this is just my 2 cents but man I freaking love my 2 door JK and it looks sweet! My 3 year old and all of her toys and anything I need to take with me each day fits just fine in there. Get the one you want or you'll regret it. Which ever it is you can't go wrong with either a 4 door or a 2 door

Just look at how much she loves daddy's 2 door

x2

Get a 4 door you wont regret it.I have a 2 month old right now and my TJ gets rarely driven with her around.

I should have noted that this isn't going to be the primary vehicle (LOL, can you imagine if it were?). This is Dad's toy but I realize that it may be called into kid-duty from time to time. Pick up baby when my wife can't, that kind of thing.

Anything 'family' related is for the soccer-mom-mobile that my wife has her eye on (Mazda CX7, Dodge Journey, etc).

I do see your points though about the 4 door advantages. I'm not entirely against the 4 door either. The towing advantages alone are well worth it.

The things you get with 4-door:
- 22 gal fuel tank (vs. 16)
- 3500 lbs towing rating (vs. 2500 - less than RAV4)
- cargo space (I ended ripping out the subwoofer)

The access to the rear seat is extremely constrained on 2D with hardtop on. Able-bodied humans have little problem, but putting airline luggage there is a struggle. Soft-top improves access.

The things your get with 2-door:
- Easer parking in San Francisco
- slightly lower weight (not enough to dent mpg though)
- better turning radius (this one is actually noticeable)
- better ramp angle

The ramp angle is probably the only important point for me. However, my factory transmission skid plate is already scratched up good (2010 year was the last year to get factory plates standard - you should buy and install a 3-rd party transmission plate on your 2012). Basically 4-door is better in any practical way, maybe miles better if family peace matters any for you. I only got 2-door because it's more fun.

I have a 7 yr old and a 3 yr old and I can't wait to get a 4 door... On the rare occasion that my wife and I get to go out a lone together and we want to enjoy being out in the jeep, try picking up 2 sleeping kids and getting them in and then out of a 2 door that's lifted... I'm 5'8" 250 like a powerlifter and I hate havingto try to get the boys in and out... October will be 4 door time! And the yj will come off the road to be completed

I have a 2 dr but if I was in your situation I would definately get the 4dr.

Are you the kind that prefers to regret what he *did* do or what he *didn't* do?

If it were me in your kind of situation, JKU would be the best choice, and I wouldn't have to regret *anything*.

good luck and congratulations

I would get the 4 door. I had a full size ram 1500 Quad until I traded it for my Jeep in April. I bought the ram in 02 when we only had one child. After we had the second child the Ram still allowed easy access for the safety seats.

I love my TJ, but I wouldn't want to have to put a child in the back with a safety seat if this is your only DD. Your logic is okay with an infant, but they get bigger and heavier and sometimes fight going into the safety seat when they are still too small for a booster and need the restraint harness. My wife has an Edge so the TJ wouldn't have been a big deal for us if I bought it when the kids were still small because we had another option and I would have only had to put them in it occasionally. You can always trade the 4 door in later when the kids are older for your 2 door.

BTW, when lease is up on Edge the wife is getting the 4 door. We fight over who gets to take the jeep. She had the option to have it titled to her when I traded my truck but she said no, and I will never let her live it down. Titled to me, It's MINE!!!!!!

There is your answer right there. Get what you want. If it was your primary vehicle I would say maybe you should lean towards the JKU, it's a no brainer. If this is gonna be your Toy, 2nd vehicle, Weekend wheeler, Get the 2 door if thats what you really want. It may sound selfish but this is YOUR Jeep. If it means that much to you, you will make it work.

The 2 door JK has a 18.6 gallon tank. It's printed on the window sticker and dealer invoice.

Riding around with the top down/off is good, even better with the family.

If this is your only vehicle go out and buy a nice SUV. If its 1 or 2 get what you want.

Any dealer with their salt will let you take each home for a night to help you make them money.

Yea, but which one is better off road? We all know the Unlimited, aside from the turning radius, is far better around town, towing trailers, going camping, etc, but what about off road?

I'm thinking the difference off road is minor. The longer Unlimited is probably better at climbing but more likely to get high centered. With the sway bar disconnected, 3" lift and 35" tires, I suspect the Unlimited would be very good indeed and would go 98% of the places the 2-door would go.

But someone who has owned both and has wheeled with both will have to speak up here.

I had the same question and after climbing in the back of the 2 Dr, I went straight to the 4. Rear seat access is horrible in the 2 compared to the 4.

