Setting up a Wrangler Unlimited for expedition??

[The Swiss]

If AEV ever produces their JK camper top I'll be first in line - popup top with built-in industrial strength roof rack.

Thanks Graham for making me drool again. I hope the guys at FWC have this pic too and are thinking about how to make their Falcon fit the JK Unlimited ...

 

[Uticon]

Another thing to remember.
If your buying new, the most factory options you get the more stuff that will be under warrantee.
Its bailed me out more than once.
:safari-rig:

 

[orangeTJ]

Depending on the duration of the trips, I tend to think that a trailer might be the only way to haul the gear required to support a family of 4.

 

[yrw]

hi this is my jeep

hi this is my jeep,

 

[biere]

New guy here, been reading a lot and still have lots more to read.

My final choices for a vehicle were the 4 door wrangler or the grand cherokee.

I wound up with the grand mostly because of the engine.

For the specific requirements of this thread I figure a rubicon will have most of the needs covered along with a warranty on most of the parts.

A trailer is required in my opinion, I don't see any way around it with that many people in the jeep.

I understand going with a lower priced wrangler and adding to it but depending on if the purchaser can leave the rubicon mostly stock I think having warranty would be important.

These days I don't think many vehicles avoid trips to the dealer now and then.

 

[RunninRubicon]

Rubicon pulling a 1700lb trailer

I thought I would shed another thought on this thread. I have a 03 Rubicon on 33s and a 4" lift. I pull a 1700lb Off-road trailer to most every distant location I go. After pulling many mountain passes I found the stock 4.0L (3.8L would'nt be much {if any} better) lacking on thoughs long pulls. Because of this I added a Kenne Bell supercharger and now easily run with the traffic not hidding in the slow lane. But nothing is a free lunch. My gas-milage is about 10mpg pulling a trailer. 8-9mpg if I want to run up the hills and down the road at speed. That said the price of gas mandates consideration of a better aerodynamic vehicle like the Grand Cherokee with either the 4.6L or the CDI. I also agree camping with 4 people will necessitate a trailer. The GC will certainly get better gas mileage pulling a trailer and can be VERY capable off-road. Just my 2 cents.
Best of luck in your endeavors

 

[JRhetts]

TeriAnn
To set a context for my reply, I began Jeep driving in a CJ5 all over West Africa in the early 1960s, with (unrealized) hopes of driving - unsupported - Morocco to East Africa (silly me!).

Now we are running a 2008 Rubi Unlimited. In my opinion, if one wants to run inimproved roads and trails, you can do 99% in a stock Rubi, and if you have 2 of your kids on board you aren't going to (and shouldn't do) the other 1%. So, #1: Advise them to go stock. This vehicle is REMARKABLY well-set up as is!

The back end - with the seats up - will easily hold: 15 gal extra gas in 3 metal Jerry cans secured to the stock tie downs; a PowerTank to refill tires and operate air tools; 5 gal of water in a Jerry can; stand-up tent for 6; two cots for the adults; sleeping bags; a cooler for two to three days of food; pots and a single-burner gas stove. At least, mine does! (When we use the back seat space, either up or down, all sorts of luxuries can be included!.)

I think a family that puts too much emphasis on technical changes to the vehicle is making a mistake: Ego has captured the real goal of the exploration.

If more room is really needed by your clients, advise them to buy a trailer.

 

[Zeero]

Heres is one of our current two 07+ Rubicon Unlimiteds:

We have been extremely lucky and grateful to receive some sponsorship and support for our Expeditions from a variety of manufacturers and services...

This vehicle in the picture has a Rough Country 2.5" suspension upgrade and 1.25" Teraflex wheel spacers and 34.5" Maxxis Bighorn MT's....which were provided to us on both vehicles for our expeditions.

With the addition of a cargo handling system, winch and extra lighting....this vehicle really needs nothing more other than personal support gear.

It truely is an excellent vehicle for this type of travel, we are in the preparation stages of taking these through Moab, the Rockies, and the Arctic......possibly even through South America.

 

[The Swiss]

TeriAnn,

What ever happened to your Expedition JK Unlimited you were involved with?

 

[Zeero]

Yeah I'm curious to? :coffeedrink: