Brad, your video is spot on! I have experienced all of these same issues, except for ("knock on wood") tearing off the rear bumper cover. I have several of the Chief Products added (Lower front Guard, Sump Protection Plate, Auto Trans Protection Plate) to my 55,000+ mile 2015 WK2 Overland Diesel, with Off-Road Adventure II (all the Jeep skid plates that you mentions) w/ Quadra-Drive II, and have added Mopar Rocksliders (with the "bumpout" rails for nudging up against tree stumps), plus a thick aluminum underbelly plate that protects my DEF line and a DEF special valve that are vulnerable to snags by sticks and branches. I have owned this vehicle since it was brand new. I added some Yakima round roof rack crossmembers with a special extension that allows me to load my canoe on top by myself without fear of banging up the roof of my WK2 (my old Tahoe was MUCH better equipped in that regard, and so don't get me started about the WK2's steeply inclined rear window with the crappy plastic "wing" on top of the rear hatch! "Squared-off" would be soooooo much better!). I am running 32" Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs (my 3rd set, counting the 2 earlier sets on my old Chevy Tahoe Z71). I have already been researching the Rocky Road Outfitters/Old Man Emu coil spring replacements for my Quadralift suspension. I may need to get the stiffer front springs upgrade to accommodate some extra weight for a possible Chief Products Hidden Winch Plate and a Winch (first need to talk the wife into those!). I have been on the fence about adding the Chief Products Rear Bumper Protection Bash Plates; however, after seeing your video, I just may order those, too. Thanks for a very thorough "overview" of the WK2's shortcomings. We also must keep in mind that every 4x4 has its own set of compromises to consider for how one intends to use their vehicle. One of the biggest advantages of the WK2, in my opinion, is it's comfort while travelling long distances on the highway to get to where you will take the vehicle off road. Our Cabin on the river in northern Michigan is 2-1/2 hours away from our home in southwestern Michigan, and it's virtually all expressway driving until about the last 10 miles. I have considered switching over to a Rubicon Unlimited, but, again, the pros of the WK2, so far for me, seem to outweigh the cons/benefits of a more hard core approach of a Rubicon Unlimited.

Love your intro's and panoramic views of all this great land! I've also been enjoying your videos. I'm 70+ and just got my first jeep (a 2001 stock Wrangler), you are encouraging to step out and try overlanding.

This is great. I also really like that you didn't just nitpick little things in the car that you kind of wish were better. You're complaints are legitimate and not necessarily just one person's opinion. Thanks for a great review. I'm really starting to lean towards this vehicle.

Excellent points and I agree with you. As with most automakers nowadays the bean counters dictate a lot of features we get on our vehicles. Plastic skids work for 95% of their customers and they save ten bucks. That mindset stinks.

The sump cover isn't necessarily "cracked", it's just missing a cover that is usually thee to remove for oil changes. Additionally, the oil pan and transmission are far higher than most of the other components. The plastic covers can be abused without incurring sump or transmission damage by design.

Thanks for all your videos! Been a huge fan, been building my WK2 trailhawk to mirror what you have. I purchased the rear center and corner guards from Chief and will be going to Mexico in November for some sand dune fun. Was nervous about the bumper and hopefully with the rear guard dont have to worry to much. Thanks again for your awesome videos!

Nice job! I have a 2012 GC with Quadra-lift & the higher the lift setting, the harsher the ride. In Moab I ended up opting for the lowest ride height I could get by with + airing down, otherwise the ride is bone jarring. Wish they offered lockers. Still have the GC but have added a 2020 JLUR (lifted - 37's) for more serious trail work. The GC now does vacation / camper pulling duty & it's very comfy. My dog does not appreciate the rear door glass that doesn't go down all the way.

Your intros are a cut above. They're a trademark of yours.

Great vid. Agree with all five. Would add removal of secondary traction control. Would be nice to turn off all traction controls and still be able to use or1 and 2. Sand mode is great but need it with more Clarence. I have a 2020 wk2 trailhawk. I am a timber cruiser and commute on logging roads for a living. The quadra lift is becoming a issue. Works fine, rides great on the highway and in aero mode but or1 and or2 are too stiff and I have been nearly vibrated off the road on gravel washboard. The secondary traction control kicks in and takes my power away leaving the quadra drive system useless. Thanks for all the great vids.

Intro was, dare I say, awe inspiring! Where do you get the music for your videos? Roll down rear window like the 4 runner would be awesome, but that’s a bit crazy.

