Jeep Wrangler help
I'm currently thinking about adding a nice, semi-new, lifted (a must, makes it look so much better imo) wrangler to the stable.
I don't know a whole lot about em. My parents had a real nice one a few years ago with a 4" lift, but can you all tell me about em and what to look for? I'm gonna go sign up on a wrangler forum and learn what I can, but any one here care to help out as well? I know I don't want the 4 door version, it has to be a hard-top, and probably manual. The ribicons look nice. Anyway...? |
once you go jeep...it's hard to go back...anytime a vehicle discussion is brought up my wife states "i miss my Jeep" lol. And she regrets selling it every time it's nice and sunny out. As far as info goes, what are you looking for?
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I have never had a wiper motor fail on a japanese car, in thirty years.
I replaced three on my Jeep...... Twas a piece of shit..... |
Whatever drifts you. At least, you don't have to worry about engine compression...lol
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Originally Posted by monchie
(Post 4025306)
Whatever drifts you. At least, you don't have to worry about engine compression...lol
i just sold my wrangler last year it was good to me. if you are getting an older one make sure to check for rust its pretty common. wranglers even old ones can be pretty pricy because everyone loves em they hold their value. imo i would only consider a manual with a 6cyl espically if you plan to lift with larger tires. |
Thanks everyone for the info, it's helpful, except Monchie's post. 200.mph, that's the kind of info I'm lookin for. Thanks.
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np man. i know you mentioned not wanting a 4 door which makes me think you want a newer one, but if you get an older one lmk as i still have some parts in the garage you might want/need. i would get rid of em cheap as their just taking up space. if you have any other questions hit me up and ill try to help.
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Cool, yeah, I'm thinking '04-'08 or so. Thanks again man. I appreciate it.
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We had ours for around a year and a half and the only had a few issues with it, the TPS went out and had to be replaced ($30), it had a leak somewhere on the passenger's side so we tore the carpet out of it, and the AC control switches got stuck on defrost (I just never opened up the dash to see what was going on). Other than that it was great. We had a black 04 with a spacer lift and 31x10.50 ProComp All Terrains on it.
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^^Sounds like you had a nice one. Black always look good.
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That thing came to us murdered out, lol. It even had Crager Soft 8's in black, lol. She had ProComp Mud Terrains on it first and those things were hella nice.
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Originally Posted by Roidz24
(Post 4025490)
Thanks everyone for the info, it's helpful, except Monchie's post.
Whenever you need help, let me know...lol |
Avoid the 4-cylinder (not available after 2003). If you want it lifted, try to find one that has had the axles re-geared for bigger tires. Big tires can easily bog a Jeep down on freeways, even the I6. If you can afford the Rubicon, deffinitely go for it. It is very capable off-road straight from the factory.
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^^Thanks man. I've read that if you raise it more than 4" it's a good idea to get a tougher rear end. I think 5" or 6" looks just about perfect.
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Don't dis-regard the automatic transmission. Standard transmissions on jeeps are cool...for about a day.
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Wranglers are great for what they were designed - off road or low speed open Summer cruising. On road they are very noisy at highway speeds (aggressive tread, minimal insulation, engine revving much higher than off road intended). You've been forewarned.
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Originally Posted by Huey52
(Post 4029745)
Wranglers are great for what they were designed - off road or low speed open Summer cruising. On road they are very noisy at highway speeds (aggressive tread, minimal insulation, engine revving much higher than off road intended). You've been forewarned.
OP: How much you are looking to spend? For me the sweetspot in the Wrangler lineup is the 05-06 Rubicons for around 16-20k used. Find one that is low mileage and unmodified, throw the lift of your choice on it and you'll have an amazing rig. As for transmissions, AT are deffinitely easier to rock crawl with, but the MT is more fun and is more of a challenge to crawl. Plus there's just something wrong about driving an auto Jeep. |
Originally Posted by Huey52
(Post 4029745)
Wranglers are great for what they were designed - off road or low speed open Summer cruising. On road they are very noisy at highway speeds (aggressive tread, minimal insulation, engine revving much higher than off road intended). You've been forewarned.
Originally Posted by Mr.ThunderMakeR
(Post 4030125)
Meh, those are just the trade-offs you accept to have the joy of driving a Jeep. You learn to live with them. Jeeps aren't just a vehicle, they are a lifestyle, sort of like the RX-8 :D:
OP: How much you are looking to spend? For me the sweetspot in the Wrangler lineup is the 05-06 Rubicons for around 16-20k used. Find one that is low mileage and unmodified, throw the lift of your choice on it and you'll have an amazing rig. As for transmissions, AT are deffinitely easier to rock crawl with, but the MT is more fun and is more of a challenge to crawl. Plus there's just something wrong about driving an auto Jeep. |
Oh, I agree. I've had a Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot, and Wrangler - the latter strictly for Summer cabin offroad use tho'.
