JK thoughts

[mrblaine]

After spending a fair bit of time around them and the folks that brought them to us including the Head Engineer, the Chief Designers of both the JK and the Gladiator, and a few of the others, I have a few thoughts.

Regardless of it's similarity to other vehicles in the looks department, there is no mistaking that it's a Wrangler. We had opportunities to see them on the street on several of our runs back and forth between the resort and the Rubicon staging area and they are instantly recognizeable at a distance.

There is not one noteable aspect of the new rig that is not at this point, a significant improvement over the TJ. The only exception to this is the slightly anemic motor in the 4 door versions and then only on the street when trying to hot rod it a bit to catch back up to the crowd. In normal onroad driving, it has ample power. Offroad, it is near perfect for what we were doing.

Incidentally, the new fly by wire throttle rules. There is an alternate throttle response program that kicks in when you shift into 4 lo that provides very even and smooth application of the available motor torque to the tires. It's very nice to drive without the slightest hint of the TJ's very sensitive throttle. We had several 06's as chase and support rigs and after driving the JK, the TJ seemed clunky, touchy, and somewhat crude.

The mid length arm suspension provides a very controlled, stable, and pleasant ride on the rocks. Street handling is considerably better as well. My estimate is that with a 1.5" body lift, a 2" budget boost, and a bit of creativity, you will be able to flat skid the whole underside and run 35" tires.

The brakes are inverted from the TJ. The auto equipped rigs are very touchy when coming out of a TJ and you have a tendency to try to launch yourself into the windshield until you get used to them. The manual's on the other hand were similar in response to the older TJ's with autos. A tiny bit mushy, but on the whole, quite effective.

A couple of neat things- The front swaybar now is able to be disconnected electically from the cab via a push button. Since we were prohibited from either airing down or disconnecting the TJ's tires or swaybars, this contributed significantly to the ride differences.

Both lockers are electric, made by Dana, and function very well. In 4 media trips up Cadillac with at least 17 rigs and drivers of varying degrees of skill, not one glitch was reported due to the lockers. We did have one transfer case shift cable malfunction due to a driver trying to shift while the transmission was still in gear, but that's it.

I never did ascertain the exact size of the front axle u-joints, but they appear larger than 760's and the yokes are significantly bigger than the typical 44 stuff. Almost exactly halfway between a 44 and a 60 in size. It's hard to tell the joint size with as much added material as they put around them.

The sad news is that they won't be building the Gladiator. I'll let those that feel like it guess at the reason, hoping that those that know will be quiet about it until we have a bit of fun with it. I do guarantee you that the answer will suprise you as the response at the factory has been overwhelming in favor of it being a product.

All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend anyone buy a JK that's looking for a very nice and capable rig.

[chef]

Welcome back Blaine. Great insight, you didn't manage to convince them to give you a preproduction loaner for JV testing did you? Sounds promising.

[Allen]

You forgot the negative aspect of the steering feedback.....way too much.

Other than that, your report is spot on and exactly what I'd write as well.

Thanks for saving me all the typing.

Allen

[chef]

Originally posted by mrblaine

The sad news is that they won't be building the Gladiator. I'll let those that feel like it guess at the reason, hoping that those that know will be quiet about it until we have a bit of fun with it. I do guarantee you that the answer will suprise you as the response at the factory has been overwhelming in favor of it being a product.

too niche/take away from the dakota?

[Allen]

Originally posted by chef
too niche/take away from the dakota?

Not even close.

Allen

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by chef
too niche/take away from the dakota?

Not too niche. The designer said that the response to it going into production was overwhelming and everyone at the main office knew it.

[chef]

TOO popular, they'd never be able to keep up with production?

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by chef
TOO popular, they'd never be able to keep up with production?

Wouldn't that be a car companies wet dream?

[chef]

there's a bomb on the production line and if it goes past 55 vehicles a day it'll go off. The demand will be so high that if only 55 gladiators are produced a day, riots will break out across the country and DC will be blamed for the end of humanity.

