Newbie Needs to Know Which Jeep?

[AdventureHare]

I went from this
[snipped pic of 1st gen bB]

to this
[snipped pic of JKU with off-road teardrop]

There were a few MINI Coopers in between but that's irrelevant....

Wranglers are easy to mod. I ran 33s with no mods at all (255/80-17).
Hit the easy button...

I drove an '03 MC (solid gold w/ black) prior to buying my xB. Fun car but poor quality (replaced manual trans at 65k, had all the other major issues, and it rattled like a snake).

I fully appreciate the advantages of the JKU. I'm just not playing in that league right now.

 

[docwatson]

I have owned two XJs and never felt they were "modern" nor did I get decent MPG once I started modifying (~17 mpg). Granted I have never owned a WK but have ridden in several and they do feel "modern" and better put together interior. Don't get me wrong, I loved my XJ and they are great for what they are compact, reliable SUVs.

Its tough to deny the advantages found in the WK CRD, especially with QD2. I have watched QD2 do some pretty impressive stuff and you can drive around with luxury amenities and better MPGs, albeit at a higher buy in price. It seems you can fit 32s relatively easy as well.

The only reason I wouldn't put the WK CRD at the top of your entire list is if you wanted more interior space in which case I would lean towards the R51 (I am bias) but then you are sacrificing a solid rear axle.

 

[lumpskie]

Just for fun... you've got a few unique Jeeps for sale in you area!

XJ with an LS1 from a GTO (4l60e trans)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/5148738234.html

SJ Wagoneer with a 401 and 3" lift (Just because I'm a Full Size Jeep fan)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/5132676438.html

BUT, from the sound of it, it seems like you are the kind of guy who'd rather have a nice, comfy, turn-key Jeep that you can take out on relatively easy trails. It sounds like you want something that has a "real" hard top and a bit of luxury. Given that, I'd find a nice, low mileage WJ. You can just throw some decent tires on it and you'll be good to go. IF, later on, you decide that you like wheeling moderate trails that required a bit of lift, you can lift it and go as far as you want with modding it. Short of difficult rock crawling, the WJ platform will be able to handle any terrain (with the right mods) and it will do it with comfort.

Maybe, something like this one? (Talk the guy down to $5k, cut out the old cat and weld in a new one... maybe it's still to high a price. I don't know)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/5145903396.html

 

[Chunkymyster]

L

At the risk of starting a debate about Jeeps vs. the world, in no particular order, the primaries are:
Nissan XTerra, R51 Pathfinder
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Land Rover LR3

The wife is a pro-gardener, and would probably prefer a pickup, so the secondaries are:
Toyota Taco, Tundra
Nissan Frontier, Titan

And vehicles that I like the idea but have excluded for some unjustifiable reason (please don't pursue this, it's not worth the time):
Toyota 4Runner, Sequoia
Chevy Astro, Tahoe, Colorado
VW Westy

I'd like to keep discussions to the origin questions, if you don't mind. Thank you.

I was somewhat in the same situation... I end up picking the Taco over the wrangler for these reasons....
I also have two dogs and having them in the cage in back of the bed keeps the interior clean or you can get a camper open the back window so the air from the cab can keep them cool or warm.
The truck bed comes handy for any honey do's
There is a huge amount of aftermarket products for the taco
Their reputation is amazing... And resale value is above average

 

[AdventureHare]

Some thoughts regarding size: In the xB, I'm able to lay down half of the back seat and carry all we need for car camping, without going above one layer of stuff. For the additional stuff I'm anticipating, I would like somewhere around 1.5x the floor space of what I use. For comparison, the Liberty has more area behind it's seats than the xB but probably would have to fold half the seat as well. GC would be iffy and would probably go with a gate to allow stacking. Big Comm, not a problem.

BTW, we always buckle in the dog too. So seating for 3 is the minimum.

...I would lean towards the R51 (I am bias) but then you are sacrificing a solid rear axle.

I knew you have the R51 Doc. What are you doin' in the Jeep forum, slummin'? :elkgrin: I'm fairly certain I'd be fine w/o the solid rear axle.

