I want a newer rig, but...

Kelly

Kelly

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Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
First Name
Kelly
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Herrin
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KFØDEX
My Jeep is old (1995 w/ >300k miles). I'd love a newer rig, but there's a problem. I don't want to give up:
V-8 - I like the power
Low Profile (rockers to roof) - 5" Lift, 33s, & roof rack; still fits in garage.
Solid Axles - Articulation
Comfort - ZJ was/is a luxury SUV
Narrow - Maneuverability and less body damage/pin-striping
Short - But still long enough to sleep inside (I'm 6'2")
Rear Seats Fold Flat - I like to sit up in the back, so a sleeping platform is out.
Stealth Camper - Can sleep anywhere without unloading or setting anything up.
I really want to say "Made in America", but there's this...

JeepVStoyota.jpg

So, what's my best bet?
 
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Northern_XS said:
I would say youre going to be hard pressed to find a new rig that checks all those boxes. Aside from a JKU. Id say spend some money updating the ZJ.
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THANK YOU!!! That's exactly what I want to do. It's that whole "good money after bad" thing, that's holding me back :-)
 
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Like @Northern_XS said Jku is the only thing that meets the criteria. Though the rear seats dont fold flat and I'm 5'10" on a good day and find myself having readjust as I've slid down. The rears are 60/40 split and the 60 can be removed and a simple platform can be put in (this is a possibility for me soon).

Most "american" made stuff isn't anymore. Ford and Chrysler are sending their small cars down south.

Now the JL'S are coming out soon. By some of the models that have been posted they look a bit longer then the jku.

Besides that a 4 runner would be a solid choice . Lol you should swung by and you can check out both Hahaha.

Freshening up would be a cool route to go. Is that a 5.2 or 5.9? Hmmm 5.9 h.o. swap?
 
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stoney126 said:
Like @Northern_XS said Jku is the only thing that meets the criteria. Though the rear seats dont fold flat and I'm 5'10" on a good day and find myself having readjust as I've slid down. The rears are 60/40 split and the 60 can be removed and a simple platform can be put in (this is a possibility for me soon).

Most "american" made stuff isn't anymore. Ford and Chrysler are sending their small cars down south.

Now the JL'S are coming out soon. By some of the models that have been posted they look a bit longer then the jku.

Besides that a 4 runner would be a solid choice . Lol you should swung by and you can check out both Hahaha.

Freshening up would be a cool route to go. Is that a 5.2 or 5.9? Hmmm 5.9 h.o. swap?
Click to expand...
It's a 5.2. The only 5.9 was the '98. Motor swaps in CA are a pain. The only two things I would change about my rig would be diesel engine, and a frame :-)
 
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I'm with all those before me on this subject for our overland vehicle. We have our LX450/80 series. It is 21 years old with 258,000 miles on her. If, a big word IF, the engine ever goes, for less than $10k I can put a brand new motor in and refresh the transmission. For right around $25k I can put an entirely new and modern drive train in which includes the new Toyota V8 being used in the Tacos, new 6 speed auto trans, and all the other up to date and modern doo-dads. I'm willing to bet that you can do the same for your jeep, new stock motor and trans refresh for less than 10k... or big mopar hemi, etc etc for around 20k... either way, it's a whole lot less expensive than shelling out 40k or more for a rig that you might be dissapointed in... keep her and keep on wheelin !!
 
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I have the 4.7 L and last time I priced it a new short block was around $2800. The tranny is a 5 speed with the update and with three planetary gear sets and electric solenoids it is uber reliable and easy to rebuild. I don't think the 5.2 would be much more. Diesel would be awesome but I don't have any idea about the pricing. The WJ is a great platform and I will keep mine and keep updating.
 
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WJ - Firefly said:
I have the 4.7 L and last time I priced it a new short block was around $2800. The tranny is a 5 speed with the update and with three planetary gear sets and electric solenoids it is uber reliable and easy to rebuild. I don't think the 5.2 would be much more. Diesel would be awesome but I don't have any idea about the pricing. The WJ is a great platform and I will keep mine and keep updating.
Click to expand...
Thats the beauty in "big three" engines. nice low prices for a short block. The prices I quoted are for a specialty shop doing all the work.. If I did the work myself, about 2/3rds as much...
 
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Reconnoiter said:
It's a 5.2. The only 5.9 was the '98. Motor swaps in CA are a pain. The only two things I would change about my rig would be diesel engine, and a frame :-)
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There is a lot of miss information about engines swaps in CA. Its really not that hard. If you get serious about doing one let me know.
 
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Northern_XS said:
There is a lot of miss information about engines swaps in CA. Its really not that hard. If you get serious about doing one let me know.
Click to expand...
I've never done it, but someone told me you can only put the same or newer model year engine in, and it must be one that came from the factory in your model. ???
 
It must be newer and has to come from the same model type. So you couldnt put a civic engine in it but you could do a 5.3 Tahoe engine for example.
 
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Reconnoiter said:
My Jeep is old (1995 w/ >300k miles). I'd love a newer rig, but there's a problem. I don't want to give up:
V-8 - I like the power
Low Profile (rockers to roof) - 5" Lift, 33s, & roof rack; still fits in garage.
Solid Axles - Articulation
Comfort - ZJ was/is a luxury SUV
Narrow - Maneuverability and less body damage/pin-striping
Short - But still long enough to sleep inside (I'm 6'2")
Rear Seats Fold Flat - I like to sit up in the back, so a sleeping platform is out.
Stealth Camper - Can sleep anywhere without unloading or setting anything up.
I really want to say "Made in America", but there's this...

View attachment 9046

So, what's my best bet?
Click to expand...

Great info, with a 178 I guess I'll be updating my AAA card:grimacing:. Keep what you got, it's awesome.
 
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Reconnoiter said:
It's a 5.2. The only 5.9 was the '98. Motor swaps in CA are a pain. The only two things I would change about my rig would be diesel engine, and a frame :-)
Click to expand...

The new models have diesel. But that comes with alot of baggage now. DEF controls and minimal exhaust profile (dont want to roll coal, Just sound a little beefy) being two of my major complaints. But I feel like my WK2 could/should be a stronger contender when it comes to it all. But I am also mostly stock.
 
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WJ - Firefly said:
I have the 4.7 L
Click to expand...

My '05 Ram 1500 4x4 has the 4.7. I was digging around the internet the other night and found multiple cases of people with over 200,000 mile on that little V8. They say the Pentastar V6 has about the same HP, but I wonder if it really feels the same going up mountains with a load, ya know?
 
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