school me on Jeeps please

[Rev]

I have some real noob questions about Jeeps. I know very little about Jeeps. I currently own a 2008 Nissan Xterra. I love my rig. It goes anywhere with 33s and a 3” lift. It is extremely comfortable and powerful. But having bought it brand new I am thinking now that I should have bought something used. We just had a baby and I am beginning to realize just how expensive that can be. So I am thinking of selling the X and buying a used Jeep with a little higher km.

The reasons:

Save money (simplify the “stuff” we own and the debts we have)
Cheaper aftermarket parts
Wheeling a vehicle that does not cost $35k
Front and rear locker? (I have an SE with no locker)
I don’t drive more than 15k km/year so a higher mileage vehicle is just fine
It gets used for a very very short commute (a couple km) to work and then camping, wheeling, touring around on the weekend.

So I am writing here because I know almost nothing about Jeeps and would like some guidance. I am looking at the classic wrangler type Jeep, not a Cherokee type. Again I am ignorant here as you can tell, and I get confused by the tpes, TJ, YJ, sport, Sahara etc.

It would have to handle 4 passengers and have some rear storage. The option for a rack and some expedition set-up would be great. I’d want to run at least 33” tires or more. Gas mileage is not an issue for me as I drive so little. I’d want to lift it with a winch bumper and armour of course. A front and rear locker would be great. And I want to spend between $5-8k CDN on it if possible. Otherwise I might as well keep the X if I spend much more.

Any advice?

 

[durango_60]

It would have to handle 4 passengers and have some rear storage.

This statement unfortunately rules out pretty much anything other than a 2007 or later wrangler unlimited, which isn't going to help you out that much in the money saving department.

 

[Inc]

You should buy my jeep. :victory:

I've got all the goodies you're looking for already built in it. :wings:

 

[Root Moose]

Go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep#XJ_models

For your "ideal" Jeep: 2003 - 2006 TJ Unlimited (i.e. LWB). A SWB will suck for 4 adults travelling any appreciable distance. Both will suck for loading infants.

Your price range you will not find a LWB - at least not in Eastern Ontario (where are you?). Your price range you are looking at 1997~2000ish TJs. You won't find a Rubicon in your price range.

$5-$8k would buy/build a nice XJ or ZJ. Or go up-market for a mildly modified WJ.

 

[JeepN95YJ]

Go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep#XJ_models

For your "ideal" Jeep: 2003 - 2006 TJ Unlimited (i.e. LWB). A SWB will suck for 4 adults travelling any appreciable distance. Both will suck for loading infants.

Your price range you will not find a LWB - at least not in Eastern Ontario (where are you?). Your price range you are looking at 1997~2000ish TJs. You won't find a Rubicon in your price range.

$5-$8k would buy/build a nice XJ or ZJ. Or go up-market for a mildly modified WJ.

This quote hits the nail on the head!

 

[Rev]

Let me clarify that I need to carry 2 adults and a child or two. Fitting a car seat is a must.

Maybe this idea won't work out for me.

I'm located in Toronto.

 

[rynosurf]

Go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep#XJ_models

For your "ideal" Jeep: 2003 - 2006 TJ Unlimited (i.e. LWB). A SWB will suck for 4 adults travelling any appreciable distance. Both will suck for loading infants.

Your price range you will not find a LWB - at least not in Eastern Ontario (where are you?). Your price range you are looking at 1997~2000ish TJs. You won't find a Rubicon in your price range.

$5-$8k would buy/build a nice XJ or ZJ. Or go up-market for a mildly modified WJ.

X2, my Wrangler was crowded even before my wife and I had our kids. I sure it can be done but you would be much more comfortable in a Cherokee.

 

[Piet]

Lot's of information here:
http://www.jeepforum.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Willy's Jeeps - various makers (WWII era jeeps)

These are old School Flatfendered Jeeps​

CJ - (Civilian Jeep) Round Headlights ('45-'86)

Narrow frame with leaf springs, Very Spartan, could get a V8​

YJ Wrangler - Square headlight ('87-'96)

Boxed wider frame, leaf springs, basic (Be prepared to defend square headlights) lots of aftermarket, cheap, 4 and 6 cyl​

TJ Wrangler - Round headlights ('97-'06)

Coil springs car with like interior, lots of aftermarket support, 4 and 6 cyl​

JK Wrangler - Round headlights ('07-present)

Current Jeep, V6 only, very car like inside​

Regular Wranglers ride a bit bouncy due to their short wheelbase... however this is a huge asset on the trail.
A TJ Wrangler Unlimited was offered, which meant a longer wheelbase (more storage behind the rear seat)
In 2007, the Wrangler Unlimited meant 4 door.

