Any body have a Jeep Wrangler? (Page 1/2)
sco77 OCT 19, 11:02 PM
Does anyone have a Wrangler? Particularly a TJ or YJ? How do you like it?

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86 Fiero GT: 3800sc/Manual, Cam/Mods.

pontiackid86 OCT 20, 12:04 AM
I have a TJ right now (3rd one) be warned they are like fieros once you own one you really cant unown one... (every time I sell one a year later I end up with another one) now the goodies

The TJ was the 1st variant with the coil suspension. the YJ had leaf springs and roan like hell but still fun. They are the most basic thing you will ever drive, basic as in you pay extra for A/C try driving one before you buy it. they are not for everyone. they are uncomfortable on long trips and MPG wise just imagine driving an over sized toaster down the road.

That being said I love them easily the most fun vehicle you will ever drive.... that and chicks love um for some reason.
pontiackid86 OCT 20, 03:01 AM
Also when you buy one make sure you get exactly what you want... for what is the most basic 4x4 you will ever own they do have a lot of.... lets just say odd features. in the TJ there are 4 different main variants. The SE, Sport, Sahara, Rubicon, the SE is the basic of basic... 4 cylinder Some have AC some don't some are auto most are stick. The sport the step up. Basic one is a 4.0 6 cylinder some auto most manual has the option for AC, has the option for the beefed up rear differential. The Sahara is pretty much the same as the sport only a fancier interior and usualy comes standard with AC, Fog lights automatic (some are manual) and most are hard top. in 2004

Heres some fun facts for you

In 2004 (I think) the sport became the wrangler X... not much changes except for a newer very uncomfortable interior.

2005 The 5 speed manual gear box went to a 6 speed.

In 2002 the headlight switch changed As well as the engine went to a coil-on-pack Rail above the spark plugs (if you get one of these do not break that rail they aren't cheap)

Nof if you want my opinion on what to get, Try and find one that came factory with a hard top. that way it is already prewired for the rear windshield wiper (some states require that it work) Also hard tops are not easy to come by cheap and will run you anywhere from $500 up to $1200.. If you have to buy your own hard top look for a used aftermarket one like a besttop or smittybuilt The reason I say this is the stock top is a fiberglass top with a hard shell underside, its cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I found a smittybuilt one and while a tan hard top looks like ass on a yellow wrangler it has a carpeted inside which gives it more of a hard top feel.. As for everything else. I would sugest getting AC because as manly as you are those things suck in the summer without A/C
Monkeyman OCT 20, 05:06 AM
sco77 --- Why do you want a Wrangler? Don't plan on pulling anything with one as the tow rating (I think) is about 2000 pounds. A sailcloth soft top is as good as a hard top unless you get a ton of heavy snow. If you're planning on long(ish) trips, buy something else. Cruise control is a RARE option and the short wheelbase isn't optimum for long haul, one hand on the wheel, laid back cruising. No matter which top you get, find some full size hard doors. They seal out the bad weather MUCH better than the 1/2 doors (with the crappy zip up windows). (The full doors work equally well with the hard or soft tops.) Like pontiackid said, the YJ/TJs were pretty basic. You didn't really get comfort/convenience until you got into the '07+ JKs and then the price jumps up considerably. Most (all?) of the YJs were carbed. The YJ had leaf springs. Cheap and easy to lift but not the best road manners. The TJs have coil springs (all 4 corners). A little more to lift but much better on the highway. If you plan on mostly on road driving and you want some creature comforts, I'd suggest a Cherokee, Grand Cherokee or even a Commander. The non-Wranglers are just as capable off road (especially if you can find a GC with the QuadraDrive system as those have factory lockers), pull more, the GC/Commanders have an available V8 and have the same creature comforts as anything else out there. The only real downside is that aftermarket parts are a little pricier (although they're not what I'd consider "expensive" and I'm cheap). The upside to a Cherokee/Grand Cherokee (NOT the same vehicle) is upfront cost (purchase price). Expect to pay close to $10k for a nice (rust free, Sahara, hard top, relatively low miles) TJ. For the same condition GC, you can find one for closer to $6k. That's a heck of a big difference when you consider that the GC gets you leather seating, cruise control, A/C and power windows. On the other hand, if you want something to impress the neighbors, you can't beat a Wrangler.
pontiackid86 OCT 20, 02:54 PM
And I still have to drive mine from pa to texas
gen2muchwork OCT 21, 12:16 PM
I had a YJ once. rode like a shopping cart, was bad for my back, people stole stuff out of it all the time. Was a complete blast though, top down no doors= smiles for miles. Had a tracker that provided the same enjoyment at a much lower cost per gallon.
BabyEating Dingo OCT 23, 10:16 PM


My old 1998 Sahara. I absolutely love jeeps, and Stella Sahara will always have a place in my heart.

In my opinion, if you're planning on off-roading in one, automatic is the way to go. Having both hands and your full concentration on the wheel is invaluable in broken terrain. Also just my opinion, but the TJ Sahara was the golden age of Wranglers. The new ones don't have quite the same feeling of invulnerability that the TJ has, and the 4.0L straight six is more than enough power for rock crawling.

Edit: And you absolutely must, MUST have full doors if you intend to drive it as a daily or even semi-regularly. And if you intend to do highway driving, use a hard top. The soft tops tend to balloon up and act like a kite - any gust of wind will feel like the hand of God himself is trying to push you across lanes of traffic. Hard tops are a tiny bit better in that respect. The more lifted the jeep is, the less friendly it is to highway driving.

[This message has been edited by BabyEating Dingo (edited 10-23-2014).]

silver 85 sc NOV 15, 11:41 AM
There are (2) '99's at my house. One with a body lift and the other with a suspension lift. Both are the 6 cylinder 5 speeds one is a sport the other a Sahara. I like them both, and both have been passed on to my kids, who absolutely love them. The only complaint is the mileage. They start everyday and get around great in the snow. The Sport has 150,000 miles and the Sahara has 184,000 miles. My niece has a 2001 with a 4" lift 6cyl auto, and they have about 6 friends that are driving them. Years date from about 1990 to 2001. When they all get together there is a 9 Jeep Wrangler caravan. Quite the sight to see. And now that I think about it all of them have been lifted and have the big tires.

Rich
pontiackid86 NOV 19, 03:49 AM
So what was the verdict? going with one?
CoolBlue87GT JAN 08, 08:22 PM

quote
Originally posted by Monkeyman:

sco77 --- Why do you want a Wrangler? .... If you plan on mostly on road driving and you want some creature comforts, I'd suggest a Cherokee, Grand Cherokee or even a Commander. .... On the other hand, ... you can't beat a Wrangler.



My sister had a 78-79 CJ w/ hardtop, Golden Eagle on hood, real doors, A/C. It was nice, it saw 99% street , 1% beach use. Was dependable, she kept it for a few years, went thru a few sets of tires.

I had a 1999 Cherokee sport 4 door, I liked it, owned it for a few years.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 01-08-2015).]