YEA or NAY : Computer Controlled Electronic Jeep Components

[SmokeyJoe101]

For my daily driver Jeep I want all I can get, spoil me. When I had a strictly trail Jeep, I like not having any of it for the exception of fuel injection. Carbs suck

 

[Andy5160]

When I saw your voltage thread I was relieved that I don’t have to deal with it any longer. I am happy with the level of technology JK has for what I need it. I do admit I like all the tech that my daily GMS Sierra has however I can indeed live without it.

 

[AZVAJKU]

Some of the gizmos are required by federal law and some are marketing ploys.

I think it should all be a choice, in other words options that you can choose if you want them or not.

As far as ABS- a well trained driver can out perform ABS, fact. However about 99% of the population are not well trained. Most people like this option or don’t even know what it is or what it does.

When it comes to auto stop/start that shit is like herpes and nobody has time for that.

I would really like to see vehicles available with a large menu of options that you can pick from, however I know that manufacturers like forcing you to buy the most expensive vehicle they can, therefore they stack options on to drive up the vehicle cost. Being able to buy vehicles with lockers, V8’s and 60’s but leave off the auto climate control and lighted vanity mirrors would be nice. More buyer choice is the American way.

 

[kent5]

I don't mind electronics when they are doing things that cannot be done efficiently via manual methods.

But "more electronics, simply because we can"? I vote NO on that.

 

[Ddays]

Things I want in a Jeep:
Rotary knob & lever operated controls
dial gauges, speedo & tach
roll up windows
stick shift
electric mirrors
manual t-case
straight axles
NO abs
NO traction control
Simple electronic ignition
Simple EFI
manual door locks
heated steering wheel
Manually adjusting and reclining seats

And call it good. remote start is tempting but I can do without it. So is no electronics at all or EFI, but I remember what a pain in the ass carburetors & chokes were in the winter.

 

[MojaveMike]

I like that we have the features. I just hate not knowing the longevity of those features. There are tons of CJs and YJs still on the road. They were basically a motor and wheels. Everything being controlled by the infotainment system somewhat worries me, in 15 20 years will we be able to replace the worn out info system? I know there are some already aftermarket like Stinger. Will it be like Kraco stereos in the 80s 90s? We can pick them up at Walmart? Just a lot of ifs for me. I don’t plan on selling my Mojave I would like it be with me for next however many years and still be like it is now.

 

[benatc1]

I’d say on the fence, I like some of the modern technology but reliability certainly isn’t the best, which makes it dicey when you’re off the grid, and some of it is just wild. Like for example my wife’s expedition is 8 months old and the blower fan stopped working, no mechanical issue, but it needs a code from Ford engineers to upload into computer to correct it, and in order to get it plugged in to upload the whole dash has to come out lol. So yea on the fence

 

[OverlanderJK]

I can't really pick an answer in the poll because one doesn't match mine. I think there is a time and place for it but the market should dictate it. It shouldn't be mandated or pushed on us. For a daily driver Jeep, or anything really, sure they electronic stuff is fine. But for something that I would want to wheel, give me a Rubicon with 60's, ac, direct wired 392 and 35's from the factory. Leave the whole for the radio and I'll add my own. I'll take care of nice seats too and bigger tires.

 

[jeeeep]

I’d say on the fence, I like some of the modern technology but reliability certainly isn’t the best, which makes it dicey when you’re off the grid, and some of it is just wild. Like for example my wife’s expedition is 8 months old and the blower fan stopped working, no mechanical issue, but it needs a code from Ford engineers to upload into computer to correct it, and in order to get it plugged in to upload the whole dash has to come out lol. So yea on the fence

this is why I absolutely hate the auto-climate in the JLU, even with it supposedly off, if it decides the temp is too cold in the middle of August, you get a blast of super-heated air to help remove any exposed skin in its path. When my blower fan would only blow a trickle of air no matter the setting, same shit... dealer re-programming to make it work like it should

Give me a manual controller knob like on the 2015 JKU, that works perfect every time and keeps it at the same temp, same blower output.

 

[benatc1]

this is why I absolutely hate the auto-climate in the JLU, even with it supposedly off, if it decides the temp is too cold in the middle of August, you get a blast of super-heated air to help remove any exposed skin in its path. When my blower fan would only blow a trickle of air no matter the setting, same shit... dealer re-programming to make it work like it should

Give me a manual controller knob like on the 2015 JKU, that works perfect every time and keeps it at the same temp, same blower output.

