Really want a 2012 Wrangler...Is there something wrong with me?

Originally Posted by that_one_guy

I've had my eye on a '12 JKU Rubi in dozer but they're having issues with the pentastar ticking, misfiring and needing head replacement in the first 10K mi. DO NOT WANT.

Guess I'll wait for Fiat to figure it out and get a '13

Mine is perfectly fine, but my friends '12 Arctic had his head replaced at 8000 miles. The current batch seems to be trouble free. Besides, it was all replaced under warranty, so who cares. Furthermore, you waiting it out is pointless. Although the pentastar was first put into the wrangler for 2012, the motor itself has been in chrysler products for years already. Don't let that phase you. It is a VERY small percentage of Wranglers.

Here is mine as it sits today (although I just installed a small lift today, but don't have pics yet.)

Originally Posted by JTLaz

Jeep wave

How easy is the top removal on the new wranglers?

if i was in that market, i'd pick up a really old one for $500

I am planning on buying one also. Mod bug bit already and I dont have one. Just itching to buy so much stuff...lol.

Originally Posted by fordpwns

Originally Posted by pointman

How easy is the top removal on the new wranglers?

Super easy. There are three panels (two overhead the driver and one that covers the rear seats and trunk space). The front two panels are as easy as twisting a knob but you need a hex bit to remove the rear top. I can take mine off my byself in about 10 minutes.

Originally Posted by k2spitfire

if i was in that market, i'd pick up a really old one for $500

Considering 89's are still fetching THOUSANDS, a $500 wrangler is probably nothing but a pile of parts.

Originally Posted by pointman

How easy is the top removal on the new wranglers?

Two people if you want to carry it off. I have a $179 hoist from Amazon, and takes me 5 minutes to remove it. Back the truck up, attach the cables, turn the crank, lift the top off 3" off the body, and drive the truck out. Piece of cake.

Originally Posted by Lexie330ci

I am planning on buying one also. Mod bug bit already and I dont have one. Just itching to buy so much stuff...lol.

There is no vehicle that has a bigger bug. You just want to change everything. I am already $3500 in, and I haven't even scratched the surface. I have at least $12000 already planned for it, and that doesn't count the $5000 supercharger.

Originally Posted by JTLaz

Super easy. There are three panels (two overhead the driver and one that covers the rear seats and trunk space). The front two panels are as easy as twisting a knob but you need a hex bit to remove the rear top. I can take mine off my byself in about 10 minutes.

Originally Posted by NFRs2000nyc

Two people if you want to carry it off. I have a $179 hoist from Amazon, and takes me 5 minutes to remove it. Back the truck up, attach the cables, turn the crank, lift the top off 3" off the body, and drive the truck out. Piece of cake.

Which is it guys!? JTLaz, its a one man operation? I mean full top removal. Not just the "sunroof" type parts. Thanks!

Originally Posted by pointman

Which is it guys!? JTLaz, its a one man operation? I mean full top removal. Not just the "sunroof" type parts. Thanks!

Unless you have a hoist like me, you cannot remove the rear part (on an Unlimited anyway, but probably the two door as well) by yourself. It is heavy, and extremely awkward and not balanced. There are dozens of threads on the wrangler boards filled with guys dropping the top and cracking it. It is just too wide and uneven in weight to be able to do it yourself. Can SOMEONE do it, maybe, but 99% of people can't do it themselves, and with the top costing nearly $2000 to replace, I'd rather not take that chance.

Originally Posted by pointman

Which is it guys!? JTLaz, its a one man operation? I mean full top removal. Not just the "sunroof" type parts. Thanks!

I do it myself lol I just get under it and pick it up, hop on the ground then sit it in my garage

I guess you can do it that way, but with the top costing that much, I'd never do it. My $179 rack from amazon does a perfect job, no sweating and no worrying.

OK, any ideas how much it weighs? Cause you two are either trolling me, or are polar opposites. haha

Originally Posted by pointman

OK, any ideas how much it weighs? Cause you two are either trolling me, or are polar opposites. haha

Not trolling. NFR is right about it being very awardly shaped and how the weight is distributed. It's probably 100lbs. I personally don't think it is heavy and have no problem picking it up with control and placing it on the ground.

I should invest in that lift for it though...

Gotcha. Thanks.

Originally Posted by pointman

OK, any ideas how much it weighs? Cause you two are either trolling me, or are polar opposites. haha

Dont know how I am trolling you, but it is my opinion. Imagine two 50 inch plasmas attached at the top side, so you have a 50x80 piece of material, weighing in at close to 100lbs, you cant reach the ends properly, and 85% of the weight is on one side. I remember helping a friend of mine with an old 2 door TJ take off his hardtop (2 of us) and it was a PITA. I wouldn't even attempt to try and remove my unlimited top alone. I am 6' and 220lbs, and lifting 100lbs is not an issue for me, but it is simply the shape and weight distribution of it that makes it extremely difficult.

Originally Posted by NFRs2000nyc

Dont know how I am trolling you, but it is my opinion. Imagine two 50 inch plasmas attached at the top side, so you have a 50x80 piece of material, weighing in at close to 100lbs, you cant reach the ends properly, and 85% of the weight is on one side. I remember helping a friend of mine with an old 2 door TJ take off his hardtop (2 of us) and it was a PITA. I wouldn't even attempt to try and remove my unlimited top alone. I am 6' and 220lbs, and lifting 100lbs is not an issue for me, but it is simply the shape and weight distribution of it that makes it extremely difficult.

I was joking. I totally understood what you meant. haha Appreciate the info. I wanted the TJ and regret having missed out on it. But I see some nice new ones running around.

Originally Posted by NFRs2000nyc

Mine is perfectly fine, but my friends '12 Arctic had his head replaced at 8000 miles. The current batch seems to be trouble free. Besides, it was all replaced under warranty, so who cares. Furthermore, you waiting it out is pointless. Although the pentastar was first put into the wrangler for 2012, the motor itself has been in chrysler products for years already. Don't let that phase you. It is a VERY small percentage of Wranglers.

Here is mine as it sits today (although I just installed a small lift today, but don't have pics yet.)

I've spent a lot of time on wrangler forums and read too many stories. I just can't buy a brand new car with known potential engine problems. It seemed like it was engines built in '11 but now people are reporting ticking on jk's built in March of '12. I'll keep monitoring and buy when I feel comfortable they figured it out.

Yours looks rad, is it dozer or crush?

My 11/11 build is at 6500 miles now and no issues.