I'm going to have to agree with Wc203.
I'll start by saying I no longer DD my 80. Maintenance is too demanding and mpg is too low for my 40-mile roundtrip commute.
Its become a toy that I take my family out offroading, camping, and exploring in...It also works for household stuff. Most recent big trip was last Oct. when I took my 4yr old on the RimRocker trail into Moab(just the two of us). Before that over the summer, was driving to MA and back from CO.
There isnt a comparable new vehicle on the market stateside to an 80-series..A fight I'm sort of having with my wife currently.
For me, I find great benefit in having a soild front axle over IFS for offroading here in CO. Easier to lift and more reliable than IFS here in CO. install the tire valve speed bleeders to air down and simultaneously disconnect the front sway bar and get after it on trail.
So what comparable options do I have with a solid front axle? Jeep Wrangler, more specifically a JKU/JLU...Not wanting to deal with the woes of a d30, that puts rubicon on the table...Or spend a ton for d60's in addition of the vehicle price. Both come with a sizeable price tag vs. maintaining what I already have..(i do the work myself, all of it)...The axles under the 80 are pretty damn stout.
Lets compare the size. My buddies JKU is filled to the brim just to take the family offroading and camping along the trails. Similar family size that I have. Wife, Two kids under 7. Which means the kids are still in car seats. It's tight but manageable...Still, he now has a basecamp trailer in order to open up some interior space for comfort.
And one more reason why the 80 checks all of the boxes for me. I have a third boy on the way. He's due in November. It would be a few years before before taking the new baby on any camping trips...But in a jeep, someone's getting left at home. Chances are my wife would gladly volunteer. lol.
Having the option for all of us(relatively comfortable) plus gear in one vehicle because the 80 has the third row I find ideal.
Even though my 80 including paint(except for one rust hole on my hatch and missing 2 flares) is in really great shape, I still plan on using it all over the states for many many years to come.
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