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#16320277 08/07/21
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We are looking for a used 4x4 and Jeeps seem most abundant. I don't know much about them, but being a Chrysler product I am a bit leery of them. So, are my concerns unfounded? Are there models and years to avoid? Experiences, good or bad would be helpful too.

Thanks

Last edited by Just a Hunter; 08/07/21.
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I’d go 97 or later TJ or LJ, with the Dana 44 rear option. These are all coil spring models, not leaf. The LJ is a long wheelbase TJ and came standard with the Dana 44 rear axle. They were 3.73 axles in standard and 4.10 in Rubicon trim. 4.0l six is a great engine, and the 4cyl was not available with the D44 option. Avoid a standard 4.0l package with the D35 rear axle, as they had 3.08 highway gears. A 3.73 gear set will let you run up to a 32-33” tire without bogging things too much. A 2-3” lift and 32’s is perfect, in my experience. Did 31,32,33,35 inch tires with 3.73 and 5spd. 33” or less is best.


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2005 LJ 175,000 off road ranch miles, on 33" does a lot of work with regular service.

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If it's the wrangler you're talking about check it out good. A lot of the used jeeps have been used and abused. Mine is a 13 JK and it is just as good as new inside and out. I chose to the automatic because of big feet and not a lot of room near the pedals. Mine got about 24 mpg when new and a week later I had jeep install the lift and larger tires (315/70/17) I then got 10 mpg so I had them re-gear it to 456 gears over the 321 gears, gets 18 now and no bogging on hills. This is how it looks today. Never driven in winter so no rust, only 14000 miles.
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Last edited by DANNYL; 08/07/21.
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Long, long before the fully locked rubicon came on the scene, there was the fully locked, 80 series land cruiser.

Full floating rear axle, electronic locking front and rear diffs, coil sprung solid axles front and rear.

And probably the finest 4wd gasoline engine toyota ever made:

The 4.5 liter dual over head cam inline six: 1fz-fe

my last 80 series locked for spring time mud:

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

random video displaying a proper flogging:



Last edited by mainer_in_ak; 08/07/21.
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I've owned allot of jeeps. And worked on allot of jeeps. Those two things tend to go together in my experience.

BUT. I used them as jeeps. Lots of mud. Lots of hard terrain. Things tend to break and wear out.

I would not want a wrangler if you're driving allot of miles. They aren't a great ride. A few of my grand Cherokees have been decent road vehicles and still fairly capable on easy trails.

Just depends what you're looking for and what your expectations and needs are.

Jeep does have the 4wd thing figured out though. As do several other options out there.

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Not interested in abusing it an don't need a wrangler but wouldn't turn one down. Mostly need it to get to the road through heavy snow and than highway with a bit of hunting possibly.

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Originally Posted by mainer_in_ak
Long, long before the fully locked rubicon came on the scene, there was the fully locked, 80 series land cruiser.

Full floating rear axle, electronic locking front and rear diffs, coil sprung solid axles front and rear.

And probably the finest 4wd gasoline engine toyota ever made:

The 4.5 liter dual over head cam inline six: 1fz-fe

my last 80 series locked for spring time mud:

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

random video displaying a proper flogging:




Would love a Land Cruiser, but there aren't many around and those that are aren't cheap.

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Fully locked 80 series in Troy, MT:

I'd make an offer a bit lower, especially if he can't prove that he did the head gasket job with receipts.


https://pullman.craigslist.org/hvo/d/troy-1995-toyota-land-cruiser/7349849886.html

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A non D35 w 3.73 gears would be my choice for a DD/deer fetcher.
Wrangler ...new ones insane priced. Same for those 10 yrs old.
Spent over a decade in CJs.
Like the coil suspension and longer wheelbase of the new stuff, but aint gonna spend that much on a Jeep.
The 2 dr shorties on 33's look great........ride like crap.









Last edited by hookeye; 08/08/21.
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What about a Cherokee?

