School Me on Jeep Wrangler

[kballowe]

I'm looking at new Jeep Wranglers. I want the 2-door model. I have no clue which options/engine/transmission is best.
I don't plan on lifting it nor larger than stock tires. It doesn't need to have a bunch of options.

Also - Hard top? Soft top ? Why ?

And go -

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I don't think you have an option on the 2 door. Pretty sure those are v6/manual only at this point. And the 4 doors are 4 cylinder automatic / PHEV only. At least last time I read. Edit: Looks like they added the 4 cylinder / 8 speed back into the mix for the 2 door.

I haven't had any newer jeeps, but in the older Jeeps the soft tops were warmer than the thin, hard, fiberglass hardtops.

There is a recall for a software update to keep people from exploding the clutch. I don't fully understand how that works and no one has ever explained it to me

 

[PF52]

I don't think you have an option on the 2 door. Pretty sure those are v6/manual only at this point.

Do you mean automatic only? Local Jeep dealer by me has 14 automatic 2-doors, according to their website. No manuals.

 

[JohnnyG]

You don't want my opinion. It's pretty low.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Do you mean automatic only? Local Jeep dealer by me has 14 automatic 2-doors, according to their website. No manuals.

I just checked on jeep.com and it's available 2 door / automatic. I Thought I read somewhere that the 2 door was only going to be available v6 / manual.

Looks like I misread and they mean that the v6 would only be available with the manual and if you want an automatic it has to be the 4.

 

[cb4017]

Is this going to be a daily driver or a weekend toy? Without knowing your intended use it's hard to be too specific. That said, a stock Sport is still pretty capable.
What Swamp said about the engine/transmission availability. I had a JLU (4-door) with the 3.6L/manual and it was okay. The 3.6L is still available with a manual.
I currently have a 25 Gladiator Mojave with the 3.6L/auto.
I prefer a hard top. Quieter and your stuff is a little more secure. I also discovered that I hate everything in the Jeep being trashed after a day on dirt roads.
Anyway, go drive a few. Have fun and good luck.

 

[Silverado12]

Jeep Here's one I found that looks pretty cool and has decent pictures. They make them in manual transmission and V-6, which is what I personally would get but that looks like it's hard to find.

 

[GW.]

I have a 2021 2dr, v6, auto, hardtop. Love it.

Jeep is weird with engine/transmission configuration availability. Seems certain configurations are only available at certain times. Possibly they build them in blocks at the plant.

 

[IndyFan]

I'm looking at new Jeep Wranglers. I want the 2-door model. I have no clue which options/engine/transmission is best.
I don't plan on lifting it nor larger than stock tires. It doesn't need to have a bunch of options.

Also - Hard top? Soft top ? Why ?

And go -

I have both the manual and auto....Wrangler is manual, Gladiator is auto. I absolutely love the manual, but the auto is a real gem, too. The manual has been through a series of recalls. Mine was one of the first off the line back when the current model made its debut. I've got 107k miles and have not had any issues with it. So I think you'd be good either way. A 2 door would be a hoot with either drive train.

I would highly recommend the 3.6. No direct injection, smooth, quiet, and good power...especially with a 2 door. It has a rep for lasting a long, long time. The auto will get a little better fuel economy in most types of driving.

Both transmissions are a great match for the V6. The manual is particularly fun because this engine likes to rev and it pulls hard all the way up. There is a really nice kick in the pants that you can feel at 4500 rpm, too.

I would likely have gone with the manual on the Gladiator, too, except the tow rating was much higher with the auto. On the Wrangler, that won't matter. It'll be the same with either.

The first gear on the manual is VERY short. It's almost a granny gear. The 6th gear is super tall. If you stick with stock tires, the thing will get great mileage on the highway with the manual. Also, 0-60 is particularly quick because I believe in stock form, with 3.73 or taller axle ratio, there should be only 1 shift before hitting 60. The shift to 3rd happens right at or just after 60mph, if I recall correctly. I might be off on that, but I remember either Car & Driver or Motor Trend hit 60 in about 6.5 seconds with a 2 door V6 manual JL Wrangler Sport. The most basic model. They said it was the fastest Wrangler they ever tested until the 392 came along. They also said it was a blast to drive.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I really like both transmissions. And I drive them pretty hard, tow with them both, and do lots of hard off-road adventuring with them. So I've experienced just about everything you can experience.

 

[SC Maintenance]

If you have never driven a 2 door jeep on the highway do that first before you buy one. Not saying its bad - but you don't want to be surprised.

Is the 2.0 Turbo any good? I can't remember?

As for top - get the top your going to use - because you have to store the other one. They used to often come with both or it was a package?

 

[demarpaint]

I'd get the hard top with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission if available.

 

[IndyFan]

Btw, the 2.0 turbo is very nice, too. Lots of low end power. But it feels and sounds like a 4 banger. It's not as smooth. From what I've seen, it can get slightly better fuel economy, but I mean slightly. It is not a significant difference.

