Does anyone wish the wrangler platform would shrink...

[AmosMoses]

Over in Africa and other places Toyota has a Landcrusier 2 and 4 door truck available. I think the landcruiser SUV and trucks would do extremely well if they were allowed to be sold here.

It's beautiful

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[Hootbro]

Over in Africa and other places Toyota has a Landcrusier 2 and 4 door truck available. I think the landcruiser SUV and trucks would do extremely well if they were allowed to be sold here.

I have doubts something like that would sell well here unless the price point was low enough. That is purpose built third world market truck and would be just a niche vehicle here. It also would have to be built here as the 25% "Chicken Tax" on imported trucks would kill it being imported.

 

[PlayfulBird]

Over in Africa and other places Toyota has a Landcrusier 2 and 4 door truck available. I think the landcruiser SUV and trucks would do extremely well if they were allowed to be sold here.

I heard tell that Toyota does not want these models there because it would take away from available product lines.

I think it would sell, especially if you have the upgrades like weight ratings, frame chops and mods that are being done in Australia

It all boils down to economic, business and ?beautiful pie charts? factors. Imagine Taco and Hilux shared the space.... Suddenly an amazing selling vehicle would just sell well, because it would loose some sales to the hilux etc

 

[skiptheroad]

If it was purchased only as a pure off-road vehicle, with no kids, I'd agree. But my jeep is my daily and my offroader. And when it's my offroader, I still like to bring the kids along. It needs to be able to do jeep stuff, truck stuff, and family stuff, for me. Cars and vehicles are just so much more expensive than they were in the 80s and 90s, even adjusted for inflation. So the Jeep is to me a do everything vehicle, rather than just an off-road toy. If I was much older (kids out of the house), or much younger (no kids), I'd go for a regular cab. But as it stands now, in my 30s with 2 kids, one in a bulky doesn't-fit-in-a-2 door-wrangler car seat, the gladiator and 4 door wrangler are the perfect work and fun vehicles. People with kids are just such a large portion of the buyers for these vehicles now, and car seats are way bulkier and harder to get in and out of than they used to be.

We were recently thinking about getting a 2 door wrangler to replace our 7 year old 4 door. But then I put our car seat in, and had to put the passenger seat up to the dash to fit it. That made riding in that seat most uncomfortable for me, so we backed out. I think there's a market for two door wranglers (obviously, they still make them). But I'd say over 80% of the ones I see now are 4 door vehicles. Are the 2 door JLs they make now that much bigger than the two door TJs were? From our test drive, it seemed about the same size as our 97 was.

I completely understand your situation. Been there myself. No need to explain your reasons. If I was still raising kids I'd most likely be driving a Gladiator.

I wish I had never sold my '04 TJ Rubicon. Sold it to buy my JKUR to be able to more easily haul the kids and family dog along the trails. To me there is a big difference between my TJ and my JKU off road but I have never driven a 2 door JK off road. I imagine they are close in comparison off road.

The 4 door wrangler certainly opened the market up for Jeep but the reason for the JKU's existence was CAFE not consumer demand. It's also important to note that the 2 door wrangler exists today because of the success of the 4 door wrangler. One thing that many don't realize is Jeep is restricted on how many 2 door Wranglers they can sell without incurring substantial penalties. The more 4 doors they sell, the more 2 doors they can produce. Similarly, Ford is holding back on how many 2 door broncos they produce. Demand for the 2 door Bronco is much higher than they anticipated. Demand for a 2 door Gladiator is strong and Jeep may have been producing them now if they could sell a couple hundred thousand Gladiators a year to offset CAFE penalties. Every year that passes, and CAFE becomes more restrictive, manufacturers need to add larger vehicles to their fleets, the reason for Jeeps introduction of the Grand Cherokee L, Grand Wagoner, and Grand Wagoner L.

 

[MemphisMississipp]

Back down to TJ size besides me? I love the jk/jl and jt but I think the wrangler would benefit from getting back down to its roots especially with the notion that power plants will decrease in displacement as well as go hybrid and all electric. Reduce weight and footprint and get better milage. Pretty easy concept.

Trucks and suvs just seem to get bigger and bigger. I would love a 2 door gladiator with the same dimensions as a 2 door TJ brute truck or even an extended cab. Shorter, narrower and less weight. Everytime I see a new truck it just looks like dick measuring contest from the manufacturer. Who can have the biggest grill, widest stance, pretty chrome and flashy stickers. Is there no end to this madness?

It would be cool to see a resurgence of vehicles like the samurai (Suzuki jimny), geo tracker, trucks like the old ranger, s10 and tacoma. Iam clearly a minority.

Sounds like you’re waiting for an electric jeep , I’m glad I’m at the age I won’t need one

 

[AmosMoses]

Sounds like you’re waiting for an electric jeep , I’m glad I’m at the age I won’t need one

Not at all. It would be cool if the technology made a big leap and could really compete with gas in terms of power and affordability but that remains to be seen.

