VIDEO : BENEFITS of a BASIC JEEP

Brute

Hooked
Ripley, I feel your pain...after over four decades of wearing flip flops all year long, it takes awhile to getting used to fully encasing your feet for a good part of the year...and with temps reaching 117 degrees, I wouldn't go out barefoot either...
 

nmwranglerx

Caught the Bug
Great video you guys. Great points regarding the benefits of a stock Jeep. My first Jeep was a stock TJ with a manual and though I have a JKU on 37s now, my old TJ has a special place in my heart. I’d probably still have it if it hadn’t been stolen. I know it’s a cliche but sometimes less is more. Anyways, it’s nice to see this new (or renewed) direction with WAL.
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Great video! It is true that sometimes we get so wrapped up in mods that we forget how much fun ‘basic’ is. My first Jeep was a bone stock 1950 Willys and some of my best wheeling memories were in it. Simple and basic can be very relaxing.

Ripley did not look amused!!
Thanks! Glad you liked it and way cool that your first Jeep was such a classic. Bummer that you don't have it anymore.

As far as Ripley goes, no, I would say that she wasn't LOL
Ripely’s shoes were too cute.

spot on with the stock Jeep too. The JL platform is amazing stock. When is the trail ride video?
Hoping to get some kind of trail videos coming soon. Just been super busy with so many other things, the most we've been able to do are videos like this. Again, hopefully soon.
what timing! I was having a similar discussion with my daughter about how, as much as I like the long arm on the JL, I wish I had left it stock since my JKU was really setup for the type of rock crawling I would ever do and the JLU Rubi stock was really all I needed for the "normal" off-road trails when I go when camping or getting to back country fishing locations. no rocks big enough to hurt anything and even in Moab, there are ways to get around obstacles and still enjoy the trails.

With the 4.88 gears I do avg better mpg (17mpg on this recent trip at 75-80mph) but stock would've saved me $$$ to update the JKU...
For awhile, I was averaging 18 but 65mph is just too damn slow

oh well, hind-sight .... But, I am now considering another JLU to leave it stock doh!

Good idea on the paw protectors, Ripley didn't seem to mind them too much
LOL - hindsight is always 20/20 but really, there's nothing to regret with what you've got now.
Awesome video Eddie and Cindy! Definitely shows just how capable a stock Jeep can be. I cant wait till Pippi starts getting some parts on her. (y)

Ripley's looking fancy with them boots! :cool:
Parts will come but we're still enjoying her as is. And, whatever parts we do get, they'll all be on the mild side. :)
Great to also see the improvement in MPG that the JL's have over the JK. 21.5 averaging 80 in a stick Jeep? Simply awesome! My auto JK gets anywhere from 18 to 22 depending on speed and hills on the freeway, as it's on stock Rubi wheels and tires as of now. I believe the manual JK averaged 17-19 or so - and that's at 65. My 5 speed TJ with 4.10s and 33s on the other hand... 😅

Oh and I'm a millennial, and I drive a stick. Does that make me a kool kid? LOL
LOL - as a matter of fact, yes it does :cool:
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Cool Video... Do you plan on keeping it 100% factory? Tires, wheels and everything?
Oh no. For a while for sure but we do plan on making a few simple mods. Ideally, all within what you could get from the factory on something like a Rubicon.
I agree.

My JKU is stock and basic: manual 6-speed, manual windows & doors, factory rims, etc. We do look a bit old school when waving to all the other mod'ed Jeeps on the road.

It's an '11. Maybe if I hang on to it for another decade, it will become a collector. Hah!
LOL - every Jeep is a collector to me :D
Nice video, love 21 mph. And easy in and out too. There are good points to having a stock keep.
Now for Ripley, she’s is a trotter when she has her boots on. :)
She needs them now.
LOL - a trotter, I like that!
And yes, we can easily get way better MPG on the highway. This thing is amazing!
Ripley, I feel your pain...after over four decades of wearing flip flops all year long, it takes awhile to getting used to fully encasing your feet for a good part of the year...and with temps reaching 117 degrees, I wouldn't go out barefoot either...
LOL - it's been crazy hot down in the Vegas area.
Great video you guys. Great points regarding the benefits of a stock Jeep. My first Jeep was a stock TJ with a manual and though I have a JKU on 37s now, my old TJ has a special place in my heart. I’d probably still have it if it hadn’t been stolen. I know it’s a cliche but sometimes less is more. Anyways, it’s nice to see this new (or renewed) direction with WAL.
Awesome! Glad to hear you've enjoying our Pippi Project! :)
 

Robar

The Enforcer
I was watching this video again and saw that this model has a very short shift as compared to previous Jeeps, almost like a car. Is the clutch a long push or shorter like a car also?
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
I was watching this video again and saw that this model has a very short shift as compared to previous Jeeps, almost like a car. Is the clutch a long push or shorter like a car also?
Sorry for not seeing this sooner and yes, the shifter is way nicer than previous manuals offered in Wranglers. Nice and tight and feels sports car like. Unfortunately, the clutch is still a long push and actually takes some getting used to.
 
Your Pippi project has been fantastic. It is important for me to understand what my basic sport JL with stock street tires can do. Most sites show videos of Rubi's doing things.
Question - would you be willing to install a lunchbox locker (Torque, Aussie, etc) in the front and see how it works. The FAD supposedly eliminates many of the steering problems with a lunchbox locker in normal non 4wd street driving.
Then in the rear and see how it works. If it works well, it's a chance for an affiliate sales link for you.

