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

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.

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

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.

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:



random video displaying a proper flogging:

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.

-Jake

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.

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

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

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.

What about a Cherokee?

Thanks.

Troy is a long way away.

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).

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.

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

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.

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

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

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...

My CJ5 (sold)


My 2012 JKU

Yeah they are the most numerous here and cheapest.

The wife has had 4 grand cherokee's and 3 were great, the last one kept having computer problems so traded it back in with 1500 miles on it. The one she has now is the cherokee trail hawk and it is much better than the grands but also cost a bit more.

I had a really nice 1960 CJ5 with a V6 Buick with over drive, full roll cage fast and nimble....cool vehicle.

You could piss under the tire and just about get stuck.

I'd be looking at a Toyota Tacoma.

never owned any jeeps.......

Of course they are popular in Utah

Prices are stupid high on most everything even used now....

Bought my '03 LX before the prices went nuts this year

Sold a '14 Taco for this '03

Driver not vehicle...

I’ve had a jeep my entire adult life, wouldn’t be without one. I bought this one new in 89. It is the 4 cylinder, 4.10 gear ratio. I drove it out for 9800.00

Is that due to the vehicle or the tires?

That's funny!
BS, but funny.

I've had 2 jeeps , a 1980 CJ5 for 10 years , should have kept. Now have a 1999 Tj sahara for 21 years. Tj has been a good vehicle and has been upgraded over the years. It only has 75,000 miles on it. Axles swapped , lockers , 4 wheel disc among other goodies make it very capable.

Everyone needs a jeep

Use the hell out of y Jeeps. Rio7

Three CJs ( one rebuilt from frontal roll over ).
Two XJ, two ZJ, one WJ.


And today, a new Renegade limited.
First new vehicle ever bought


W rebate and stuff, so close to price of used one
Said screw it. Good enough for me.


Thought trailhawk but i aint wheeling no 35k vehicle.

For light hunting a reg 4x4 works for me.

Wanted a Suzuki Jimny, bare bones. Aint sold here, so this was cheapest new 4x4 i could get.

Definitely better w turbo vs reg, but still a slow poke.

Toss a turkey in the back in a month or so.

Why are you asking about jeep then. Those are the exact opposite of "reliable'. Do yourself a huge favor and buy a Toyota 4runner...

Kid has a 4 runner. Awesome vehicle.
They charge accordingly

I rebuilt the engine on a 2000 XJ along with rear springs, unibody stifners, shocks, and a bunch of other stuff, really liked it but I am 6-1 and was really cramped in it, plus it got about 14 MPG with stock tires. Sold it for a good profit.


Bought and still have a 2015 JKUR Hard Rock. Love it, but wish it had a bit more shoulder room.

Never owned a Jeep..........

did I miss anything ?

Always been a Toyoda guy........

I dont wheel anymore so need basic 4x4 for casual hunting.

My spine cant take moderate wheeling anymore. And w shoulder trashed, wrenching days are over.

A bit of added comfort and traction is all i need.
Wish they still made the old 98 ZJ.


Size, power, capability. Been my fave

My bomber ZJ is at 230K. Had a new waterpump, starter, PS pump and alternator ( all after 200k) and the AC compressor died so did bypass.

Been pretty reliable. This one didnt do the funky anti theft crap.

Jeep still using that Mercedes transmission?

You don't need a Jeep for that. Would be better off with a Subaru Forester. Hell my 2014 Mazda CX-5 is better on snow covered roads than my Grand Cherokee ever was and goes up my steep driveway through 6-8" of snow no problem..

You don't need a Jeep for that. Would be better off with a Subaru Forester. Hell even my 2014 Mazda CX-5 is better on snow covered roads than my Grand Cherokee ever was and it goes up my steep driveway through 6-8" of snow no problem.. It also averages 28 mpg vs 16 mpg for the GC and the ride quality/handling isn't even close.

My WJ w new GY All Season tires kicked ass on snow/ice.
Put my ZJ on 31 " BFG ATs to shame.

Tires can make an amazing difference

I've had several sets of AT and Winter tires on the GC over the years. The Mastercraft Glacier Trex proved among the best of the bunch on snow/ice covered roads. I put those same Glacier Trex tires on the CX-5 and it kicks the Jeeps ass six ways to Sunday. I regularly drove both 30 miles to work at 4:30 am through 4-7" of snow on winding, hilly, pot holed back roads that had yet to be plowed and there is no doubt.

My lifted zj w 32" MTRs was a beast 😎
Rotted away at 278K.

Looks like a Daystar 1.5 lift and Toyo AT3 on my toaster Jeep this summer.

Is 2021Renegade limited. Turbo LOL
Has 215/60r 17 Continental all seasons on it

Kid and I will plasti dip factory silver rims.
Id like Procomp black 69 but dont think they make em for this skateboard.

Add a hitch, aftermarket kit looks decent. Will swap in trailhawk x member

Yes you have missed being broken down on the side of the road/trail, many visits to the repair shop or parts store if you like to do your own repair work, and poor ride and handling.

JEEP

Just
Empty
Every
Pocket

Lotta truth in that.

My only issues w the 94 ZJ w 5.2 and lift was the anti theft system. Fault, wouldnt show. Kill it and no start. Local shop knew of it and patched in a reset switch. Used it maybe 5 times in next few yrs. Worked fine

125 bucks.

Most places dont know the work around.

That jeep rustwd out at 278K. Did replace water pump and timing chain. And steering gear box due to leak

Drove it over a decade. Loved it.

Hate the ol ladya Liberty, or the WJ she had before that. The WJ made me ill to drive, something about windshield or ? Oldest kid had same prob w it.

20 mins and headache, want to puke.

Hated that fugger.
Drive 2 hrs in my bomber ZJ and everybody fine.
Lifted n bouncy....no probs.

My CJ5 was good, just broken motor mount and pounded out a yoke on rear end. Easy cheap fix.

Harsh ride,soft top n doors, too old to take that abuse now.

Well we went with a Chevy Tahoe since it was available. We put Cooper Rugged Trex on it, but haven't had a hard winter yet so no drifts to break through. Terrible milage, but was cheap and starts every time.

Drove by dealership, 2021 w 7k miles. MTs, no lift, stick.
Willys model in Sarge Green.

Damn sharp little buggy.

Soft top and not enough room. Plus 42K. Yikes.

The ol lady and youngest fell in love w it.
Told em no way.

If I had a pickup, maybe a jeep as secondary.

The 4dr has the space, the reg Wrangler has the look. For me though, Id do better w the old unlimited, 2 door.

Those they want big money for these days.

Am old and beat up, so if I was gonna drop the coin for a fancy jeep itd be a GC. Comfy.

But dang if that little one wasnt freakin cool.

I’ve had the 2005 2 door Unlimited Rubicon and a 2016 Unlimited Rubicon.






Both were good rigs. The 16 was much nicer on the road.

Now I’ve got the ZR2 Colorado Duramax. Lockers and a diesel that gets 25+.



Wanted a Rubicon with the diesel but I’ll wait till there are a few more used ones around.

I have a 2007 Wrangler X for sale. Anyone interested? Send me a pm.