Loved "Spring-Over is Dead" (July '06) and the praising of spring-under vehicles!
My husband and I built a YJ equipped with Wagoneer Dana 44s while staying with a spring-under. It's a street-legal rig that also gets taken out to the trails.
We run the same Rubicon Express 4.5-inch XD springs and love them. With a little fine-tuning of the entire setup (including steering changes, shock towers/shocks, and a pair of lockers), it's an all-around sturdy, stable, and capable street-legal rig that'll travel at 65 mph on the highway without any fears. Oh yeah, as always, great magazine.Jandy LieblLandisville, Pennsylvania
What do you guys really think of the '07 JK Wrangler? I mean, a minivan engine, no U-jointed driveshafts, power door locks and windows, a longer vehicle? What are they doing with Jeep? Up to this point they've preserved the Jeep name well and withheld it from the modernization (and, in my opinion, pussinization) of their trucks, but this is an outrage. Let me know what you guys really think, off the record, about the changes on the Wrangler. I want to see an article of what you guys think of the modernization of the Jeep name, including the introduction of four-doors, smaller engines, weaker bumpers, and so on. If not, then freaking hire me to write one for you! Thanks, guys. Keep up the good work.Jake BierbaumMentor, Ohio
We gave our opinions of the JK in the April '06 Dispatch. It's also online at www.jpmagazine.com. Scan to "What We Think" in the story for the gloves-off first opinion.
Your reaction to the '07 JK Wrangler is not unfounded. However, it's the same that most people had when the YJ came out in 1987 and then again when the TJ came out in 1997. So how long is it really gonna be before everyone accepts it anyway? I, for one, am happy it at least has a straight front axle. It gives me something to work with that's better than the IFS under every other currently produced Jeep model.
On paper, stock to stock, the new JK looks like a more capable Jeep than the previous Wranglers, albeit slightly larger. Check out "'07 JK Wrangler" (page 18) in this issue and keep your eyes out for a full street and off-road flogging and report when we take the new Wrangler over the Rubicon Trail soon.
I believe you recently gave kudos to a particular spare-tire rack for including a beer opener. You do realize, of course, that your Hi-Lift jack has always included one (see picture). And while I anticipate some grief for drinking a beer with a pink cap, realize that it is our local Dogfish Head IPA here on the Maine Coast that boasts nine percent alcohol, so it is secure enough to wear pink.Ben WilliamsBelfast, Maine
Nope, not us, but thanks for the tip! Resident lush Trasborg had this to say: "Dogfish Head is good stuff, but the raison d'etre is not the IPA."
I'm just e-mailing Jp to let you know that I am an unhappy reader of your magazine. While I am an absolute Jeep enthusiast, I am somewhat disappointed in your magazine. I am sure I am not the only person that feels your magazine is not up to par with the Jeeping community. I do not type this to bash anyone on the staff of Jp, it is just to inform you that it could be better.
In the June '06 issue there are five pages about "The Baddest Jeep Ever." Who cares! Is this an advertisement for Boyce Equipment? I would like to know. Also, on the next page is "Silver CJ." Why is it that Jp Magazine feels they need to tell us what they think? It seems like the ending is more of "What Jp Magazine would have done different." Again, who cares! It's not your Jeep, and I'm sure the individual likes their Jeep. This seems to be at the end of every Jeep that is featured.
You won't talk about the Liberty being an off-road vehicle, but you'll give another 311/42 pages of all the info on transfer cases that really are not worth anything off-road without a slip-yoke eliminator kit and a 4:1 gearset ("Jeep 4WD Systems").
I honestly could care less about the Ask Bree Three department and am not offended in any way, but I will say honestly she is not that hot. Maybe you guys just put bad pictures in or she does not photograph well. But I don't have any gripes with the section. Maybe I'll have to link to her other pictures to find the answer.
I only bought the magazine for the "Vintage Parts Buyers Guide." I guess I got my $5 worth for that alone, but I think the next time I will just read the magazine in the store and leave it on the shelf.
I guess my e-mail sounds like I am pointing out what I feel is the bad. But I will say I do like some of the magazine, just not enough to make me buy it again. I hope to be with one of my Jeep friends and have them say, "Did you see the latest Jp? It's great." But until then, I'm leaving my $5 in my pocket.
Print this if you want. I'll never read it unless your next issue is the one I'm hoping for. Again, I don't want to bash the guys at the magazine, I just want to vent. Thanks, guys. Hope to read the magazine again someday.Name withheld Via e-mail