Newbie Needs to Know Which Jeep?

[Yarjammer]

A local's perspective-
Daily driving your expo style rig in Seattle is an act of faith and commitment, but makes it all worth it when an inch of snow hits the ground and the city shuts down. Size (width and height) does matter if you're going to need to park your rig in one of the garages in downtown Seattle or Bellevue; keep that in mind when envisioning your potential builds. Roof racks and larger tires can spell trouble for those areas. My JKU is nearly 7'6" with tires, lift, rack, and RTT. If you like going to the Oly. Peninsula, the ferry is prohibitively expensive due to over-height charges.

Commander:
Driven as a rental car a few times and liked it. If the aftermarket support were there it could be an awesome rig. With a limited budget I'd pass on it.

Grand Cherokee:
Had an older model and ridden the new ones. I think they are too nice for the task at hand. For what you get, I think they are too big on the outside and too small on the inside for anything but hitting the slopes for the weekend. I find the bubble styling and luxury interior to the detriment of spacial efficiency. My ZJ did what I asked of it back in the day, but I wasn't into wheeling at the time either.

Liberty:
I had an early KJ and really liked it most of the time. I ended up selling it to buy a H3 that had more space. If you want to retain the city friendly aspects of your Scion xB but wanted to have some fun off road this should be on your list over the KK. If you want to see the potential, check out Lost Jeeps (used to be "Lost KJ"). There isn't a great deal of support, but what you need is available. You would definitely want to get a trailer to carry your gear when you want to head out camping with anything more than backpacking gear though.


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Even though you didn't ask, I still think it is worth saying...
Non-'06 Hummer H3:
Good to go with a crank of the T-bars. I think it is basically the same as a JKU if you never plan on taking the roof and doors off [Someone is going to shoot me for this]. I've owned both. Sure, the JKU has a solid front axle and huge aftermarket backing but the H3 has plenty of decent options and more support than you'd think. It went everywhere I asked of it with no drama. Hummer stigma aside, it is a great truck so long as you avoid the early to mid '06s.

 

[SSF556]

What about a Toyota Land Cruiser 100 series....that is what I would be looking at...plenty of room and plenty of aftermarket...you can find them in the $15,000 to $20,000 range all day long...with 90,000 to 130,000 miles.


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[BCobe]

What about a Toyota Land Cruiser 100 series....that is what I would be looking at...plenty of room and plenty of aftermarket...you can find them in the $15,000 to $20,000 range all day long...with 90,000 to 130,000 miles.


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I cant remember if it was this thread but I thought he was trying to keep it at around/lower than 13K

 

[F40]

I cant remember if it was this thread but I thought he was trying to keep it at around/lower than 13K

Yep... I don't think he mentioned wanting an explosive front diff either.

 

[AdventureHare]

Yep... I don't think he mentioned wanting an explosive front diff either.

Explosive front diff! Yay! Sign me up! :wings:

Actually, I'm trying to keep it under $10k, if possible. I'm trying to keep some money aside for tires, lift, skids, and other rig-based equipment. I'd go higher if I found something already outfitted to the task.

The UJZ is sorta on my list. I have a tough time justifying the mpg.

 

[AdventureHare]

A local's perspective-
Daily driving your expo style rig in Seattle is an act of faith and commitment, but makes it all worth it when an inch of snow hits the ground and the city shuts down. Size (width and height) does matter if you're going to need to park your rig in one of the garages in downtown Seattle or Bellevue; keep that in mind when envisioning your potential builds. Roof racks and larger tires can spell trouble for those areas. My JKU is nearly 7'6" with tires, lift, rack, and RTT. If you like going to the Oly. Peninsula, the ferry is prohibitively expensive due to over-height charges.

All excellent points. Parking structures and ferries are part of my life. Not going with RTT (my sleepy wife and ladders don't mix well) but height will need to be kept reasonable.

Commander:
Driven as a rental car a few times and liked it. If the aftermarket support were there it could be an awesome rig. With a limited budget I'd pass on it.

Yeah, it's got a lot of good elements but the strikes against are just as big.

