2012 Jeep wrangler thoughts

[Camp David]

Jeep finally changed their marginal engine in the 2012 Wrangler; the new wrangler has a 40% increase in power with better gas mileage. They also made numerous refinements to the creature comforts this year. I’m looking for a vehicle  both me and wife can enjoy. I don’t see us doing any extreme off roading.

Anyone have experience with the new 2012 wrangler?

[cohoho]

Check with Echohill....  He is a great resource for Jeep information...

[jeepasaurusrex]

Yea, they finally got rid of the minivan motor and went to the Pentastar. Its a big improvement. I still wish they had kept the inline 6. That motor lasts forever.

[MikeWalking]

Yea, they finally got rid of the minivan motor and went to the Pentastar. Its a big improvement. I still wish they had kept the inline 6. That motor lasts forever.

Gawd I hope so...seems like I've been paying on it that long....17 more to go

[jackelope]

I am surrounded by them 10 hours a day 5 days a week for the last 9 years, what would you like to know?

So far so good. We've dealt with a couple water leaks from the hard tops, seems like a never ending curse since '07. Seems to be a preet simple fix on all of them so far. That and a few squeaks and rattles are the only real issues we've seen with them so far. I will say this...I think they're great utility vehicles that I would strongly consider owning one, but I am a pretty big guy, 6'4" and 225 and they're too small for me to be completely comfortable in. I've been driving a Chevy Silverado for the last 6 years so I'm kinda spoiled. If you're a big guy, I would take that into consideration.

[Camp David]

Hey Jackalope, I currently have a 2000 Silverado Z71 4 door. Looking at selling it and getting the jeep. We won't be using the jeep much ~ 2000 miles a year. My wife could handle the jeep much better than the truck. I really don't need a truck for a few more years.  I'm about 4" shorter than you 200 pounds. I heard about the potential leaks in the roof (I'd want the hard top) and other small issues. I know the 2012 with the new motor has only been out a short time. I'm interested in how the 2012 jeep will be a few years down the road; I just don't want to buy a maintenance nightmare. The reviews are pretty much positive for on and off road.

[Rick]

Hey Jackalope, I currently have a 2000 Silverado Z71 4 door. Looking at selling it and getting the jeep. We won't be using the jeep much ~ 2000 miles a year. My wife could handle the jeep much better than the truck. I really don't need a truck for a few more years.  I'm about 4" shorter than you 200 pounds. I heard about the potential leaks in the roof (I'd want the hard top) and other small issues. I know the 2012 with the new motor has only been out a short time. I'm interested in how the 2012 jeep will be a few years down the road; I just don't want to buy a maintenance nightmare. The reviews are pretty much positive for on and off road.

After the 18 month experiment with my 2010. I can't recommend a 2012. They may have a new engine and a nicer interior,but they still have the crappy Chrysler solid axle front ends.

Just a miniature version of the junk Chrysler put in my '07 Ram 3500. I had no faith in my JK doing anything but costing me money after it was out of warranty.

[jackelope]

Curious to know what front end issues you had, Rick.  If you're talking about ball joints and that sort of stuff, that would be rare. Not any I see that break diff parts or anything like that...unless you beat up on them. Also wondering what you think is better? Really everything has issues, they just differ from rig to rig...if it's not one thing, it's another??

We've not had any issues with the engines yet, but they're only about a year old so time will tell.

You probably will not have any issues with the size of them. They're not small or too small, they're just not as big and roomy as my truck. The leg room is where I have issues. I feel crammed in when I drive them.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Its not a Jeep if it has IFS. It becomes another POS car if it had IFS. Jeeps have solid axles. If it rides too rough (which they don't) then buy a minivan. Offroad, a solid front will perform much better and they last way longer. They are also easier to service. If you plan on lifting a rig, solid axle lifts are WAY cheaper.

[washelkhunter]

I want to see the wrangler with a diesel engine just like the ones in england and australia in the us. great mileage and lots of torque. Why cant we have that on the scrambler type body?

[Alchase]

I want to see the wrangler with a diesel engine just like the ones in england and australia in the us. great mileage and lots of torque. Why cant we have that on the scrambler type body?

I would love a "New CJ8 Scramler" !!!

[Bofire]

  There has not been a Jeep built since 1969. Just AMC's and Chryslers.
Carl

[jackelope]

I want to see the wrangler with a diesel engine just like the ones in england and australia in the us. great mileage and lots of torque. Why cant we have that on the scrambler type body?

I would love a "New CJ8 Scramler" !!!

