JK and the thick stuff

[SaMingTRD]

I am in the process of moving down to Eastern Kentucky for my job (U.S. Forest Service) and have been blown away by all the thick and narrow vehicle trails cut through the Daniel Boone Forest and Cumberland Gap area.

I have been eyeing 80 series and Taco's because hey, they're toyota's...especially the roomier Taco since I have a trained K-9 (65 lbs) that will be riding along with me. I am really looking to start off on small local expeditions around the area and staying east of the Mississippi.

Here's the issue...I am fairly certain that there is considerable risk of getting a TLC or Taco for the job and having the tights trails destroy the long body rigs, so I am re-considering a 4-door JK for the job. While down there, after finishing paper work on my home all I saw was JK's and Xterra's, even the U.S. FS government issued vehicle is a 2 door wrangler.

Let me hear what you guys think or if anyone is from/visited that area. My main concern is going with my head and choising the Taco for it's reliability and the DC room rather then choosing a vehicle to best suit the areas I want to explore. - keep in mind a 65lbs dog will be with me

Thanks fellas,
-SaMingTRD

 

[madizell]

Haven't been in the D Boone Forest since about 1974 when I used to race motorcycle hare and hound there, but the trails were smallish, and when wet, quite slippery. I don't know that there would be much difference between a 2-door Taco and a JK Jeep in terms of avoiding body damage from narrow trails. Perhaps if you want to have the ultimate vehicle for such trails, as well as a nice cool factor, find a clean CJ-2A or M38, and don't worry about the side panels.

 

[WFTW]

All the vehicles you described would make it down the trail. I'm from south Florida where the trails can be quite TIGHT...especially for the H2 I had at the time. I had no hesitation going right through that stuff...sure I got some nice pin stripes and dents, but if that's what I was concerned about, I wouldn't be off-roading to begin with.

However, if you are worried about your paint job, then get the Jeep. Why? Removable doors, removable top. So, you take the top off, doors off, get some AEV corner guards for the back, throw some painters tape on the little bit of paint left showing, and you're golden.

If you want to leave the doors on, then go to www.trailduty.com and get the shields for the JK...no worries.

Here's the view out of the front windshield on a FL trail.

This was taken after doing some mudding.

Here's a rock attacking my doors.

Not to be out done by a rock, a tree branch decided to have some fun of its own and attacked my window.

Point is, a large vehicle can make it through tight trails...you just have to be willing to get some boo-boo's along the way and be familiar enough to make your vehicle fit down trails where other people would swear up and down you won't have room.

In the end, it still cleaned up nice. Here it is before I sold it (post-damage).

 

[TheGillz]

I have a 4door JK and a 100lb(and growing) Newfoundland. I couldnt recommend this vehicle strongly enough! I also have a wife and two girls and we all fit nicely! For as long as the wheel base is, it still has a really tight turning radias.

Plus its a CONVERTABLE! You can't really beat that!

 

[maximumrob]

NICE truck.

 

[haven]

cargo

There's not much difference between the dimensions of the Wrangler Unlimited and the Tacoma Double Cab:

Jeep Unlimited Rubicon 4x4
length.....184
width.....74
height.....72
wheelbase.....116
ground clearance.....10
turning diameter.....41 ft curb-to-curb
cargo capacity.....1058

Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
length.....208
width.....75
height.....70
wheelbase.....128
ground clearance.....9
turning diameter.....41 ft curb-to-curb
cargo capacity.....1360

I think the question is:
Do you want/need the extra cargo capacity and flexibility of the Tacoma?

 

[Hogdriver42]

I have another question along the same line: Do you really need a brand new vehicle?

My reason for asking is that most of the newer vehicles you're talking about have the same increased width that makes body damage more likely. By comparison an Unlimited jeep TJ is several inches narrower than the JK.

The same is true about toyotas these days. My 1999 tacoma is 70 inches wide and a full foot shorter than the new generation tacomas. The 3rd gen 4runner is also much smaller and easier to maneuver on tight trails with minimal body damage.

My biggest gripe about new vehicles made in the states is that every generation gets bigger and wider. That's why I'll be looking for a 3rd gen 4runner or 4-door tacoma when I get back to the states.

 

[korisu56]

Only problem with the LJ is that they were produced for a limited number of years so you may have trouble finding after market parts in a while. I know that several companies have already stopped making LJ parts. That being said, I wish I would have gotten an LJ. My good friend has one and the first thing I noticed/envied was the room. Two JK's went out on the trail with us last time and both had problems. Nothing that can't be fixed with relocation brackets (I think one was the evac canister). Just my .02.

 

[roadkill]

Only problem with the LJ is that they were produced for a limited number of years so you may have trouble finding after market parts in a while. I know that several companies have already stopped making LJ parts. That being said, I wish I would have gotten an LJ. My good friend has one and the first thing I noticed/envied was the room. Two JK's went out on the trail with us last time and both had problems. Nothing that can't be fixed with relocation brackets (I think one was the evac canister). Just my .02.

so were the scramblers and yet you can still find almost anything you need for them. the only items that I think would/could get scarce will be rocker guards and tops. all other parts should swap over from a reg TJ. the rocker guards can be fabbed up easy enough so that only leaves top availability being an issue. seeing as you can still get tops for scramblers, I do not see that as a potential issue. I guess interior carpet could also be hard to find, but that can be solved with a spray in liner.

 

[WFTW]

NICE truck.

Thanks. I really liked my H2 a LOT. But, I beat the heck out of it and with 86,000 miles on the odometer, I was ready for a new vehicle. Plus, I like the idea of driving around the country in a topless Jeep (I have a JK now).