YEA or NAY : Computer Controlled Electronic Jeep Components

How do you feel about Computer Controlled Electronic Jeep Components?

  • GIVE IT TO ME : The more computer controlled electronic components the better

    Votes: 6 4.5%
  • I HATE IT : Just give me the basics and I'll take care of the rest

    Votes: 46 34.6%
  • I'M ON THE FENCE : I like the idea of electronic stuff but worry about it's reliability

    Votes: 77 57.9%
  • I DON'T CARE : Makes no difference to me

    Votes: 4 3.0%

  • Total voters
    133
“Computer controlled” is my greatest concern because it takes hackers very little effort to hack a vehicle’s onboard computer. The more computerized our Jeeps become, the more vulnerable they become. Tech is a great thing provided the owner has control of the information our vehicles are programmed to share, and the ability to secure the computers from hackers.
Just name your vehicle's computers Epstein List. Even the greatest hackers can't access it.
 
I'm on the fence because my 2020 Jeep Rubicon is everything I wanted in a 4x4 but I've had lots of issues with the electronics. Within 8 months, the dealer replaced the batteries twice. Had a horrible experience with that dealer. Jeep Cares had to step in and get the repair done right. Last year the center display between the tach and speedometer went out. The new dealer, who I have had a great experience with replaced it. My only gripe is the dealer said that Jeep knows about the failure and I had to pay for the repair when it should have been repaired as a safety issue. When you have no idea how much gas you have, or what warning lights might be on. Now I have a random issue with the hydro assist electric pump going out and coming back on around 5 seconds later. The dealer did try to get it to fail, but no luck. They did clean the electric plug, and so far, it hasn't occurred.
 
I'm on the fence because my 2020 Jeep Rubicon is everything I wanted in a 4x4 but I've had lots of issues with the electronics. Within 8 months, the dealer replaced the batteries twice. Had a horrible experience with that dealer. Jeep Cares had to step in and get the repair done right. Last year the center display between the tach and speedometer went out. The new dealer, who I have had a great experience with replaced it. My only gripe is the dealer said that Jeep knows about the failure and I had to pay for the repair when it should have been repaired as a safety issue. When you have no idea how much gas you have, or what warning lights might be on. Now I have a random issue with the hydro assist electric pump going out and coming back on around 5 seconds later. The dealer did try to get it to fail, but no luck. They did clean the electric plug, and so far, it hasn't occurred.
Look at the PSC w/ ram assist kit that also replaces the power steering pump… I had it installed a few months back and it is amazing- so much better than stock.
 
Proven, time tested electronics I’m fine with. Such as ABS, traction control, electronic fuel injection, ignition/timing etc. Navigation, cruise control and other driver comforts. Hell even e lockers and sway bar disconnects are in things I don’t mind at all.

Even things like transfer case. Completely depends on vehicle and application. I enjoy the sticks for manual engagement. But I think auto 4/4 transfer cases are great for the daily driver mommy missles.

Where I don’t like seeing electronics is the suspension components. Like fords live wire or whatever it’s called shock valving. Or even jeeps air bag and shock suspensions that are adjustable on the fly in the Cherokees and such.


Want to know my most hated electric festure? Wranglers shit ass adjustable seats! I fucking HATE them. Beyond slow and pointless. If my wife drives I have to start the jeep while pressing the brake and ignition while standing outside (picture that how you will) and then hold the stupid button to slide the seat back so I can fit.

Every other manufacturer has a memory feature so I don’t have to do this stupid routine. It should default to full access like every other damn vehicle with electric seats.
 
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There is certainly a balance to be had and in some cases tech can be more efficient or faster.

Just a small example of what I don't like...A manually controlled transfer case is so important to me. If I had a dollar for every time a new Bronco wouldnt shift into 4wd or 4L I would have $3. While that's not a lot of occurrences it sucks the computer wont shift it unless it meets all of its criteria.

One of these times we had a Bronco come off a ledge too hard and went into some 'crash mode' or something. Came out of 4wd and wouldnt shift back. We had to drag it all over Merus to get it back to the top. We pulled the battery on it over night and it decided to start working again in the morning. 🤷‍♂️
 
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There are a few things in modern vehicles that I like; ABS; Fuel Injection; Power Windows when I have the factory doors on; Air Conditioning.

Everything else -- like VVT; all the nanny safety stuff like traction control (one of my least favorite); the stupid things like throwing the vehicle in park when you open the door while driving; reconnecting the sway bar disconnect over 17 MPH; can't start the vehicle without getting in and stepping on the brake and so on -- the manufacturers can keep. I have never had traction control kick in when on the pavement. Even when driving in snow covered or wet pavement. The only time it kicks in is when I forget to turn it off and I am trying to get somewhere off road (on dirt roads/trails). Usually in snow. Then it actually does more harm than good. Sometimes I just need to gun it in 4WD with the wheels turned to get it to stop going straight over the edge of the road. But nope. Hit the gas and you get the ta-da-da-da-da from the engine and no power.

On my street bike, on the other hand, I'll take it all. My street bike has traction control; wheelie control; ABS; launch control. I can adjust engine breaking and the level of safety intervention. Or I can turn each off individually. It works by using a 6 axis IMU and accelerometers which can predict emergency situations. It is revolutionary. I also wear a tetherless air-bag vest. It can sense when I am in a middle of a crash and deploys the air bag in milliseconds.
 
after diving my 09 JKU 3.8 v6 6speed for 16 years, I see no reason to upgrade to JLU/JT I have it set up the way I want it and that is good enough for me. when it comes time to replace the 3.8, I'll replace it with an LS3 6.0 V8 6 speed auto. My wife's 19 JL sport has been problem free in 6 years 40,000 miles we've had it.
 
I'm on the fence.

I hate all the computer controlled electronics, but I guess if they want people to buy them as daily drivers they're gonna need to offer it. And what's good for the brand is good for us.
 
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