[snipped some CL links]
BUT, from the sound of it, it seems like you are the kind of guy who'd rather have a nice, comfy, turn-key Jeep that you can take out on relatively easy trails. It sounds like you want something that has a "real" hard top and a bit of luxury. Given that, I'd find a nice, low mileage WJ. You can just throw some decent tires on it and you'll be good to go. IF, later on, you decide that you like wheeling moderate trails that required a bit of lift, you can lift it and go as far as you want with modding it. Short of difficult rock crawling, the WJ platform will be able to handle any terrain (with the right mods) and it will do it with comfort.
[snipped another]

I think you pretty much nailed it, Lumpski. If I were keeping the xB, I'd go for something with more capability, and less comfort.

I was somewhat in the same situation... I end up picking the Taco over the wrangler for these reasons....
I also have two dogs and having them in the cage in back of the bed keeps the interior clean or you can get a camper open the back window so the air from the cab can keep them cool or warm.
The truck bed comes handy for any honey do's. There is a huge amount of aftermarket products for the taco. Their reputation is amazing... And resale value is above average

The versatility of a pick-up has not been lost on me, or the wife. She was considering a Taco when we got her Prius (it was a strange cross-shopping experience with the Toyota salesman). In my area, good Tacos are just beyond my price range. Inside my range, they're too flawed to consider.

So, WJ / WK are neck and neck, and surging beyond the other Jeeps.

 

[Hilldweller]

What is your budget?

 

[AdventureHare]

What is your budget?

I was considering up to $13k. Wife would prefer $0. So, splitting the difference, $10k. WJ fits well below. WK CRD just squeaks under the original. This is for the vehicle only. I'm budgeting the upgrades and maintenance separately. Unfortunately, in WA I pay 10% sales tax, so $10k really means $9100.

BTW, please keep posting over the weekend. I'll be at Moran State Park in the San Juan Islands, and I'm not sure if I'll have time/facilities to keep checking in.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Comanche Scott]

That CRD makes a great argument for the WK.
There is also a guy in Colorado who makes some pretty cools stuff for the WK as well. So it's viable, and newer...
.
Yeah, I'm glad I don't have to make this decision because it is a tough one. So many great choices even in your secondary list.
I will say that based on your short list there isn't a bad choice to be made.
Happy weekend, and good luck on finding that next great adventure rig! :victory:

 

[BCobe]

My vote would be for a WJ. I swapped my old 01 WJ for a 2 door JK and have been thinking/planing to get another one to use as a "family wheeler". Its comfy, roomy and in my opinion its pretty spacious.

Find a 4.7L, swap in a NP242, do a lift big enough for 33's and I would say you are good to go. The only downfall may be the price point of some of the aftermarket winch bumpers.

 

[Comanche Scott]

My vote would be for a WJ. I swapped my old 01 WJ for a 2 door JK and have been thinking/planing to get another one to use as a "family wheeler". Its comfy, roomy and in my opinion its pretty spacious.

Find a 4.7L, swap in a NP242, do a lift big enough for 33's and I would say you are good to go. The only downfall may be the price point of some of the aftermarket winch bumpers.

My buddy and I bought the plans from flatland4x4, and had the kits cut out by a local guy. I sold my WJ before we had time to build them, He just finished his, and it looks awesome. We did the non-winch plans, because we both wanted to cut the front cross member, weld in the winch plate and frame supports and tuck the winch up tight to maintain approach angle.
In any case, it was much less cash outlay, the trade off being our labor to build them.
He is also going to do their rear bumper.
http://www.flatland4x4.com/

On the WK, if I remember right, the guy in CO has the winch tucked in behind the stock bumper cover. I've seen that done on the WJ as well. Looks awesome!

 

[Septu]

Why did you feel the XJ was so cramped? Are you a big guy? I'm 6'3" (close to 4 actually) and a little over 200 lb and I fit quite comfortably in my 2001 XJ, more so than in my wife's 2015 JK. The ride started out pretty crap with the sagging rear leaf springs but after lifting 3.5", putting on 31's (you really don't need 33's for overlanding), deleting the rear sway bar and installing a CYE & CV driveshaft the ride is very smooth, everything just feels so dialed in and it is a pleasure to drive.

