Test Drove a 2.0L Hard Top Rubicon JL today

[steffen707]

It’s funny... everything is always relative to the situation...

My spouse can’t support that fluttering at certain speed when our Jetta TDI sunroof is opened, but she never complains about all the sounds of our Wrangler... A Jeep is a Jeep... the Jeep noise is part of the Jeep experience!!!

my first 2000 Jetta TDI had sunroof, buffeted as well when open.

It just broke 40 degrees or so in Wisconsin, so i had the sunroof open on our 2019 Pacifica. It has that piece that pops up to deflect some wind so it doesn't buffet, but guess what? It does, lol Cracked a window a smidge, no more buffetting.

I was not aware of that... I’m not judging you, I’m only sad and sorry for you!

But your future is promising... I’m seeing your dream Gladiator on the horizon!!!

I sorta lied. I drove a friends wrangler about 15 years ago for about 10 minutes, but i think a few things have changed from his to the JL.

I definately need to test drive a soft-top, and then with the top off or down.

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[5JeepsAz]

my first 2000 Jetta TDI had sunroof, buffeted as well when open.

It just broke 40 degrees or so in Wisconsin, so i had the sunroof open on our 2019 Pacifica. It has that piece that pops up to deflect some wind so it doesn't buffet, but guess what? It does, lol Cracked a window a smidge, no more buffetting.

I sorta lied. I drove a friends wrangler about 15 years ago for about 10 minutes, but i think a few things have changed from his to the JL.

I definately need to test drive a soft-top, and then with the top off or down.

 

[steffen707]

HOLY BALLS! There is a thread 60 pages long about buffeting, wind noise, windshield seals, freedom panels, lower A pillar covers. my lord!

Maybe its time for jeep to just make the windshield permanently up, or hire some new engineers.

ANYWAYS, we'll see what happens when the JT comes out, perhaps the windshield and tops are tweaked a bit (for the better).

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/hard-top-wind-noise.3477/page-58

 

[5JeepsAz]

HOLY BALLS! There is a thread 60 pages long about buffeting, wind noise, windshield seals, freedom panels, lower A pillar covers. my lord!

Maybe its time for jeep to just make the windshield permanently up, or hire some new engineers.

ANYWAYS, we'll see what happens when the JT comes out, perhaps the windshield and tops are tweaked a bit (for the better).

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/hard-top-wind-noise.3477/page-58

Do what now?

 

[steffen707]

Do what now?

lol, maybe i'll have to suck it up if i want all the plywood and top down amazingness.

 

[Lou3.6]

My JL's hard top doesn't buffet much on the highway. But on rough gravel roads it does. It drives my wife crazy.

Once I put the Sunrider for hardtop on in place of the freedom panels it got better.

Something I look forward to adding to either a JL U or JT as well .
Far as the Freedom Panel's as the buffeting cause . . . one issue pointed out is the possibility of some defects in the rubber seals or missalignment of the seals during placement or the panels . . . apparently they can be "fickle" ! I think they should do away with the 2 panels and make it just ONE more in the shape of a rectangle and operate like the Renegade SKY ONE (?) roof panel option ! No need for the Bestop then, and no need to "store" anything !

ps; edit on 23rd -- Over at JL there are Threads that delve deeper into this, with various solutions.

 

[Lou3.6]

lol, maybe i'll have to suck it up if i want all the plywood and top down amazingness.

Oh . . . or, I hear Mercedes is coming out with a pickup ! Wonder if the one with a sliding sunroof will have some of that buffeting too ? Damn wind, can't we just do away with wind ?

 

[steffen707]

Oh . . . or, I hear Mercedes is coming out with a pickup ! Wonder if the one with a sliding sunroof will have some of that buffeting too ? Damn wind, can't we just do away with wind ?

It's not the winds fault. My parents 76-77 triumph spitfire convertible doesn't do this buffeting thing, British 70s technology?

 

[Lou3.6]

It's not the winds fault. My parents 76-77 triumph spitfire convertible doesn't do this buffeting thing, British 70s technology?

THAT's because THAT "sporty little" deathtrap is all "swiss cheese" - no way for it to Buffet. Does that buffet come with a full salad bar too ?
My best friend growing up had a new one (1970). side note, a year later I would have a new 1971 FIAT Sport Coupe. Also my dumb-ass brother (of +1.5yrs.) bought a used one (1966 ?) in 1970. It was in need of "death wobble" repair ! As a passenger or driver, you felt like your ass was scraping the road ! That's how LOW you felt after "falling into" the seat . . . getting out & into an upright position was "work" ! If not buffeting, every window and ragtop shook, rattled and "rolled" over 50mph. If you got it up to 70mph, you came to the realization that ONLY God could save you now ! Ah, the good times ! . . . Thanks STEFF, once again someone has sparked old memories of days gone by ! What a wonderful place this is !