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Originally Posted by mainer_in_ak
Fully locked 80 series in Troy, MT:

I'd make an offer a bit lower, especially if he can't prove that he did the head gasket job with receipts.


https://pullman.craigslist.org/hvo/d/troy-1995-toyota-land-cruiser/7349849886.html



Thanks.

Troy is a long way away.

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Originally Posted by Just a Hunter
What about a Cherokee?


If you mean XJ.....

6cyl was good, and w 3.55 gears could do 31s without too much power loss.
Most had D35s though. Later 8.25 rear ends supposed to be good.

Rear seal leaks common so those aint too rusty LOL.
Most here (Indiana) have the rockers gone.

Steering box area needs reinforced, rear springs sag, so replace w better. Blind pockets so can be a PITA. Use impact tools and even then may have to weld up a new pocket if the nutsert breaks loose.

231 better than 242 T case. But the 242 allows 4wd on pavement (supposedly). I didn't run mine like that and still blew em up. But they had a lot of miles on em when they let go.

Crank sensors can be a PITA, harness gets cooked......so maybe harness or sensor. Not too expensive but even if you replace a crank sensor, might have to do that more than once.

Had a couple of XJ and wheeled em. Broke everything they said would break, and I'm not hardcore.
Fun rigs, good lookin.........wish they still made em.

Theyre sporty. Going to a ZJ (Grand Cherokee ) was like driving a queen size mattress.
Sporty feel of XJ totally missing.

But the ZJ ride was more comfy. And w 5.2L engine was kinda nice (both of mine had 3.73 gears). Both XJ were 3.55.

Getting old, back problems........Z J w 2" budget boost and 31's about perfect.
But like the Cherokees.............just rotted away around here ('98 last yr of ZJ).

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The new stuff is way more comfy but not as rugged and way too expensive.
Only solid axle Jeep left is Wrangler and prices on those is beyond silly.
Must have slept under a rock or something but I can't see paying new Jeep prices.
That Renegade is a diff skin Fiat 500.
I dunno how it would hold up.

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I heard once that the Renegade was nothing more than a Renegade body swapped over onto a Neon.

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Sorry I haven't been on this thread for awhile. Got busy with other things. I should point out I am not looking for a Jeep or any 4x4 to go offroading in. I need one to get down our mostly unplowed county road and than to town 10 miles away every day. So I need a reliable vehicle too.

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think what you should be looking at would be a gran cherokee , good in snow , decent running down the highway

dont know how new you would be looking for , but used ones are common as dirt in these parts


weve had a couple , they last over 200K pretty easy

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Originally Posted by Just a Hunter
What about a Cherokee?



My 2001 Cherokee, with auto transmission, and in-line 6 cyl has 154,000 miles on it with no problems except for the crank sensor having to be replaced about 25,000 miles ago. It does not use any oil between changes (3000 miles), has no oil leaks and the auto transmission and transfer case have performed perfectly, it has never had any issues other than the crank sensor going bad and having a steering stalilzer wear out.
I am not sure why Jeeps get so much bad press, I use mine for gravel roads and light off-road use and have no problem going where I want,but I do not use it for rock-climbing or bashing it around like you see the folks in Moab doing.

If you find one be prepared to pay more than you may expect for a nice one and avoid the beat up ones that have been rode hard and put away wet.

drover


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Not to hijack but is the 3.8 engine in wranglers ( I know they ended up switching to a 3.6) a bad engine?


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Originally Posted by Boxerdog
Not to hijack but is the 3.8 engine in wranglers ( I know they ended up switching to a 3.6) a bad engine?



The 3.8 was taken out of the Mini van, not horrible just down on the torque and horsepower. If you are wanting a JK/JKU then 2012 and up are the ones to look at.

If it were me and you wanted a longer wheelbase, then look for the TL's, they are the CJ6 in the CJ5 world.

My CJ6 when I brought it home...
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]
My CJ5 (sold)
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My 2012 JKU
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Last edited by sactoller; 08/26/21.

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