 

[coalcracker]

Not really. I like to camp in the backcountry with friends. I’ve currently got a 2-door JK and if I want to take anyone else with me, there’s hardly enough room for 2 people + gear, and it’s not like I’m one who brings a ton of stuff. I also can’t fit my dogs, so they have to stay home - it’s either bring dogs or bring gear.

I do like the shorter wheel base out on the trail but lack of room is why I’m finally looking for a Gladiator. I’ll keep the JK, so I figure maybe best of both worlds?

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Only government would be stupid enough to create a fuel economy law that encourages bigger vehicles, therefore reducing fuel economy……

I say why wish, go buy a TJ! I loved mine, and will probably be buying another in the next 2 years to build for my son’s first car. My JT was actually a downsize from an F250, I started keeping my boat at a marina so I no longer needed that beast of a truck. For what it is, I think the size is great. It’s easy to park, fits well in my garage, and can still carry four adults and their stuff in comfort.

 

[CrazyCooter]

Only government would be stupid enough to create a fuel economy law that encourages bigger vehicles, therefore reducing fuel economy……

I say why wish, go buy a TJ! I loved mine, and will probably be buying another in the next 2 years to build for my son’s first car. My JT was actually a downsize from an F250, I started keeping my boat at a marina so I no longer needed that beast of a truck. For what it is, I think the size is great. It’s easy to park, fits well in my garage, and can still carry four adults and their stuff in comfort.

My problems with the TJ year ranges are no OD Auto trans till 2003, but then you are stuck with that POS updated top end with the head that cracks, less power (Real world not inaccurate specs). This is why I never really pulled the trigger. The TJ-U only 2004-2006, so you are forced into the later 4.0 powerplant. buy a 1997-1999 for the better engine and I could swap in an AW4 trans pretty easy, but still no TJ-U avalability.

I'm still mobbing my TJ'd YJ...........That I swapped in the 4.0HO, AW4, and the semi custom mid length TJ front suspension and 8.8/Rubi 44 axles.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’d like to do a 5.7 Hemi swap with a 5 speed manual. That would be a fun little TJ.

 

[CrazyCooter]

I’d like to do a 5.7 Hemi swap with a 5 speed manual. That would be a fun little TJ.

If I didn't live in CA, that would be a consideration!

 

[chorky]

Over in Africa and other places Toyota has a Landcrusier 2 and 4 door truck available. I think the landcruiser SUV and trucks would do extremely well if they were allowed to be sold here.

One of these in an extra cab would be amazing. such a shame that laws and such ruin that opportunity

I have doubts something like that would sell well here unless the price point was low enough. That is purpose built third world market truck and would be just a niche vehicle here. It also would have to be built here as the 25% "Chicken Tax" on imported trucks would kill it being imported.

Idk I am willing to bet there are a ton of folks in my area who would love such a rig. to be in the US it would have to be at a fair price - probably between a gladiator and tacoma. I see TONS of older Tacomas and Rangers, turned into flatbeds because a big truck is just too difficult to get around the roads that are in my area. A lot resort to sxs. I'm the only one in town so far with a gladiator - more would want them they're just too expensive for a rural area income base. Big trucks here suck bad in terms of forest maneuverability - but they're still out there because none of the European style or Aussie style smaller rigs are available. And taco's and rangers just get older by the day. It's funny, being a gov worker, we have the big full size trucks, that just really suck in the woods. Its all government stuff of course so no need to debate that but my particular job, and probably at least a dozen other positions would benefit in a HUGE way by having a taco, gladiator, ranger, or Ausi style rig. But instead, we're only allowed to order either a full size truck, or a maverick. Funny.... a maverick - to get around in the woods with, when there's nasty roads, or 2 feet of snow, or no roads just dozer lines for fire. It's pathetic really, such a waste of money that we have to rent vehicles each year because the full size trucks are having huge reliability problems and no parts being available, and other reasons. All that to say, I think there would be a market here for the global compact/midsize truck frame to do well if priced accordingly.



Maybe I should turn my TJ into a brute ?

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

I would buy a new 70 series Land Cruiser in a heartbeat.

 

[PlayfulBird]

I would buy a new 70 series Land Cruiser in a heartbeat.

Had the choice, could not get the V8 anymore. So went with the JT 3.6 XD stupid, but fun, and way more comfortable. The LCs have some fun little quirks that you get to know and most mod out and that ends up costing also.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Had the choice, could not get the V8 anymore. So went with the JT 3.6 XD stupid, but fun, and way more comfortable. The LCs have some fun little quirks that you get to know and most mod out and that ends up costing also.

The 70 series has a turbo diesel V8, at least that’s what they advertise in Australia. This is the old school one with styling from 1985, not the posh new model Land Cruiser. Boxy styling, solid axles, lockers, manual gearbox, factory snorkel, yes please! They still sell them places like Africa and Australia where having an indestructible vehicle is the top criteria.

I had an 80 series, one of my all time favorite vehicles.

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