Was Getting a Jeep Wrangler a Mistake? 

I actually had a Bronco on order, that has been on order since October of 2021. I got sick of waiting (since Ford still isn't sure when it will even hit production), and bought a Wrangler Rubicon Recon as well. Honestly, zero regrets. I'm loving it more than I thought I would. I have a lot of the same complaints (so to speak) as you, but the off-road capability, interior touches and size are all big factors that make me love it. Here I thought the Wrangler would be temporary until my Bronco comes in, but now I'm totally sold and will not be picking up the Bronco whenever it finally gets built.

I have a 2021 JL Rubicon. You can't beat the offroad performance of a solid front axle on technical obstacles, and still have a daily driver that can safely drive on the highway to the trails you want to get to. I agree with your steering and hardtop assessment, but there are mitigations you can do. There are great aftermarket headliners that will solve most of your noise and heat problems. They are cheaper and better than the Mopar headliner. I made a custom install headliner using raw materials I cut and sewed myself; very similar to the Hothead Jeep headliner kit. It's made all the difference. It will even make your stereo sound better. There is an adjustment screw on the top of the steering gearbox, set at the factory, that Jeep does not recommend adjusting or it may cause premature wearing of the internal components. It's easy to get to. I moved mine a quarter turn and then tightened the locking nut to factory torque. I marked the nut with a paint pen to see if it ever moves. It made my Rubicon on 2.5" of lift and 37" drive like a real car at highway speeds. We shall see if my adjustment fails my stearing box.

You sir bought the ULTIMATE stock off road vehicle that you can still daily drive! Period!

I do believe a Jeep Rubicon is the Ultimate off road machine. I went 2022 4Runner TRD Pro because it will do very good off road but will be a 99.9 % better daily driver with extreme reliability. This is my first Toyota and I have had Jeep Ford Chevy and GMC. I am not a rock crawler just a Hunter and Fisherman and I tow a fishing boat as well. We all have to pick what is right each of us, there are a lot of good choices these days.

This is such a great video! I have had a 2020 Willy's Sport S and a 2021 Wrangler Rubicon JLU. About 7 months ago, I traded the 2021 in and got a 2022 Rubicon 4xe, and it's been really great so far with 0 issues. The 4xe is a heavier vehicle due to the battery pack and hybrid components, but I also feel it drives better than my 2021 rubicon did, especially in windy conditions. I've done quite a few road trips on the 4xe and its been super comfortable (but still loud like my 2021 at hwy speeds). I'm very happy with my purchase so far.

I have been watching Offroad, Overlanding, and and most important....Jeep videos for a few years. Thanks RU-vid algorithm for getting right this time.. You got a new sub, like, and share from this Jeeper!! Nice video Scorch!

Hello Jonathan, I’m enjoying your informative channel and congrats on your new Jeep; it looks awesome! Very cool slo mo shot thru the mud hole ! I bought a 2023 JLRU XR in December with not much forethought. After a string of Tacomas and 4Runners (3 of each) I decided to change it up. Always thought I wanted a Jeep Wrangler but was leery of its ride at highway speeds. My text drive was a good experience and shortly after purchase, I drove Colorado to Ohio (2700 miles round trip) over the holidays and found it surprisingly comfortable. Mine is earl clear-coat with black hardtop and fenders; engine is 2.0 which I find very torquey. Love the XR pkg with the 35s, perfect setup for me without having to do a bunch of mods. Out of necessity, I did get some (front) mud flaps (weathertech, I haven’t installed yet). Interesting re the roof heat, good to know. Cheers, Andy in Denver metro.

I am extremely happy with my 21 rubicon jl, I think I am going to dynomat the floor this summer to help with the cabin noise but it's not that bad. It is significantly louder than a 4runner for sure inside at highway speeds but nothing that's not that unmanageable. I have read on the forums that using some sound deadening on the floor makes a huge difference.

Not sure what all the concern about wireless CarPlay, most of the times you need your phone plugged in so it can charge…

For give a better interior experience. I highly suggest get headliners and upgrade the floor mat to armor lite, which are thicker and provide better control temperature, same as the headliners. They both do reduce outside noise but the wind noise will always be there. Not high but it will be there.

Nice video. We bought a Wrangler last June while waiting on a Bronco, which finally arrived the end of November. Like them both, but if I had to give one up it would probably be the Bronco. Thanks.

Happy with my 2020 2-door Wrangler Rubicon, but ordered a 2023 2-door Bronco Badlands w/Sasquatch and some other goodies, Sep 2022, anticipating a 2-year wait. Ordered white body and roof on my Jeep and Bronco (well, considering custom white roof on the Bronco), because enjoy exploring off the beaten desert paths without getting baked. Also, prefer my tunes plugged in via hardwired connections. Various pros and cons work out to make my Jeep and the Bronco equally appealing.

I just purchased the same Jeep Wrangler rubicon extreme recon. I’m extremely happy with it. If it feels like it takes two hands to shift into 4 low I’m guessing your sitting still while your shifting. I felt the same thing. I checked the owners manual and it says you should shift into neutral and let the Jeep roll while shifting. After doing that it’s just as smooth as shifting into 4 hi. Hope that helps

Nice Jeep and great video. Thanks for sharing. Just a thought on the wireless CarPlay, when your phone isn’t plugged in and it is operating a GPS with CarPlay, your battery will burn right through, so you will end up plugging it in anyway.

Install a new Fox or Falcon front Steering Dampner (stabilizer) and it won’t wander any more 👍

I just bought a High Tide with Xtreme Recon package. Love the look. Forgot why I hated Jeeps. Kinda have buyers remorse and probably should have purchased another 4 Runner. Maybe the shocks an be changed to help with the ride quality. Its always been a love/hate with Jeeps for me and this one is no different.

