JKU vs JLU for a daily/all around vehicle

paulevans76

paulevans76

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
York, SC
I'm hoping to get some opinions from those who have driven both and can give me their opinion on whether the creature comforts and updates are worth the additional $$ a JLU would demand. This will be my 3x/week commuter, take the kids to sports, tote the Samurai to the trail sometimes, and even wheel a little bit rig. I don't think there's anything else out there (with a removable top) that is able to tick all the boxes for under 40k. Ideally I'd love to be under 30k but I know I'll be into the high 30's if I go for a JLUR.

I really like the aesthetic updates to the JL platform, so I'm leaning toward it, but a well maintained JKU isn't off the table.

I've heard that the JK platform was simpler with less potential for gremlins and such, but now that the JL's have been around for a while, I wonder if folks are really seeing those downsides. The JK platform still seems to have plenty of aftermarket, and the JL has been around long enough that it seems like you can find whatever you want for it.

Also would like to get opinions on powertrain - the 3.6, 2.0 turbo or ecodiesel 3.0. The 3.6 seems to be the most tried and true, and I've heard a lot of folks rave about the diesel, but it comes with some obvious downsides. 2.0 turbo isn't off the table, just don't know much about it. Whatever motor, it's going to have the auto to keep the Mrs happy - I'm assuming the 8 speed in the JLU is likely a ways ahead of the old 5 speed in the JKU.
 
Not apples to apples, but I sold the jk w/3.6l and auto 5spd for a JT 3.0 ecodiesel.

For the money I'd get a jku 3.6 over a jlu 3.6. Not enough juice for the squeeze.
But, I'd take this diesel over any of the rest.
 
paulevans76 said:
Also would like to get opinions on powertrain - the 3.6, 2.0 turbo or ecodiesel 3.0. The 3.6 seems to be the most tried and true, and I've heard a lot of folks rave about the diesel, but it comes with some obvious downsides. 2.0 turbo isn't off the table, just don't know much about it. Whatever motor, it's going to have the auto to keep the Mrs happy - I'm assuming the 8 speed in the JLU is likely a ways ahead of the old 5 speed in the JKU.
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I have nothing to add, other than my thread from a few months ago might have some useful insights:
nc4x4.com

Manual Trans or Diesel Gladiator? (and Rubicon or Mojave?)

After seeing Gladiators that had a $65K MSRP now on sale for $48K, the thought has crossed my mind to sell my 1500 diesel truck and my TJ (and maybe even my car), and just consolidate down into one daily driver/truck/wheeling rig. I’d like to get a diesel with a manual, but that combo is not...
nc4x4.com nc4x4.com
 
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rockmafia said:
Go to carmax, waste their time and drive a JK then drive a JL.
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Yes! This is what dealerships and Carmax are for. It’s literally their job to let indecisive people drive cars and try to talk them into one.
 
I was able to drive one of each motor in the JLU yesterday. I have to say I like the 2.0 turbo and the Eco diesel a lot. The 3.6 is fine but it's really buzzy anytime you mash the gas since all the woopows are in the upper rpms. The 2.0 and diesel both had a lot of torque and drove pretty great.

I did find the soundbar to be very close to my head (I'm sort of torso tall) but didn't bother me while driving.

I was pretty stoked to find out that the Eco diesels all have the dana 44 or m210, whatever it is, up front no matter what trim, so that opened up some options.
 
No help with the 2.0 or diesel but I really like my 3.6 JLU. No towing experience with it, got a Ram 3500 for that.

Wish I had the extra $$ to get a Rubicon but I got a pretty good deal on my 19 Sport S back in January.
 
paulevans76 said:
I was able to drive one of each motor in the JLU yesterday. I have to say I like the 2.0 turbo and the Eco diesel a lot. The 3.6 is fine but it's really buzzy anytime you mash the gas since all the woopows are in the upper rpms. The 2.0 and diesel both had a lot of torque and drove pretty great.

I did find the soundbar to be very close to my head (I'm sort of torso tall) but didn't bother me while driving.

I was pretty stoked to find out that the Eco diesels all have the dana 44 or m210, whatever it is, up front no matter what trim, so that opened up some options.
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I'm biased because I'm a diesel fanboi, but I don't know of anyone who bought the diesel and regrets it. Most everyone who has them rave about them.
 
Well, I almost bought a diesel. One was a fairly bare bones sport with very low miles but the dealer didn't want to come off the price enough for me. Found another one last week, and yesterday finally found time to take the afternoon off of work to run down to Charleston and see about grabbing it, but when I called them, they had sent it to auction the day before 😭 It even had a tan soft top that I was really stoked on.

Instead I went to go look at a pretty well priced 2024 Willys with the 35" tire package (factory lift, big tars, BL-capable wheels, bigger axles, 4.56s, etc). It had the punchy turbo 4 which I loved, but it was otherwise a little too barebones. I made the mistake of driving another Willys with the one-touch sky top and some creature comforts and decided that would be the more responsible and convenience choice for daily driving, family cruising, and occasional trail use. So I pulled the trigger, as I am a man who makes poor financial decisions.

Here's a bad photo of it in the driveway when I got home:

PXL_20240517_013808779.NIGHT.jpg

It has the v6 which I'm still pretty underwhelmed by, but it will be fine. I couldn't find a similar model w the 4cyl within like 150 miles. The 24's have the updated dash screen and the 24 Willys basically have the rubicon suspension and axles minus the front locker and few doodads, and also come w/ 33" Falken MT's. I'm gonna throw some AT's on it and probably pass the Falkens on to the Sami.

Now I'm just mentally preparing for the ducks. Already had someone wave at me. Ugh.
 
paulevans76 said:
Well, I almost bought a diesel. One was a fairly bare bones sport with very low miles but the dealer didn't want to come off the price enough for me. Found another one last week, and yesterday finally found time to take the afternoon off of work to run down to Charleston and see about grabbing it, but when I called them, they had sent it to auction the day before 😭 It even had a tan soft top that I was really stoked on.

Instead I went to go look at a pretty well priced 2024 Willys with the 35" tire package (factory lift, big tars, BL-capable wheels, bigger axles, 4.56s, etc). It had the punchy turbo 4 which I loved, but it was otherwise a little too barebones. I made the mistake of driving another Willys with the one-touch sky top and some creature comforts and decided that would be the more responsible and convenience choice for daily driving, family cruising, and occasional trail use. So I pulled the trigger, as I am a man who makes poor financial decisions.

Here's a bad photo of it in the driveway when I got home:

View attachment 417752

It has the v6 which I'm still pretty underwhelmed by, but it will be fine. I couldn't find a similar model w the 4cyl within like 150 miles. The 24's have the updated dash screen and the 24 Willys basically have the rubicon suspension and axles minus the front locker and few doodads, and also come w/ 33" Falken MT's. I'm gonna throw some AT's on it and probably pass the Falkens on to the Sami.

Now I'm just mentally preparing for the ducks. Already had someone wave at me. Ugh.
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The skyone touch is the best top out there. With the normal tops its just too much of a hassle most of the time to put it down.
 
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