- Keith -

Im 50 and a empty nester.I bought the 2 door. Didnt want the longer wheel base.The 2 doors handle great. But if I still were transporting kids to games,dances ,movies,mall,where ever,and taking into account the child safety seat you will need for the first few years,if you dont get a 4 door your .Just MHO.

I agree you should get a 4dr

I'm a college student and have a 2dr and its hard enough to just go grocery shopping in my Jeep. Sometimes my roommates offer to drive just because its a PIA to take my Jeep with a couple people. I love it, but it has its cons. I can't even imagine what it would be like with a family that you are obligated to take care of.

You shouldnt only consider how hard it would be to fit a carrier in the back. You have to consider trunk space for trips to the beach or grocery shopping. The 2 door's trunk is so small its almost useless if you have the back seat up. I can't even fit a suitcase in the trunk if someone is using the back seat.

Good luck! Either way, you'll have a badass rig!

Speaking as a parent and a certified car seat technician if you are thinking kids you are gunna wanna think 4 door. I know the 2 door is cool but you may find it inconvinent. I used to have a 2 door blazer and I loved it when it was just me but then throw a kid and everything you have to bring with the kid it gets out of hand. You should find a buddy who has a kid and borrow a carseat and take the jeep for the weekend or overnight depending on what the dealer allows....see how it goes.

My daughter said the same thing. I at least have a few more years. She is only 11


I think if the Jeep is the only vehicle and family is involved then 4 door has to be it. But if I had more then one vehicle, a 2 door because it has more of a Jeep feel to it. Not knocking the 4 door at all with that just a personal choice.

Since it is only me and my daughter at home the 2 door is fine with me. When her friends come over, they can climb or stay home, lol.

Wish they did make a single seat for the back though so to open up half the back for my golf clubs while still having the ability to seat one more

x2

My liberty had that, I was surprised my Wrangler doesnt.

Ok, I've read through the entire thread. And I have to say starting out I have a devotion to family as a FIRST PRIORITY in any decision to purchase ANY vehicle. I'll start by saying when I first got married and my daughter was born about 20 years ago my wife asked me to sell my motorcycle. I asked her if she would mind if I bought another one when the time came. She said no, she wouldn't mind (the time is almost here but she doesn't know it yet). Several times over the years I have looked at a jeep for purchase and I just couldn't justify it because of my two children. I could have forced the issue but thought deep down in my heart that it would be selfish of me (although if I made double my salary it might have been different). Four years ago when I oogled at the four door when I brought her PT Cruiser in for service she actually encouraged me to purchase it. Two weeks later there was a jku sahara sitting in the driveway. A year later when Chrysler bought it back from me and I asked her if I could upgrade to the Rubicon Unlimited for the replacement vehicle, again she encouraged me to do the upgrade. I thanked my lucky stars.

This weekend I'm putting a 12,000 lb winch on an OEM bumper mount winch plate. I can't afford a new bumper so, one piece at a time.

In December 2010 my neighbor was having trouble selling his 92 jeep. I went to my wife and explained to her the condition of the jeep and that our son, in one year will be getting his license. If the price was right, could I get it? She said yes. The YJ two door is now sitting in the driveway waiting for him to drive it. In the mean time, I get to drive it this summer with no top and doors off....wOOt! The deal with my son is that when he is done with it, I still own it and will get it back, provided that it is still drivable. It will be my off road play toy. My wife has absolutely no problem with this. This purchase has also netted me a bunch of tools because of work that my son and I will do to it to improve it. Air brush and compressor. Touch up paint sprayer and compressor capable of keeping up with it. Transmission jack to put the new clutch in that the previous owner included in the deal. The list goes on. My wife knows that it will improve the bond between my son and I because it is a man thing.

My point in all of this long story thing in my post is that your decision should be something that the two of you work through before the purchase so that you both are comfortable with it. My advice is to consider the long term ramifications of your decision. The four door not only works for me I LOVE IT. And now, I get to live out my young person fantasy of having a two door jeep through the purchase of the 92 for my son. Life has a way of working out that way. One more year and most likely....motorcycle. All is well...and the wife is happy too.

I say, keep the peace and get the four door. She has already directed you that way by taking the time to show you car seats. JMHO

Havent read the last two....but my opinion...do want ya think!!!

Like I said, it's not the primary car BUT...

Why should I be the only one to have all the Jeep fun? Friends, family, etc should be able to tag along. What if I do have a kid in the next 12 months and someday after that he/she and their friend want to go for a ride?

Utility-wise, no doubt the 4 door is more practical. Camping gear, etc.

I'm in Michigan. Logging trails, flooded out forest roads, etc. Tight turn radius rules here but I guess I'll have to rely on SKILLS.

Thanks all!