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Thinking of a JT...

TexasAg77

TexasAg77

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Thinking of getting a JT to replace our 280+K Tahoe and tow behind the motorhome instead of running miles on the '8. Would like new, but what are any issues and things I should stay away from. If I find a 2-3 year old one, same questions?

Gracias.
 
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I will offer an opinion, we have three in family and drove across country, wheeled the Rubicon and back with no issues.

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1. I bought mine new, other two used. There are some good deals for one owner, clean carfax.com JTs. One year old, low miles is a red flag for service issues.
2. I would pass on the diesel, I had the JL version with issues. Too much heat in small space.
3. The Rubicon model, besides lockers and transfer case upgrades has different fender flares that sit an inch higher. This allows for 35” tires with stock suspension. Because of the length and wheel base this in helpful for even light off-roading. Plus resale value is better on Rubicon.
4. Hard or soft top is a choice. You can find both on FB marketplace to get your final choice. If you buy Soft top equipped JT the rear defrost harness is already installed. It does require buying a bracket kit to hold font freedom panels if switching to hard top.
5. The bed sides are shallow, I think 17”, so smaller bed capacity.
6. From rear back doors forward is like JL, so lots of aftermarket upgrades for interior and exterior. The rear suspension is different and requires JT only parts
7. Even light offroad use a hitch skid
8. Rocker protection and skids are important because of wheelbase.
9. JTs are longer than most mid size trucks.
10. Only truck that can be driven topless and doorless:)
 
rubclt said:
I will offer an opinion, we have three in family and drove across country, wheeled the Rubicon and back with no issues.

View attachment 120021

1. I bought mine new, other two used. There are some good deals for one owner, clean carfax.com JTs. One year old, low miles is a red flag for service issues.
2. I would pass on the diesel, I had the JL version with issues. Too much heat in small space.
3. The Rubicon model, besides lockers and transfer case upgrades has different fender flares that sit an inch higher. This allows for 35” tires with stock suspension. Because of the length and wheel base this in helpful for even light off-roading. Plus resale value is better on Rubicon.
4. Hard or soft top is a choice. You can find both on FB marketplace to get your final choice. If you buy Soft top equipped JT the rear defrost harness is already installed. It does require buying a bracket kit to hold font freedom panels if switching to hard top.
5. The bed sides are shallow, I think 17”, so smaller bed capacity.
6. From rear back doors forward is like JL, so lots of aftermarket upgrades for interior and exterior. The rear suspension is different and requires JT only parts
7. Even light offroad use a hitch skid
8. Rocker protection and skids are important because of wheelbase.
9. JTs are longer than most mid size trucks.
10. Only truck that can be driven topless and doorless:)
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Thanks for the info. Probably take the 8 for wheeling. National and the Sand Scramble are what I tend to do. Thinking more of a driver. Will still get a Tahoe for other trips not with the motorhome. Also looking for a Willys version. Again, thanks for the info.
 
TexasAg77 said:
Also looking for a Willys version. Again, thanks for the info.
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The Wiilys have same high clearance flares as a Rubicon so 35” can go right on, if you choose in future. Let us know if you have any other questions.
 
TexasAg77 said:
Thinking of getting a JT to replace our 280+K Tahoe and tow behind the motorhome instead of running miles on the '8. Would like knew, but what are any issues and things I should stay away from. If I find a 2-3 year old one, same questions?

Gracias.
Click to expand...
How big a fella' are you? ;)

I'm on the bigger side (6'4" - 250), and I could never get comfortable in it. It was way more cramped than my Scrambler!
 
CJ7Pilot said:
How big a fella' are you? ;)

I'm on the bigger side (6'4" - 250), and I could never get comfortable in it. It was way more cramped than my Scrambler!
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Not Sasquatch or Big Walton size so no issue there…. 😁 Have driven the ‘8 from Tex to TN.
 
I love my JT. I'm 6'1", had to lower the seats by 2". There are kits to do this, but I just did it myself.
Stay away from EcoDiesel, they were discontinued for a reason... They like to eat main bearing and grenade themselves.
 
I had two, almost identical, Rubicon Gladiators. One was a 2020 model the other was a 2022.

The 2020 was a disaster, lots of issues and problems (steering box, fuel tank, transfer case linkage, and finally the engine gave up with less then 20k miles).

I got rid of the 2020 model for a 2022 model, had no issues with the 2022 Gladiator. Got rid of it in September 2023 for a 2024 392, wanted something with more ass.

The V6, coupled to the automatic transmission, is a good pair. That 8 speed transmission really keeps that small engine where it needs to be.

