Calling All Jeep Owners.

Discussion in 'The Chatterbox' started by DaltonGang, Sep 22, 2018.

  1. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    I am looking into buying a New Jeep Wrangler JL, V6, Auto. I prefer a Stick, but Auto is where it is at, for heavy off roading. The family wants a 4dr, but I like 2 dr models.
    The wife and friends love Colorado, and the friends are alwass 4 wheeling there.
    I've owned one, a 1998, new, but only had it 3 years. I had to get something larger.
    Any opinions on these??
    If you own a Jeep, post Pics of them, along with any thoughts, or problems associated with them, especially the new ones.
     
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  2. SharptoothC

    SharptoothC I bite..........

    Closest we ever got. To be honest, I found it to be underpowered. Not ideal for heavy off-roading. The two doors were a bit tight as well. I wasn't able to ride along.[​IMG]

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     
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  3. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    Never owned one. If I do I'd consider a pre-Chrysler merger model from before 1987. AMC made what I think was a more reliable vehicle. My experience with current Chrysler/ Jeeps has involved working on other folks with over heating issues and faulty wiring. Maybe it's only the abused trucks I've be asked to diagnose and fix.

    I miss my 1972 Ford. It had points I could set with a paper match book cover, and a real carburetor. Being a fastback Mach 1 might also contribute to why I liked it.
     
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  4. Slipperyjoe

    Slipperyjoe Rusty Metal Tetanus

    I once sat in one my brother was thinking of buying. Top cruising speed was 40 mph with a high end of 50 mph..
    [​IMG]
     
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  5. brit

    brit in a box

    you are a mechanic too?
     
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  6. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    Not in a professional sense. As a teenager I helped my father when he got into buying insurance totaled vehicles and repairing them. It was a weekend hobby. We could pull a VW motor out & in swap a rebuilt back in in an hour. I've always had used vehicles usually in the 10-20 year old range. My current ride is an '86 Super Cab Ranger. My bike an '82 Honda Magna. Swapped out transmissions, pulled & rebuilt motors, and got em back in and running on half a dozen rides. I do drum and disc brakes. Biggest issue I have now days is all the sensors and computers. I'm old school and self taught.
     
  7. brit

    brit in a box

    very cool,my dad was a ford of england, then volvo mechanic. i loved all the muscle cars of the 60s and have had many.love ford trucks ,my 1970 and 77 .worked at auto wreckers and machine shops for a few years then started working on volvos in my early 20s.dealer volvo mechanic for many years,owned my own volvo shop.now i run my friends volvo shop...no more wrenching due to shoulder issues.. drive an 09 mustang gt today.built many cars including 3 v-8 240 volvos. first love is hotrods and old trucks.. new cars today are way safer, but way too many gadgets and distractions...old school is better in alot of ways...
     
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  8. barbersurgeon

    barbersurgeon Well-Known Member

    Test drove a wrangler a few years back, decided to go with the Grand Cherokee. For my dog training and hunting needs the GC is fine, no serious off road, just some rough single track and driving across fields.

    As far as quality, I’m coming up on two years and have not had any problems other than the little light on my shift indicator went out. A few recalls, but nothing to be too concerned over.

    Having spent quite a bit on custom parts for my last car, I decided the temptation of aftermarket availability with the wrangler was a bit much. Hard to beat a wrangler 2dr for any serious terrain.
     
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  9. richgem

    richgem suffering from chronic clicker hand cramps

    Looks like there's a problem with the wipers too ... and the paint job. ;)
     
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  10. Badgerstate

    Badgerstate Well-Known Member

    Id pass on it. Wranglers are kind of overpriced for what they are and suffer from the typical poor reliability that all Chrysler products suffer from. If you are willing to accept the poor quality/reliability, theyre fine but where it me, Id buy a Toyota 4Runner/FJ Cruiser instead. Just as capable off-road and much better quality/reliability.
     