 

[Boss .300 winmag]

  Thats a nice looking truck. How much does one of those cost?

[jeepasaurusrex]

I like this one better! 



The Brute kit, like Jackalope posted, is an additional $8,995 on top of the purchase price of the Jeep.

Here is the kit. http://www.aev-conversions.com/shop/shop-by-category/brute/brute-kit.html

[deerslyr]

Its not a Jeep if it has IFS. It becomes another POS car if it had IFS. Jeeps have solid axles. If it rides too rough (which they don't) then buy a minivan. Offroad, a solid front will perform much better and they last way longer. They are also easier to service. If you plan on lifting a rig, solid axle lifts are WAY cheaper.

couldnt have said it better.

[Alchase]

I want to see the wrangler with a diesel engine just like the ones in england and australia in the us. great mileage and lots of torque. Why cant we have that on the scrambler type body?

I would love a "New CJ8 Scramler" !!!

 

  I think I just fell in love, lol

[gasman]

Hey Jackalope, whats your opion on the Jeep Patriot and Liberty. We are going to look for a new vehicle for her soon and she likes the Patriot and Liberty.

Sorry, dont meat to thread jack 

Anyone else have any experience with either one 

[Hunterman]

Hey Gasman,, Becky has a Compass and loves it..

Hunterman(Tony)

[gasman]

Hey Gasman,, Becky has a Compass and loves it..

Hunterman(Tony)

Hows it been mechanically 

[jackelope]

Hey Jackalope, whats your opion on the Jeep Patriot and Liberty. We are going to look for a new vehicle for her soon and she likes the Patriot and Liberty.

Sorry, dont meat to thread jack 

Anyone else have any experience with either one 

They both seem to be pretty decent. Both kinda small, the Liberty is definitely the nicer of the 2. What year are you looking at? New?
Very few problems with either of them really. I'd stay away from the diesel Liberty. The new current body style Liberty is a lot nicer than the old one for sure. '08 and newer. Patriot is a real trouble free vehicle. They're inexpensive and I think it shows unless you get the more loaded ones. If you want something with a more "real" 4x4 system, go with the Patriot and not the Compass. My vote is for the Liberty either way. Theye verydifferent rigs though too...Patriot is very small.

[gasman]

Hey Jackalope, whats your opion on the Jeep Patriot and Liberty. We are going to look for a new vehicle for her soon and she likes the Patriot and Liberty.

Sorry, dont meat to thread jack 

Anyone else have any experience with either one 

They both seem to be pretty decent. Both kinda small, the Liberty is definitely the nicer of the 2. What year are you looking at? New?
Very few problems with either of them really. I'd stay away from the diesel Liberty. The new current body style Liberty is a lot nicer than the old one for sure. '08 and newer. Patriot is a real trouble free vehicle. They're inexpensive and I think it shows unless you get the more loaded ones. If you want something with a more "real" 4x4 system, go with the Patriot and not the Compass. My vote is for the Liberty either way. Theye verydifferent rigs though too...Patriot is very small.

Why the Liberty?

[jackelope]

For me, simply  because it's bigger and it's a much nicer ride. Also a more capable 4x4 vehicle, although neither would be too good off road.

[bobcat]

Hey Jackalope, whats your opion on the Jeep Patriot and Liberty. We are going to look for a new vehicle for her soon and she likes the Patriot and Liberty.

Sorry, dont meat to thread jack 

Anyone else have any experience with either one 

Get her a Subaru Outback.   

[Special T]

jackalope  What are the big problems with the Diesel motors for the liberties? There are lots of diesel 4bangers in productions around the world, what makes it so hard to get them here? I would have to say the only real good Diesel motors we have here in the states are the  VW Jetta ones,

[RoyBoy]

the jeep brutes have a really good/mean looking body stance with some nice offset tires/wheels 

[MikeWalking]

Hey Jackalope, whats your opion on the Jeep Patriot and Liberty. We are going to look for a new vehicle for her soon and she likes the Patriot and Liberty.

Sorry, dont meat to thread jack 

Anyone else have any experience with either one 

Get her a Subaru Outback.   

We have a couple Patriots in our fleet of patrol vehicles.  Hated.  Always in the shop.   I don't have a lot of contact with the drivers using them, they work out of a remote office but I hear nothing but cussing about them.

