Anyone else feel this way?

[Toyfrog]

I must have a completely different jeep experience than most people. My mojave is planted and direct. I would describe it as neither wandery nor vague. Its like night and day to the last jeep (2 door jk) i drove. I can let go of the wheel and it stays pointed if the road isn't too heavily crowned.

I remember reading in the "manual transmission regret" thread someone described the throws as vague and rubbery and I couldn't help but think "what vehicle are you driving?" because I consider the throws on the jt very directed and precise, even if a touch longer than I'd prefer.

It's not the magic carpet ride my K900 had, but my jeep feels great on road overall.

My 21 Mojave drives like it’s on marbles. New rear shocks are on order at dealership, because both are leaking at 14k miles. Taking it back in a few weeks to have them check the steering stabilizer and check everything up front steering wise. He told me they have been replacing a lot of stabilizers. Make you wonder why the cheap out on the steering stabilizer?

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[sass JT]

I think I would have gotten into a lot less trouble early on if my first vehicle was a Jeep. Big time lead-foot early on.



Is he all torso? I’m 6’3” and change and I’ve got a bunch of headroom.

There’s a lot that I like about my JTR, but the headroom is what tilted me in this direction initially.

Yes yes he is! Lol

 

[MikeyK]

Both daughters had to learn on MT JK’s and now MT JL and JT. Oldest got it pretty quick and now drives an MT Crosstrek. Youngest does the wandering, over correcting, easily distracted thing. We’re still working on it, but I’m glad they got to learn on MT’s.

 

[A 2]

Are those "Student Driver" magnets required in CA?

No. It’s really a courtesy thing. Most people back away and give her extra space. worked great with my other two kids.

 

[Advntrbound]

My first car and first manual (minus the Ford 8n tractor) was a 75 CJ-5 in manual.

 

[A 2]

Maybe she prefers that to pavement.

You may be right. Before she got her permit, I let her drive my JT many times out in the Anza Borrego desert.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I must have a completely different jeep experience than most people. My mojave is planted and direct. I would describe it as neither wandery nor vague. Its like night and day to the last jeep (2 door jk) i drove. I can let go of the wheel and it stays pointed if the road isn't too heavily crowned.

I remember reading in the "manual transmission regret" thread someone described the throws as vague and rubbery and I couldn't help but think "what vehicle are you driving?" because I consider the throws on the jt very directed and precise, even if a touch longer than I'd prefer.

It's not the magic carpet ride my K900 had, but my jeep feels great on road overall.

I wouldn't describe mine as "wandery" either since the steering gear fix.

Frankly, I'd prefer someone learn on something that was less than perfect than to learn bad habits on a perfect vehicle that handles like a $100,000 car and then run into trouble later on one that doesn't do so well.
There are enough people out there taking their hands off the wheel to mess with stuff........... if I was teaching, i'd be "hey, hands on the wheel!". You can wave - just keep the hand on the wheel.
They'll fall to bad habits soon enough without starting out that way.

 

[MikeyK]

No. It’s really a courtesy thing. Most people back away and give her extra space. worked great with my other two kids.

Wife had the same problem finding a spot that was magnetic on her JL. Darn aluminum!!?

 

[Green_Gladiator]

I learned how to drive manual in a 1992 2dr Jeep ... the dam thing turned off more times than I can remember... I never forget how to manipulate a clutch again.

 

[Ar4130]

I must have a completely different jeep experience than most people. My mojave is planted and direct. I would describe it as neither wandery nor vague. Its like night and day to the last jeep (2 door jk) i drove. I can let go of the wheel and it stays pointed if the road isn't too heavily crowned.

I remember reading in the "manual transmission regret" thread someone described the throws as vague and rubbery and I couldn't help but think "what vehicle are you driving?" because I consider the throws on the jt very directed and precise, even if a touch longer than I'd prefer.

It's not the magic carpet ride my K900 had, but my jeep feels great on road overall.

I am with you.
Zero wandering or other steering issues.

To the OP…maybe there is an issue that needs to be addressed in the steering/suspension that is causing that feel your getting.

 

[TheOpa]

On the upside if she can master keeping a Jeep in the road she should be able to drive anything with ease ?

Including a reasonably large ship or boat in rough seas. Before I bought my JT new I test drove one that had apparently led a hard life. To stay in my lane required so much input with the steering wheel it reminded me of standing at the helm of a ship!

 

[TheOpa]

I am with you.
Zero wandering or other steering issues.

To the OP…maybe there is an issue that needs to be addressed in the steering/suspension that is causing that feel your getting.

+1 on this. No trouble at all with steering but everything under mine is upgraded and relatively new - not quite to 5,000 miles yet.

 

[cafecito]

I must have a completely different jeep experience than most people. My mojave is planted and direct. I would describe it as neither wandery nor vague. Its like night and day to the last jeep (2 door jk) i drove. I can let go of the wheel and it stays pointed if the road isn't too heavily crowned.

I remember reading in the "manual transmission regret" thread someone described the throws as vague and rubbery and I couldn't help but think "what vehicle are you driving?" because I consider the throws on the jt very directed and precise, even if a touch longer than I'd prefer.

It's not the magic carpet ride my K900 had, but my jeep feels great on road overall.

This.

Before I got my Gladiator, I read so many posts and watched so many videos of people complaining about how the steering wanders all over and is numb, blah blah. After a year, I still have no idea wtf people are talking about.

Yea, it's not a Honda Civic. The tires are wider and bigger, and the vehicle is heavier. The suspension is a bit squishier, and it's rear-wheel drive. Maybe all of those differences add up to a much larger feel for some people than others, but I have not once experienced any kind of wandering steering.

People need to give Jeeps a bit more credit. Yes, they're off-road vehicles, but they're not nearly as bad on-road as the internet would have you think.

 

[Labswine]

What is this 'wandering' of which you speak? My 2020 Overland (built May/June 2019, delivered to me July, 2019) tracks true and doesn't wander. Handles like it should, a truck not a Ferrari. Never had the steering box touched, stabilizer is just fine as are the shocks. I now have just over 19,500 miles on her.

I learned to drive stick in a 1956 International Cub Lowboy (where the 4cyl. engine block is also the frame) and it had a 3 speed transmission, unsynchronized, and the throttle was a knotched lever that you would move forwards or backwards and the knotches would hold it in place with a spring. I'd shift that thing like it was a car. I even learned to up or down shift without the clutch...throttle settings were important for that...without grinding a pound or two of gear.

My main learning vehicle was a 1974 Chevy Suburban. Took my drivers test in it. The police officer looked at me and just shook his head, probably thinking, "Ugh, another fail coming." Well, it was raining that day but, I did the three point turn (a.k.a. the 'K' turn) without touching the curbs, and everything else perfectly. Well, nearly...when I come to the final stop, the brakes were wet and grabbed a bit. The officer's pen went up the paper a little and I sat there MORTIFIED that I failed for that. He looked at me and said, "Ah, wet brakes. You passed." He also told me he had kids in compact cars fail the 'K' turn and was impressed as to how I handled it in the Suburban

After that, there wasn't anything I couldn't drive. I even got a CDL, testing in a 10 sp. 18 wheeler. Gave it up after a couple of years (tried to get local driving jobs but everyone wanted 3 years OTR experience and I wasn't about to subject myself to that hell) because if you get stopped in your personal vehicle and they see you have a CDL, your fines double because they feel, "You should know better as you're a professional."

 

[Orange01z28]

Added bonus if the student driver has to contend with death wobble

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