Stock TJ vs Stock On-road JK/JL Handling?

[adventureboss]

So this is something I've been curious about since I bought my TJ. I had driven stock JKs previously, no JLs for an extended period of time so I can't comment on that, but when buying a TJ I was expecting an even more tippy, sloppy handling vehicle compared to the JK. I was pleasantly surprised when the TJ felt more planted compared to the JKs I had driven. It felt like more of a "canyon carver" if that term can be applied to Jeeps. The JK also feels tippier to me, which makes me wonder, does it have a higher center of gravity than the TJs? Keep in mind, my TJ is stock and has a soft top, so it's pretty much as good as it can get.

With the absence of safety aids, stability control and such, is a stock JK actually more likely to tip over in an evasive maneuver than a stock TJ? Just curious.

 

[macleanflood]

Well I just made this video...

And I've got plenty of videos with my TJ and my wife's TJ killing JK.

-Mac

 

[jjvw]

So this is something I've been curious about since I bought my TJ. I had driven stock JKs previously, no JLs for an extended period of time so I can't comment on that, but when buying a TJ I was expecting an even more tippy, sloppy handling vehicle compared to the JK. I was pleasantly surprised when the TJ felt more planted compared to the JKs I had driven. It felt like more of a "canyon carver" if that term can be applied to Jeeps. The JK also feels tippier to me, which makes me wonder, does it have a higher center of gravity than the TJs? Keep in mind, my TJ is stock and has a soft top, so it's pretty much as good as it can get.

With the absence of safety aids, stability control and such, is a stock JK actually more likely to tip over in an evasive maneuver than a stock TJ? Just curious.

There is likely a difference in shocks between the TJ and JK that is creating a particular type of handling characteristic on each vehicle.

 

[macleanflood]

My wife's JK drives like crap at the moment. Worn out control arms, drag link, track bar ends - tires need balanced. And that six speed feels like absolutely garbage and it needs a clutch.

But our deal is she helps me do the work...so if she's got other priorities it sits.

Point being they're all older vehicles and who knows what state of maintenance either is in

-Mac

 

[lowell66dart]

There is probably a weight difference between the two.

 

[jjvw]

There is probably a weight difference between the two.

Which is part of the shock aspect of this.

 

[GregBelleville]

With the absence of safety aids, stability control and such, is a stock JK actually more likely to tip over in an evasive maneuver than a stock TJ? Just curious.

Stock vs stock my guess would be the TJ would be more tippy, and road manners should be worse, mostly because the TJ wheelbase is shorter. I'm assuming we're comparing a 2 door JK and not a 4 door as that wouldn't be a fair comparison.

 

[Sayantsi]

I think a two-door JK is about 500 pounds heavier, and you'll feel that in any vehicle. The CG is also a bit higher, and you'll feel that too. Plus, the TJ has a short wheelbase, so it will feel lively. A TJ is also about the same length as a Miata of that year, which actually surprised me when I really looked.

Plus, if you look at the spring and damper rates, maybe you'll see that the JKs are more softly sprung for the mass market, which would make the vehicle feel more tippy.

I will say that my TJ feels surprisingly sprightly around corners and chicanes, and I enjoy tossing it around. Its on a mostly stock suspension so it has a lot of road capability.

 

[Rockytop]

My 05 TJ is not lifted. With new Rancho X shocks and new 31" Falken Wildpeak AT tires handles surprisingly well on curvy roads. Very predictable and it does not feel tippy at all. It's also very stable at highway speeds.

 

[tworley]

I once spun a complete 180 on the hwy doing 50-55mph. With custom tuned rear shocks and the front antirock on a stiffer setting, the jeep never once felt like it was going to tip over. Still was a scary ordeal though!

 

[astjp2]

I think a two-door JK is about 500 pounds heavier, and you'll feel that in any vehicle. The CG is also a bit higher, and you'll feel that too. Plus, the TJ has a short wheelbase, so it will feel lively. A TJ is also about the same length as a Miata of that year, which actually surprised me when I really looked.

Plus, if you look at the spring and damper rates, maybe you'll see that the JKs are more softly sprung for the mass market, which would make the vehicle feel more tippy.

I will say that my TJ feels surprisingly sprightly around corners and chicanes, and I enjoy tossing it around. Its on a mostly stock suspension so it has a lot of road capability.

You may want to see what the wheelbase is between a tj and jk is, you will be surprised. The square body lines of the jk make it look bigger as a 2 door than a tj. It’s marginally bigger.

 

[jjvw]

You may want to see what the wheelbase is between a tj and jk is, you will be surprised. The square body lines of the jk make it look bigger as a 2 door than a tj. It’s marginally bigger.

TJ is 93.4" vs JK 95.4"

Mine is currently stretched out to about 95". I did not notice any change in the ride and handling after the little stretch. However, every single time I have made a change to the shocks, there has been a very distinct difference in how the Jeep behaved.

 

[astjp2]

I once spun a complete 180 on the hwy doing 50-55mph. With custom tuned rear shocks and the front antirock on a stiffer setting, the jeep never once felt like it was going to tip over. Still was a scary ordeal though!

Just admit that as a Colorado driver, you are not able to drive on ice and snow… hahahaha

 

[tworley]

Just admit that as a Colorado driver, you are not able to drive on ice and snow… hahahaha

Its all the transplants that come here! Not me!

I was on remote hwy in the middle of winter. A semi in the oncoming lane passed me and the draft as he passed just coincidentally hit me as I went over a patch of black ice. The rear fish tailed for a brief second while I was correcting and then I hit dry pavement which immediately swung me back to a straight position, while still having the wheel turned. The tires screeched and skidded the entire time as I went completely backwards and wound up in the ditch in the opposite lane.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I took a direct hit (while turning) to the side of my lifted TJ, with the other vehicle traveling 50 mph at impact. I was pleasantly surprised that it never even tipped at all. It still did a ton of damage to the Jeep and me.