I was thinking the same thing. Drove a stock XJ for 3 years before I had issues that they couldn't fix which I used as an excuse to buy a JKU. But I loved that thing, and did multiple long road trips (3000 miles round trip) with no comfort issues.

 

[SSF556]

There are some things you need to look into on the CRD...there is a swirl motor failure that could cost your thousands to repair...it is hard to get to in the engine. There are however fixes...from a simple fuse fix to a GDE tune that will provide more power and better mpgs but cost $700. I have the GDE tune and it is awesome. Also be weary of CRDs from the North...in their infinite wisdomw Chrysler made the CRD diesel tanks out of steel. They rust real bad.

Other than that OME makes a lift and you can run 32s. The CRD shines in moving bigger wheels and the weight...my WK fully loaded tops out over 6,000 pounds...that is where the diesel engine shines.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jeepinaaron]

I owned a WJ, it was an '04 Overland. So it's very hard for me not to be biased, because I flat out loved that Jeep!
There are a lot of awesome WJ builds on this site as well, with all the trials and tribulations that went with running them from stock to wild.
Great reads if you have the time.
.
That said, "if" I was to do another one, I'd have a real struggle whether to go Laredo 6 cylinder with Select-trac, or Overland 4.7 which almost always comes with Quadra-drive.
Quadra-drive is awesome in the snow and slick mud, but not as adaptable as the Select track with aftermarket lockers front and rear.
The Overland has awesome towing ability. Pull a nice base camp trailer, and the Overland would be my choice hands down. Then it would get the transfer case swapped, and lockers at both ends.
.
There is a lot to be said for solid axles, and the WJ is hands down the best at being a real comfortable, stable and smooth SUV with them.
.
... So much for not being biased. But man, it really is a nice vehicle.
There are also a lot of them out there that have never seen dirt. The aftermarket is coming on strong for them, and the price for a clean one is getting pretty darned cheap.

Good luck with which ever Jeep you get. :beer:

Just to let you know, you can purchase a WJ with a 4.7 and a Selec-Trac. My 2003 Laredo came with both of those.

 

[Jeepinaaron]

I was considering up to $13k. Wife would prefer $0. So, splitting the difference, $10k. WJ fits well below. WK CRD just squeaks under the original. This is for the vehicle only. I'm budgeting the upgrades and maintenance separately. Unfortunately, in WA I pay 10% sales tax, so $10k really means $9100.

BTW, please keep posting over the weekend. I'll be at Moran State Park in the San Juan Islands, and I'm not sure if I'll have time/facilities to keep checking in.

Thanks for the replies.

I replied to another post before I read along to see that you were considering a WJ. I bought my 2003 WJ, rust free with 8x,xxx miles. It has a 4.7 V8 and the Selec-Trac. It is a Laredo and doesn't come with the fancy stuff like leather, climate control, etc. I bought it in TN for $8,600 about a year ago. I have driven a TJ for 10 years, LJ for 1.5, had an XJ for 2 years in there, and now have my WJ. I loved them all but if I had to pick just one it would be the WJ. The WJ feels a lot more solid than the XJ that I had, feels roomier, and rides better.

There isn't as much aftermarket support for the WJ as the XJ or JK. But when you combine the support that is out there, along with some custom parts, you can put together a nice "do anything rig".

Check out my build thread in my sig, I have documented things pretty good.

 

[Hilldweller]

There are some things you need to look into on the CRD...there is a swirl motor failure that could cost your thousands to repair...it is hard to get to in the engine. There are however fixes...from a simple fuse fix to a GDE tune that will provide more power and better mpgs but cost $700. I have the GDE tune and it is awesome. Also be weary of CRDs from the North...in their infinite wisdomw Chrysler made the CRD diesel tanks out of steel. They rust real bad.

Other than that OME makes a lift and you can run 32s. The CRD shines in moving bigger wheels and the weight...my WK fully loaded tops out over 6,000 pounds...that is where the diesel engine shines.

I know... ...sell him yours and you get that JKUR you've been wanting... :sombrero:

Honestly though, Scott's WK is the perfect example of doing right.