* Increasing the tire space to allow larger tires options. * Better approach angle with option for offroad bumper. * Option for front ELSD similar to old generation * Spare power terminals inside and outside cabin and switches for additional accessories such as Light Bar. * More ground clearance with Air Lift at Off-Road 2 Level. * Front Camera.

Addendum: The GCTH is AWESOME doing donuts in the Mud & Snow. However, I find that not only the undercarriage needs a good thorough power washing from all the hidden grit especially that gets caked on the TOP side of the skid plates, ....but you have to rigorously wash out the tilt mirror mechanism as it will leave it gritty. My right mirror closes & opens slightly slower now compared to my left one even after I tried my earnest to clean it out. I hope the next Gen WL Trailhawk 2-row seater addresses those issues you mentioned.... & KEEP the Paddle Shifters, please!

I think the biggest problem with jeep is ground clearance, jeeps have always been that way ever since the early days and AMC days. The only vehicle jeep has ever made with ground clearance was the j20 truck. If you're going to make an off road vehicle you should make it with adequate ground clearance. Jeep has always notoriously had less ground clearance than any other manufacturer

Good job

1: I'm with you on the plastic sump guards... why steel everywhere else, but not there? 2: Breakover is good to me, never had any issues...gotta pick your lines right Just like any rigs. 3: Very happy with payload, it's not a truck. It's capacity is right on point or better than most other SUVs 4: Quadralift is extremely reliable, I beat the crap out of mine, and the front struts went 180,000 miles before going out (Replaced by maxcare.) OUtside of that, you drive mostly on road, and it's performance is best in class for on road handling. If you want to modify, get the limited 5. There's no real difference in other SUV bumpers than the wk2.. good luck finding one. They're all like that. You can remove that rear lower plastic piece... it's mean to come off just just like the front one for angle.

Yeah the intro was awesome! I agree 4 of 5. I would have switched the break over angle with why in 2018 did the MOPAR rock rails not come standard? I think the reason there is some plastic is because exactly what you hit on. Weight. Think F150. Thats a half ton pickup. So is the Trailhawk. We will discuss this at length around the campfire in November. Hopefully the weather cooperates! Will you have the rear bumper guard on for Moab? I am drooling over that, although I think in the end we have to realize that we have an advantage over the Ruby and its not on the trail. Our first reason for existence is to turn off on that road and rule out anything that is 2WD or not modified. My WK2 will do 85 no sweat getting to the trail... I have yet to be passed by any kind of Wrangler! Cheers ... see ya soon.

Great video as always and I 100% agree with the "things I'd change" portion. Having a "Rubicon" version with just a straight ahead 2.5" Bilstein or Dobinson's lift would be awesome. I agree the rear window needs some work, my 2016 doesn't even have a pop out window, to get in the trunk I must open the rear hatch. a roll down window would be idea as people have the rear ladders to get to their roof racks. Great video and can't wait for yall to get back to NC...Dicky Bell is still needing to be tamed for me.

Good points brad! Basic weaknesses of the wk2.....but we still luv em!!!!!

That intro is epic! Great job. I'm willing to bet the break over angle will actually decrease in the new 2022 models since they want to add a third row, which will lengthen the wheel base. A Trailhawk is in my near future and I've been debating waiting for the 2022 model, but I have a feeling it won't be as off-road capable.

The 2022 one revealed today looks amazing

Thanks for another great video Brad. All 5 suggestions for improvements are valid. I would add that a larger spare well area is needed for the Trailhawk trim level. Most Trailhawk owners will upgrade to larger tires. Looking forward to your next video!

I love all of these! Though I have never personally had an issue with my quadralift in 60k miles, through snow, salt, sand, and mud. To add on, I would like a way to use the rear as a good place to sit! And for the rear seats to lay properly flat, though they do get very close. For the more mall-oriented user of any GC, really, they need to fix the buffeting if only the rear windows are down, this is a big issue if you have dogs! And the center console should have had the forethought to have some properly sized place for a phone other than a cupholder. Using a USB cable to get into androidauto or carplay, a phone wont fit anywhere but a cupholder or the passenger seat.

BRILLIANT INTRO! Love it

And snorkel plus K&N air filter would be more HP. thanks for good video from Australia.

Great video loved the intro. Completely agree on the break over angle. Got stuck on an obstacle in michigan and if i had maybe another couple inches I would’ve gotten over for sure. Hoping that doesn’t happen at rausch creek because thats where i want to go next. Definitely wish they had an aftermarket rear bumper to increase that departure angle so it doesn’t get messed up. Also wonder if you can swap out suspension and have the max lift possible on your Grand Cherokee. Not a fan of air lift just because as you mentioned something goes wrong and its not gonna be good. Again another great video keep up the good work!!!