 

[steffen707]

THAT's because THAT "sporty little" deathtrap is all "swiss cheese" - no way for it to Buffet. Does that buffet come with a full salad bar too ?
My best friend growing up had a new one (1970). side note, a year later I would have a new 1971 FIAT Sport Coupe. Also my dumb-ass brother (of +1.5yrs.) bought a used one (1966 ?) in 1970. It was in need of "death wobble" repair ! As a passenger or driver, you felt like your ass was scraping the road ! That's how LOW you felt after "falling into" the seat . . . getting out & into an upright position was "work" ! If not buffeting, every window and ragtop shook, rattled and "rolled" over 50mph. If you got it up to 70mph, you came to the realization that ONLY God could save you now ! Ah, the good times ! . . . Thanks STEFF, once again someone has sparked old memories of days gone by ! What a wonderful place this is !

lol, it sure is a "sporty little deathrap". Took my HS girlfriend to prom in that badboy. Ahh the memories. It also threw its radiator fan into the radiator at 60mph driving to a car show. I spent my own money as a 20 year old fixing my parents Triumph, cuz I felt bad. She's still got a new radiator with upgraded electric fan. The old one was, "pressed on", not even held on with a bold or nut, lol.

I guess if i just crack the beer window a smidge all the time buffeting can't occur, right?

 

[Lou3.6]

lol, it sure is a "sporty little deathrap". Took my HS girlfriend to prom in that badboy. Ahh the memories. It also threw its radiator fan into the radiator at 60mph driving to a car show. I spent my own money as a 20 year old fixing my parents Triumph, cuz I felt bad. She's still got a new radiator with upgraded electric fan. The old one was, "pressed on", not even held on with a bold or nut, lol.

I guess if i just crack the beer window a smidge all the time buffeting can't occur, right?

Your guess is as good as mine ?

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

HOLY BALLS! There is a thread 60 pages long about buffeting, wind noise, windshield seals, freedom panels, lower A pillar covers. my lord!

Maybe its time for jeep to just make the windshield permanently up, or hire some new engineers.

ANYWAYS, we'll see what happens when the JT comes out, perhaps the windshield and tops are tweaked a bit (for the better).

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/hard-top-wind-noise.3477/page-58

I test drove a JL maybe two weeks ago. I noticed the buffeting as well. I chalked it up to open windows... but it was annoying. I am going to read through that thread... buffeting is definitely a buzz kill...

 

[MojitoWrangler]

There are so many little things that contribute to the buffering sound. Slight miss alignment of the hardtop from the factory, and or freedom panels, installation of rubber seals, etc. I test drove two different JLU Rubicons, both on the highway and rough roads, at speeds over 80 mph for several miles and experienced no buffering noise. I have had buddy’s Wranglers in the past that we’re silent but later buffered after taking the top off and had to play around with it to get rid of the noise...... it’s a Jeep thing. Also when it comes to Wranglers wandering, expect the Gladiator to track and ride much better with its extra length and Ram truck rear suspension and different tires. Even one of FCA’s engineer expressed how much better the Gladiator road on Michigan’s pot holed roads compared to his Wrangler lol. One more thing to keep in mind that the Gladiator hardtop will have different aerodynamics than the Wrangler, maybe slightly better or worse but still pretty much a brick lol.

 

[steffen707]

I test drove a JL maybe two weeks ago. I noticed the buffeting as well. I chalked it up to open windows... but it was annoying. I am going to read through that thread... buffeting is definitely a buzz kill...

windows were closed on my test drive. I have read it could be the upper window seal, or possibly a freedom panel that isn't sitting just right. I guess they're finicky. One way or another you should be able to cure it, but it was just frustrating. I noticed the wind noise at 70mph, but also didn't have the radio on. I can deal with wind noise, but that helicoptering noise was just bothersome. i'm sure they've fixed the JT. =)

 

[steffen707]

There are so many little things that contribute to the buffering sound. Slight miss alignment of the hardtop from the factory, and or freedom panels, installation of rubber seals, etc. I test drove two different JLU Rubicons, both on the highway and rough roads, at speeds over 80 mph for several miles and experienced no buffering noise. I have had buddy’s Wranglers in the past that we’re silent but later buffered after taking the top off and had to play around with it to get rid of the noise...... it’s a Jeep thing. Also when it comes to Wranglers wandering, expect the Gladiator to track and ride much better with its extra length and Ram truck rear suspension and different tires. Even one of FCA’s engineer expressed how much better the Gladiator road on Michigan’s pot holed roads compared to his Wrangler lol. One more thing to keep in mind that the Gladiator hardtop will have different aerodynamics than the Wrangler, maybe slightly better or worse but still pretty much a brick lol.

good insight Mojito. Gotta wait and see. Or actually wait and TEST DRIVE!

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