In Alberta,
Jeep YJ's can be had for under $5000
Jeep TJ's are usually in the $5-15K range
Jeep JK's are in the $18-40K range

Based on your budget, I would look for a TJ Unlimited. This would be close in size to the XTerra... (BUT ONLY 2 DOOR...)

If you have kids (like Me) I would suggest saving up for a JK. (A cherokee is not an option for me...... just because)

Any more questions?

 

[Rev]

Lot's of information here:
http://www.jeepforum.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Willy's Jeeps - various makers (WWII era jeeps)

These are old School Flatfendered Jeeps​

CJ - (Civilian Jeep) Round Headlights ('45-'86)

Narrow frame with leaf springs, Very Spartan, could get a V8​

YJ Wrangler - Square headlight ('87-'96)

Boxed wider frame, leaf springs, basic (Be prepared to defend square headlights) lots of aftermarket, cheap, 4 and 6 cyl​

TJ Wrangler - Round headlights ('97-'06)

Coil springs car with like interior, lots of aftermarket support, 4 and 6 cyl​

JK Wrangler - Round headlights ('07-present)

Current Jeep, V6 only, very car like inside​

Regular Wranglers ride a bit bouncy due to thier short wheelbase... however this is a huge asset on the trail.
A TJ Wrangler Unlimited was offered, which ment a longer wheelbase (more storage behind the rear seat)
In 2007, the Wrangler Unlimited meant 4 door.

In Alberta,
Jeep YJ's can be had for under $5000
Jeep TJ's are useally in the $5-15K range
Jeep JK's are in the $18-40K range

Based on your budget, I would look for a TJ Unlimited. This would be close in size to the XTerra... (BUT ONLY 2 DOOR...)

If you have kids (like Me) I would suggest saving up for a JK.

Any more questions?

That is great info! Thanks very much! I will read it over a couple times. I could do 2 door so long as a car seat will fit back there. Car seats these days are great in that they just snap in and out of the base. We have a 2003 Grand Am GT that my wife drives. So while we need to be able to put a baby in the back of the Jeep we don't need to take long trips in it etc.

Thanks for the food for thought everyone. If there are any more opinions please post away.

 

[Root Moose]

Let me clarify that I need to carry 2 adults and a child or two. Fitting a car seat is a must.

Maybe this idea won't work out for me.

I'm located in Toronto.

You will tire of loading kids into the back of any vintage Wrangler very quickly. It's just going to suck. My YJ is on 33s, I know of what I speak. I can't imagine having to deal with infants in that scenario.

He!!, it sucks loading my boys into the back of my 2008 Civic 2 door - and they do all the work themselves.

Buy a 2003-2004 WJ, 4.7V8, Select-Trac. Add a spacer lift and the biggest tires that'll fit. Call it done. If you are liquid enough and have the $5-8k and will not incur payments this would be a no brainer IMO. With no payments you can add armour and the cool bits after the fact.

If you like vintage iron there is a 88 FSJ Grand Wagoneer for sale at a used car place in Cobourg. IIRC it is $5995 and supposedly a South Carolina vehicle. If this will be your daily driver or only vehicle I don't recommend this route though.

 

[Rev]

ha! I'm tired of loading my son in and out of the X. :ylsmoke:

Maybe I can buy something like this for the weekend one day. http://autotrader.ca/used_cars_Ligh...=70&CompanyID=&r=ontario&ad-attributes=photos,,

 

[Amauri]

Why not a Cherokee or a Grand Cherokee? They are both great vehicles, and you can get grands with V8's.

 

[Amauri]

Jeep porn...

 

[SeaRubi]

just keep your xterra. it's a modern, safe vehicle and already does what you need it to do. if you bounce to a jeep go with a nice cherokee 2000 or newer, or just swap your payment for a JK Unlimited.

my .02

 

[Rev]

Why not a Cherokee or a Grand Cherokee? They are both great vehicles, and you can get grands with V8's.

As nice as they are I personally am not a big fan of the style. In that case I'd just stick with my X.

just keep your xterra. it's a modern, safe vehicle and already does what you need it to do. if you bounce to a jeep go with a nice cherokee 2000 or newer, or just swap your payment for a JK Unlimited.

my .02

I think you are right. I've already put quite a bit of work into her anyway and I really like it a lot! Oh well. I've just always loved the TJ style jeeps and thought maybe I could save some coin.