I drove one at one time. Really nice, though the grand Cherokee trail hawk is really a luxury vehicle, if you were looking for the issues to be resolved then maybe get a wrangler 4 door. I have a Rubicon hard rock that is totally off road worthy. Without the 5 issues you mentioned. The grand Cherokee is really a nice 4x4 for lite duty. Great video

I thought for sure one of the things was going to be location of the adaptive cruise control sensor

AWESOME!!! intro, uncle Brad

what can you do to increase payload capacity? Are there like stronger springs you can add? I have a wk2 v6 4x4 limited without air suspension, traditional shocks/springs.

I found same thing about my diesel version it would drag over any obstacle but the Def tank would hit so hard even with metal plate. I have a really bad dents on def protection and it's why I traded

We need the hydraulic version of quadralift

Thinking of k02 tires to replace the stock Kevlar ones when they wear out

Great video, and i agree with all 5. I have the Summit, so it came w 20s, I want to get 18s to have more tire rather than rim under me. Have you ever consider going with beadlocks and ditching the stock?

Agree with all you said great video

What is that location for the first few shots of your intro?? Stunning!! I want to bring my GC there.

I think the answer to your question is...Wrangler🤔🤔🤔😮😮😮👍👍😁😁😁😎😎🇺🇸

The regular Cherokee trailhawk has skid across the entire bottom of the vehicle and a real rear locker. Why don't they do that with the GC....?

Not a big fan of the air suspension. Really limits how big of tires you can get and you can’t lift it. Wish it was like the 4 runner TRD which already comes with big tires.

Did you service your rear, front differential and transfer case yet?

Disconnectable sway bar!

A-PILLAR blind spot on drivers side. You can hide a semi truck behind that blind spot.

Why would someone spend that much money only to take it out in the woods and beat the shit out of it? More money than brains i guess!

Great intro and interesting angle on the jeep. Just the sound when speaking into the mic isn't very good. Bad setting?

That bumper scoop can't be good for aerodynamics either...

What level Mopar extended warranty did you decide on. I still have some factory warranty left but considering an extended warranty.

Did you order your Chief products directly from Chief or a third party supplier?

Hey brad. What did you pau for your extended warranty and is it a monthly payment thing or one time

guys im in a big dilemma 🤔🤔 2020 jeep grand cherokee trailhawk or 2020 toyota 4 runner trd pro any advices.?

How many miles have you put in your jeep so far?

Check out 6Monkey.net for a rear bumper - it's the best looking off-road rear bumper currently available.

Guzzles more gas than a fucking Hummer

Perhaps with all your offroading and experience why not trade it in for a Rubicon or even buy a used Rubicon? In the past I had my own Jeep club and the founder with 40 members Jeeps Gone Wild Offroading Club kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ptxneMiruMiofI0.html. I owned a 2000 TJ well built and modified for rock crawling Mines the Yellow one that had Disney on it. My members in the past ran stock to well built Jeeps like CJ, YJ, XJ, TJ, WJ and one of our members owned a Rubicon when it first marketed. Honestly, with your experience go for the upgrade and trade in your Grand Cherokee. Getting the Rubicon, you'll have front & rear locker, a lot more articulation, way more ground clearance, better safety as in roll cage and can later upgrade into a full 6 point cage and safer for your family, more underbody protection, and will challenge you more to run harder obstacles and trails. It's worth it esp the way you enjoy the hobby. Better investment in my opinion. I miss my jeep and offroading! It sure is an expensive hobby. I noticed the a lot of posers with wranglers and use them as a status like that's a hummer to them. All modified with big lifts and big tires yet never went offroading or ever will with them. That honestly turned me off to own them now and took the attraction away from me. I still would love to own one but it's too much of a status/fashion now. I do intense research on offroad capable vehicles and with all the bells and whistles I decided to own a used 2006 VW Touareg that's a V8 with center and rear lockers, air suspension and its fully offroad capable but lacks underbody protection. In time I'll modify skid plates and I'll offroad with it but it runs premium fuel which is very expensive to travel and offroad in. Esp traveling several hours to play in an offroading park. Though it's ready to offroad with my Wildpeaks like you have on your truck and jeep. Hopefully in time I'll offroad and enjoy my old hobby.

Get a welder and fabricate your own gear don't buy imported from elsewhere, you pay extra