I'm a long time jeep guy, 80cj5, 83 cj7(still own), 99Sahara, 04 auto rubi(hated the 4 spd auto), and my last was an 05 LJ Rubicon I built mildly and ran fordyce and Rubicon a few times. I loved the LJ, but sold it because I didn't like to drive it on the road very far. I bought a Subaru Outback 3.6 and have been driving that for the last 18 months as my DD. (I also have an F350 diesel for trips and towing). I love the subie, but find myself really missing the Jeep, and have been looking at them a lot lately. At one point, I had convinced my self a 4runner trail would be a good substitute for the Jeep, but I realized that wouldn't do either. So my questions;

How much better is the new 5 speed in daily driving? Is it constantly locking and unlocking, downshifting etc, like the 4 speed?

Off road, Im thinking the 4-1 Rubicon T case is unnecessary with an auto, due to the torque converter? If so, a sport with ARB lockers, re-gear, and manual sway bar disco's is much more reasonable $$$$ wise. I plan to lift, run 35's on AEV wheels, aftermarket skids, sliders, bumpers etc, so I'm not feeling the love for the Rubicon this time, given that I will replace everything but the T case and front 44.

The front seats, how comfortable are they? Can I sit for 4 hours and still walk after? Has anybody swapped the seats for Mastercraft's?

Lastly, reliability. I can't stand vehicles with problems. I read about leaks, bad heads, fuel leaks, ball joints, tranny failures, but don't know if these are the rule or the exception. This rig will be my DD, probably see 18k miles per year, many of those back and forth to Tahoe in the winter, and many going in to hidden lakes and streams flyfishing in the summer. It will also spend a week each year hauling elk out on my annual archery elk hunt.

I have searched and read for months here and other places, but would like to consolidate my concerns/questions into one place.

Thanks for your time to respond, and I am hopefully back in a Jeep sooner rather than Later. (CJ7 is a dedicated ranch rig)

 

The new jeeps are amazing! the interior is very euro and more insulated than in the past. I bought a base model because I knew I would be re gearing and getting stronger axels.
The new motor is awesome, and the auto tranny is the same one they match to the HEMI in other vehicles, so you know it is strong.
I also plan on a Atlas trans case,, so the rubicon made no sense for me.
I have taken mine on several 4 hr trips, and the seats are not bad, but I have heard of guys going to the Master craft.
Mine only has 8500 miles on it so far,, but so far the only problem was the planetary gear in the auto that exploded,, and it was covered. Everything else is running like clockwork.
Overall,, I highly recomend the new Jeeps!

 

Have you driven one? If you're not sure, rent one for the weekend. That new 4Runner has the ugliest front end ever.

 

Only on test drives. I actually like the 4 runner look. Not sure if I can rnt one around here or not, I'll have to look in to that

 

I have done that before and it seems expensive until you compare it to the expense of buying a vehicle and then finding out you aren't happy.
I think you will love the new JK. It is leaps and bounds nicer and more capable than any other Jeep ever produced and since you have owned other Jeeps you won't be the guy who complains about fuel mileage or the occasional drip from your freedom panels. You're a Jeep guy. Get One !!

Check out Mark Doiron's pic's he posted in the two door vs. 4door thread today. You might just go outside and drag a key down the side of that Subaru LOL.

 

I have an '07, but will confine my answer to my experience with my friend's '12 JKUR. He has 33s and a 2.5" lift, the auto. During the Colorado Campaign trip this past summer (video series starts here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFjr3hSzEu4) I rode with him from Oklahoma City to Colorado, then the off-roading part in Colorado, then continued on to his home in Washington state before flying home. I found the interior and seats quite comfortable. More so than my earlier interior. The one thing I found annoying (bear in mind that I have a six speed) was the auto tranny shifter when in cruise will keep you on speed. Period. If you drop about 1/2-MPH below that speed, then it floors the accelerator and drops down a gear. He has his Jeep reprogrammed with a ProCal, so shift points should have been correct. It's just not very tolerant in everyday driving while on cruise. Otherwise, Jeep has really got it together for this model.

 

In opposition to Mark's post above,,, I have only used my cruise 2 times,,, with my auto,,, fully moded as it is now,, and I was amazed how smooth the cruise was! There are too many variables to explain why mine might work,, and his buddy's didnt,, but it can work!