Yea agreed, it seems to always trickles air even if it’s “off”. So you have to set the temp to low if you actually don’t want heat and then turn it off, very annoying

 

[Gojeepin]

I bought my gladiator new 3 years ago and I’m continuously working on deleting or disabling all the electronic safety crap and other unreliable gadgets.
People do stupid things and the manufacturers need to realize you can’t fix stupid. TPS,ABS, auto start/stop, seat belt warning, auto park, etc. some people should stick with public transportation.

 

[shawnebell]

I bought a Jeep ... not a cellphone.

 

[Bullwinckle]

I’m on the fence about it. I’m not a fan of ABS but do like other stuff like my adaptive cruise control I like. Yes it’s expensive to replace the windshield but is a nice feature to have. Although I feel jeeps in general are getting too computerized and when things break it can get expensive quick or a hassle to chase down.

 

[semicolon]

Great topic! Obviously technology has made automobiles better from a safety, efficiency and reliability perspective, as you stated. I’m sure many remember the challenge carbureted cars could be to start in the winter or when hot.

It’s a double edged sword, when it works it’s usually good, when it doesn’t it’s frustrating. It would be great if we could have the best of both, the benefit of technology and the ability to disable or bypass it when desired.

It always puts a smile on my face to drive old iron with no electronics, unrefined, and feel its personality, but for a daily driver give me the new tech!

 

[Jsouder53]

I like the electronics for a daily driver and everyday use for comfort for the family. The JK is as high tech for an off-road vehicle as I would want. The electronics of the newer vehicles could leave you stranded on a trail without a way to trail repair it easily.

For off road - Shocks should not have electronics in them, just regular valving. The vehicle computers should be in control of the bare minimum, no start stop, no abs, no traction control.

 

[Waterboy2000]

Just give me the basics too. I listen to the radio and use the cruise control. I have a Garmin on a 67 Designs mount. I turn off the ESS. The TPMS goes off too often in the cold. I'm getting old so I'm not off road as much any more, but I can't give up my Jeep.

 

[NPC 6060⁸42]

I gotta admit I love the electronic gizmos though I seriously worry about their longevity. Don’t get me wrong I love old iron as well but more as a visceral driving experience. For daily living and occasional off road use I think my modern Jeep is pretty damn good. I can cruise all day long at 80 plus mph then off-road for days and hop back onto the highway and cruise home comfortably with creature comforts that weren’t even available not that long ago on any vehicle.
Now if I was able to spend more time off-road then yeah give me bare bones.

 

[Bishop72]

I miss my 06 TJ it was easy to fix, all I needed was Chilton book and some tools! Now I have a 2020 JT, I believe that the computer controls too much and you seem to have to rely on the dealership more and with the price of everything going up it’s expensive! (Wow, I wonder if this is how my dad felt 50 yrs ago??)

 

[XT Carol]

I’m thankful that I have a Tazer and that it eliminates the nanny tech. Creature comforts are nice on asphalt, like cruise, heated seats, infotainment, and ABS. When I hit 4-lo, I want ALL of the ABS and traction control crap turned off, and I’d prefer to be in complete control of its functions. You learn how your rig behaves and feels so you know what to expect versus the computer suddenly making decisions for you. I have the hill decent, offroad+ and other gizmos that I refuse to turn on.

I agree & also have a Tazer. It's a weird feeling to be 4-wheeling & feel the Jeep "do things" on its own I didn't ask it to. I prefer most all the computer & electronic things not to operate while I'm off-roading.
Carol

 

[Marlin]

A recent thread revival got me thinking about Jeeps and all the new high tech components that come on them from the factory and are quickly being made available by aftermarket companies.

On the factory end, I am referring to things like ABS that is designed to help you stop faster on slick surfaces and or help you to prevent a slide. Or, traction control which I would be the first to admit, on something like a JL Wrangler, is better than a limited slip differential and at times, feels like you've got lockers. And then, there's things like drive by wire transmission shifters and Infotainment systems that constantly monitor every aspect of your Jeep and lets you know when something is off.

Of course, when it comes to aftermarket products, there are things like computer controlled air bag suspension systems that can automatically level out your Jeep after loading it up and what got me really thinking about starting this thread, computer controlled shock absorbers or what is referred to as, live valving.

Obviously, those are just a few examples of an ever growing list of things on our Jeeps that are now electronically computer controlled and made to improve your driving experience and I was wondering, how many of you are really into all this tech? How many of you are not? And, in both cases, I'd love to hear your reasons why.

Please note, this is a serious question and if you take the time to reply with an answer, you may WIN a pair of WAYALIFE shot glasses

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