Grand Cherokee:
Had an older model and ridden the new ones. I think they are too nice for the task at hand. For what you get, I think they are too big on the outside and too small on the inside for anything but hitting the slopes for the weekend. I find the bubble styling and luxury interior to the detriment of spacial efficiency. My ZJ did what I asked of it back in the day, but I wasn't into wheeling at the time either.

Good size summation. My experience with all years is just looking thru the windows. It appears larger than the xB but the shape allows me to use every cubic inch.

Liberty:
I had an early KJ and really liked it most of the time. I ended up selling it to buy a H3 that had more space. If you want to retain the city friendly aspects of your Scion xB but wanted to have some fun off road this should be on your list over the KK. If you want to see the potential, check out Lost Jeeps (used to be "Lost KJ"). There isn't a great deal of support, but what you need is available. You would definitely want to get a trailer to carry your gear when you want to head out camping with anything more than backpacking gear though.

I was leaning to the KK because it is bigger than the KJ and I thought the bubbly shape made it worse. They're a good value in our area as there are many available. Not sure if I will add it to my list given the limitations of the KK drivetrain are the still there. I'll address trailers below.

----
Even though you didn't ask, I still think it is worth saying...
Non-'06 Hummer H3:
Good to go with a crank of the T-bars. I think it is basically the same as a JKU if you never plan on taking the roof and doors off [Someone is going to shoot me for this]. I've owned both. Sure, the JKU has a solid front axle and huge aftermarket backing but the H3 has plenty of decent options and more support than you'd think. It went everywhere I asked of it with no drama. Hummer stigma aside, it is a great truck so long as you avoid the early to mid '06s.

The H3 is outside my $ range and not on my list. For the money, there are others that are more attractive to me.

Trailers: When I first started researching this hobby, having a trailer made a lot of sense; expandable size, can drive without it, can hook up and go, minimal rig inconvenience/changes. Then I looked at the cost premium and began looking at cheap ways of making it work. I figured $3k would be the minimum required if I built it myself. As of now, I'm thinking that I'd rather get a $9k rig than a $6k rig + trailer. If I had a $20k vehicle budget, there'd be little doubt I'd be looking at trailers. But with the reminder of height limitations in our area, I may have re-evaluate this again. Perhaps the versatility of a trailer could convince the banker to release more funds.

 

[docwatson]

Well I guess it's time to buy the Pathfinder...

Although I know space has been brought up, it seems like 2 people and a dog should be able to make a midsize suv work. Even if it is small for the class.

 

[AdventureHare]

Well I guess it's time to buy the Pathfinder...

Although I know space has been brought up, it seems like 2 people and a dog should be able to make a midsize suv work. Even if it is small for the class.

That's my thoughts too, on both points. A mid size SUV should be able to work. And I was just looking at R50 pathfinders in case I go trailer.

 

[goin camping]

Random thought. Get limited slip axles and you may not need the recovery equipment.

 

[F40]

Random thought. Get limited slip axles and you may not need the recovery equipment.

Recovery equipment is always a necessity.

 

[AdventureHare]

Recovery equipment is always a necessity.

My learning is new but I must have had some good teachers as this is what I believe. Just watched another Wayalife video and their massive jks need recovery quite often. Although I would not intentionally go down a path that was beyond the car and me, it will happen and I'd like to get out again, with the rig intact.

 

[unkamonkey]

There's always somebody else out there that needs recovery so some equipment should be on board. It doesn't need to be set up totally but a good tow strap with proper attachment devices and a shovel I would consider to be the absolute bare minimum. I carry quite a bit more in the 3B. Both Jeeps have winches and all of the needed extras to go with them.

 

[dbandel]

Out of curiousity, what is on "the full list" so we can put these 3 jeeps in perspective against other brand competitors

In your discussion you left out what I feel is the most important part - how do you plan on using this vehicle? What types of terrain? In what weather? For how long, and over how much "unsupported" distance (between "civilization" stops)? How much are you planning on carrying?

