Thanks guys, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't me or something wrong with my Jeep. I guess I was spoiled by my previous heavy luxury SUV's that I could fly at 80 plus mph in.

I think I'm just getting cabin fever, waiting to get the hard top off. I got mine at the end of last summer and didn't really get to enjoy the open air for long. The weather finally seems to be chillin' out, so I will probably switch to soft top this weekend. Just gotta recruit someone to help lift it off..LOL

 

I was thinking the wider tires would give it a more "planted" feel. I had an H2 that I put Nitto Terra Grapplers on a few years ago and that seemed to improve the ride. I really want a 4 inch lift with 35's, just waying out the pros and cons.

 

I like your thinking! Good excuses for the mods...LOL

 

Has been cold here in mid-west, today is 70ish so it is starting to warm back up again. 3 Weeks ago it was mid 80's but very windy. I had the hard top off and my element doors on. It was so windy the sleeves on my shirt were up around my shoulders and I could literally feel my neck fat flapping in the wind...which I'm sure was attractive. Can't wait until it warms up!

 

Ah come on man. Are you serious?

I know that certain cities have the name "windy city" and such, because there is usually wind, but it is usually just constant slow wind. The GUSTS are what give you an unprepared blast. On the front range here in Colorado we often have gusts of 50-60mph, and while they are certainly unpleasant - I have never "been blown into the next lane or two". A foot or two, yeah - it has happened more than once. But I have NEVER been blown into another lane, let alone two.

As far as I know the highest "city gust" ever recorded was just 15 miles or so from me, at 147mph (1971, Boulder, CO). THAT would probably have blown me off the road. Just two years or so ago, we had winds here in Arvada so strong they blew off roofs, not just tiles - ROOFS, uprooted trees, ripped off road signs and traffic signals - but other than semis I don't remember a lot of personal vehicles being blown off the road.

The wrangler does have a large wind catch area given its size, but it is also very heavy and has a LOT of traction surface. It is also a relatively small vehicle. If you are holding onto the wheel - you are NOT going to be blown all around as long as you are holding the wheel. If you were really blown "two lanes over" I would have to guess you were also not paying attention or holding onto the wheel. Given how much contact area and weight (traction) the JK actually has, if you literally get blown off the road while holding the wheel tight, it is going to be a rollover situation.

And I know a guy who had exactly that happen, but in a Defender 90. He was ejected something like 60 feet THROUGH the soft top and had the unbelievable luck to land in a deep snow drift. He walked away with non hospital injuries and his D90 landed on the driver side first (then the passenger, the driver, the passenger, etc). The driver side was crushed to where he would have died instantly. Have to share this, because well damn - the one and ONLY time where not wearing a seatbelt paid off is a story and a half ! He was a somewhat changed man after that. From then on, when we kayaked through the class 4+/5 waters he ALWAYS wore his seatbelt on the way, despite the fact he was only alive because he hadn't that time. I will always remember driving up to run the low water numbers on the Arkansas (one of the more dangerous/difficult runs in all of Colorado) and his primary concern being the wind hitting his now super heavy truck. Guess it burns into your mind, and I can't blame him.

But for the most part, your vehicle is going to stay planted. Unless you aren't holding the wheel - the only option is slide/rollover. And that is very rare. Sliding off the road in an ultralight sedan isn't usually going to fare much better than rolling off it in a JK. Just hold the wheel!

 

Nice today in KC! I have top off.

 

I plan on lifting it today!

 

Yup after 2 year's of driving my JKU , the High Wind's don't bother me anymore. Beside's if I have to drive to far in High Wind's I just take my wife's 08 Liberty Limited , it does better in High Wind's