Topic: Thoughts so far on a JK... (Read 4825 times)

Cleggmeister · « **on:** May 20, 2009, 09:29:51 PM »

Howdy folks, thought I'd share my thoughts so far on the JK after replacing my TJ...

Firstly, they're a bugger to get hold of; plenty of 4-dr Unlimiteds on the market but none of these interested me. If you're after a new Jeep hold out for the 2-dr.

Roof: Hard top is a 3-piece "freedom" slab of plastic that resembles targa tops of old. It takes about 2 minutes to remove both front passenger and driver sections, which can be stored in the back. Nice and easy, and less hassle than the Bestop Sunrider I had on the TJ. Aside from the fact that it still leaks, albeit ever so slightly

Engine: I went for the 2.8CRD as I drive about 30,000 to 40,000 miles per year. The car I bought had 20k already but the engine seems fine. Smooth and relatively quiet for an oil burner. Averaging 35mpg.

Gearbox: I took the auto. 4-speed with overdrive, stays around 2k RPM around town but once on the motorway drops to 1,700 RPM at 65mph, which is my cruising speed. Nice smooth changes, as good as my old Merc E55. You get the usual 2hi, 4hi or 4lo settings though I've not used these yet...

Toys: I'll get a kicking for this but I needed some creature comforts due to the amount of time I spend in the car. Sahara comes with aircon, electric windows, cruise control, trip computer, front fogs, decent CD/radio and central locking. Later Sport models have most of these features too, though with a 6sp manual.

Ride: Awesome, aside from the steering! Lots of minor adjustment needed to keep it in a straight line on cambered and bumpy roads, but this becomes second nature after you hit your first kerb

Looks: I love it, though this is personal so check one out yourself. Turns heads and get loads of "hey Mister, love the Jeep" comments.

Inside: Nice cloth seats, smart plastics, rattle and squeak free, nice buttons, good stereo, good storage space, still no vanity mirror (which suits my ugly mug), nice driving position but harder to judge where the front/sides/back of the car are.

Stuff: Ignore the specs quoted on Jeep.co.uk. They're all based on the Rubicon which is lovely but overkill for my use. Contrary to their claims the Sahara and Sport do not come with remote sway disconnect or axle lock.

Overall: Puts a huge grin on my face every time, and even driving the distances I do (the life of a travelling salesman!) I still love being in it.

Hope to come meet y'all for some 'froading soon.

Geo.

greggmo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2009, 10:21:28 PM »

sounds like you are very happy with it mate. good for you. 8-)

isle of man · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2009, 10:22:42 PM »

Clayton says the Jk is very good from stock.....

Bishops Finger · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2009, 11:19:35 PM »

Brilliant real world write up mon... 8-)

Its great to hear real world jeepers views on newer Jeeps

Thanks for taking the time to post your views

Bulldog67 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2009, 11:15:50 AM »

have to be honest never would have considered a JK for my 25000 a year, but that write up may change my mind at next change, but do you reckon that cruisin speed could be upped to 85-90 mph?

Mike Pavelin · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:50:26 PM »

Quote from: "Bulldog67"

have to be honest never would have considered a JK for my 25000 a year, but that write up may change my mind at next change, but do you reckon that cruisin speed could be upped to 85-90 mph?

Only if you want 20mpg :mrgreen:

gazjeep · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2009, 07:12:37 PM »

Good real world write Cleggy :wink:

Dave69 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2009, 08:06:22 PM »

Quote from: "Mike Pavelin"

Quote from: "Bulldog67"
have to be honest never would have considered a JK for my 25000 a year, but that write up may change my mind at next change, but do you reckon that cruisin speed could be upped to 85-90 mph?

Only if you want 20mpg

but you dont buy a jeep for the mpg

Cleggmeister · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2009, 10:53:34 PM »

Quote from: "Bulldog67"

have to be honest never would have considered a JK for my 25000 a year, but that write up may change my mind at next change, but do you reckon that cruisin speed could be upped to 85-90 mph?

As it happens I'm heading back from Chester to Glasgow tomorrow with a bootload of speakers and amps. I'll zero the MPG thingy and run for a while at 80, let you know what I find...

Oh, and the "beeper" that sounds when you start the engine is now more pleasing on the ear.

More ground-breaking revelations to follow... :-D

Mike Pavelin · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2009, 09:44:04 AM »

Mine (Unlimited Sahara auto) will just squeeze 30 mpg on the run up the A1 to Edinburgh if cruising at 65-70, but any fatster and the mpg really drops off. Have had mine since March '08 and has been great since it's teething troubles were sorted. Have done 25000 miles, The original Bridgestone tyres are still ok, brakes pads still have plenty of life in them, in general very happy with it.

