Driving a lifted 6-Speed JL Wrangler for two days. AMA

"412GTI" (sixspeedab)
01/08/2019 at 16:43 • Filed to: jeep wrangler, Jeep, Manual, Wrangler JL, Ama

2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited in it’s natural habitat besides the mall.

I get to drive this beauty around for a couple of days while my friend tries out my GTI. It’s a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport Soft Top 6 Speed Manual. Modifications include - 2 inch lift, 35 inch tires, cold air intake, and a Superchips “tune”. I apologize I don’t know all the brands for the Mods, but I’ll try to find out when I do a review.

Quick notes:

JL interior is SO much nicer than previous Wranglers, while still staying true to what makes it an iconic machine.

I’ve driven a few stock JL’s and the lift sucks. They made a lot of improvements in the JL and the lift reverses those .

Soft Top is somewhat noisy, but so so easy to operate. God, I wish it was warmer out.

HOT TAKE - The 8 speed automatic is the way to go in the Wrangler. The manual is fun in it’s own way, but it doesn’t make this SUV. The Wrangler is geared tall and it feels sluggish with the 35's.

Have any questions? Let me know!

+5 HP for stickers

DISCUSSION (13)

Censored > 412GTI
01/08/2019 at 18:54

I lothe the Wrangler sticker on the hood. It isn’t a rubi or a moab.

I wish I could afford a JL 4dr sport to accompany our TJ rubi. They are so nice looking and look good with 33s and 2" of lift. 6 is a bit excessive for parking lots.

Just Jeepin' > 412GTI
01/08/2019 at 19:28

I’ve driven a few stock JL’s and the lift sucks. They made a lot of improvements in the JL and the lift reverses those.

I’m confused by the wording on this . Are you saying you can already tell that the Jeep you’re driving has a sucky lift that makes it drive worse than the sto ck JLs you’ve driven ? Is it a MOPAR lift?

412GTI > Just Jeepin'
01/08/2019 at 20:03

The lift made this Jeep worse to drive over a stock JL. I never enjoyed how JK’s drove and love all the improvements made in the redesign.

I found out it’s a Rough Country 2.5 inch lift. I don’t think is necessarily a bad lift, more so that I just don’t like how it drives.

412GTI > Censored
01/08/2019 at 20:06

I love that sticker as well! The improvements made over the JK are great. I bet 35's would make this a little nicer to drive.

Just Jeepin' > 412GTI
01/08/2019 at 20:07

I’ve never heard great things about RC lifts except they’re cheap.

Divemistress > Just Jeepin'
01/09/2019 at 01:06

So glad I am not the only one trying to understand this wording.. It made no sense.

CRider > 412GTI
01/09/2019 at 04:34

Rough Country lifts are great if you like a Rough ride. I guess the g uy can afford a $40k Jeep but can’t be bothered to spend money on the suspension...

pizzaman09 > 412GTI
01/09/2019 at 06:51

Ive driven a stock manual JK Rubicon unlimited and really likes it. The long throws and long clutch pedal matched the trucky feel. What about the manual don’t you like in the JK?

i86hotdogs > 412GTI
01/09/2019 at 07:39

I would only op the manual in the 2 door, sport trim. Anything bigger is jut a mid sized SUV. I’ ve never driven the JL, but a stock 2 door sport KL with a stick was fun on and off the road.

Jeepingib > 412GTI
01/09/2019 at 07:58

Rough Country is one of the roughest lifts out there. The lift makes a lot of difference. Some brands like Rough Country use heavy spring rates and poorly valved monotube shocks. And others use progressive or dual rate coils, c orrect the geometry of the links, and proper shock valving to make it ride very similar to, or better than stock.

412GTI > CRider
01/09/2019 at 09:40

Good to know. He’s never been a Jeep guy, so that might be why he chose it over a Mopar lift or another brand.

Nevertheless, this one will be for sale soon and he’s going back to a sporty car.

412GTI > i86hotdogs
01/09/2019 at 09:44

Agreed. The stick was more fun when stock, but now with 35's it’s a bit sluggish. 2 door is the way to go if you truly want a Wrangler experience.

CRider > 412GTI
01/10/2019 at 04:12

A Mopar lift is just a Teraflex lift with a ~100% markup, but it would ride a hell of a lot better than a RC lift. I don’t think those tires help either- I don’t even know what they are but they look like they’d scare off anyone who doesn’t have lockers that get used weekly . And a cold air intake on a Jeep is a, uh, interesting decision. That and the Superchips tune lead me to think this gu y just throws crap on his cars without much thought.