Gruffid
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Jay
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2020
- Threads
- 24
- Messages
- 265
- Reaction score
- 211
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 JLUR 3.6L; 2021 JTR EcoDiesel
- Build Thread
- Link
- Thread starter
- #1
Hey guys,
I've had my JT for almost three weeks. I picked it up the Saturday prior to thanksgiving. Since then, I've put Rock Slide Engineering steps, the MOPAR trailer brake controller, the 67 rail and phone holder, and a couple of cosmetic things like sill protectors, window vent shades, etc. I've also towed a 5500 lb trailer about 320 miles through the Texas hill country. Here are my thoughts so far:
The buying process: I ordered my JT from Mac Haik in Georgetown, TX using the Tread Lightly Affiliate benefits and the price negotiated was the price I paid for the vehicle. My salesperson was communicative - especially as my JT was getting closer towards delivery. I got an "average" trade for my F-150. Unfortunately, their service department was less than impressive. When I asked them to install the trailer brake controller, the dude said that my vehicle didn't have the right extra wire. He was wrong (poor service technician knowledge on the brake controllers was addressed by another member here in his review), all JTs come with the extra wire, as it's part of the 7-pin harness. So, they were pretty much worthless for me. I even had to tell them to install the front license plate bracket.
Things I wish I had ordered differently:
- I wish I had opted for the steel front bumper
- I wish I had opted for the slush mats
- I wish I had not ordered the dual top option. I'll probably sell the soft top.
The vehicle is fantastic! That said, I have some things that just bother me. I traded a 2019 F-150 King Ranch with the 3.0L powerstroke diesel for my JTRD. There are some things that are not "wrong" but different that I liked better with the ford.
- Adaptive cruise control: the JT doesn't hold a stop like the ford does. For those who haven't had a ford, when the ACC brings you to a stop, it will hold the stop until you tell it to start up again. The JT doesn't. It stops you, then you have to maintain brake pedal pressure to remain stopped or you'll idle into the vehicle in front of you.
- Suspension is harsher in the JT, probably something to do with the solid front axle. To the point that the 67 designs phone holder drops my phone when going over a particular railroad crossing. I really have to slow down when I know there's an obstacle. It's just not something I'm used to needing to do with my previous truck.
- it's a bit noisier. Not a big deal, but something I'm getting used to.
- the transmission leaves some room for improvement compared to the Ford's 10-speed
The disappointing:
- quality control - at least one body mount bolt wasn't threaded on properly and wasn't flush against the frame. Making it even more problematic, it was stuck and wouldn't turn. So, my local dealership (not the same as the sales dealership) is getting the parts ordered so they can fix the factory's problem.
- The Manual mode for the transmission thinks it knows better than I do and won't hold the gear I told it to. Here's the scenario: I'm going through the hill country in Texas. If I just leave it in "D" it will hunt through the gears, going back and forth - usually between 5 and 6. If I drive the transmission and downshift before getting to the hill, I can prevent the hunting... mostly. But when I put it in a gear, and I'm in manual, it should stay in that gear unless the computer thinks something dangerous or harmful to the vehicle is going to happen (overspeeding for instance). But the transmission thinks it knows better than I do about a hill that I can see (it can't), and I don't like it.
The stuff I'm really happy about:
- towing capability - this thing tows my 26' Jayflight really well. I got 1 MPG better fuel economy with the JT compared to the F-150 even though they weigh about the same (the JT and the F-150).
- The sound of the engine. This thing sounds fantastic!! Way better than the Ford's 3.0L power stroke.
- It's a Jeep Truck.
I have some notes about my Rock Slide Engineering install that I'll share in the How To section that are not in the installation instructions you get with the steps.
I've had my JT for almost three weeks. I picked it up the Saturday prior to thanksgiving. Since then, I've put Rock Slide Engineering steps, the MOPAR trailer brake controller, the 67 rail and phone holder, and a couple of cosmetic things like sill protectors, window vent shades, etc. I've also towed a 5500 lb trailer about 320 miles through the Texas hill country. Here are my thoughts so far:
The buying process: I ordered my JT from Mac Haik in Georgetown, TX using the Tread Lightly Affiliate benefits and the price negotiated was the price I paid for the vehicle. My salesperson was communicative - especially as my JT was getting closer towards delivery. I got an "average" trade for my F-150. Unfortunately, their service department was less than impressive. When I asked them to install the trailer brake controller, the dude said that my vehicle didn't have the right extra wire. He was wrong (poor service technician knowledge on the brake controllers was addressed by another member here in his review), all JTs come with the extra wire, as it's part of the 7-pin harness. So, they were pretty much worthless for me. I even had to tell them to install the front license plate bracket.
Things I wish I had ordered differently:
- I wish I had opted for the steel front bumper
- I wish I had opted for the slush mats
- I wish I had not ordered the dual top option. I'll probably sell the soft top.
The vehicle is fantastic! That said, I have some things that just bother me. I traded a 2019 F-150 King Ranch with the 3.0L powerstroke diesel for my JTRD. There are some things that are not "wrong" but different that I liked better with the ford.
- Adaptive cruise control: the JT doesn't hold a stop like the ford does. For those who haven't had a ford, when the ACC brings you to a stop, it will hold the stop until you tell it to start up again. The JT doesn't. It stops you, then you have to maintain brake pedal pressure to remain stopped or you'll idle into the vehicle in front of you.
- Suspension is harsher in the JT, probably something to do with the solid front axle. To the point that the 67 designs phone holder drops my phone when going over a particular railroad crossing. I really have to slow down when I know there's an obstacle. It's just not something I'm used to needing to do with my previous truck.
- it's a bit noisier. Not a big deal, but something I'm getting used to.
- the transmission leaves some room for improvement compared to the Ford's 10-speed
The disappointing:
- quality control - at least one body mount bolt wasn't threaded on properly and wasn't flush against the frame. Making it even more problematic, it was stuck and wouldn't turn. So, my local dealership (not the same as the sales dealership) is getting the parts ordered so they can fix the factory's problem.
- The Manual mode for the transmission thinks it knows better than I do and won't hold the gear I told it to. Here's the scenario: I'm going through the hill country in Texas. If I just leave it in "D" it will hunt through the gears, going back and forth - usually between 5 and 6. If I drive the transmission and downshift before getting to the hill, I can prevent the hunting... mostly. But when I put it in a gear, and I'm in manual, it should stay in that gear unless the computer thinks something dangerous or harmful to the vehicle is going to happen (overspeeding for instance). But the transmission thinks it knows better than I do about a hill that I can see (it can't), and I don't like it.
The stuff I'm really happy about:
- towing capability - this thing tows my 26' Jayflight really well. I got 1 MPG better fuel economy with the JT compared to the F-150 even though they weigh about the same (the JT and the F-150).
- The sound of the engine. This thing sounds fantastic!! Way better than the Ford's 3.0L power stroke.
- It's a Jeep Truck.
I have some notes about my Rock Slide Engineering install that I'll share in the How To section that are not in the installation instructions you get with the steps.
Sponsored
Last edited:
.