Bulldog67 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2009, 04:26:31 PM »

thats me out then, just done basildon to maidstone at 60mph coz runnin an engine in and thats far too much of my life bein leeched away by sittin at that speed, not for me!

Cleggmeister · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2009, 09:56:56 AM »

Driving slowish kinda grows on you; I used to do 80-90 prior to petrol prices becoming stupid, now I've just gotten used to doing 65. Mind you, I put the new Prodigy CD on in the Jeep yesterday (with the roof off) and managed a bit bitter than that :twisted:

Mike; I reckon the gearbox in yours will be the same as mine? Do you get an "extra" gear at 55mph then another "extra" gear at 65mph? I guess this is the overdrive but I'm not familiar with the concept - just that the RPMs drop from 2200 to around 1700 when those speeds are reached.

Right, better go and clean it...

Mike Pavelin · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2009, 11:40:29 AM »

Check yer ball joints, JK guys. Just had the 25000 mile service on mine and it already has 2mm lift in them on one side, so getting both sides done under warranty. Non greasable on JKs. That's progress I guess. :-(

MOCAJ · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2009, 02:53:49 PM »

is it the same as the liberty ball joints mike ?

and has there been a re-call

Panic mechanic! · « **Reply #14 on:** May 23, 2009, 03:32:51 PM »

I think as we all get older we come to realise that unless you are driving on a completley empty motorway late at night , all you are doing by driving at 85-90 is constantly accelerating then braking as you catch up to the car in front, so you end up more stressed from being slowed down, you put more wear on your car and do less mpg. I drive an arctic round all day at 54mph, (even in 30mph limits :lol:

)not great but when you get stuck driving something like that, you come to realise that on most journeys by driving around 60mph at worst you got an extra 20 mins -40 mins travelling time on a journey and the reality of that is ,the extra time soon vanishes.

Mike Pavelin · « **Reply #15 on:** May 23, 2009, 04:54:18 PM »

Quote from: "my other cars a jeep"

is it the same as the liberty ball joints mike ?

and has there been a re-call

No. that's a different issue. KJ ones go bad enough for the suspension to collapse while driving.
:shock:

Cleggmeister · « **Reply #16 on:** May 24, 2009, 12:34:12 AM »

Quote from: "Mike Pavelin"

Check yer ball joints, JK guys. Just had the 25000 mile service on mine and it already has 2mm lift in them on one side, so getting both sides done under warranty. Non greasable on JKs. That's progress I guess. :-?

Is there a way I can check this out for myself (I don't know what/where they are or how they would/should look) or should I get the local Jeep dealer to check them over for me?

Thanks Mike,

George.

Mike Pavelin · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2009, 08:55:56 AM »

The ball joints in question are the ones the hub assembly swivels on to allow you to steer. Support the front axle on stands with the front wheels just off the ground, put a sturdy pry bar under a front wheel and attempt to lift the wheel without moving the axle. There should be little or no lift. Mine has 2mm lift in the ball joints. Looking at the US forums, this is a common failure on the JK.

Bulldog67 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 24, 2009, 12:34:33 PM »

Quote from: "Panic mechanic!"

I think as we all get older we come to realise that unless you are driving on a completley empty motorway late at night , all you are doing by driving at 85-90 is constantly accelerating then braking as you catch up to the car in front, so you end up more stressed from being slowed down, you put more wear on your car and do less mpg. I drive an arctic round all day at 54mph, (even in 30mph limits )not great but when you get stuck driving something like that, you come to realise that on most journeys by driving around 60mph at worst you got an extra 20 mins -40 mins travelling time on a journey and the reality of that is ,the extra time soon vanishes.

errrrrrrrr ............... :smt017

Cleggmeister · « **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2009, 03:20:29 PM »

Two more thoughts after a month or so...

That water leak is a pain. Local Jeep place will be taking it in for investigation soon, will let you chaps know once done. Plenty of similar situations documented on Jeepforum.com, looks like an easy fix.

Lots of head turning, old ladies, young ladies, kids, grown men. Especially when dark. It's due to the indicator repeaters being lit when the headlights are on, looks v. cool. :partyman:

Author Topic: Thoughts so far on a JK... (Read 4825 times)

Cleggmeister

Bishops Finger

Mike Pavelin

Cleggmeister

Mike Pavelin

Cleggmeister

Mike Pavelin

Panic mechanic!

Mike Pavelin

Cleggmeister

Mike Pavelin

Cleggmeister