Originally Posted by Mr.ThunderMakeR
(Post 4030125)
Meh, those are just the trade-offs you accept to have the joy of driving a Jeep. You learn to live with them. Jeeps aren't just a vehicle, they are a lifestyle, sort of like the RX-8 :D:
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Thanks but I'm not looking to compare an rx8 and a wrangler. Completely different.
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Originally Posted by Mr.ThunderMakeR
(Post 4029080)
Avoid the 4-cylinder (not available after 2003). If you want it lifted, try to find one that has had the axles re-geared for bigger tires. Big tires can easily bog a Jeep down on freeways, even the I6. If you can afford the Rubicon, deffinitely go for it. It is very capable off-road straight from the factory.
This The Rubicon is what you want as it has the upgraded Dana 44 axle, factory electric locker on both axles (which you activate with a switch when needed), and the much more comfortable coil/links suspension system. The only negative is the anemic engine, but worth the risk considering everything I just mentioned.
Originally Posted by Roidz24
(Post 4029708)
^^Thanks man. I've read that if you raise it more than 4" it's a good idea to get a tougher rear end. I think 5" or 6" looks just about perfect.
The amount of inches of the lift is not the determining factor for the axles. The main concern here is your tire size. The first mistake people make is install a super tall lift, which obviously calls for bigger tires. People then install bigger tires and start destroying axles like crazy. The bigger the tire, the more stress you put in suspension/axle components. With the stock Dana 30 axles found in older Jeeps, I wouldn't go any taller than a 33" tire and that's pushing it if you do any serious off-roading. Anything taller than a 33" I would go ahead and swap the Dana 44 axles down there - which have a bigger ring/pinion, stronger differential and certainly stronger axle shafts.
Originally Posted by Mr.ThunderMakeR
(Post 4030125)
Meh, those are just the trade-offs you accept to have the joy of driving a Jeep. You learn to live with them. Jeeps aren't just a vehicle, they are a lifestyle, sort of like the RX-8 :D:
OP: my best advise for you would be to - no matter what Jeep you get - to save money and upgrade the gears in your axles after you install taller tires. If you are tires are significantly taller, meaning 35 plus inches tall, then I would bite the bullet and change the axles all together. Keep in mind that unless you buy them used, you are already looking at $4-6K in axles alone. Add a couple more thousand for the wheels and tires. If I were you, I would just install a mild lift (3-4 inches), upgrade the tires to a max of 33" tall, and upgrade the gears in your axles to 4.88 or 5.13 depending on the engine that you have. |
Thanks man. I'm pretty familiar with lifts and what not. My daily driver in the winter is a Chevy 3/4 ton with a 12" lift and 38"s, but I don't know a whole lot about wranglers and what lift is good to go with on them, so thanks for the info.
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if you have the 2005+ wrangler make sure you have the cam position sensor gear checked out.
because the material they used, the gear will get worn out, which causes cam damage and lose oil pressure (oil pump also driven by that). wranglers are pretty simple vehicles, not so many things that can go wrong. |
Originally Posted by Roidz24
(Post 4057102)
Thanks man. I'm pretty familiar with lifts and what not. My daily driver in the winter is a Chevy 3/4 ton with a 12" lift and 38"s, but I don't know a whole lot about wranglers and what lift is good to go with on them, so thanks for the info.
I would still look for a Rubicon with the suspension setup and Dana 44 axles I mentioned above. According to many, the Rubicon it is one of the most capable Jeeps to ever come out of the assembly line. If I was in the market for a Jeep, that certainly the one I would buy. |
Originally Posted by jasonrxeight
(Post 4057175)
if you have the 2005+ wrangler make sure you have the cam position sensor gear checked out.
because the material they used, the gear will get worn out, which causes cam damage and lose oil pressure (oil pump also driven by that). wranglers are pretty simple vehicles, not so many things that can go wrong.
Originally Posted by pistonhater
(Post 4057209)
awesome! With that truck I am sure you don't have any issues driving in the snow! Glad to see other truck guys that also drive RX-8s here:icon_tup:
I would still look for a Rubicon with the suspension setup and Dana 44 axles I mentioned above. According to many, the Rubicon it is one of the most capable Jeeps to ever come out of the assembly line. If I was in the market for a Jeep, that certainly the one I would buy. |
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