JK longjevity question

[irish1371]

I find myself in a pickle these days. My daughter is old enough now to want to invite friends on our outings. So the LJ is just not big enough.

I have been eying two rigs a rubi jku and a xj both are large enough for 3 kids in the back. the pro's for the xj for me are that is easy for me to work on but more family friendly than my lj.

now the jk I can work on mostly, there are more bells and whistles on them and this is my rub. I am wondering how well the jk's electronics will hold up over 15 years? Will we suddenly see a host of major repairs after 10 years? will it be a pita to keep going after a long time or will it mainly be odds and ends normal wear and tear work?

I am happy to say that atm a budget is not a factor in deciding my choice of rigs only size comfort and longevity.

I do love how much is offered for the jk in aftermarket gear but the xj does have a ton of support also

I do sometimes look at the jku and think that it is too large(long) after going from my tj to my lj i was surprised at how much more the lj needed for turns and now I hesitate on the jku for the same reasons. I will be towing a small camper/trailer with this rig


So friends chime in and let me know what you think?

 

[Judoka]

OK man, let me give you my opinion as a Jeep Freak and as a Certified Chrysler Sales Professional. I have owned 2 TJs with the 4.0 and I now own 2 2013 JKU Rubis' so I am quite familiar with these vehicles. The bulletproof dependability you are used to in the LJ is still there in the NEW JKU...as in 212 and later because of the 3.6L . As for electronics, well they will fail over time as everything else does . BUT... If you have the budget as you mentioned this problem is an easy fix! Buy the LIFEMAX extended warranty from your Jeep dealer. This way everthing is covered for one million miles. Do not let them talk you into any other warranty, because they make a lot more money on the Platinum 7 yearones. LIFEMAX only. You wwon't be disappointed!

 

[kojackJKU]

My 2011 has 5 years of running already at 110k on it already. Not an issue other than a problem with the torque converter, its fixed under warranty. everything else has been a joy!

 

[Serg5000]

It's kind of tough to answer your question regarding the JKU. It hasent been on the market long enough for anyone to know what the issue will be. I have an 2008 X. My family and I love this vehicle. Sure minor things come up but those are simple to correct. As for warranty goes, well i question that as well. You can look on any forum and find folks that have modified their JKU. The dealer has the chance to void your warranty as it so desires. Heavily modified or not. That is going to depend on the dealer. I had purchased the extended warranty and it was void because they said i had put bigger tires on the drive train. After some heated conversation I was done. Ended up fixing it myself. So don't get cought up thinking warranty is good no matter what. It's not.

As for the XJ. i just picked one up for my daughter. yes it is roomy and has a 4.0ltr engine. I like it but have yet to use it off road.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I would rock the XJ, go find a clean 96-99 model and build up as needed, if it had issues they would likely be addressed by now. I hated riding in the back seat of a friend's last week, but I'm sure a few tweens would be fine back there. Another option are the 96-98 ZJ with the 4.0, either Jeep will last many years to come and are cheap to insure.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Irish,

To me it depends on what you really like to do. Both vehicles could conceivably meet your needs. If you really enjoy the wrenching and regular maintenance, then the XJ is your baby. Endless work to be done, but if you love it, so much the better. If you are a jump in and drive kind of guy, then I am guessing (especially with the potential warranty backup pointed out earlier) the JK is the way to go.

Good luck, keep us posted.

John

 

[irish1371]

Thanks guys the input was helpful.

I believe I will go drive a 2112+ jku and get a feel for it, But unless I fall in love I will be going for the xj. They wheel as good as a tj(imho). I borrowed the daughter her friend and the 4 yr old boy and his booster seat and we all got into an xj just fine. another plus is I'm 6'2" and could see thru the windshield fine. a Lot of newer vehicles I find myself looking half way thru the roof line.

We will be doing short trips to nearby areas, under 4 hr drives, to explore new areas seek out new life and to.... wait wrong show.

We do mt biking hiking camping geo caching and just love to get beyond the normal roads and find new stuff to show the kids. We will be pulling a small pop up( to keep the wife and daughter happier) for our camping, which will be getting modified to be more off road friendly.

the xj will be getting a rustys 4.5 long arm with 33" a new locked 44 front end and possibly a new rear. aj sliders a xfer skid front and rear bumpers with a winch minor wheel well trimming and new flares. some extra fuel(aev caddy maybe) and extra lighting to start.

