What did you do to your Expo Jeep today?

[VagabondExpedition]

There probably isn't too many of us that like hearing new noises coming from our Jeeps.. and I had new noises after I installed my awning a couple weeks ago.

Replaced my awning zipper pulls to something less "jingly"....


Simple fix and only cost a few pennies:

 

[MTSN]

Made some progress on my build. Added the AEV 3.5" and 315/70/17 Duratracs with the newer style Rubicon wheels and Spidertrax 1.5" spacers. I was really frustrated with Discount Tire because I wanted the 35x12.50x17 BFG AT KO2, and they wouldn't mount them on the stock wheels because they said the "book" calls for a wider rim. But they would mount the Duratrac no problem even though the "book" calls for the same width rim as the BFG!! I've run the Duratracs in the past and really like them, but I was looking forward to trying something new. Oh well I'm definitely happy overall and dig the ride and the way it looks too. It seems like it could benefit from extra weight on the ends, so that will be the next stage.

 

[Lucky j]

Not today, but since I got it in december, but more during the last week.

So installed 1995 YJ wrangle mirrors on my TJ unlimited,
Installed blue sea usb double charger
Installed seat slider for rear bench seat (still under evaluation) allows me to place my ARB fridge lenght wise with the seat (for dog)
Installed front warn HS9500i winch from same yj to the TJ
Installed 3 1/2" metal cloak suspension lift w blistein 5100 shocks and sway bar disconect and 33" MTZ tires
Installed rear winch bumper (w warn VR 9500 winch) with tire carrier, gerry can holder (x2) and high lift jack carrier



And took it wheeling last saturday to test drive the suspension! Was great!

 

[luk4mud]

What did I do to my Expo Jeep today? I sold it. Got tired of the endless electrical, rear end issues, some fixed under warranty, others not.

Loved my 2002 Wrangler. The 2012 JK? Not so much. I am not a brand basher, but I will be hard pressed to buy another Jeep now. Back to a Toyota for me.

 

[Metal Man]

What did I do to my Expo Jeep today? I sold it. Got tired of the endless electrical, rear end issues, some fixed under warranty, others not.

Loved my 2002 Wrangler. The 2012 JK? Not so much. I am not a brand basher, but I will be hard pressed to buy another Jeep now. Back to a Toyota for me.

If you spent what a JK costs on a TJ or YJ you would have a Jeep much better than a JK, just my opinion though. I'm not a fan of the V6, kind of a Jeep inline 6 purest myself.

 

[kojackJKU]

Maybe, but I would not have 4 doors, and lots of cargo space for the family....plus a rougher ride in all conditions. tit for tat. My v6 does just fine.

 

[MTSN]

If you spent what a JK costs on a TJ or YJ you would have a Jeep much better than a JK, just my opinion though. I'm not a fan of the V6, kind of a Jeep inline 6 purest myself.

After having a CJ5, CJ7, YJ, several XJs and a ZJ with just about every drivetrain/engine setup imaginable, I am totally loving the modern Pentastar motor with 4.10 gears. I honestly set my expectations pretty low for the JKUR after my prior experience with Jeep (between the last Jeep and the current I had several Audis, BMWs, a 100 series Land Cruiser and VWs), but I'm impressed with how quiet the interior is, how comfortable it is in daily driving and how well it drives with just an AEV lift and 35s. Although I did like the 4.0 back in its heyday, more power with better mpgs and loads more refinement is definitely welcome here.

 

[Metal Man]

Maybe, but I would not have 4 doors, and lots of cargo space for the family....plus a rougher ride in all conditions. tit for tat. My v6 does just fine.

OK, go XJ then. New JK=$45 to $50K, with that kind of money into a XJ, ZJ, or WJ and I bet you come up with one HELL of a Jeep LOL. My thing with the V6 is the lack of torque, It was designed to power cars for the most part. The inline 6 (4.0l, 4.0l HO) were designed using off the shelf AMC parts from older I6 designs as well as improved lock strength just for Jeep. They hand picked the stronger parts from other AMC I6s to provide the Jeep just what it needed, but that was back then. Now, what the manufacturer wants is a motor they can put into as many different models as possible. This works great on paper but the needs of a mini van, a full sized truck, and a Jeep are all different so their has to be compromises made. What the Germans did was to compromise on the torque range, allowing it to be higher up in the RPM. It was a 2 out of 3 call, both the van and the truck could live well with that through gearing, the Jeep...not so much. The Jeep needs the torque from idle to 3k RPM and the V6 just comes up short. I'm not saying the V6 is a bad motor at all, it is a real power house of a mini van and does OK in the trucks for it's size.

 

[Septu]

Dropped it off to have the new BOSS shocks and synergy front lower shock mounts installed. Minor issue with the new shocks not coming with rear upper bushings... so will have to reuse the old ones (annoying). But for the price I can't complain too much. Now just need to wait for the shop to call me to let me know they're ready...

 

[Septu]

If you spent what a JK costs on a TJ or YJ you would have a Jeep much better than a JK, just my opinion though. I'm not a fan of the V6, kind of a Jeep inline 6 purest myself.