My Gladiators were both Rubicons with 4.10 gears and stock tires/wheels. Really happy with the 4.10 gears, would not want a more highway friendly gear with the V6. I averaged 17 to 19 mpg with the stock Rubicons.

Both mine were fully loaded, so leather/heated seats/advance safety systems/smart cruise/hard tonneau covers/factory bed liner, I think just about every option. No complaints with any of that stuff, some nice features.

Both mine were hydro blue, with color matched hard top and flares. Some have black flares and tops. I liked the color matched on certain colors, more of a personal choice.

I prefer the 2024 and up grill and dash touchscreen. Both nice changes for 2024 and up models, again just my opinion.

For a knock around vehicle it is great. For real pick up truck stuff on a regular basis, like towing 5k plus pounds or hauling 4x8 sheets of material, not so great. You can haul 4x8 sheets in the bed but it takes some engineering on your part. Both mine had the max tow packages so they could pull 7k pounds. I towed 5k pounds one time, it did it, but neither it nor I were happy about it. That being said, I did flat tow Andy's complete CJ7 from New Orleans back to Biloxi on the interstate at 70mph with no issues, so....

They are nice enough. They are long, I find my four door JL more parking lot friendly.

If they would have had the 5.7 Hemi as an optional engine I might still have one. The 3.6 is OK, I'm just used to more low end torque like a traditional V8 or the 258/4.0 engines offer. Nothing really terrible with the 3.6, but I most definitely prefer the 392. Again, personal opinion.

In closing, you only live once, get a 392:evil:
 
spankrjs said:
I had two, almost identical, Rubicon Gladiators. One was a 2020 model the other was a 2022.

The 2020 was a disaster, lots of issues and problems (steering box, fuel tank, transfer case linkage, and finally the engine gave up with less then 20k miles).

I got rid of the 2020 model for a 2022 model, had no issues with the 2022 Gladiator. Got rid of it in September 2023 for a 2024 392, wanted something with more ass.

The V6, coupled to the automatic transmission, is a good pair. That 8 speed transmission really keeps that small engine where it needs to be.

My Gladiators were both Rubicons with 4.10 gears and stock tires/wheels. Really happy with the 4.10 gears, would not want a more highway friendly gear with the V6. I averaged 17 to 19 mpg with the stock Rubicons.

Both mine were fully loaded, so leather/heated seats/advance safety systems/smart cruise/hard tonneau covers/factory bed liner, I think just about every option. No complaints with any of that stuff, some nice features.

Both mine were hydro blue, with color matched hard top and flares. Some have black flares and tops. I liked the color matched on certain colors, more of a personal choice.

I prefer the 2024 and up grill and dash touchscreen. Both nice changes for 2024 and up models, again just my opinion.

For a knock around vehicle it is great. For real pick up truck stuff on a regular basis, like towing 5k plus pounds or hauling 4x8 sheets of material, not so great. You can haul 4x8 sheets in the bed but it takes some engineering on your part. Both mine had the max tow packages so they could pull 7k pounds. I towed 5k pounds one time, it did it, but neither it nor I were happy about it. That being said, I did flat tow Andy's complete CJ7 from New Orleans back to Biloxi on the interstate at 70mph with no issues, so....

They are nice enough. They are long, I find my four door JL more parking lot friendly.

If they would have had the 5.7 Hemi as an optional engine I might still have one. The 3.6 is OK, I'm just used to more low end torque like a traditional V8 or the 258/4.0 engines offer. Nothing really terrible with the 3.6, but I most definitely prefer the 392. Again, personal opinion.

In closing, you only live once, get a 392:evil:
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I’ve heard that the 392 will be available in 2026 in the JT….so you’re in luck.
 
John N said:
I’ve heard that the 392 will be available in 2026 in the JT….so you’re in luck.
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If this happens, take my money, please.

I wish I had bought the 392 ilo my 4xe. A 392 JT would be in my driveway if available. (Just hope they offer a cool skittles color like my Reign)
 
I'm on my 3rd JT Rubicon at the moment. All three on 37s. Most people who complain about a JT think they bought a full size truck and feel it lacks in those places. As long as you remind yourself (and it sounds like you are 100% in the right mindset) that it is a mid size truck that does cool things, you will love tooling around in one.
 
