Best year for the JK?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster Pa
Although I do believe a first year vehicle could be a bad thing, in the case of the 2007 Jk I don't believe it was. Jeep was in a bit of trouble keeping up with so many SUV's on the market, it had to do something to grab onto the market. They knew in order to accomplish this, they would have to put together a good vehicle that was up-to-date, and I believe they did just that. Sure there were a few gliches with the new computerized system, but then again, let's face the facts. There are gliches with all computerized systems, and hense, "flashes".
In my opinion the anti-roll mitigation features in the 07 was a very smart thing, as well as all the other new safety features. But yet even more electronics were added in the 08 and beyond years. And more electronics and more sensors = more to go wrong.
Let's take a look at the other things sometimes overlooked.
The NV241, has been around since 1987 in Jeeps Dodges, and also in Chevy's as the NP241. They've been pretty good transfer cases all around, and the 07 241 is just as good if not better then the older models. And a bit more about these cases, (The Command-Trac HD transfer case was used in 6-speed Liberty KJ's from 2005–2007. Although sometimes referred to as the "NV(NP)231HD, " the transfer cases are actually the 241 series used in full-sized trucks from other makers (241D or 241C). The Jeep version is labelled "NV(NP)241J.")
The DANA 44. Jeep was still determining what to call the JK's upgraded Dana 44 axles, which are beefed up in so many areas that nothing is interchangeable with the TJ. This new axle, which we'll call a Dana 44 hybrid for now, has bigger axletubes, bearings, ring gear, and pinion stem.
The longer-travel coil-sprung front suspension is similar to the current TJ, including the design for the five-link rear suspension. Shocks have been placed further outboard to make them less vulnerable to trail obstacles.
The JK frame is beefier than that of the TJ. In addition to the longer driveshaft, bigger fuel tank, and quicker steering gear, in addition the extra 20 inches of frame length and the extra crossmember that the Unlimited gets.
This was started in the 07 JK and JK Unlimited, and if these vehicles were in most cases a lemon that fell apart, I doubt Chrysler would have had sold as many as they did, let alone continue selling them into the 08, 09, and 2010, and 11 years. I think with the production lines in 07, the workers were happy they had a job, and knew if this thing fell through, they might just be out of work. Therefore I believe this brought out the workers feelings that they wanted to build a vehicle that they were proud of and one that would sell.
For that reason I have to say the 07 was most likely the best of the years out today.
What year JK do I have? An 07 of course.
In my opinion the anti-roll mitigation features in the 07 was a very smart thing, as well as all the other new safety features. But yet even more electronics were added in the 08 and beyond years. And more electronics and more sensors = more to go wrong.
Let's take a look at the other things sometimes overlooked.
The NV241, has been around since 1987 in Jeeps Dodges, and also in Chevy's as the NP241. They've been pretty good transfer cases all around, and the 07 241 is just as good if not better then the older models. And a bit more about these cases, (The Command-Trac HD transfer case was used in 6-speed Liberty KJ's from 2005–2007. Although sometimes referred to as the "NV(NP)231HD, " the transfer cases are actually the 241 series used in full-sized trucks from other makers (241D or 241C). The Jeep version is labelled "NV(NP)241J.")
The DANA 44. Jeep was still determining what to call the JK's upgraded Dana 44 axles, which are beefed up in so many areas that nothing is interchangeable with the TJ. This new axle, which we'll call a Dana 44 hybrid for now, has bigger axletubes, bearings, ring gear, and pinion stem.
The longer-travel coil-sprung front suspension is similar to the current TJ, including the design for the five-link rear suspension. Shocks have been placed further outboard to make them less vulnerable to trail obstacles.
The JK frame is beefier than that of the TJ. In addition to the longer driveshaft, bigger fuel tank, and quicker steering gear, in addition the extra 20 inches of frame length and the extra crossmember that the Unlimited gets.
This was started in the 07 JK and JK Unlimited, and if these vehicles were in most cases a lemon that fell apart, I doubt Chrysler would have had sold as many as they did, let alone continue selling them into the 08, 09, and 2010, and 11 years. I think with the production lines in 07, the workers were happy they had a job, and knew if this thing fell through, they might just be out of work. Therefore I believe this brought out the workers feelings that they wanted to build a vehicle that they were proud of and one that would sell.
For that reason I have to say the 07 was most likely the best of the years out today.
What year JK do I have? An 07 of course.
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Antelope Valley, Ca
The best year for the JK. That depends on you. If your vehicle is trouble free and it does what you want it to do, it's the best year for you.
I do agree the first year production vehicle usually have issues that follow-on year don't. But some people are happy with the first year production.
Bottom line its a matter of personal experience. I had an 2007 Corvette that was a POS from the day I bought it home from the show room floor. I got rid of it in for a 2008 and the 2008 has been flawless. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw.
Regards,
I do agree the first year production vehicle usually have issues that follow-on year don't. But some people are happy with the first year production.
Bottom line its a matter of personal experience. I had an 2007 Corvette that was a POS from the day I bought it home from the show room floor. I got rid of it in for a 2008 and the 2008 has been flawless. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw.
Regards,
Last edited by Scooterpilot; Sep 11, 2010 at 07:17 PM.
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Red Lick, Tx
I have a 2008 X. I got it new and have had no problems with it. It is a soft top. Oh the third day I had it, a bird flew through the back drivers side window of the soft top. I was in the mountains playing around. I called the dealer and they had pity on me. They replaced it for free under warranty. But this was when I lived in Colorado. Still going strong.