[jackelope]

jackalope  What are the big problems with the Diesel motors for the liberties? There are lots of diesel 4bangers in productions around the world, what makes it so hard to get them here? I would have to say the only real good Diesel motors we have here in the states are the  VW Jetta ones,

The engines themselves don't have many problems...the EGR valves crap out all the time, big money, and the glow plugs crap out all the time. If you own one, you can almost bank on replacing an EGR valve it seems. I don't know exactly why we don't have more diesels here...emissions is definitely one of the challenges.

Mike-
The patriots are definitely not a heavy duty vehicle. I suspect with the kind of driving you guys are doing, they're not set up to handle that. I picture a lot of stop and go, low speed short trip driving, and thats not easy on a vehicle.   We sell quite  a few of them and don't see too many in service much. Once in a while for squeaks and rattles. I replaced a transmission in a Compass the other week and we're putting a trans in a Patriot right now, but thats that CVT transmission and we're still restricted on repairing them. Chrysler makes us replace them if it's anything internal at all. We do not take them apart ever if it's deeper than a valve body.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Real Jeeps have solid front axles and round headlights.  O.||||||.O

[jackelope]

Real Jeeps have solid front axles and round headlights.  O.||||||.O

YJ's and XJ's are not real Jeeps?

Square headlights...

[Alchase]

I think it is great to see the newer Liberty's are looking more and more simular to the older XJ's.

Makes me more curious about them every year, lol

[jeepasaurusrex]

Real Jeeps have solid front axles and round headlights.  O.||||||.O

YJ's and XJ's are not real Jeeps?

Square headlights...

Nope, they are Chrysler abortions...

[jackelope]

Right...gotcha.

[Buckmark]

Minneapolis-Moline 

[Camp David]

Just put the down payment on a 2012 jeep wrangler Sahara. It's a surprise for the wife when she gets home in April. Hopefully she will let me drive it. I'll still be driving my 2000 Chevy Silverado for a while.

[Special T]

My wife wants a Jeep so now i just have to figure out how i'm gona get this bad boy in the States Jeep  J8. I'm not sure why they don't sell this damn thing here! Jeep would OWN the market with its 4 door version. 
http://www.allpar.com/SUVs/jeep/J8.html
The J8 is essentially a beefed up 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited; the frame was reinforced to allow more abuse and greater payloads, up to a maximum of 1,339 kg (2,952 lbs.). Axles, brakes and suspension components were upgraded, and the rear suspension was replaced by a traditional, tough leaf-spring system. The rear axle is a Dana 60, with 4.1 ratio and 2,273 kg capacity; the front is a heavy-duty, 1,764-kg capacity model. The NVG 241 transfer case has a 1.0:1 high gear and 2.72:1 low gear, with a 4.10:1 final drive gear ratio. Dual 12V, 850 cca batteries are fed by a 180 amp alternator; four 12V outlets are provided in front and rear. The factory can fit a 12V to 24V DC converter (45 amps), Euro IV emissions, and full size doors with windup windows.
The engine is a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel rated at an impressive 118 kW (158 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb.-ft.) of torque, with towing capability of up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs.). A five-speed Chrysler 545RFE automatic transmission connects to the Command-Trac® four wheel drive system.

The J8 also has a unique air intake with Donaldson air filtration and a hood-mounted snorkel to go through up to 30 inches (762 mm) of water, or to tackle zero-visibility sandstorm conditions for up to five hours. Top speed is 140 km/hour; fuel capacity is 85 liters; and gas mileage is an estimated (Euro IV) 11 liters/100 km.

Available as a two-door with an extended pickup bed for personnel or equipment transport, or a four-door multipurpose vehicle, the J8 is produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right-hand- or left-hand-drive.
The Jeep J8 is armor capable and could be used as a command vehicle, troop/cargo carrier, ambulance, or communications vehicle. Heavy-duty bumpers with tow eyes allow the Jeep J8 to be easily transported by air. Curb weight is 2,600 kg; trailer towing is rated at 3,500 kg; gross weight is 3,864 kg.

An armored version of the Jeep J8 was the first vehicle to be certified under BRV 2009 VR7 for ballistic protection using hot-formed steel technology to create an external, non-parasitic protective shell. The BRV 2009 standards (which range from VR1 to VR7) are stringent and require the entire vehicle to be subjected to comprehensive destructive testing, including multiple shots from the appropriate type of ammunition. The car, including firewall, windshield, rear, roof, sides, and aperatures can be shot at from any angle; VR testing certifies the bulletproofing on the vehicle itself for real-world applicability.

VR7 protection is similar to the B7 level (most Middle Eastern armored cars are at the B6 level).

[deerslyr]

Thats freaking sweet! Turbo diesel and a dana 60 rear end?!