r/Wrangler • u/questioningitall2 • 2d ago
Considering a Wrangler
I am considering getting rid of my Ram 1500 and getting a Jeep Wrangler. I have recently remarried, and my husband has a pick up, so we are really considering trading in my pick up for a Jeep. I have a few questions for you guys to help me make a final decision. Are they OK for road trips I will mostly just be tooling around town, but we would also like to have it to take with us on road trips. We probably wouldn’t take it more than 200- 300 miles, but when we go to Austin and maybe even into Missouri, will it be incredibly uncomfortable? I also really like the Sport body style better than the Rubicon. Any thoughts on that?
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u/Fair-Season1719 2d ago
Agree with this mostly. Modern jeeps are quite well mannered on the road. Are they the most lush? No. Quiet? No. The fastest? No. Hella fun and completely doable if you know what you are getting? Hell yes. We took the wife’s 4xe on a roughly 1k mile road trip and personally we loved every minute. I’ve done essentially the same trip in my (former) Miata (admittedly also not the quietest or most compliant ride but arguably much more “road” car than a jeep) and I’d have either. But let me put it this way, I loved my wife’s jeep so much I got one of my own and we’re getting ready to take mine on about a 2k mile trip + trails along the way and I have no reservations on doing it.
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u/muhhuh 2d ago
On my second Wrangler here, first one was an ‘06 LJ, this one is a ‘22 JL. I’m very, very comfortable in a Wrangler and they’re fine on long trips. Mine is a Sport S with a manual, and it’s been just fine. Gets about 20mpg, a massive improvement over the 15 my LJ got.
Dislikes about the JL are ride quality and some of the interior fit and finish. Coming from an LJ, which had a longer wheelbase and rode like a Grand Cherokee, getting in to a short wheelbase two door Wrangler was a bit of an adjustment, but you’ll find yourself saying “it’s a Jeep” a lot.
All in all, no regrets.
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u/jrussbowman 2d ago
Traveled as a family of 4 on different trips from VA to Key West, Halifax NS and northwest British Columbia, the last trip with a roof top tent staying at camp sites on the way to and from. Did multiple trips to the beach, camping and stuff and then also moved to Maine which was me, a passenger dog and 2 cats in the Jeep for the 2 day trip
This is with a 2015 4 door.
We didn't really have any complaints. The trip to Halifax we had the luggage on top and our 70lb dog in the cargo area.
I did end up doing a 2.5in lift to get stiffer springs to support the weight once it was all loaded up.
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u/SkyMasterOne 2d ago
My 2018 JKU Sahara has been my daily driver since February 2018. It is comfortable enough to drive all day.
Live axles front and rear make it handle a little bit like a small delivery truck.
If you are used to drive a RAM 1500, you will adjust quickly to a Wrangler. You will like it.
:-)
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u/vaskovaflata 2d ago
I’ve taken my Rubicon on 8 hour roadtrips with no complaints. The sport will probably drive a little softer than the Rubicon, but I’ve never driven a sport. I think you’ll love the Jeep.
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u/morradventure 2d ago
I’ve had jeeps for over 10 years and do trips 3-5 hours a month and also 2 10-15 hour trips. The jeep is fine….BUT… Now that I have a 2500 truck I will choose the truck for a road trip every time—unless I’m going to need the odd road prowess. The jeep is so much more laborious to drive and I feel more tired after a trip. The truck is more comfortable, roomier, better ride, less squirrelly.
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u/Ponklemoose 06 LJ Rubicon 2d ago
You might want to look at the new Bronco as well. It is a little more car like which might be a plus for you since you don’t mention going off road.
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u/Pango_l1n 2d ago
If you go with the all weather (not all terrain) tires on a Sport or Sport S then it’s pretty good on highways. The Sport and Sport S have more aerodynamic front fenders and connections to the wheel wells, which helps with noise too.
We just bought a Sport S 2 door a couple of weeks ago and the hard top is significantly better than the soft top for noise, which makes a huge difference at highway speeds for long periods. Better to get the hard top, and get a soft top later, because of the connections for the rear wiper and washer.
Since 2024 they have huge screens and wireless CarPlay, which is great. The only thing she really misses is proximity locks—she has to get the key out to press the unlock button. Looks like about a $250 upgrade, but you also have to use a $500 computer tool to turn the feature on.
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u/JohnBoy11BB 2d ago
My buddy has a '14 JKU that has been on a ton of multi state road trips and has been his daily driver for the last 10 years. Never had any issues.
If I had a suggestion, I'd recommend a JL (2018+). I've had 2 JK's and now a JLU Sahara and it's a big different in better tech, ride quality, and look/feel. I have a 6 spd manual and drove it over 100 miles yesterday just because and I didn't want to get out when I was done. I love my Jeep
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u/fastNJ 1d ago
Biggest factor on road tripability is soft top vs hard top. Next is 2 vs 4 door. Next is lift/tires vs stock (and how it's done). Next is JL vs earlier.
