Lets see em, 2 doors only!!!
07-08-2016, 06:30 PM
#3113
JK Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 9
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Latest Wrangler
So I picked up the 13th Jeep (counting the two Cherokees) in March. I decided to go with the Sahara because of the 110 mile round-trip daily commute. I wanted to put my comments out there for y'all...most good, but some bad.
Before you laugh about the Sahara purchase...I do have an '09 JK for dragging the boat around, as well as light trails and mudding. I also have a '98 TJ for climbing trees and preparation for the just-around-the-corner zombie apocalypse.
I ordered it in the Mojave Sand color. I removed all decals and posted my black-on-clear American flag, retired US Army and Infantry decals. I've received a lot of positive comments on the color, as well as the general appearance. I've removed the 'jewelry' grill and replace it with the flat black Angry Bird look. My immediate mods were wheels and tires (of course), a two-inch lift, and a trailer hitch.
I had it built with the manual 6 and 3.73 locking rear. Because I'm old and banged up, I got the heated seats. Yes, even in South Florida they are a plus (especially with the doors off in March). This is my first Pentastar engine and I truly like it. For a Sahara, it's quite capable in the sand and mud. I love the seats. Many of you will think 'Leather in a Jeep?'. Trust me, very nice.
The pluses are:
-First and foremost, it's a Jeep.
-For a Wrangler, the ride is fantastic. I drive I-75 daily with the cruise at 80 mph with a 3 or 4 mpg increase over the '09.
-It handles well and is very quiet. I did upgrade to the Bestop soft-top when ordering. I don't remember what it is called, but the fabric is much the same as a Chrysler ragtop sedan. I also installed the new ProComp 305 75 17 tires on Quadratec soft 8 wheels. Again, I don't remember what the tires are are called, but they are NICE for the road and the sand.
-The AC rocks.
-Oil changes are easier and not as messy.
-Chicks dig it. I've been given the 'Nice Jeep!' at gas stations several times. My reply was 'Let's grab a 6-pack and go for a ride'. It worked twice. (In the interest of full-disclosure, it failed several more times.)
The bads are:
-You can sit in the driver's seat and see the word 'Jeep' in about 44 different places (AC vents, wheel, seats, grab bar, blah, blah, blah). We know it's a Jeep. They know it's a Jeep. It does not have to be posted everywhere. The manufacturers should save the marketing money and give everyone a locking rear axle (at a minimum) gratis.
-There was some type of sparkle on the grill inserts...sort of like the stuff that an exotic dancer would sprinkle on herself. A call to Morris 4x4 for the flat black grill fixed that in 24 hours.
-Sound and nav sux. Do not EVER waste your $$$ on the 430N system. The '09 that I have with the 730N navigation and Infinity system is great. Hell, it has been the jukebox for many impromptu parties (providing that the top and doors are off). This one sounds terrible. Granted, I'm somewhat deaf from IEDs in the sandbox...but the sound is sort of like what you would expect from a shrieking cat that was being carried around in a galvanized bucket.
-The nav display is light yellow, with lighter yellow graphics and even lighter details. It cannot be seen in the Florida sun with the top off/down. The 'Turn Left Now' lady that used to reside in the dashboard has been replaced by a dude. WTF?
So, am I happy? You bet! Will I buy Jeep #14? You better believe it! BUT, it'll likely be a Sport, and and I'll spend the dollars saved to make it my own. If I lived in Colorado/Utah/New Mexico/etc, I'd likely start off with a Rubi, but there ain't a lot of rock climbing in Florida.
All y'all take care...
Before you laugh about the Sahara purchase...I do have an '09 JK for dragging the boat around, as well as light trails and mudding. I also have a '98 TJ for climbing trees and preparation for the just-around-the-corner zombie apocalypse.
I ordered it in the Mojave Sand color. I removed all decals and posted my black-on-clear American flag, retired US Army and Infantry decals. I've received a lot of positive comments on the color, as well as the general appearance. I've removed the 'jewelry' grill and replace it with the flat black Angry Bird look. My immediate mods were wheels and tires (of course), a two-inch lift, and a trailer hitch.
I had it built with the manual 6 and 3.73 locking rear. Because I'm old and banged up, I got the heated seats. Yes, even in South Florida they are a plus (especially with the doors off in March). This is my first Pentastar engine and I truly like it. For a Sahara, it's quite capable in the sand and mud. I love the seats. Many of you will think 'Leather in a Jeep?'. Trust me, very nice.
The pluses are:
-First and foremost, it's a Jeep.
-For a Wrangler, the ride is fantastic. I drive I-75 daily with the cruise at 80 mph with a 3 or 4 mpg increase over the '09.
-It handles well and is very quiet. I did upgrade to the Bestop soft-top when ordering. I don't remember what it is called, but the fabric is much the same as a Chrysler ragtop sedan. I also installed the new ProComp 305 75 17 tires on Quadratec soft 8 wheels. Again, I don't remember what the tires are are called, but they are NICE for the road and the sand.
-The AC rocks.
-Oil changes are easier and not as messy.
-Chicks dig it. I've been given the 'Nice Jeep!' at gas stations several times. My reply was 'Let's grab a 6-pack and go for a ride'. It worked twice. (In the interest of full-disclosure, it failed several more times.)
The bads are:
-You can sit in the driver's seat and see the word 'Jeep' in about 44 different places (AC vents, wheel, seats, grab bar, blah, blah, blah). We know it's a Jeep. They know it's a Jeep. It does not have to be posted everywhere. The manufacturers should save the marketing money and give everyone a locking rear axle (at a minimum) gratis.
-There was some type of sparkle on the grill inserts...sort of like the stuff that an exotic dancer would sprinkle on herself. A call to Morris 4x4 for the flat black grill fixed that in 24 hours.
-Sound and nav sux. Do not EVER waste your $$$ on the 430N system. The '09 that I have with the 730N navigation and Infinity system is great. Hell, it has been the jukebox for many impromptu parties (providing that the top and doors are off). This one sounds terrible. Granted, I'm somewhat deaf from IEDs in the sandbox...but the sound is sort of like what you would expect from a shrieking cat that was being carried around in a galvanized bucket.
-The nav display is light yellow, with lighter yellow graphics and even lighter details. It cannot be seen in the Florida sun with the top off/down. The 'Turn Left Now' lady that used to reside in the dashboard has been replaced by a dude. WTF?
So, am I happy? You bet! Will I buy Jeep #14? You better believe it! BUT, it'll likely be a Sport, and and I'll spend the dollars saved to make it my own. If I lived in Colorado/Utah/New Mexico/etc, I'd likely start off with a Rubi, but there ain't a lot of rock climbing in Florida.
All y'all take care...
07-18-2016, 09:46 PM
#3119
JK Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 6
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Street Shoes: Yokohama Geolander 38X13.50R17
Trail Shoes: Raceline Monster beadlocks and Super Swamper 37X13.50 M16's
Scored a 780 on the trailer. Changed the bumpstops and a few things afterwards.
Playing around
Trail Shoes: Raceline Monster beadlocks and Super Swamper 37X13.50 M16's
Scored a 780 on the trailer. Changed the bumpstops and a few things afterwards.
Playing around
Last edited by Wildboy; 07-18-2016 at 09:48 PM.
07-19-2016, 03:16 PM
#3120
JK Super Freak
I'm impressed. Your 'street shoes' even look pretty capable. Nice Jeep!