Ditto for one of the Torsen LSD's (Eaton or NItro I believe). - these currently only go in the front and the preload may not be very compatible with the FAD. I wish they sold one for my back axles. My only off roading is going to be beach and possibly floods and mud. Here in Houston it's pretty flat and non rocky.

One issue with the stock JL Sport is that we have the M186/Dana 30 in the front and the M200/Dana 35 in the rear and there are not many traction aids that are made for our axles.

Some folks claim that's because the axles are too weak to handle a locker. Others say they are much bettern than the original Dana 30/35 and as long as your tires aren't huge it will be ok.

You have a unique skill set.
1. you are a good mechanic and can install stuff yourself.
2. you have easy access to trails and to snow to test things.
3. you have a bone stock jeep
4. You have a well developed youtube site and great video editing
5. your dog is cute.
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Your Pippi project has been fantastic. It is important for me to understand what my basic sport JL with stock street tires can do. Most sites show videos of Rubi's doing things.
Question - would you be willing to install a lunchbox locker (Torque, Aussie, etc) in the front and see how it works. The FAD supposedly eliminates many of the steering problems with a lunchbox locker in normal non 4wd street driving.
Then in the rear and see how it works. If it works well, it's a chance for an affiliate sales link for you.

Ditto for one of the Torsen LSD's (Eaton or NItro I believe). - these currently only go in the front and the preload may not be very compatible with the FAD. I wish they sold one for my back axles. My only off roading is going to be beach and possibly floods and mud. Here in Houston it's pretty flat and non rocky.

One issue with the stock JL Sport is that we have the M186/Dana 30 in the front and the M200/Dana 35 in the rear and there are not many traction aids that are made for our axles.

Some folks claim that's because the axles are too weak to handle a locker. Others say they are much bettern than the original Dana 30/35 and as long as your tires aren't huge it will be ok.

You have a unique skill set.
1. you are a good mechanic and can install stuff yourself.
2. you have easy access to trails and to snow to test things.
3. you have a bone stock jeep
4. You have a well developed youtube site and great video editing
5. your dog is cute.
Sorry, I have no interest in installing a lunchbox locker on Pippi. From experience wheeling her without one, I just don't feel it's necessary. The traction control system does a great job of doing what I need her to do and more just fine.

That said, I did install an Aussie Locker about 20 years ago on my TJ and you can see a write-up on it here:
 
Sorry, I have no interest in installing a lunchbox locker on Pippi. From experience wheeling her without one, I just don't feel it's necessary. The traction control system does a great job of doing what I need her to do and more just fine.

That said, I did install an Aussie Locker about 20 years ago on my TJ and you can see a write-up on it here:
Cool, thanks for the info. I clicked on the link and realized I had already read that article - google finds all kinds of stuff. Good write up.
Your experience with traction control is especially helpful. My wheeling will be much less extreme than yours, largely because of geography.
If your Pippi doesn't need any type of locker or LSD (mechanical, not pharmaceutical) then I expect I don't either.
 
Nice comparison vid. 21 miles per gallon in a Jeep? Holy shit.
I got 20.6 MPG in my sport 2 door JL with Michelin street tires. This is average for the last year. 7000 miles or so.
I picked up some Nitto Terra Grappler G2's and Rubicon Jk wheels for almost free. $300 for a set of 5, lots of good tread left ... more than 50%.
These new wheels and tires have dropped my MPG to 20.4 based on 400 miles of mixed city/highway driving. Which is interested because the tire and wheel weigh less. Rolling resistance must be higher.

current Nitto Terra Grappler G2 265.70.17 40.2 lbs/tire 31.65” dia 10.7” wide aluminum JK rubicon wheels

original Michelin 245.75.71 45 lbs/tire 31.5” dia 9.9 wide black steel wheels – probably weigh more
 

cozdude

Guy with a Red 2-Door
I got 20.6 MPG in my sport 2 door JL with Michelin street tires. This is average for the last year. 7000 miles or so.
I picked up some Nitto Terra Grappler G2's and Rubicon Jk wheels for almost free. $300 for a set of 5, lots of good tread left ... more than 50%.
These new wheels and tires have dropped my MPG to 20.4 based on 400 miles of mixed city/highway driving. Which is interested because the tire and wheel weigh less. Rolling resistance must be higher.

current Nitto Terra Grappler G2 265.70.17 40.2 lbs/tire 31.65” dia 10.7” wide aluminum JK rubicon wheels

original Michelin 245.75.71 45 lbs/tire 31.5” dia 9.9 wide black steel wheels – probably weigh more
The terra grappler is an a/t tread where the Michelin is a highway tread for better economy.
 

Gdeyarmond

New member
Without question, Cindy and I absolutely love Moby, our 2007 Jeep JK Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited! We love that he's sitting on an EVO Double Throw Down suspension system, has Dynatrac ProRock axles, is running a set of 40" Nitto Trail Grapplers, has a big, loud and powerful Motech 6.2L LT V8 under the hood and is crazy capable out on the rocks or bombing across the desert. In fact, we love all our built up Jeeps including our 2018 JLUR and 2020 Gladiator and if only because they can take on just about anything as well. But, there is something to be said about the benefits of a basic Jeep. And, in this short Pippi Project video, I'll highlight a few of the things that I’ve been thinking about, ever since bringing home Pippi, our brand new 2021, JL Wrangler 2-Door Sport.

I'll dig up an old thread here, how is the clutch holding up on Pippi with wheeling it? We have a 24 MT on order, which is obviously taking a while with the recall...
 
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