The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2 door brings back classic off-road features with updated suspension and axle technology. This trim level honors the original Willys MB from World War II while adding modern capability. If you want a no-nonsense off-roader that still handles daily driving, this is a strong contender.
Jeep designed the Willys package for people who actually take their Wrangler off pavement. You get heavy-duty components without paying for luxury extras you don’t need. The two-door body keeps the wheelbase short, which helps on tight trails.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about this model. We’ll cover performance, features, pricing, and how it compares to other trims.
2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2 Door Overview
The Willys trim sits between the base Sport and the popular Sahara in the lineup. It focuses on off-road readiness rather than comfort upgrades. You get a lot of capability for the money.
Key standard features include:
- Command-Trac 4×4 system with 2.72:1 low-range ratio
- Dana 44 heavy-duty rear axle
- Next Generation Dana 44 front axle
- 32-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires
- 17-inch gloss black wheels
- Rubicon-style hood with decals
- Black grille with Willys badge
- Traction control with off-road calibration
- Hill start assist
- Electronic roll mitigation
The 2024 model year brings a few updates. Jeep refreshed the interior with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen as standard. You also get the latest Uconnect 5 system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Engine Options For The 2024 Willys 2 Door
You have two engine choices for the two-door Willys. The standard option is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. It makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The optional engine is the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It produces 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine only comes with the eight-speed automatic. The turbo gives you more low-end grunt for crawling over rocks.
Fuel economy is similar for both engines. The V6 gets about 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The turbo four gets 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style and tire pressure.
Suspension And Axle Upgrades
The Willys package includes several suspension upgrades over the base Sport. You get heavy-duty shocks tuned for off-road use. The springs are also stiffer to handle rough terrain.
The Dana 44 axles are a big deal. The base Sport uses a lighter Dana 35 rear axle. The Dana 44 is stronger and can handle bigger tires later. If you plan to modify your Jeep, the Willys gives you a better starting point.
The 32-inch tires are a step up from the 29-inch tires on the Sport. They give you more ground clearance and better traction in mud and snow. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires are a proven design for mixed driving.
Exterior Design And Features
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2 door looks tough from every angle. The black grille and Willys hood decal set it apart from other trims. You also get black fender flares and black door handles.
Standard exterior features include:
- Freedom Top three-piece modular hardtop
- Full-size spare tire mounted on the tailgate
- Halogen headlights with LED accent lighting
- Manual folding soft top option available
- Tow hooks front and rear
- Side steps for easier entry
The two-door body style is shorter than the four-door Unlimited. The wheelbase is 96.8 inches compared to 118.4 inches for the Unlimited. This shorter wheelbase helps you navigate tight switchbacks and narrow trails.
You can remove the doors and lower the windshield for a true open-air experience. The Freedom Top has two removable panels above the front seats. You can store them in the cargo area using the included bag.
Color Options For 2024
Jeep offers several color choices for the Willys trim. Popular options include:
- Black
- Bright White
- Hydro Blue Pearl
- Earl (gray)
- Firecracker Red
- Granite Crystal Metallic
- Sarge Green
- Silver Zynith
Some colors cost extra. The premium colors like Hydro Blue and Firecracker Red add $495 to the price. Basic colors like Black and Bright White are standard.
Interior Comfort And Technology
The 2024 Willys gets a significant interior upgrade. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard. It runs Uconnect 5, which is faster and more intuitive than the old system.
Standard interior features include:
- Cloth seats with manual adjustment
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Automatic climate control
- Six-speaker audio system
- USB-C ports front and rear
- 12-volt power outlet in cargo area
- Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
The two-door model has limited rear seat space. Adults can fit in the back for short trips, but it’s tight. The cargo area is also small. You get about 12.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Folding the rear seats gives you 31.7 cubic feet.
If you need more space, consider the four-door Unlimited. But for most off-road use, the two-door is more maneuverable.
Technology Package Options
You can add several option packages to the Willys. The Technology Group adds:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- ParkSense rear park assist
The Safety Group adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. These features are helpful if you daily drive your Wrangler in the city.
The Cold Weather Group adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. This is useful if you live in northern climates.
Off-Road Performance
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2 door is built for trails. The short wheelbase and strong axles make it capable in rocks, mud, and sand. Here’s how it performs in different conditions.
Rock Crawling
The 32-inch tires give you 10.1 inches of ground clearance. The approach angle is 41.4 degrees, and the departure angle is 36.1 degrees. These numbers are good for a stock vehicle.
The Command-Trac 4×4 system works well for most trails. The low-range gearing gives you good control at low speeds. The Dana 44 axles can handle the stress of climbing over rocks.
You should still be careful with larger obstacles. The Willys doesn’t have locking differentials like the Rubicon. You rely on the traction control system to manage wheel spin.
Mud And Sand
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires perform well in mud and sand. They have deep treads that clear mud effectively. The tire pressure can be lowered for better flotation on sand.
The V6 engine provides enough power to push through deep mud. The turbo four gives you more torque at lower RPMs, which helps in soft sand.
Snow And Ice
The Willys handles snow well thanks to the all-terrain tires and 4×4 system. The traction control helps prevent wheel spin on icy roads. The hill descent control is useful for steep, snowy descents.
You can add snow chains for extreme conditions. The wheel wells have enough clearance for most chain sizes.
Pricing And Value
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2 door starts at around $38,000 including destination. This is about $4,000 more than the base Sport but $5,000 less than the Rubicon.