Personally, I like playing the long game and while the 2.0 appears to be very reliable and durable so far, I just don't like the DI and turbo when my goal is to go well beyond 200,000 miles. I'm at 107.5k with the Wrangler and am creeping up on 70k with the Gladiator. No trouble at all with either power train and they behave identically, as they should, in terms of behavior, sound level. Coolant and oil temps and voltage are the same in the same conditions, too. Identical twins.

And oil changes on the V6 are a breeze, with the cartridge oil filter on top of the engine. No mess. And the V6 takes exactly 5 quarts, so you only have to buy 1 jug of oil. That is very convenient and economical, too!

 

[AZjeff]

Drive a 2 door Wrangler as much as you can on different roads, rent one if you can so you know what they drive and ride like. Jeeps aren't cars or soft SUVs and it seems people either love them or hate them. If it's a daily driver the hard top is quieter and more secure, don't know about the comment about a soft top being warmer. A soft top is noisy at highway speeds but you get the top down experience if you want. To be happy you have to embrace what makes it a Wrangler.

Just stay away from the ducks.

 

[dishdude]

Btw, the 2.0 turbo is very nice, too. Lots of low end power. But it feels and sounds like a 4 banger. It's not as smooth. From what I've seen, it can get slightly better fuel economy, but I mean slightly. It is not a significant difference.

Agreed, I really enjoy the 2.0T. I would certainly consider purchasing one.

 

[kballowe]

OK, so I understand that the Wrangler is less than optimal on the interstate. I have owned two jeeps in my life. The first one was a CJ5 with a 304 cu in V8 and later a 1980 model - so my information is a bit dated. I did drive a 3.6L with a manual transmission about six years ago and liked it.

I test drove several used Wranglers but they all had larger tires and rode very rough.

I really just want an around town 2-lane "fun" vehicle. Very limited off road. No towing. We have a half ton pickup truck for that.

 

[jadmt]

I am on wrangler #5 all have had 3.6’s I have used mine like wranglers are meant to be used ie I go off-road. My 3rd one was a two door I found for me I enjoyed wheeling in a four door better. Also had one soft top and personally will never have another. Soft tops sound good until winter hits. I would suggest looking at a rubicon. You might not think you will use the features but if you end up getting hooked on off-road like many do you will be glad you did. I have never heard of anyone regretting getting a rubicon instead of a sport but often people regret getting the sport instead of a rubicon. Spend once cry once. Lots of good jeep forums to get good feedback

 

[dishdude]

OK, so I understand that the Wrangler is less than optimal on the interstate. I have owned two jeeps in my life. The first one was a CJ5 with a 304 cu in V8 and later a 1980 model - so my information is a bit dated. I did drive a 3.6L with a manual transmission about six years ago and liked it.

I test drove several used Wranglers but they all had larger tires and rode very rough.

I really just want an around town 2-lane "fun" vehicle. Very limited off road. No towing. We have a half ton pickup truck for that.

The JL really isn't bad on the highway, but the steering does require a little more center correction than I would like. But for a 30 min run on the highway at 80 MPH, it isn't bad at all. Wouldn't want to drive it 8 hours though.

Around the city they're a real pleasure to drive, super easy to navigate, ride is good and the seats are surprisingly comfortable.

 

[jadmt]

Drive a 2 door Wrangler as much as you can on different roads, rent one if you can so you know what they drive and ride like. Jeeps aren't cars or soft SUVs and it seems people either love them or hate them. If it's a daily driver the hard top is quieter and more secure, don't know about the comment about a soft top being warmer. A soft top is noisy at highway speeds but you get the top down experience if you want. To be happy you have to embrace what makes it a Wrangler.

Just stay away from the ducks.

I did not find my soft top warmer in fact the opposite and the vinyl windows scratch as soon as you look at them..and agree noisier in an already noisy vehicle...

 

[tblt44]

I don't have any current experience.
Me I would not buy a turbo jeep or turbo anything if I could avoid it, for longevity reasons.
Loved the older straight six paired with a manual back in the day before Chrysler took over jeep.
I bought one new in 97

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Test drove one earlier this year - no likey! Pentastar with MT. Hated the manual. I have driven manual most of my life. Jeep can't even design a shift knob properly - it's got a too big a knob and the lockout collar digs into your hand in use. The steering would hunt left and right. Maybe life with for a while it would grow on me, but doubt it. And this was with a big sale - many thousands off - where the thing was almost affordable with a bit of trade equity. Also didn't like the seating position with your feet seemingly down in a well. This would be less of an issue with a slushbox, but the 4 cyl turbo option is a garbage engine IMHO.

I was disappointed - I wanted to like it.

My touchstone here is a "real" jeep - a CJ-7 Laredo from the 80's and then later, various Zuki Samurai and Trackers.