Hypothetical question

[bmax65]

MD/DB....

Ok, I can get that some areas need different things...just wish you could get a more base model rig, or options ala carte, like way back when...I hate all these 'PEP's'- Preferred Equipment Packages.

Yeah, I think a re-do of the tailgate would be good...barn or 3-flap would be neat options, or a 2-flap, top and bottom like on the old Jeepster Commandos.

Sorry bout the rant, but just sick of all this globalist kum-bay-ah garbage.
We used to be a sovereign country, with our own traditions/beliefs/way of doing things. You could tell a 'yank tank' from other countries rigs. Even if in some of the FSJ ads, it was a bit up market, you could still just get a plain 'ol Jeep, and they looked like Jeeps, and could do Jeep things.

Not this Compass/Patriot/Unicorn junk- they should come with a 'Mall Rated' badge, so you'd be sure it can scale a parking lot speed bump at the Ginormous Box Store. To me the new Cherokee and Grand Chero are way to Cadillac like, but guess that's where the market is, sadly. Nobody's gonna wheel a rig with 2K worth of HID headlamps and 4K in bumper covers.
Just too complex and costly to play with, and I'm not even a wheeler like most of you guys....if I got a fender bender, could probably pound it out, and maybe 25 bucks for a new headlamp.

[Billygoat]

Ok, I can get that some areas need different things...just wish you could get a more base model rig, or options ala carte, like way back when...I hate all these 'PEP's'- Preferred Equipment Packages.

Oh man I hear you on that!!!!
I get bundling certain things, like heated seats are only leather, but on a new Colorado to get the high output headlights, you have to get leather seats - Expletive Deleted!Expletive Deleted!Expletive Deleted!!!!! I can go to subway and buy $5 sandwich exactly how I want it, but not a $35k truck!!!!

whew - thanks for the rant, That is why I don't buy new, not being able to afford it has nothing to do with it....

I almost built a comparable rig to what you can buy new, I just fell short on the fit/finish end of it.

[mdcptman]

Ok, I can get that some areas need different things...just wish you could get a more base model rig, or options ala carte, like way back when...I hate all these 'PEP's'- Preferred Equipment Packages.

Yeah, I think a re-do of the tailgate would be good...barn or 3-flap would be neat options, or a 2-flap, top and bottom like on the old Jeepster Commandos.

Sorry bout the rant, but just sick of all this globalist kum-bay-ah garbage.
We used to be a sovereign country, with our own traditions/beliefs/way of doing things. You could tell a 'yank tank' from other countries rigs. Even if in some of the FSJ ads, it was a bit up market, you could still just get a plain 'ol Jeep, and they looked like Jeeps, and could do Jeep things.

Not this Compass/Patriot/Unicorn junk- they should come with a 'Mall Rated' badge, so you'd be sure it can scale a parking lot speed bump at the Ginormous Box Store. To me the new Cherokee and Grand Chero are way to Cadillac like, but guess that's where the market is, sadly. Nobody's gonna wheel a rig with 2K worth of HID headlamps and 4K in bumper covers.
Just too complex and costly to play with, and I'm not even a wheeler like most of you guys....if I got a fender bender, could probably pound it out, and maybe 25 bucks for a new headlamp.

I totally hear ya. a base model with just the things that are important to you personally. That would be great.

[DieselSJ]

Modern EFI engine with OD trans. Alternately, one of the new diesel V6 from the Dodge trucks. Perhaps coils in the front (I know BLASPHEMY!!!)

[joe]

Brand new huh? J-20 with better quality wiring/electrics, less fluff and lose the latch tailgate for the old time chain/hook gate.

[mic63]

A 36 gallon gas tank. My Grandpa always wanted the same for his '64 Wagoneer. Especially during snow storms and harvest time.

[Gurinski]

Basically a four door bronco, FI O/D trans coil fs center console with cup holders.

[Carnuck]

A RELIABLE O/D trans. I'd take an AW4 any day over one of the Mopain ones. I like getting 200,000 miles+ before having to change it out or more if it's properly maintained.

[KJ Ryu]

MPEFI, O/D, serpentine belt, and lately I've discovered that I really could use heated mirrors in the mornings. But, the wing windows gotta stay!

[Tinkerjeep]

Unicorn hunt.

The reason why, even if they did make one now days to directly compete with the RAM trucks or SUVs...first of all, it will be just like they are made right now.

The reason you don't get check boxes anymore is because that means they have to slow down the build process and select individual items to install. Packages are easier to install at the assembly line and the main reason the dealership makes money...nobody wants a base model, unless they are a fleet vehicle leasor.

Some of the "Unicorn Crap" gadgets are mandated by the EPA/ CAFE board/ NHTSA. So simple powertrain and simple safety aint gonna happen for cheap...if ever.

I watched a video featuring the safety of a Smart Car in a 70mph crash test into a concrete barrier. It survived because it had a rigid steel cage around the passenger compartment...but very small crumple zones resulted in the G-forces of the sudden deceleration likely killing any passengers due to severe internal trauma...internal organs aren't meant to go from 70-0 in 1.2 seconds.
On a larger vehicle, the implementation of an integrated safety cage would be brilliant...but then there goes your ease of working on it again.

If the cage is tweaked in a collision, and its incorporation into the cab's A/B nd C pillars is compromised, the body may be junk, and possibly not-licensable for road use after a salvage or repair is done by a non-licensed auto-repair shop.

finally, the "High dollar" rigs are selling great to people who never plan to go wheeling...just like they were 25-30 years ago -$25-$30k for a 88 GWag that never sees a trail? Yup. Just like $40-$50k for a 2013 Grand Cherokee that never sees a trail.

Face it. The days of the GTX are long gone. Just be glad you have what you have. If you don't like certain aspects, try to improve them. But simply waiting for Fiat-Chrysler-Jeep to build a bare bones modern J-truck or Wagoneer for you isn't likely to reward you with the Jeep of your dreams.
Build one yourself. Many here have done that very thing.

[DBX11]

That's what hypothetical means in a long way, so whatcha wanna change then if you had a time traveling unicorn?

[Tinkerjeep]

Too many things to list. But I just built what I wanted myself. Check the build threads in my sig for my preferred FSJ changes and alterations.

[ihavejeep]

rear doors in place of sliding window and tailgate like an excursion

I'd prefer to keep the tailgate and just have the window flip up. Landcrusier style:

[Carnuck]

Barn doors are betterer..... Even if it isn't an FSJ.

[DBX11]

What is that an old suburban or
A scout