Dr Z's mustache got caught in the window of the prototype and he axed it.

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by chef
there's a bomb on the production line and if it goes past 55 vehicles a day it'll go off. The demand will be so high that if only 55 gladiators are produced a day, riots will break out across the country and DC will be blamed for the end of humanity.

Dr Z's mustache got caught in the window of the prototype and he axed it.

You're getting closer. The reason is based on the inability to make any profit on the vehicle, you just have to figure out why.

[chef]

it requires some ingredient that DC currently uses all they can of in Dr Z's mustache wax

[Iceman]

cheers guys and gals

That's a pretty close description to what my thoughts are on the new Wrangler, the touchiness of the steering while offroading (read: washboard road) needs some getting used to, but over all it's a blast to drive.

PS: sorry for not contacting you again yesterday Blaine, my flight kept getting delayed and I didn't get to Seattle till 23.30

Can't wait to see some modified JKs on the road and trail

[Dukes69]

I hope you had a HORRIBLE time.




Glad to see you made it back in one piece. Hopfully you didnt scare too many of the media folk with your spotting technique.

[Allen]

Originally posted by Dukes69
I hope you had a HORRIBLE time.




Glad to see you made it back in one piece. Hopfully you didnt scare too many of the media folk with your spotting technique.

It was just awful up there.

On the other hand, the media loved us.....especially Number 1 and Number 2.

Allen

[Iceman]

Originally posted by Allen
On the other hand, the media loved us.....

watch your choice of words

[Allen]

Originally posted by Iceman
watch your choice of words

Why?

Do you regret something you said up there?

Allen

[Joe Dillard]

Wow, what a nice "vacation". Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the Jeeps that were there being tested.

[jeepik]

Originally posted by mrblaine
My estimate is that with a 1.5" body lift, a 2" budget boost, and a bit of creativity, you will be able to flat skid the whole underside and run 35" tires.

thats excellent news..i can bring my JK if it ever gets here, and you can "pioneer" the lift if you want

[Larry Nickell]

Originally posted by Iceman
I didn't get to Seattle till 23.30

Next time you're in my neck of the woods let me know and I'll show you some good NW hospitality.

[ABQ TJ]

LUCKY!

[Iceman]

Originally posted by Larry Nickell
Next time you're in my neck of the woods let me know and I'll show you some good NW hospitality.

yeah, I'm still up for the invitation Larry

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Iceman
yeah, I'm still up for the invitation Larry

Translated that means he's still in Seattle.

[Larry Nickell]

Originally posted by mrblaine
Translated that means he's still in Seattle.

Ha-ha, I got it

Wish I'd known you were coming up Ron, but I leave for Hells Canyon in the morning.

Do you like fish & chips? If so, make your way to Alki beach and get Spuds...best in the world.

[Iceman]

no that translation is not correct
Maybe I should've stated it more thoroughly -> I'm still up for the invite during one of my future travels

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Iceman
no that translation is not correct
Maybe I should've stated it more thoroughly -> I'm still up for the invite during one of my future travels

Meaning he'll be back in Seattle tomorrow.

[chef]

soo....some of you other chumps need to start guessing why the Gladiator won't be produced because I'm running out of creative ideas

[Allen]

Originally posted by chef
soo....some of you other chumps need to start guessing why the Gladiator won't be produced because I'm running out of creative ideas

Want a clue?

Allen

[Joe Dillard]

Originally posted by chef
soo....some of you other chumps need to start guessing why the Gladiator won't be produced because I'm running out of creative ideas

I threatend DC with a nuke Tomahawk & they tucked their tails and bowed down to my threats.

Hmm, lets see.....maybe DC wants to give the Commander more time before releasing another Jeep.

[Allen]

Originally posted by Joe Dillard
I threatend DC with a nuke Tomahawk & they tucked their tails and bowed down to my threats.

Hmm, lets see.....maybe DC wants to give the Commander more time before releasing another Jeep.

Nope.

Allen

[chef]

don't want no stinkin' clue now, i want other guesses :P