Here’s a quick price breakdown:
- Base Sport 2 door: $34,000
- Willys 2 door: $38,000
- Sahara 2 door: $42,000
- Rubicon 2 door: $43,000
Adding options increases the price. The automatic transmission adds $2,000. The turbo engine adds $1,500. The Technology Group adds $1,200. A fully loaded Willys can reach $45,000.
Is it worth it? If you want off-road capability without paying for Rubicon extras like locking diffs and sway bar disconnect, the Willys is a good value. You get the stronger axles and better tires right from the factory.
Resale Value
Jeep Wranglers hold their value better than most vehicles. The Willys trim is popular with enthusiasts, so resale should be strong. Expect to retain about 60-65% of the value after five years.
Two-door models are less common than four-door models. This scarcity can help resale value. If you keep the Jeep stock and maintain it well, you’ll get good money when you sell.
Comparison With Other Trims
Let’s see how the Willys stacks up against the Sport and Rubicon.
Willys Vs Sport
The Sport is the base model. It has smaller tires, weaker axles, and fewer off-road features. The Sport is fine for light off-road use and daily driving. But if you plan to hit trails regularly, the Willys is worth the extra money.
Key differences:
- Sport: 29-inch tires, Dana 35 rear axle, basic shocks
- Willys: 32-inch tires, Dana 44 rear axle, heavy-duty shocks
Willys Vs Rubicon
The Rubicon is the ultimate off-road Wrangler. It has locking differentials, a sway bar disconnect, and 33-inch tires. The Rubicon also has a 4:1 low-range ratio for crawling.
Key differences:
- Willys: No lockers, 32-inch tires, 2.72:1 low range
- Rubicon: Front and rear lockers, 33-inch tires, 4:1 low range
If you do extreme rock crawling, the Rubicon is better. For most other off-road use, the Willys is plenty capable.
Modifications And Upgrades
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2 door is a great platform for modifications. The Dana 44 axles can handle 35-inch tires without upgrading. Here are some common upgrades.
Tires And Wheels
You can fit 33-inch tires on the stock suspension. For 35-inch tires, you need a 2-inch lift. Many owners go with 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires for serious off-road use.
Aftermarket wheels are popular. Look for wheels with proper backspacing to avoid rubbing. Many owners choose 17×9 wheels with 4.5 inches of backspacing.
Suspension Lift
A 2-inch lift is common for the Willys. It gives you room for larger tires and improves ground clearance. Brands like Teraflex and Rock Krawler make quality lift kits.
You can also add longer shocks for better articulation. The stock shocks are decent, but aftermarket options like Fox or Bilstein improve ride quality.
Armor And Protection
Adding skid plates protects the underbody. The Willys comes with basic skid plates, but you can add more coverage. Rock sliders protect the rocker panels from damage.
A front bumper with a winch mount is useful for recovery. Warn makes reliable winches. A winch can pull you out of sticky situations.
Common Issues And Reliability
The 2024 Wrangler is generally reliable. The 3.6-liter V6 has been used for years and is well-tested. The 2.0-liter turbo is newer but has proven reliable.
Some common issues to watch for:
- Soft top leaks in heavy rain
- Infotainment system glitches
- Door alignment issues
- Steering wander on highways
Most of these are minor. Jeep has improved quality control over the years. The 2024 model should be one of the most reliable Wranglers yet.
Who Should Buy The 2024 Willys 2 Door?
This Jeep is for people who want a capable off-roader without luxury frills. It’s also for those who appreciate the classic Willys heritage. The two-door body is ideal for solo adventurers or couples without kids.
You should buy the Willys if:
- You go off-road regularly
- You want stronger axles from the factory
- You like the classic Willys look
- You plan to modify your Jeep later
- You prefer a shorter wheelbase for trails
You might prefer another trim if:
- You need more passenger space
- You want luxury features like leather seats
- You do extreme rock crawling
- You want the best fuel economy
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2 door is a solid choice for off-road enthusiasts. It offers genuine capability without breaking the bank. The Dana 44 axles and 32-inch tires give you a strong foundation for adventures.
The two-door body is nimble and fun to drive. It’s not as practical as the four-door, but it’s more authentic to the Wrangler spirit. If you value off-road performance over passenger space, this is your Jeep.
Test drive one to feel the difference. The manual transmission is engaging, but the automatic is smoother for daily driving. Either way, you get a vehicle that’s ready for trails straight from the factory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2 Door Good For Daily Driving?
Yes, it works fine for daily driving. The ride is firmer than the Sahara but still comfortable. The 32-inch tires create some road noise, but it’s not excessive. Fuel economy is average for a truck-based SUV.
Can The 2024 Willys 2 Door Handle 35-Inch Tires Without A Lift?
No, you need at least a 2-inch lift to fit 35-inch tires. The stock suspension doesn’t have enough clearance. You can fit 33-inch tires without a lift, but 35s require modification.
Does The 2024 Willys Have Locking Differentials?
No, the Willys does not come with locking differentials. It uses the brake-based traction control system to manage wheel spin. For most off-road use, this is sufficient. If you need lockers, consider the Rubicon.
What Is The Towing Capacity Of The 2024 Willys 2 Door?
The towing capacity is 2,000 pounds for the two-door model. This is enough for a small trailer or a couple of jet skis. The four-door Unlimited can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
How Much Does The 2024 Willys 2 Door Weigh?
The curb weight is around 4,100 pounds for the V6 with automatic transmission. The turbo engine adds about 100 pounds. The two-door is lighter than the Unlimited by about 400 pounds.