Well, we put down some $$$ for a JT... Pick it up Thursday... Found it in College Station, but coming from a nearby dealer... We head home tomorrow to then take Blue to 4x4Land Tuesday, deliver it to Mike Wednesday and come back to College Station to pick it up Thursday morning... Gonna replace blue for trips behind the motorhome, except to the National's and Silver Lake... Will still drive Blue around town, etc, but decided to put it back in semi-retirement... Anyway, Here is what is should look like. Will match the motorhome which is important to Sandra... ;)

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We picked up a slightly used 2022 JT w/max tow package and 33 tires. Its a pretty nice truck and replaced our JKU. I put in a 2" mopar lift, e-locker in the front axle, and plan to put on a winch and skinny 35 tires. I agree on the 3.6L/8 speed trans combo - it does it's job great. Know that the 3.6L V6 makes its power at higher RPM. So in hills, headwinds, especially when towing, just accept that you are going to see some RPM's. They are not your old school lower end torque motors. When towing, we typically tow a tear drop camper. However, for fun I hooked up my car hauler when I had to pick up an old CJ-6 and found that it handled it very nicely. I was really surprised. I was on some twisty back roads running 55-60.
 
Scott_P said:
We picked up a slightly used 2022 JT w/max tow package and 33 tires. Its a pretty nice truck and replaced our JKU. I put in a 2" mopar lift, e-locker in the front axle, and plan to put on a winch and skinny 35 tires. I agree on the 3.6L/8 speed trans combo - it does it's job great. Know that the 3.6L V6 makes its power at higher RPM. So in hills, headwinds, especially when towing, just accept that you are going to see some RPM's. They are not your old school lower end torque motors. When towing, we typically tow a tear drop camper. However, for fun I hooked up my car hauler when I had to pick up an old CJ-6 and found that it handled it very nicely. I was really surprised. I was on some twisty back roads running 55-60.
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Thanks for the input. Driving back this past weekend from TX we had a lot of head wind for a good bit of the time and you could tell on the MPG that it is affect by that in a big way. Will be towing the '8 back from 4x4Land around the first of March and we will see how well it handles on an almost 800 mile trip. Going to FL this Friday so will get another taste of how it does empty on the Interstates...
 
Unfortunately, a Jeep is like driving a refrigerator down the road with the door open when it comes to headwind! We usually lose a MPG or two going into the wind and pick 1 or 2 MPG with the wind behind us.

Towing will drop MPG likely to 10-14 depending on load, wind, speed and hills
 
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Well, I thought really hard on whether to get a JT, but after much discussion with my better half, we decided the shorter wheelbase of the JL is greatly appreciated. Especially since I don’t think the JT could replace the truck duties of our old Tundra (can’t believe that thing is going to turn 20 this year). I was also worried that the color I wanted would not be available when (if) they offer the 392 in the JT.

So, this past weekend I placed an order for a Moab 392 in Reign to replace my Sahara 4xe in Reign. Only 3 options, SkyOneTouch, All Weather Floor Mats, and Warn Winch.

If it was not for this thread I would not have looked at new Jeeps to see the reality of a 392 in a JT which lead me to discovering Reign was available again. When Reign was offered in ‘23 it was only open for ordering 6 weeks. I think the first vehicles were barely hitting dealers before they closed the order bank. I was on the fence and almost placed an order, but when I decided to pull the trigger it was closed. I had to settle for one I found on a dealer lot. I was not going to make that mistake again. Also not making the mistake of getting the 4xe again. I have mixed emotions on them canceling the 4xe hybrid lineup. This is my do over from ‘23.
 
ag4ever said:
Well, I thought really hard on whether to get a JT, but after much discussion with my better half, we decided the shorter wheelbase of the JL is greatly appreciated. Especially since I don’t think the JT could replace the truck duties of our old Tundra (can’t believe that thing is going to turn 20 this year). I was also worried that the color I wanted would not be available when (if) they offer the 392 in the JT.

So, this past weekend I placed an order for a Moab 392 in Reign to replace my Sahara 4xe in Reign. Only 3 options, SkyOneTouch, All Weather Floor Mats, and Warn Winch.

If it was not for this thread I would not have looked at new Jeeps to see the reality of a 392 in a JT which lead me to discovering Reign was available again. When Reign was offered in ‘23 it was only open for ordering 6 weeks. I think the first vehicles were barely hitting dealers before they closed the order bank. I was on the fence and almost placed an order, but when I decided to pull the trigger it was closed. I had to settle for one I found on a dealer lot. I was not going to make that mistake again. Also not making the mistake of getting the 4xe again. I have mixed emotions on them canceling the 4xe hybrid lineup. This is my do over from ‘23.
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Wasn't much else you could order, was there? Saw some of that color Jeep at the dealer in BCS, but I don't think they were 392s.... Actually now that I think about it they were Glads...
 
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