What do you know about Jeep Wranglers?

[cantdrv55]

Saw one yesterday that had a canoe tied to the top bars, three bikes attached to the hitch, big a$$ tires, pretty cool and rugged. I heard Jeeps aren't too reliable though. I'd like to hear from Wrangler owners if this is true. May get one someday.

[vash]

before pcars, all i did was jeeps ( i still own a jeep scrambler that i am gonna restore). honestly, your description above sounds like a poseur mobile. on on my backcountry outings with friends, i always seemed to be the most disadvantaged of the group when it came to storage, and carrying things. there just isnt enough cargo/passenger space. one canoe, and three bikes will need some equipement to go along with it. i will assume three passengers, so they didnt have much room. but they have plenty of offroad ability. bay area 4x4's dont see much dirt.

i went canoe shopping this weekend. i will probably, strap it to the forester.

[RickM]

IMO, they are very archaic in design, get utterly horrible gas mileage and are very uncomfortable. Seems the aerodynamics are similar to putting a sheet of plywood up, vertically, on the front of a modern car.

However, they can get where most other 4 wheelers cannot.

[Burnin' oil]

I have a wrangler. Sub 15 mpg, cramped, bouncy uncomfortable ride, lots of road noise, etc. But, it can go almost anywhere and is unbeatable in the snow, which is why I have it.

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by Burnin' oil
Sub 15 mpg, cramped, bouncy uncomfortable ride, lots of road noise, etc.

You just described my 911.

[Burnin' oil]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
You just described my 911.

Exactly. Except my jeep has a/c.

[craigster59]

Go with a LandCruiser. It'll outrun a Heep any day of the week.

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by vash
honestly, your description above sounds like a poseur mobile.

I'm beginning to think that those who take their SUVs out on dirt and mud are the poseurs. Probably 99% of all SUVs don't get very dirty. I have a friend who goes 4wheeling from time to time and after he won't wash his truck for weeks just to show he got it dirty.

I'm thinking I'd use a Jeep for biking, canoeing, camping and going to the snow but will probably not, if ever, use 4X4 much. Oh yeah and to pose.

[IROC]

Having four wheeled a number of Toyota pickups over the years in the company of various Jeeps, one thing that seems to be a recurring theme is that Jeeps don't have nearly the "design margin" that Toyotas have. In other words, modify them somewhat and you're going to find the weakest link in a hurry.

They are great off road vehicles, though. If you keep it relatively stock (and only go on trails that a relatively stock Jeep can traverse) I think you'd be happy with one.

The Landcruiser suggestion is a good one (especially an FJ40), but they have gotten waaay too expensive, IMO.

Mike

[vash]

naw, that is just like driving around for weeks, with the autoX number still shoepolished on the windows. but he aint posing. he is using the vehicle, and that gets some respect. leaving all that mess on a truck just makes for more work later. and it isnt nice driving on the roads periodically dropping dirt clods to fly up on the nice porsche following you.

bottomline, a jeep isnt the best vehicle if you need to move people and cargo. it may be one of the worst.

[deanp]

I've had a '91 Wrangler for about 11 years. Have had two CJ's (a 5 and a 7) previous to that.

PROS:

You can go almost anywhere. The short wheel base, tight turning radius also makes city driving a breeze as you fit almost anywhere. Very capable 4WD system. Good amount of HP and Torque for size/weight of vehicle.

Pre-'97 models are very utilitarian, pull the carpet, pull the drain plugs and hose down the inside.

4.0L models from '91-'95 are MUCH better than the 4.2L carburated engines used from '87-'90.

Top down driving with no doors is the best. You have a targa, so you're used to the wind noise.

Abundance of aftermarket accesories / reasonable cost of parts

CONS:

No security with the soft top. Leave something in it, tops gets cut or unzipped and your stuff is gone.

Short wheelbase is reason for ride quality, some say the '97 and newer are better due to coil springs. I prefer my Old Man Emu set-up.

Moderate gas mileage. 4.0 with less than aggressive driving can get up to about 18mpg.

Lack of cargo space. Hitch rack or cargo rack on top will help, but not eliminate the problem.

Straight 6 is very strong and reliable. (That being said I replaced the trans in mine at 90K due to bad synchros and then spun a main bearing at 118K, still wouldn't trade it for anything. I used and abused this thing and take the heat for the failures)

'97 and newer models have become more 'cushy' some love it, some hate it.

Drive a couple, top up and top down. You'll know within minutes if it is for you or not.....

[cantdrv55]

Great info deanp, thanks.

[deanp]

No problem. If you have any more specific questions about a particular vehicle just ask. I know mine pretty much inside and out and they didn't change much mechanically over a period of several years.

[928ram]

I don't know if you're shopping new or used, but I just read somewhere that the Wrangler is due for what sounded like a major upgrade. There must be a Jeep dot com that would know?

[cantdrv55]

Yeah, I was looking around for a Jeep forum but haven't come across a good one yet.

[Dantilla]

Try Jeepsunlimited.com

My wife's driver is a 1998 TJ Wrangler w/33" tires. She loves it. Rarely drives the 912 I bought her.

Its off-road capability is amazing. It's on-road manners are less than Porsche-like.

Ya gotta drive it with the top & doors off. On dirt.

[RickM]

Here's a site with forums for just about any vehicle: http://www.automotiveforums.com/message_board/

Wrangler: http://www.automotiveforums.com/f250-wrangler.html

[Vonzipper]

IMHO, You should decide what your going to use it for? I have a Grand Cherokee on long arms and two Toyota FJ 40's, The first thing to go will be the Dana 35 rear axle if your running more than 32 inch tires, a great upgrade is the Ford 8.8, same width and with minor modification will bolt right up, If your looking to do some trail rides the Jeep will be fine, if your looking to do the Rubicon you may want to look at the Toyota.

[deanp]

Have to agree there, on-road manners are certainly not Porsche-like. However with the right group of people it is equally 'family' like and there is a bond so to speak. And yes, there is a Jeep wave hierarchy.

[craigster59]

www.ih8mud.com