Get a wireless CarPlay device you plug in your armrest storage and it’s awesome. I have one that I used that I love and recommend. As I was tired of plugging it into all the time

You can add wireless CarPlay to you jeep. It’s a little dongle that will plug in your center console and make your CarPlay wireless

Great car, camera, and music to 👍🏻

You can buy a dongle like I did for wireless carplay. It's called The Magic Brand, and it actually sounds better than if I bluetooth directly to the head unit.

Cool video. I was thinking about trading my Ram 1500 in for a Wrangler but they dont have enough cargo space. Might have to go with a Bronco, 4runner or even a GC trail hawk.

you can get some sound insulation headliners and also. some sound insulation for the floor, something like a kill mat. Is not that expensive and an easy DIY. It does help a lot, I did it for my Sahara. Is almost like a cheap SUV. at noise level now

As General Mathis said (paraphrasing: This country is screwd after seeing kids struggle to throw their bags in overhead compartments on planes. I can imagine what he would say about people who complain about the on road manners of a Jeep?

Nice video! We have a 392 XR. (My dad’s retirement gift to himself.) One day I might make the shift to a JLUR from my WK2 Trailhawk. Curious- What’s your MPG like? I know it’s a Jeep, but fuel range does matter.

I’ve got jk got it new but hit 70k miles motor problems show up had replaced left cylinder head 3.6l . Only negative I have on Jeep

Looks very familiar. Do you end coming out on chimney peak road. To the 178 i think i did the same run backwards and ended up on the 395 by jawbone.

Nice Rig

Thanks for sharing that awesome ride! Just a fun getaway trip with great footage...felt like I was there myself. 100% agree on everything you said about your Jeep. I'm not a red guy, but yeah, red was sold halfway into the drive. I've been driving Jeeps since my first 1984 CJ7 with the AMC inline/straight 6 and every model since except the TJ. You said it well with no regrets, just compromises. "Only in a Jeep." 👊

I watched a video where they did a Decibel level for noise comparing the bronco and the Wrangler and the bronco was noisier

Dear Jeep, for the love of all that's sacred, get rid of the stupid dual battery system. Signed Jeep enthusiast everywhere.

Just traded a 4runner TRD pro for a JLU Rubi. I just cant get used to Yotas.

Complain or compliment; what we should focus on is he had a smile or a least a smirk for almost the entire video.

is it a 3.6v6 or i4

Hey Jonathon, I'm a novice, but would like to go out with you guys. I have a bunch of questions who can I talk to?

Toyota 4Runner is my vehicle of Choice. Specially since I can’t afford to be going to repair shops as often. And I don’t think I wanna buy a new rig every 7 years.

You say geared better what gears we talking about 4,56 or 488 or just 4,10s lol

Just enjoy what you dtive without a need to validate or justify. Who cares? Just enjoy the trip.

Did you go with the 2.0 or 3.6?

I had the Jeep with the 392 package and the XR package. I liked a lot, but didn’t love it. Traded it after 10 months for a Ford Tremor. Was just not my cup of tea but in general it was a pretty bad ass all around vehicle. There are times I wish I still had it due to the narrow trails here in the Southern Calif mountains but I think at the end of the day, I made the right decision.

So the $1 million question…..when the the run for the Club??

👍👍😎🇺🇸

Jeep wranglers are almost always a mistake, but we love them. I have my 2dr jk…

your only mistake was not getting a mytop

Desert Lizard: Hey there, Hawk. Have you seen that middle-aged man driving his red Jeep Wrangler Rubicon through the desert lately? Hawk: Yeah, I saw him flying around yesterday. He looked like he was having a blast. Desert Lizard: It's funny how humans try to escape their mundane lives by buying material things. That man thinks he's free because he's driving a Jeep, but he's still a slave to his desires. Hawk: Hmm, that's deep. But have you seen the video he made of himself driving through the desert? He looks like he's sweating rainbows. Desert Lizard: Sweating rainbows? That's ridiculous. Hawk: No, seriously! He's all happy and smiling, and the colors of the rainbow are dripping down his face like sweat. Desert Lizard: Well, I suppose if it brings him joy, then who are we to judge? Hawk: Speaking of judging, did you see that shirtless old man in cutoffs yanking on a lawnmower starter cord over there? Desert Lizard: (chuckles) Yeah, I saw him. What a character. Hawk: He reminded me of how humans always try to control their environment. They mow their lawns and pave their streets, but nature always finds a way to reclaim its territory. Desert Lizard: True, but let's not forget the beauty that humans can create. Have you heard of diamond rain? Hawk: No, I haven't. What is it? Desert Lizard: It's a phenomenon that occurs on certain planets where the atmosphere is rich in carbon. When lightning strikes, it causes the carbon to solidify into diamonds, and it rains diamonds from the sky. Hawk: Wow, that's incredible. Maybe someday humans will create something equally beautiful. Desert Lizard: Maybe they already have, in their own way. That man and his Jeep may seem trivial, but to him, it's a source of joy and freedom. And in a world that can be so dark and heavy, that's something to be valued. Hawk: That's true. Maybe we should all take a lesson from him and find our own sources of joy and freedom. Desert Lizard: Agreed. And who knows? Maybe we'll all be sweating rainbows someday.

I've driven many vehicles and I don't see the problems that you're talking about with the Jeep I think you just Way too sensitive And probably paid by other people And if you want a real Bronco get the old one with the solid axles that actually is a Bronco not these jockey ones of today's looks like boxes bouncing around