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JK questions as a Daily Driver

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JeepRocks86

· Some Call me RockDog
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm seriously thinking of getting a 4 door JK Sahara as a Daily Driver

Currently I drive a 95 Diesel suburban and it's my DD and Tow Rig. I plan on trading the suburban in to get a new DD. My TJ will be torn down until probably March or April so that will give me time to find another truck as a tow rig.

I'm starting a new Job Jan 9 75 miles away and I will be commuting for a few months until I can find a house. The plan is to drive my fiance's car when it isn't snowing and the JK when it does snow. Hopefully I would only be commuting a couple months or so.

The plan is for the JK to be street only or offroad when "needed". The TJ should be on 40s with a 60/14 Bolt combo etc...

Anyway...
For those of you who DD a JK, how do you like it?
How is the rear passenger space?
Things you like about it?
Things you don't like about it?
I don't have kids yet, but we're planning on having them in a few years. Does a kid's seat fit in the back seat of a JK?
 
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#2 ·
I have a JKU Rubicon that is not only my daily driver but I have also driven it from Houston to Portland ME, and back then to Seattle and back and now we are in Salt Lake City.

While it's not the best ride out there is does not suck either. It's a good fit for me as I am it has room to take my stuff with me with I travel and I still have a off road toy when I get there.

That said if I already had a built jeep for off roading and needed a DD driver SUV then I would probably get something else that gets better gas mileage and has a better ride
 
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#3 ·
For those of you who DD a JK, how do you like it? I love it, my prior DD was a Chevy K1500 fully loaded and this rides as good or better
How is the rear passenger space? Haven't ridden in the back yet or for that matter in the passenger seat either (guess I need to let my wife drive it this weekend :) ) my kids love the back seat
Things you like about it? Turning radius, traction control, and much more
Things you don't like about it? Having to wave every time I pass another wrangler J/K ;)
I don't have kids yet, but we're planning on having them in a few years. Does a kid's seat fit in the back seat of a JK? yes
Click to expand...
Summary: 75 mile ride, especially in a Sahara should be a fun and comfortable ride
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
The TJ has a full cage, going with coilovers on all 4 corners and I'm going to be stretching the wheelbase even more than it already is to probably around 103-105 ish. As it sat a few weeks ago, It was about 100"

I have looked into getting a Grand Cherokee, but it just wouldn't be the same.

The thing is, if I bought a new vehicle, I get a discount through work on Ford and Chrysler products.

I've thought about an Escape, but according to the numbers, a 6cyl all wheel drive one gets around 23-24mpg and the explorer is about the same.

I would really like something with round headlights haha. We'll see, I appreciate the input.
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
how does the 3.6 compare to the 3.8 engine?

75 miles would be when the weather is bad. I told my fiance about me thinking of one and she got excited because she loves driving the TJ, except for she always squeals the tires because of the gearing and locker in the rear.

Another thing, as a whole, I have noticed that jeep wranglers seem to hold their value better than other vehicles out there.
 
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#7 ·
JeepRocks86 said:
The plan is for the JK to be street only or offroad when "needed". The TJ should be on 40s with a 60/14 Bolt combo etc...
Click to expand...
that wont last:laugh:
JeepRocks86 said:
Anyway...
For those of you who DD a JK, how do you like it?
Click to expand...
its pretty sweet. smooth ride (compared to my yj).
JeepRocks86 said:
How is the rear passenger space?
Click to expand...
it's not the most confy, but its far more confterble than the back of our 2 doors.
JeepRocks86 said:
Things you like about it?
Click to expand...
its quiet, a/c, good fuel economy
JeepRocks86 said:
Things you don't like about it?
Click to expand...
its made of plastic
JeepRocks86 said:
I don't have kids yet, but we're planning on having them in a few years. Does a kid's seat fit in the back seat of a JK
Click to expand...
yes, a lot of soccer moms love it to haul their kids around :p
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
I figured that "once the tires wear out" and I have moved, larger tires will go on. More than likely, probably once the warranty runs out it will get some modifications.

In an ideal world I would like to have a crew cab dodge 3500, 32' gooseneck trailer, and then tow 2 jeeps on it...

It would probably end up being my "light duty offroad vehicle"

One thing I have noticed when wheeling with JK's is the electronic throttle not having as quick as a response when compared to the TJ.

I'm surprised the JK is only rated to tow 3500 lbs. If I recall the old XJs were rated to tow 5000lbs
 
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
Gotcha. It's not like I'm going to be use the JK towing, it was just an observation. I may put a brake controller on the JK so I can use my trailer as needed for smaller loads, but it wouldn't be hard mounted.
 
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JeepRocks86
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