The point of the build will be to make a rock solid dependable rig that will get us there and back without worries. that is NOT a rock crawler but we wont be afraid to try a difficult trail with to get to that new area.

I do enjoy doing the mods myself so that did factor into this decision. There will be a host of minor mods to make this more friendly but I must set upon finding a low mile rust free xj with cruise control now while the wife finds a grand cherokee overland summit for her new ride( I get to match her dollar for dollar so I will be set budget wise I believe)

Might take a month or two and some travel to find the right rig but once I get it I will be starting up a build. The wife also informed me that we will not be getting rid of the LJ so It seems I can make that one a bit more to the hard core in a year or two once I get the xj and the trailer all ironed out

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Sounds like you really just wanna get an XJ-

My '08 JKUR/tentrax trailer is close to 7000 lbs GVW and there's very few places, both won't go-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[bdp1978]

Budget isnt an option and you're choosing an XJ over a JKU???


You want the vehicle to last 15 years....and you're choosing an XJ over a JKU???




Agreed to above, sounds like you just really want an XJ...... Ive owned a FSJ, 2 XJ's, a WJ, a YJ, and now the JKU. With 2 kids and a dog....I can still say I would NEVER go back to any of them over the JKU. If I did have to choose I'd go back to the WJ before the XJ's in a heartbeat.

 

[Bennyhana]

If you already have your mind set on the XJ, I'd pass on the JK test drive if you know what I mean...:smiley_drive:

 

[ZMagic97]

I have a 2008 JK and it has never given me an issue. Like others have said, it hasn't been on the market for a very long time so it's hard to say.

If you;re not on much of a budget and will be doing a good amount of highway driving in mountains, I would recommend the JK over the XJ. My XJ would be passed by semis on steep inclines but the JK has no issue pulling its weight.

 

[grogie]

I think you'll end up missing the LJ. Every time someone says that they want to get a TJ and ask for recommendations, it's always to first look for an LJ.

 

[irish1371]

Oh I get to keep the LJ so thats nice. I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I want vs what I need. I want to be able to get out to camp ect I need room for 5 people 2 adults and 3 kids.

I do like the jk but after living in Utah I have a bad taste in my moulth with the jku. It has become the new harley. Any one with the cash has a rubi just cause and I swear some ruling body put out a memo nation wide to the soccer moms of America about how only the up scale kiddie need show up in a new rubi

Plus the costs on jk parts are about set by the gold index I . My budget for this build is in the 60k range but paying 1200 for a 600.00 bumper just because it fits a jk is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

If I was to get a jk it would have to be the jku for the seating and the overall size of the jku is well large. The nice things about the jk is the engine for sure and new bells and whistles. There is no doubt it is a very capable machine. And I am sure it pulls better than a xj on the highway.

The reason i will have to try a test drive in a jk is that I did sit in a base model and I was looking at the roof line through the windshield( I really hate that) but I realize it did not have adjustable seating and that may fix that for me.

I have gone back over this post and it has become clear to me that I seem to have been harboring some ill will twards the jku lol. I didn't realize that.... hum.

I do have a jk build up set about aev 3.5on 35" new front housing bumpers ect. ugh lol Yea I guess I need to go and drive one for a bit. I am comfy when I get into the xj but I find the top of the door frame is in the way of my head as I get in. not a big deal but I'm not as flexible as I use to be after 8 yrs in the Marines and a few close calls the back is about semi jacked.

THe jk might be a better option after that last thought long rides in a more comfortable seat could do me some good maybe that 3.6 will be as impressive as people say.

baa you people are noo help at all

Seriously thank you all for your input and for letting me work thru my jeep insecurities. Please keep throwing some pros and cons my way. be nice to get the xj guys opinion too.

 

[jscusmcvet]

I would say if you have that kind of cash to drop, take a well cared for xj, make her brand new mechanically and interior... (reconsider the rusty's lift, IMO), reinforce the "frame" and keep her for as long as you want. To include top flight seats for your aching back...

John

 

[Idahoan]

I'm confused. Why does it have to be a choice? I have all three.