Buying a new Jeep

[SFgirl]

I figured there had to be a few of you out there with Wrangler know-how...

I am looking to buy a used Wrangler. I don't know too much about them, but most recently had an older Grand Cherokee that I had lifted.... which was always in the shop. Now I would ideally like to get one used... how well do Wranglers perform over the years? How often are they in the shop? How well do they perform off-road with just the factory accutrements...

Thanks!

 

[bigsur009]

I've had three different ones over the years, and haven't had major problems with any of them. That said, they are a Jeep and aren't known for being super reliable! You will spend some time in the shop, but they are cheap to fix which is a plus!

As for whether to lift or not to lift, it depends. Are you going to be buying a TJ (97 and newer) or a YJ (88-95)? If you get a TJ, and you don't do any serious off-roading (re: rock crawling), I would recommend a good set of 31x10.50 mud terrain tires (BFGs last longest/Goodyears look coolest) and nothing else. This will get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. I would put a locker in the rear diff before I'd lift it. If you get a YJ, I would get a 2.5" lift (the smaller the better for ride quality & flex) and put the same 31x10.50 tires on it.

I mentioned the locker earlier, but with both you have to be careful. The Dana 35 axle that most Jeeps come with from the factory sucks. If you have smaller tires (under 33") and don't drive like a jack*ss, then you should be fine, but if you go big or use the skinny pedal a lot, then you will explode your rear diff. Guaranteed.

The TJ is better off-raod from the factory since it is coil-sprung as well as being much more civilized. That being said, I'm partial to a built YJ. I know this is long, but I could go on for days. If you have any more specific questions, just let me know!

 

[Kycntryboy]

I know a couple things about jeeps, lol considering I have had 9 since I was 16 (21 now) my favorite is the the Y(uppie)J(eep)s, (Thats what the people at the plant call them don't know why) 87-95 is when they were made however, I would go between a 92-95.
A. You can get them for cheaper because it is the old wrangler style
B. They are fuel injected (I think they start putting those in 91' but...
C. In 92 they added the full roll bar, plus you can find a whole lot of accessories for them, moreso then pre-92.
I echo bigsur's point of view, I have never really had a problem with them; My dad (Worked at the Jeep plant) and Grandpa (works at the Jeep plant), they both say the the transmission is crap. Now that I am thinking about my transmission in a couple of mine have been rebuilt. Anyways nothing terroribly bad, and like big said they are cheap to fix. Nothing like building up your own Jeep to run it off road, and I always thought that your more accepted in the Jeep community when have something you can call your own.

 

[turtle_sc]

Don't get an 89 or 91...had both and they were pieces of crap. I would go for 92-95 because they have fuel injection and there are more aftermarket parts for them. Check into the transmission on the one you get...some have a peugot tranny and they are real pieces of crap. On the positive side, wranglers are cheaper to work on and pretty easy to beef up for off road. But definately stay away from carburators...mine back fired and caught on fire...

 

[Banjo33]

I had a '99 for about 10 months. Didn't much like it. I did a lot of highway driving and of course it's like driving a pinto down the highway with a barndoor attached to the front (I averaged around 15-17 mpg too if I remember correctly). It also had the 4-cylinder. Useless. I think my crotch rocket has more horsepower than it did. It also kept blowing headgaskets. I went through 3 in those 10 months, would've had 4 but I traded it off before having it replaced again. Someone had said the engine sucked because it became a Chrysler product in the late '90's...can't confirm nor deny this. It sure was good looking though! Maroon with the Wrangler logo's on the sides of the hood. Tan interior and a good tight rag top. Can't complain too much about the road noise....wasn't as bad as I expected. It was fun to drive around town and to take on the jamborees back home (Arkanasas). My complaints all revolve around the engine. I don't know a thing about the 6 cylinder....it may have been a lot better.