JT Sport ~= JKU + YJ?

[jms245]

Hello. I've had a YJ with a soft top for the last ~20 years, and a hard top JKU Rubicon for 8 years. I'm contemplating replacing my JKU with a Gladiator, but I'm hoping for some feedback from people that have experience with Jeeps close to mine on whether it would be a good fit for what I'm looking for.

I have 33" tires and a 1.5" lift on the JKU; the YJ is basically stock. They are both great vehicles for me, but very different. I like to take the YJ out with the upper doors off, sometimes with the top's side panels off and rear window rolled up, for "Sunday drives" around the country roads near where I live. My kids like riding with me a lot, but I worry a little bit about the protection of the sport cage on it instead of having the family cage. On some trails, it feels like it is going to shake apart (on the same trails the JKU Rubicon is bored).

The JKU Rubicon is a beast...it's unbelievable how capable it is for off-roading...it actually takes some of the fun out of it, at least for the types of areas I've been inclined to go to. I took the hard top off of the JKU once, but didn't really enjoy it...it felt significantly less open than the YJ. I suspect that it may be that my YJ's half doors really add a lot to the open experience compared to the full doors on the JKU. Also, the interior of the JKU Rubicon is so nice, I don't feel as comfortable letting the dust and elements in as I do with my bare bones YJ.

So, a question...how well do you think a JT Sport (with a hard top?) max tow (and maybe an aftermarket locking rear differential) would combine the following for me?

1. The bare bones simple elegant machine feel of my YJ
2. Not worrying about it being open to the elements on dusty roads like with my YJ
3. Ability to outfit through the top and/or doors the same type of open feel my YJ provides with its soft top and half doors
4. A more comfortable ride on a road trip than either my JKU or YJ
5. Modest (for a Jeep) off-road capability (more solid than my YJ, but doesn't need to be as good as the JKU Rubicon)
6. An easier time transporting our 10' kayaks and 11' SUP than the JKU's roof rack
7. More cargo capacity than the JKU for taking my kids on adventure trips
8. At least the passenger (and car seat) capacity of my JKU
9. More safety for my son than my current Jeeps when he starts driving in the next year
10. Good snowy roads capability
11. Better acceleration than my JKU Rubicon

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you!

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[canyonrat]

Well I had a 93 YJ it happens to be in my profile pic right now. And just traded a 2012 JKUR in on my new JT Rubicon. I'd say they all bring the Jeep experience, In different ways. I don't miss the YJ leaf springs at all but I did like the soft top design better than the JK.

The JT though will be the next tier smoother to drive just due to longer wheelbase and updated suspension. I really enjoy that. I had full roll-up windows on my YJ so cant really speak to the half doors, but there are aftermarket trail doors you can buy if you want it more open. JT would be harder to park for a new driver but the backup cam would be a cheat to work around that.

I expect my JT to be nearly as capable off road as my JK was, both have 2" lift and similar build. With the exception of the longer turning radius, and breakover angle. I really enjoyed my JK but it was time to move on and no regrets. It looks to me like all your other boxes are checked. Letting it get a little dusty inside can be your choice either sport or rubicon. Have fun shopping!