With the issues I've had (and the ton of cash I've spent on my JK), I've thought about 'what if'. What if I'd gone with a nice LJ or a much older Scrambler (and then re-worked it)? Price wise, I'd probably be around the same but have an amazing machine... both cases would see me with a lot of cargo room. However I'd also not have those rear doors. Considering how often I used them (frequently), it would be an issue for me. So I'll just suck it up and keep working out the kinks. Not ideal... but seeing how I still have a smile every time I drive it, I guess that's enough for now. I'm also at the point where I'll never get my money's worth out of selling this. My total spent on this has to be around 70k+. Absurd I know.

 

[luk4mud]

With the issues I've had (and the ton of cash I've spent on my JK), I've thought about 'what if'. What if I'd gone with a nice LJ or a much older Scrambler (and then re-worked it)? Price wise, I'd probably be around the same but have an amazing machine... both cases would see me with a lot of cargo room. However I'd also not have those rear doors. Considering how often I used them (frequently), it would be an issue for me. So I'll just suck it up and keep working out the kinks. Not ideal... but seeing how I still have a smile every time I drive it, I guess that's enough for now. I'm also at the point where I'll never get my money's worth out of selling this. My total spent on this has to be around 70k+. Absurd I know.

Ouch. It was definitely NOT putting a smile on my face any more, so it was time to sell. Fortunately, I bought it at a very good price used, drove it for 2 years and sold it (with full disclosure) for 2k less than I pad for it. Not bad.

I am convinced that I got a bad one. But then so did alot of other past and present JK owners.

 

[kojackJKU]

OK, go XJ then. New JK=$45 to $50K, with that kind of money into a XJ, ZJ, or WJ and I bet you come up with one HELL of a Jeep LOL. My thing with the V6 is the lack of torque, It was designed to power cars for the most part. The inline 6 (4.0l, 4.0l HO) were designed using off the shelf AMC parts from older I6 designs as well as improved lock strength just for Jeep. They hand picked the stronger parts from other AMC I6s to provide the Jeep just what it needed, but that was back then. Now, what the manufacturer wants is a motor they can put into as many different models as possible. This works great on paper but the needs of a mini van, a full sized truck, and a Jeep are all different so their has to be compromises made. What the Germans did was to compromise on the torque range, allowing it to be higher up in the RPM. It was a 2 out of 3 call, both the van and the truck could live well with that through gearing, the Jeep...not so much. The Jeep needs the torque from idle to 3k RPM and the V6 just comes up short. I'm not saying the V6 is a bad motor at all, it is a real power house of a mini van and does OK in the trucks for it's size.

Nah,

My JKU beats the XJ hands down too. The XJ again rides like a tank compared to my JKU, has less power again, and its not near as comfortable as the JKU. I have enough power to go anywhere I want, with better milage than my buddys XJ, I did not need to lift to put 33s on, (I did install a teraflex leveling kit however, not needed but I wanted it), the XJ could barely fit 31s without a lift. I love the "purists". Face facts, the JK is a better vehicle than the TJ and the JKU is a better vehicle than the XJ. Sorry but its true. I would never spend 50k on an old crappy jeep. I would rather spend 50k on a new one with warranty, that no one has ever owned and its mine from new. No matter how much money you pump into a TJ or XJ, you still only have 4 grand worth of old iron.

 

[Metal Man]

XJ>JK All day for me bud, but I don't dig loosing $3k before I get a car to my driveway anyway. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the JK/JKU is a bad ride. I for one never had the fender styling grow on me but what they did with the D44s in those is great and the extra width is nice. For someone who has never spent more than $9k for a very nice Wrangler, $40-$50k just doesn't make since to me And with a budget of $50k I could make a XJ out do a JK in every way known, I guarantee it. Hypothetically speaking, you could go 1 tons, 4.8L LS, 4l80E, Atlas 4sp, Links, heated seats, nav, armor, lift, 35s, sound system, full chassis stiffening, with new paint and interior for under $50k on an XJ if you are willing to put in the work. Done right it would ride as good as any JKU and we don't need to compare the LS power to the V6 do we. At that point it's not about what you can sell it for, it's a truck you keep. If I worried about resale I would buy a Camry, NOT A JEEP LOL. And it's hard to compare any 15 year old XJ you have ridden in to a new Jeep, just bushing wear alone would make a major difference on the ride. I rode in a 99 stock XJ when it was new and they rode great (better in fact than most of the JKs I've ridden in although they have not been stock).

 

[Hilldweller]

You can get a pretty nice JKU in the high 20's if you deal. 2% under invoice (and better) is pretty standard.

 

[kojackJKU]

You could spend all that money on a 4g crate, and still have a 4g crate. I really don't know where you are getting bad resale ....jk is one of the vehicles that holds its value. I can still get over 20k for my jku with 164000k and being a 2011. And you still can't fit in the xj what you can in a jk. Plus, I only paid 34k for mine new.....not 50k.