06-10-2019, 02:37 AM
(06-09-2019, 01:35 PM)DJC link Wrote:As an ex-Wrangler owner, I have to say that I can’t fault the protection they provide to the occupants. Not that I needed it myself but several of my Jeep buddies were involved in serious accidents and the integrated roll cage enabled them to walk away. Indeed, most Wranglers that have rolled can be made roadworthy and have the rollover record deleted from the onboard computer. In fact, a young friend roiled one on a steep track last month and was able to get it back on its feet, drive home, replace some panels and get a roadworthy for it within a week.
If you want a capable 4WD with a live front axle and ladder chassis, you’re going to run foul of ANCAP ratings. My 79 Series Landcruiser doesn’t have an ANCAP rating because Toyota couldn’t be bothered (the 2016 single cab model has a 5 star rating).
If I was in the market for a genuine outback touring, boghole ploughing, rockcrawling 4WD, I wouldn’t be too concerned about ANCAP ratings. However, I would be concerned about reliability and build quality and that’s where I believe that Jeep lets its buyers down.
If you are rock hopping and not doing any speed then you may get away with it but on a highway in a moderate front on accident where normal cars would protect you you are going to
be scraping the front passenger out of that crumpled cabin, not much fun in the back either where the protection is equally poor.
The A pillar and trans facia beam connection collapses which is unacceptable in a modern car....you are much more likely to die in a moderate front on accident if you drive a Wrangler.