JKU as a family car
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
The vehicles that you are able to fix or repair are not the problem for the occupant. The NHTSA, IIHS, etc - they test these vehicles with millions of dollars of equipment and have access to more data than anyone. All of them believe that the Wrangler is one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road.
As for track, the overall center of gravity of the Wrangler is higher than most vehicles - and by a lot. Track is calculated with this, it is a center of gravity - not measurement above ground of gravity. A Wrangler, especially a lifted one, will more likely roll in an accident - and this is a major cause of occupant injury or death.
Make no mistake about it, whatever the vehicle looks like after a wreck is irrelevant - the JK is a dangerous vehicle for the times. There really isn't much need to speculate about it because it has been/is studied all the time.
As for track, the overall center of gravity of the Wrangler is higher than most vehicles - and by a lot. Track is calculated with this, it is a center of gravity - not measurement above ground of gravity. A Wrangler, especially a lifted one, will more likely roll in an accident - and this is a major cause of occupant injury or death.
Make no mistake about it, whatever the vehicle looks like after a wreck is irrelevant - the JK is a dangerous vehicle for the times. There really isn't much need to speculate about it because it has been/is studied all the time.
And I think I was starting to get my own Power Bulge... Not any more..
JK Junkie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,361
Likes: 0
From: Montana
The vehicles that you are able to fix or repair are not the problem for the occupant. The NHTSA, IIHS, etc - they test these vehicles with millions of dollars of equipment and have access to more data than anyone. All of them believe that the Wrangler is one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road.
As for track, the overall center of gravity of the Wrangler is higher than most vehicles - and by a lot. Track is calculated with this, it is a center of gravity - not measurement above ground of gravity. A Wrangler, especially a lifted one, will more likely roll in an accident - and this is a major cause of occupant injury or death.
Make no mistake about it, whatever the vehicle looks like after a wreck is irrelevant - the JK is a dangerous vehicle for the times. There really isn't much need to speculate about it because it has been/is studied all the time.
As for track, the overall center of gravity of the Wrangler is higher than most vehicles - and by a lot. Track is calculated with this, it is a center of gravity - not measurement above ground of gravity. A Wrangler, especially a lifted one, will more likely roll in an accident - and this is a major cause of occupant injury or death.
Make no mistake about it, whatever the vehicle looks like after a wreck is irrelevant - the JK is a dangerous vehicle for the times. There really isn't much need to speculate about it because it has been/is studied all the time.
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: KY
Riding home late one night; 82 degrees, no humidity, near full moon, topless and half doors on a 4dr. My 11-year-old tells me to go straight where we should have turned right and we would have been home in 5 minutes. Thirty five minutes later after some curvy roads and some great tunes, we pulled in the driveway. 
He never wanted to go cruising in the Taurus or the Yukon.
He never wanted to go cruising in the Taurus or the Yukon.
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: bartlett, il
I use my JKU as a family daily driver. I have 2 kids, 14/9 and 2 golden retrievers!! I have a 2.5" Teraflex likt with 33" Nitto TerraGrapplers. Kids and wife can get in and out with no issues. My older dog needs a little help getting in the back but I built a ramp for her. All in all the family FUN factor outweighs some of the negatives ( gas milege,etc..) I wouldn't drive anything else. Hope this helps!!!
JK Forum Regional Rep
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 0
From: Stockton.Ca
I am new to this forum. I never owned a Jeep. Never ever really wanted one. Always liked jeeps but when the unlimited came out it really caught my eye. But still never thought of buying one.
Anyway, we just had our first baby and my wife and I are realizing that an SUV would be best with a child and all the paraphernalia Ironically we looked at various SUVs and we couldn't agree on any of them for various reasons Then my wife says I always like the look of jeeps. Because while she was growing up her uncle had that had a CJ and she loved it. So that's when my obsession began. So I have been obsessed with the JKU ever since. So we are waiting for the 2012 to come out then looking to possibility purchase one. But I want to lift it and want to run at least 35's. So here is the dilemma my wife works where there is a parking structure and it is limited height of 6-3 or 6-6
So how is the JKU as a primary family car??
What brand and size lift would you suggest?
How is the safety factor with my new baby riding in the jeep???
I know this forum is biased. But I am biased also cause I wanna get one. Lol.
So whatever input and suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Thanks and I enjoy this forum.
Anyway, we just had our first baby and my wife and I are realizing that an SUV would be best with a child and all the paraphernalia Ironically we looked at various SUVs and we couldn't agree on any of them for various reasons Then my wife says I always like the look of jeeps. Because while she was growing up her uncle had that had a CJ and she loved it. So that's when my obsession began. So I have been obsessed with the JKU ever since. So we are waiting for the 2012 to come out then looking to possibility purchase one. But I want to lift it and want to run at least 35's. So here is the dilemma my wife works where there is a parking structure and it is limited height of 6-3 or 6-6
So how is the JKU as a primary family car??
What brand and size lift would you suggest?
How is the safety factor with my new baby riding in the jeep???
I know this forum is biased. But I am biased also cause I wanna get one. Lol.
So whatever input and suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Thanks and I enjoy this forum.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 4
From: Myrtle Beach, SC
We've got 2 JKUs and love them. I think a big lift would be a disadvantage with a small child or short wife. I have both. The Jeep is a great family car if he wife likes it. My 4yo LOVES it.
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Arvada, CO
My first vehicle, owned anyways, was a 1984 Ford Bronco II. That thing would light up and spin on a gravel road with the slightest cause. Brake too hard, now you are sideways. Hit the gas too hard, now you are sideways. No airbags, crash protection that would probably rate a 1/2 star now. LOL. I lived.
But the truth is they were very dangerous if you had the misfortune to be in an accident. Driving home from work one time I saw the aftermath of a Bronco II rollover where I later found out that 4 people had died. They didn't do anything, just driving, blowout, rollover, dead. Probably a 10 second timeframe.
MV crashes are the leading cause of death other than old age conditions. It is reasonable/advisable to give yourself the best chance possible. The only real issue with the JK is the side impact, and to a lesser degree the rollover. If you live in an area where you are going intersection to intersection - the JK is a worse choice. If you do a lot of late night tired driving on soft shouldered roads, the JK is probably a bad idea. But that shouldn't be enough to keep people from buying it - just take it into consideration.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu, HI
Everyday I gotta load and unload my baby and stroller etc. From our 4 door Acura I want an SUV. We really could use the space. I can't wait for the 2012 to come out. I'm lucky cause getting the JK was the wife's idea lol.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Perfect for us... so far
We just got a 4 door. We got it because we like to go offroad, camp, hike, kayak, etc. We also got it because my 2 door is really not going to support the future jeepers we are planning. We figured a 4 door has the room, it has the capabilities, etc.
So for OUR family, it's good to go.
So for OUR family, it's good to go.