Calling Jeepers: Need Help with first Purchase

[Zundfolge]

I guess it depends on your budget, but your best bang for buck will be a YJ (even though the TJ is probably a better Jeep, you're going to spend more).

When I went looking for a Jeep I really wanted an old one, a CJ2 or 3 ... since I couldn't find a decent one in my budget (they're either all basket cases or expensive, frame off restorations) I settled for an early (pre AMC) CJ5. While I like the looks of it, the 3 speed makes it less drivable (especially on the highway) and I really wish I'd either held out for an old CJ2 or 3 or tossed the idea of a "cool old Jeep" out the window and just spent the same money on a used YJ.



(truth is I would much rather have a BMW 2002 or another 914 Porsche ... but the wife wanted something we could drive up in the mountains with the dog).

Before you buy a jeep remember it stands for Just Empty Every Pocket!

As someone who has long dabbled in German cars (note my name) no a Jeep is dirt cheap to work on.

[tmleadr03]

Best gas mileage ever those Land Cruisers.

Guy who sold it to me says he is seeing 14 mpg. I think that might be down hill with a tail wind and the engine off.

[Danimal]

Deleted

[tmleadr03]

My buddy at work has one that looks exactly like the one in your pic. 6 - 8 MPG. He drives it like a race car, but man it is thirsty. It does great going up or down anything though, and to tell you the truth with how hard he rails the hell out of his I am surprised it is still running much less working as well as his does. That says something about its build quality.

Yup. I figure it will never leave me stranded which is a primary concern with back country trails like I want to do.

[BPTactical]

I guess it depends on your budget, but your best bang for buck will be a YJ (even though the TJ is probably a better Jeep, you're going to spend more).

When I went looking for a Jeep I really wanted an old one, a CJ2 or 3 ... since I couldn't find a decent one in my budget (they're either all basket cases or expensive, frame off restorations) I settled for an early (pre AMC) CJ5. While I like the looks of it, the 3 speed makes it less drivable (especially on the highway) and I really wish I'd either held out for an old CJ2 or 3 or tossed the idea of a "cool old Jeep" out the window and just spent the same money on a used YJ.



(truth is I would much rather have a BMW 2002 or another 914 Porsche ... but the wife wanted something we could drive up in the mountains with the dog).


As someone who has long dabbled in German cars (note my name) no a Jeep is dirt cheap to work on.

Nice little puddle jumper Zund!

[Zundfolge]

Nice little puddle jumper Zund!

Thanks, its been a fun little toy (except for the fact that since I bought it both Rampart Range Rd and Old Stage Rd have been closed due to Waldo Canyon fire and flooding ... and those were the main reason I bought it ... no I don't plan on doing any serious rock crawling with it).

[Hound]

I have built several Jeeps, they are great if you do them right. I have also had/have Scout, Pathfinder, RangeRover, Chevy Trucks (K5's, 63' Chevy Shortbed [Best Offroader I ever had and it did not even have 4x4, just a granny low gear with good tires. I used to pull all the heavy Broncos and K5's out of the mud regularly. It taught me how to pick a line. ])
Cheap is as Cheap has with Jeeps. Don't go cheap. If you pay up front it usually means not as much pain later.
Buying a $125 lift kit (not dinging on the guy who did, we have ALL done it at some point) off CraigsList will get you headaches like the dreaded "DeathWobble".
Buying a Non-Rubicon and trying to build into it to save money costs twice as much.
Personally the rules of thumb I have always gone by are lift kits should be based on suspension but if you do a body lift only do it by half (2" body & 2" suspension).
Jeeps and most other trucks can only go to 4" lift before you start getting into a "Custom" better know what you are doing and have a shop lift.
Lighter is better but armor costs less in the long run. This is also why a 4banger in an old Willeys was almost unstoppable.
Before you EVER go out know how to recover you vehicle (have recovery points and a plan) and have the right recovery tools.
One of the best recovery tools is a partner always try to have one.
Sliders are the difference between a nice truck and "now its a rock crawler". These are some of the first armor you should get.
Tires, I like 33-34"...others stick with 31-32" both are right, its your Jeep/Truck and your the one paying both up front and out there.
If you don't think you can, you can't and you are right. Don't let your buddy's talk you into being stupid. That being said don't be a pussy, half the fun of 4x4ing is finding out your truck can do more than you thought you could, a lot of 4x4ing is mental.
Picking the right line is more important than how much $ you spent or the emblem on the grill. Money just gives you more lines to pick from.
Whatever your driving is not nessasarily better than the other guys, we are all out having a good time, refer to previous statement.
Jeeps are (for the most part) easy to work on. [The newer JK's do mess with this statement a bit but it still applies] This is because they have always been simple and really do have decades of hearitage in off roading. That being said almost anything can be made into a good off roader if you have a shop.
If you buy a project truck there is a reason it is only half done.
You don't buy a Jeep you build a Jeep is true, but this applies to all off roading trucks. I think it is espeically true for Jeeps only because they ALL eventually end up 4x4ing at some point in their lives unlike many other trucks.
Don't try to build everything at first. Too many people try to throw everything on at once and then have to fight multiple problems from multiple projects at once. It wears anybody out and makes it no fun. Pick a project, save, put it in and then test it. If it works move on, if not, you are not done. This seems like common sense but so many miss this and then wonder why they hate 4x4ing.

[cap'n cook]

if your wanting a jeep this is what you want. the 4.0 engine is one of the best motors ever made dont buy a jeep unless it has one. if you like automatics then the AW4 is the good transmission. if you like a manual trans then the AX 15 is the good one. some of the older 5 speeds have a peugot transmission which is complete garbage. most of them came with the np231 transfer case which is the good jeep transfer case. if it was part time 4wd then its not a np231. they all have a dana 30 front axle. the good rear axles are the d44 which came in earlier jeeps with factory tow packages, and the chrysler 8.25 which came in some 91 or newer jeeps. the dana 35 rear all came with open diffs as far as i know while some of the 8.25's came with a posi. the dana 35 rear is still a good axle if your not doing serious offroading with large tires. in 1991 or newer i think it was the 4.0 is a high output motor which has 12 more horsepower than the earlier ones. if your looking for a wrangler go for a TJ 4.0. if your budget is only a few thousand you can find a CJ for less, but it will likely be carburated. if money is no object then buy a jew JK. and if you go with a cherokee which is my personal favorite of all the jeeps then go for a 1991 or newer XJ cherokee. the grand cherokee's are ok but not as good as an XJ

[ZERO THEORY]

If you want to enjoy it in the mountains, 2 words.

Fuel injection.

Beat me to it. Damn wizards.

XJs are going to be your best bet for finding something that's cheap, but in good shape and actually performs properly.

Here's a 3" basic kit that will allow you to clear 31x10.50 15s with plenty of travel.

Find a set of Duratracs and you're good to go for novice/weekend 4 wheeling and camping.

[streetglideok]

To all the Jeepers out there I need some help.

Thinking of buying a jeep to do some off road'ing. Not looking for any thing extreme, just something to take into the mountains on the weekends.
Looking for a Jeep with 4WD, 30+ish tires body/suspension lift and maybe lockers
My question is this:
How is it that I know what Iam buying is fair market value and not marked up?
Is it worth it to buy a bare bones jeep and modify it my self?

Thanks

How hardcore of trails do you wish to go on? For the less than hardcore, the Liberty is just as capable and will save you a lot of money. If you are looking at really hardcore trails, then you may want to consider solid front axle rigs.