Honestly, I've owned five different Jeeps and three trucks. The Jeep short wheel base models are best (and popular) for technical off-roading (tight rocks, trees, etc.) because of the short wheelbase. Longer wheelbase vehicles simply can't go some of the places a short, 80-inch wheelbase vehicle can get into. However, those shorter vehicles can't carry anywhere nearly as much cargo. A truck, in comparison can carry over a ton of gear, usually doesn't need as much after-market modifications (lift) to get comparably sized larger tires under it, and are for the most part going to be a bit "heavier duty" if you are in the 2500-4500 series trucks. I guess I wonder what your reasoning was for either not considering these larger vehicles, or for ruling them out? I totally understand personal preference is a big part of this decision as well, but trucks (in my opinion, having as I said owned several of both types) make much better "daily drivers" simply due to the cargo capacity.

-David

 

[AdventureHare]

In your discussion you left out what I feel is the most important part - how do you plan on using this vehicle? What types of terrain? In what weather? For how long, and over how much "unsupported" distance (between "civilization" stops)? How much are you planning on carrying?

Perfectly valid questions that I only hinted at because I wanted to limit the discussion to just the 3 Jeeps I listed. But this thread has run it's course, so I'll add some details.

The rig will primarily be my daily driver that will be used to reach further into the National Forests and Parks of the western USA and possibly CA. Eventually, I'd like to make some "wheeling" trips but focus will be on "getting away" and what we can do at the destination. At the moment, she's saying she doesn't want to spend our trips into the wilderness in a vehicle. I think if we're averaging 10mph, I'm doomed. Based on the Overland Journal's Trail Rating Guide, I'd say we'll be 2.5 (rugged track) at most with the wife. If she find's the journeys fun or never wants to go again, I'll move into "trails" (say 3.5).

When I began narrowing my choices, I decided 4 people for 4 days would be my target. That translates into 2 people for a week. That also led me into considering a trailer. I'm not so hard-fixed on the "4 people" for overlanding part any more but it's still in my mind, as is the trailer. I do know the 4 days is about the limit for traveling on ice, so I'm thinking a 'fridge. We'll be doing a ground tent. And I'll have a kitchen box. I'll probably do a rack and an awning but as Yarjammer pointed out, there are very good reasons to keep under a certain height out here.

Honestly, I've owned five different Jeeps and three trucks. The Jeep short wheel base models are best (and popular) for technical off-roading (tight rocks, trees, etc.) because of the short wheelbase. Longer wheelbase vehicles simply can't go some of the places a short, 80-inch wheelbase vehicle can get into. However, those shorter vehicles can't carry anywhere nearly as much cargo. A truck, in comparison can carry over a ton of gear, usually doesn't need as much after-market modifications (lift) to get comparably sized larger tires under it, and are for the most part going to be a bit "heavier duty" if you are in the 2500-4500 series trucks. I guess I wonder what your reasoning was for either not considering these larger vehicles, or for ruling them out? I totally understand personal preference is a big part of this decision as well, but trucks (in my opinion, having as I said owned several of both types) make much better "daily drivers" simply due to the cargo capacity.

-David

For me, comfort is a large consideration as long as it's my primary transport. Size and MPG are also factors. Driving and parking a large rig in Seattle really sucks and the city is going to make it more difficult. It's gotta have a adult human compatible backseat so I can carry friends. And I have to be able to trust it. For my objectives, short wheelbases are not a factor. I don't see anything under 100" as being necessary. But too long is. I'm not certain what too long is but I'm guessing >130". I have occasionally re-looked at full-size rigs but for the price range I'm in, most of "duty" has be driven out of them leaving just the "heavier" parts. :ylsmoke:

I've never been much of pickup truck guy. I greatly prefer wagons and SUVs. I owned a new S10 in '94 (4.3L + manual) but didn't enjoy it. Much has changed in 20 years but I'd be looking at getting something close to that vintage in a full-size and that just doesn't appeal to me. First gen Frontiers or Tacomas are really the limit for me, and it'd be only because I'm forced into it. I see the advantages of a full-size rig but for what I want to do, I'm not forced out of the mid-sized. And to me, a trailer is more attractive than a pickup bed.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Something else to consider with an awning, is that with an enclosure kit, you won't necessarily have to set up the tent, and can sleep on cots. Might make it a bit more enjoyable for the wife, and a faster setup/take-down.