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  11. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    I like the Station Wagon format. All that cubic space out of the weather. Is the space between wheel wells 4 feet wide for hauling plywood & sheetrock?

    Same question as above. If I owned one I'd need to use it for hauling supplies to jobsites. As much as the utility of a small format pickup has served me, my recent change in family life* dictates more interior space.

    *Went from (Me + tools) to (+ daughter & her 3 kids).
     
  12. Badgerstate

    Badgerstate Well-Known Member

    In that case, I'd go double cab Tacoma. I'll be interested to see how the Ranger looks when it comes back. I love the Tacoma but the engine choices are dated. If I could have a truck the size of the Tacoma with a 250ish hp Ecoboost, sign me up.
     
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  13. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    I didn't dig deep, but it looks like Crew Cab is the new King Cab.
    2019 Ford Ranger.gif
    My fathers Chevy S-10 is a king cab. So is my Ranger. His has the third door on the drivers side that gives better access to the space behind the seat. Those little one foot square pads on the back seats aren't suitable for adults on a long ride. The extra leg room for the front seat, plus space to stash tool boxes and gear make me never want a standard cab truck. That's why I'd consider the Station Wagon format over an open bed. Having a ladder rack on my current truck doesn't change the length or width, but I can pile stuff high, tarp & tie, unlike an enclosed space. It's a compromise I'd consider.
     
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  14. Badgerstate

    Badgerstate Well-Known Member

    If I were to buy a truck, I'd go F150 with a 5.0 but that's not a small frame truck. The Ecoboost is great but I want a V8 in a full-size truck, even though the 3.5 Ecoboost outperforms the 5.0.
     
  15. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    I like the FJ Cruisers too, but they are no longer made, and neither of the two's tops come off.
     
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  16. brit

    brit in a box

    i like the 60s and 70s wagoneers...
     
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  17. Badgerstate

    Badgerstate Well-Known Member

    Me too. Theres a big difference from the AMC Jeeps to the straight six Jeeps to the modern ones. Even among Wranglers, any Jeep person will tell you that the newer ones with the V6 cant hold a candle to the old straight six ones.
    Id take a non-removable top over the laundry list of problems that Jeeps have. You are right though that the FJ is no longer made. You can still get good used ones though. If a person really had to buy new, get a TRD Pro 4Runner. It'll go anywhere a Jeep will go and some places that a Jeep wont, not to mention it will run forever.
     
  18. Badgerstate

    Badgerstate Well-Known Member

    Im excited for the new Bronco too. If the reports of it coming in 2020 are true, when Im looking to replace my Accord, it will have been out 2 years and Ford should have any new model bugs worked out of it. A Bronco is probably a bit more vehicle than I really need but I learned how to drive in a '91 Bronco and would love to own a modern version of it. I'll probably be looking more at a CR-V or Escape but if the Bronco becomes a reality, is a winner and isnt too expensive (Im hoping its below $40K), Id have a hard time saying no to a Bronco.
     
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  19. Shaver X

    Shaver X Well-Known Member

    I have had a Jeep Wrangler JK for the past couple of years and love it! It is the 2-door Sport model with the 3.6L V6 and 5-speed automatic. That is 285 HP and plenty of torque, but it still ges a little over 20 MPG highway. It's been very reliable, absolutely zero problems, and super fun to drive. Mine has the hard top, which is quick and easy to remove and reinstall.

    You might find these resources helpful:

    https://www.wranglerforum.com
    https://www.jlwranglerforums.com
    https://www.meetup.com/Houston-JeepPeople/

    Happy trails!
     
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  20. barbersurgeon

    barbersurgeon Well-Known Member

    Doubt you could get 4x8 sheet in there, definitely not flat or with the hatch down. It does fit a decent size dog kennel and a 35l yeti cooler behind the rear seats nicely. Utility trailer are prettty cheap if your hauling lumber.

    If I had the budget, I would have seriously looked at the trailhawk with the diesel. Gets you the beefier trans and mega torque..
     
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