We need test results to be certain. But, as I recall the TJ did very well in side impacts. I would expect the JK to do at least as well.

 

If you are worried about side impact tests. Buy 37's and a 4 " lift. There will be many less vehicles on the road capable of hitting your doors. Ford trucks have pretyy good side impact ratings. I remember a good bit of it being attributed tot he taller than typical stock ride. The frame (which is also quite nice on the Jeep) take the brunt of the damage.

 

I believe the 4x2 ride hight is about 2" higher this would slightly increase rollover chances. Sorry, I meant 4x4

 

It's hard to do a side impact test on a vehicle with removable doors. My doors would not give me any protection, due to the fact they are usually in my garage on nice days.

 

Simple - 4WD models sit higher than 2WD models.

 

here's my thinking...


after watching a bunch of films depicting the early demise of several makes/models of cars at the hands of the highway safety administration, it looks like the doors and/or "safety beams" therein don't really contribute to side impact safety as much as you'd think. a stout frame (which the jeep has) and a rollbar (ditto) should be able to mitigate a lot of that energy--as long as the inpacting car doesn't intrude in the passenger space, OR the passenger doesn't fly out of the jeep.

i dunno, i'm really looking for someone to talk me into a jeep instead of an fj cruiser. in fact, i might just make a seperate thread about that very thing.

 

This isn't based on facts or anything. but it looks like that if you are T-boned by a regular passenger car that the car would tend to hit the frame or even slide under the Jeep.

 

No side impact tests are done because the doors on the Wrangler are not meant to protect passengers.

 

I don't think they mean 2wd vs 4wd model...not unless there is a 2wd 2 door out there for them to test (since they give resuls for 4wd vs 2wd on the 2 door). I'm pretty sure they mean test results with the 4wd engaged and disengaged.

 

I tend to agree with my fellow cynics. I find it hard to imagine that if the Wrangler did well in side impact tests, that Jeep would not be singing it's praises from the mountain tops.

I may be deluding myself, but I am going to order my 08 with the side airbags.