Maybe a new truck Ford or Dodge?

[jyoutz]

Not really. Still short wheel based and horrible in a crosswind on the e-way. Remember, I live close enough to the Jeep plant to observe regularly. Only thing I can see that really changed was going from a solid axle in the front to IFS and of course the ever increasing price.

There are a lot of different Jeep models besides the Wrangler. The short wheel base models are a niche for off road driving. The Wagonneer is a long wheel base, and Grand Cherokee and gladiator are mid sized .

 

[5030]

Regardless still over priced. I cannot justify spending more on ANY vehicle than the farm cost, especially when it's a depreciating item. Besides, the Jeep wannabe pickup truck is fugly.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Your 1500 isn’t rated to tow 20k+ on a near 100% duty cycle.

No, thank God. It's already rated to pull far more than I think a 1/2-ton should.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

But we all know the Cummins is designed to make max power/output for a much longer period of time and has a longer duty cycle. a 350HP gas engine ain’t gonna outwork a 300HP diesel. Intercoolers, transmission coolers on Allison/Aisins, EGR coolers are all found on serious work diesels and need more radiator grill space for airflow.
That 3500 Cummins was designed specifically to make full power for much longer periods of time and it needs extensive air cooling to do so.

Well, I'm obviously aware of the differences, and that using full power (over twice of what my Cummins has, and about the same torque numbers) for extended periods with the 1500 isn't feasible in real life.

If for no other reason that the 33 gallon tank would be empty really quickly.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

What truck do you have?

The closest to what I'd potentially call a truck is my 3500, and even that is debatable.

Since I made its flatbed easily removable and it's off every now and then, without it there's no cargo area and it becomes an incomplete vehicle again, like the door sticker says.

 

[deserteagle71]

Only thing I can see that really changed was going from a solid axle in the front to IFS and of course the ever increasing price.

Jeep Wranglers have never had IFS. Solid front axle...and it still wanders going down the road and still subject to death wobble, even new.

Been a Jeep Wrangler owner most of my life...still own a 2006 Rubicon. Only because it is street legal but can still navigate some really gnarly terrain; modified like mine is, it can get into areas not accessible by anything else except maybe a helicopter. Works good on our Search and Rescue missions.

Jeep = Just Empty Every Pocket....I've found that to be pretty accurate.

 

[Hay Dude]

Jeep Wranglers have never had IFS. Solid front axle...and it still wanders going down the road and still subject to death wobble, even new.

Been a Jeep Wrangler owner most of my life...still own a 2006 Rubicon. Only because it is street legal but can still navigate some really gnarly terrain; modified like mine is, it can get into areas not accessible by anything else except maybe a helicopter. Works good on our Search and Rescue missions.

Jeep = Just Empty Every Pocket....I've found that to be pretty accurate.

But there’s nothing like them off road. Nimble, but tough.
My Rubicon will go just about anywhere you point it.
On the road it’s quick & fun to drive.

And chicks still dig ‘em

 

[deserteagle71]

But there’s nothing like them off road. Nimble, but tough.
My Rubicon will go just about anywhere you point it.
On the road it’s quick & fun to drive.

And chicks still dig ‘em

Oh, absolutely! Around here every time I see a Wrangler with roof and doors removed there's usually a cute little blonde driving. But never off pavement!

 

[CliffordK]

Yes and no. I think it's largely a styling exercise.

For example, my little 1500 puts out more power (on paper) than my 3500 Cummins does, and it has a relatively small grille.

Then again, it doesn't have an intercooler, just a charge air cooler.

Your 1500 isn’t rated to tow 20k+ on a near 100% duty cycle.

It’s why you don’t see little turbo gas engines in 3/4-ton and up trucks like you do the 1/2-tons either. Duty cycle would kill them.

Hmmm....

The Ford 3.0L Diesel is listed at 250 hp @ 3,250 rpm
The RAM 3.0L Diesel is listed at 260 hp @ 3,600 rpm
The GMC 3.0L Diesel is listed at 305 hp @ 3,750 rpm
The RAM 3.6L Gas is listed at 305 hp @ 6,350 rpm
The Titan 5.0L Diesel is listed at 310 hp @ 3,200 rpm
The RAM 5.7L Gas is listed at 395 hp @ 5,600 rpm
The RAM 5.9L Diesel is listed at 160 hp at 2,500 rpm to 235 hp at 2,700 rpm
The RAM 6.7L Diesel is listed at 370 to 400 HP at 2800 RPM.

There is a lot of talk about low end torque vs hp, but a lot of that can be dealt with a good transmission.

There certainly are better downstream parts on the heavier pickups. Nonetheless, the 1500 series pickups aren't toys either. I tow a lot with mine. I cut it off somewhere around 8K to 10K, and it does quite well. I've thought about 15K, although Oregon wants a "T" license to tow trailers at over 8K (will probably fudge a little, but 20K would be too much). Plus, a monster trailer would be mighty pushy for a smaller pickup. Wheelie anybody? And the little 3.6L gas engine struggles to hold the trailer back going downhill.

Anyway, unless one is doing a lot of long hill climbs, one typically isn't sitting at 100% power, and one can let off of the accelerator a bit when crossing the continental divide. I'll do pedal to the metal to get my trailer up to freeway speeds, but that only lasts a few seconds before I let off of the power.

One has to look at the engine, but also all the downstream parts, engine, transmission, driveline, rear-end, springs, and even the frame.

Also lots of changes over time. My 3.6L V6 might almost challenge an old 327 Corvette. But, even the old 3/4 and 1 ton pickups are a far cry from what we have today.

But, choose the pickup for the task.

The 1500 will be able to do a lot of grocery runs!!!

 

[CliffordK]

The closest to what I'd potentially call a truck is my 3500, and even that is debatable.

4500? 5500? (Ford 650, GM 6500)?

International XT/MXT?

But, yes, I do agree, call a pickup a pickup.