Picking on 4 door JKs

[Waytec]

I have a question for the old timers. When the Jeep Cherokees started to appear on the trails lifted and trail ready did they receive the same welcome the 4 door JK’s are getting?
Why is it that everyone hates them? Are you jealous that you can carry more then your transformers lunch box and a tow strap or is it that the hole family is out breeding more jeepers and carrying all the gear you would ever need. I view them as the replacement for the Cherokee and there is lots of them on the trails going place that is leaving the TJs behind crying because they would not make it.
 

[Immortal]

I have wondered that as well...
Maybe it is all the "refinements" that the JKs have?

Inquiring minds want to know.....

[dunl]

All the ZJ owners did the same thing when the WJ's came out....NAGCA was a real battleground for a while.

[Vinman]

It's just a shame Jeep built them without an adequate engine, from an under powered, gas sucking inline to a under, under powered minivan engine.
Where is the 4.7 V8 or better yet, the Hemi?

I've only driven an 07 twice, (both were 2dr autos') and couldn't believe the lack of power. I swear my old 2003 Rubi on 35's with stock gearing had more power than those JK POS

[Toyman]

I agree with Vinman.  I wanted one until I drove one.  It made me think I needed to start a family to "appreciate" the powertrain.  Less tourque and power, same mileage.     If they come out with the 3.0 CRD in the 4 dr JK, I'll be on one right quick. 

Much of it comes down to being a Jeep purist, if there is such a thing.  When the first lifted Cherokees hit the trails, it was the same thing, "why whould you want to 4X4 that?"  many a Jeepster must have thought....  And then the aftermarket manufacturers saw this and replied by pumping out the XJ lift kits.  I think overall, many Jeep people are afraid of change.  Look at how many "new" Jeeps have leaf springs now, like they all did 20 yrs. ago?  If you ask me, a REAL Jeep should come with springs of some sort from the factory to support their solid axles.  At least the JK's don't have IFS, like the Compass & Patriot do...they're both stationwagens.   

[RedDog]

I struggle with the size of them. When I see an older CJ, I'm reminded of how ridiculously large Jeeps have gotten, including my TJ. There are quad ATVs getting close to the size of early Jeeps. The first time I saw a JK with all four doors removed I thought it was a tourist tram from Universal Studios.

[Tinkerer]

So they *didn't* use the V6 from the Libby?  That motor had a lot of pep... we sure kick ourselves for getting rid of it, even with IFS etc.

We certainly could use the room, having a family and raising a Jeeper   It's tough cramming everything into a TJ for a camping trip for 3 and the wife isn't really sold on a trailer... she figures if we're going to have to haul something, it should be a hardside, which BTW, the JK comes rated for a higher towing capacity (mainly due to wheelbase I'm sure).

[Bnine]

Most people are resistant to change. Its pretty natural, and usually blows over.

And for the record, I still pick on XJ's   

[SwampSinger]

Most people are resistant to change. Its pretty natural, and usually blows over.

And for the record, I still pick on XJ's   

stop.... I'm a sensitive man.  :'(

[fug]

Thats why you have an XJ Dom... cause there's room for your purse. 

[Hi Lo Silver]

I have a question for the old timers. When the Jeep Cherokees started to appear on the trails lifted and trail ready did they receive the same welcome the 4 door JK’s are getting?
Why is it that everyone hates them? Are you jealous that you can carry more then your transformers lunch box and a tow strap or is it that the hole family is out breeding more jeepers and carrying all the gear you would ever need. I view them as the replacement for the Cherokee and there is lots of them on the trails going place that is leaving the TJs behind crying because they would not make it.
 

How far back do you want the old timers to go to answer your question? The YJ's received the same welcome back then when they quit making jeeps for a few years then brought out those goofy looking square headlight things, followed by the station wagon.  What I find funny is all the jeep worshipers that came up with all kinds of negative threads, pictures, topics and so on about the Hummers, and now you have Chrysler coming up with the next best thing that looks just like one. Be hard pressed to tell the difference from the back with them standing side by side. You want bush pigs for going on tight trails and rock ledges, or you want something that can slink thru and not even adjust a mirror?

[Spinalguy]

ha,ha,ha...
my sentiments exactly. The JK looks like an aborted union between an H2 and H3. i do not like either of those and i sure don't like the 4 door JK. YUCK!
Interesting how many Hummer bashers bought 4 door JK's

BUT, IF and i do mean IF i had a family and was allowed to buy a 4 door family vehicle, i would buy the RUBICON 4 door JK. It is the only reason i would even entertain a JK purchase. The 2 door i LIKE!

P.S. The engine sucks too

[Waytec]

I think it is funny. So many people hate the 4 door, but Jeep can not build them fast enough. I also don’t see the comparison to the Hummers ( besides the point, what I have been reading Hummer will be up for sale shortly  and the same group that purchased Chrysler has shown an interest, so their might be a cross bread one day) I have not test drove one yet, but the big complaint is not enough power, that is a result of all the environmental stuff I guess.
Everyone keeps saying that if their was a CRD option they would go for that, I don’t think there will ever be a diesel here in North America. The emissions are getting so tight that even the truck engine manufactures are not making it with out having to sacrifice fuel mileage. CAT is getting out of it all together for now. The extra cost of the diesel engine will be a $5000 to $10 000 more and the cost of diesel is more then gas. Do to design the new hemi will get better mileage over the diesel, I think I am going to wait a couple of years until the JKs are flooding the used market get one cheep and then shoe horn a hemi into one. Oh ya it will be a 4 door. 

[ert01]

4 dr JK's are just too big and too underpowered. Why Jeep decided to scratch the 4.0L is beyond me. Heck I find even the 2 doors look a bit on the large side... Jeep has quit making any narrow, SWB, trail ready vehicle and replaced it with a minivan. Or an alternative for people who want an H3 but who don't want to be classified as "Hummer" people...

See the similarity:

[Waytec]

Ok I now see the similarities, never seen the two side by side.
I still like the JK and I also like the H1 (I am a guy) and the H3.