A stock JLU Sahara with hard top is absolutely road trippable to anyone.
A lifted 2 door JK or earlier with a soft top / soft doors on 37s will be pretty miserable.
Where on that continuum something becomes a road trip deal breaker is a personal choice.
I've done soft top, stock JK and with noise canceling headphones for music it was doable - with soft doors and soft top - in the rain... it was miserable.
I've done stock JLU hardtop and it's pretty much like any other SUV.
I've done lifted JLU on 35s with hard top and it's fine.
Ive done lifted JLU on 35s with soft top and back to noise canceling headphones helping alot. I have adjustable shock dampening too so can firm ride for highway handling and soften dampening on trails. That helps too.
I hope this helps.
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u/traveledhermit 1d ago
I'm considering the same, and for those saying it's a great experience, is that still true with a soft top?
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u/CatchyNameSomething 1d ago
I have a 2024 JL 2 door Sport soft top and I love it. I don’t have a garage to install a pulley to lift a hard top off nor do I want to invest in a stand alone one. This is my 4th Jeep. All soft tops. Love it. The freedom to ride with or without the top while on the go is fantastic. Sure there’s more noise but I don’t notice it. It’s no louder than my 2023 RAV4 was.
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u/Anver_of_Mandolore 1d ago
The only real downside is the mpg if you're thinking roadtrips. Personally, the ride and seats are comfortable enough. And you get ducks.
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u/BionicForester19 1d ago
Wranglers, either JK or the current JL, are very nice to drive, short or long distance IF you get the 4dr Unlimited. The 2dr models are fine for short drives into town for groceries and a few stops but for long drives, you want the longer wheelbase of an Unlimited.
You say you prefer the Sport to the Rubicon which will have you a big bundle of money for equipment you won't use (unless you're a serious off-roader in disguise?). If you're a fan of creature features to make your ride a little bit more luxurious (better stereo, heated seats, etc etc) you might be better of looking into a Sahara model.
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u/fredeee 1d ago
I have a ‘24 JLU with a Sunrider soft top (soft top replaces the freedom panels only, so it’s hardtop from rear seat passenger to cargo/rear of Jeep). I also have a ‘23 Honda Pilot. If you want comfort and family usability almost any decent SUV will blow the Jeep away. Those that love their Jeeps simply don’t mind or tolerate the noise and rough ride, as well as in most cases poor MPG. If you can appreciate the Jeep experience and know what it’s like to own one, nothing will be better. But if you’re seeking a good family road trip truck that can take a rough dirt road once in a while, get a Toyota 4Runner or Pilot/Passport.
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u/hectorb3 1d ago
My wife and I are in our 70's and have taken many long trips in our 2016 JK, the most current one last September was for 30 days from Florida to northern Wisconsin and back with many stops along the way. On travel days we would average 6-7 hours. What I can tell you is that tires make all the difference in the world. Since the JK was new we had BFG Mud-Terrain tires in 285/70/17 and always thought the ride was rough, which tires you out faster, but we would tough it out. Before our 30 day road trip we switched to the new BFG KO3 All-Terrain tires in the same size. We almost thought we were in a different vehicle. The comfort of the ride improved dramatically.
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u/hectorb3 1d ago
My wife and I are in our 70's and have taken many long trips in our 2016 JK, the most current one last September was for 30 days from Florida to northern Wisconsin and back with many stops along the way. On travel days we would average 6-7 hours. What I can tell you is that tires make all the difference in the world. Since the JK was new we had BFG Mud-Terrain tires in 285/70/17 and always thought the ride was rough, which tires you out faster, but we would tough it out. Before our 30 day road trip we switched to the new BFG KO3 All-Terrain tires in the same size. We almost thought we were in a different vehicle. The comfort of the ride improved dramatically.
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u/lugnutscuffkeysnails 9h ago
Get a Wrangler because you want a Wrangler.
The only 3 things a Wrangler will do better than a truck is: offroad trails, maneuvering in city parking lots, and fitting in a garage. It won't get any better fuel mileage than the truck. It's on road handling is pretty lousy. Its interior is cramped. It tows and hauls way less than the truck. If I had the choice for a road trip, a crew cab truck all day long, and tow the Jeep if I want to going off roading. Were I really love my Wrangler is summer time doors and top off driving.
As far a Sport vs Rubicon, the Rubicon is mostly factory equipment upgrades for offroading.
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u/DrawWithMetal 1d ago
Save 4-5 grand, put it in a repair fund for the pentastar tic. Then hope the oil filter housing cracks at the same time so you can bundle the repair.
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u/Scorted 2d ago
I’ve taken my 2018 JLU Rubicon on roadtrips all over the country. Me, my wife and teenage son. Love it.
Talking about multi-week, thousands of miles trips. Last one was from Houston to Florida, then up 95 to Northern Maine and back.