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Looking for a Jeep soon.

9K views 86 replies 13 participants last post by  matt22 
#1 ·
Hello all.
I am new to this forum, and to Jeeps in general.
I really like the way they look and the following the have and deserve. I am a car gu who recently got a Shitbox ford ranger. to try something new. And now i want to try a jeep. I am thinking in the 5-8k range. What should I be looking for when buying a jeep. what are the main differences between the models. I dont plan on doing much or any offroading, but might eventually get into it. I wnat to get one with a hard top becuase we have very wet fall-winter-and springs. I plan on getting a couple of the Jeep books to see what they say about the different models. BUt I know that the best place to get information is form owners them selves. SO if you can offer any advise please post it up. also let me know what you have and how its going for you. Thanks Matt
 
#2 ·
Matt,

The main advice I would give is to make sure the Jeep is mechanically sound, as with any vehicle you would buy. I'd have a mechanic thoroughly go over it to make sure it is worth what you pay for it. Some things I may watch for... A Jeep is one of the most often, customized vehicles you will buy used. There are a lot of many fine after-market items out there such as beefing up the suspension, lift kits, and the list goes on. However, there is also a lot of junk out there. Another big problem is when something hasn't been modified correctly or only half-ass. You don't want someone elses crapp.
These Jeeps will take a beating, but I'd want to make sure that someone hasn't dogged it to death too. Looking underneath will usually give you a big clue if someone had been dragging it across some massive rocks and such.
Watch out for rust. Jeeps are notorious far having the rust monster attack. The upside is replaxcement parts in a plethera amount., so you can swap bad stuff out without too much trouble,... usually.
High mileage isn't much of an issue. These things will run practically forever if you change the fluids regular and other routine maintenance.
I'd go for the inline 6. Nothing wrong with the 4 cylinder, but it doesn't have the pep as the 6.
Make sure that you test out the 4 wheel drive thoroughly to make sure it works and goes to all rangves like it is supposed to.
That's all I can think of off hand. I'm sure others have input.


Good luck!
 
#3 ·
I was condisering the 4 cylinder for the gas milage, but i get liek 15-20 now so i might as well get the 4liter v6. How wold i know if the ranges are correct when test driving? Thanks for your advise amerijeep. Matt
 
#4 ·
the 4 cyl doesn't really get much better mileage than the 4.0. i've got the 2.5 and i get about 18, but i really struggle on the highway and i think it's kinda underpowered. amerijeep had some really good suggestions. and don't be afraid to crawl up under it to check everything out.
 
#5 ·
thats good to know its not worth 3 miles a gallon n the city for the difference in power if i ever need it.

Also how much can Jeeps tow? I can tow one oe my RX2's on a car dolly with the ball on the bumper. THe truck stuggles but it can do it. but could i pully a full sized car trailer with a car on it. I see some of these aftermarket rear bumpers have class 2 hitches built in. would that be enough?I imagine it woul be enough to tow a small trailer or a boat.
Thanks for your imput guys. Matt
 
#6 ·
Never, never tow a car with your Jeep. As a rule of thumb the vehicle you are using to tow should be twice as heavy as whatever you are pulling. It's not all about pulling it. You gotta have something that can stop.

I pulled an HD 2500 out of the mud last week. I wouldn't drag one down the road though.
 
#7 ·
Jeeps are good to tow about 1500 lbs. The short wheelbase makes it a bad towing vehicle. The newer Unlimiteds will tow upwards of 3500 lbs. on the same engine and axle gearing, but the wheelbase is about 12 inches longer also.
 
#9 ·
matt22 said:
could i tow with a car dolly?
since that majority of the weight
will be on the rear axle?
Your RX 2's about 2200lbs right? I would say your going to be at the unsafe point towing it. Heck I flat towed a 3500lb CJ behind my Cherokee XJ which is rated at 5000lb towing and it was not fun, stopping was a major issue,the engine was overloaded, andthe one behind will push you as you go to stop. Thus, I would not do it, perhaps keep the truck if you can for just towing.
 
#10 · (Edited)
pulling the rx2 with the truck was a Pain in the ass. the truck is guttless. it struggled pulling the car dolly. I am frankly suprized i didn't rip off my bumper. SO you guys think pulling a car dolly would be out of the question.
 
#13 ·
matt22 said:
sO ARE THE tj's the highest in the model line?
I have noticed a difference in the dashes.
Technically the highest in the Wrangler line is an LJ which is the Wrangler Unlimited (stretched wheelbase) model. Same as a TJ just about 13 inches longer, but they did give it the new designation. With that vehicle towing your dolly would probably be a breeze. But with a standard TJ Wrangler putting another vehicle behind might be okay if you have short distances to go, but I wouldn't suggest it if you are taking road trips long distances on the highways and such.

Both the manual and automatics in Wranglers are pretty good tranny's.
 
#16 ·
matt22 said:
so what years are before the TJ.
can you break down the years for me.
YJ X to 96 probably the type i will get.
Cj x to x
87 to 95 for yj, no 96

there were a few different model cjs, the cj2 to the cj8, ranging from 1945 to 1986.

the most popular are the cj7 (78-86) and cj-8 (81-86)
 
#17 ·
to answer the auto vs. manual trannny. i was lookin for auto in my jeep. before i had an eclipse which was standard, ofcoarse. but it is very hard to find a used jeep automatic that is not outrageously priced. i did find one auto once but u could feel the tranny going out. so i have a manual now and am completly satisfied.
 
#18 ·
i have always loved manuals, never owned a auto car that i drove, but i thought it might be nice to have. ya know get a remote starter or something.

I am thinking that i will stay with the 90 to the 97 Wranglers.
would that make them mostly YJs?

What is the 96? Thanks Matt
 
#20 ·
amerijeep said:
they weren't made in 96.
I actually think that Jeep decided that we were all going to skip that year on the calendar! 'Cause you KNOW they didn't stop making Jeeps! ;)
 
#21 ·
hmm thats an interesting question. What did happen in 96.


oh and what is the bolt pattern of the wranglers?
hopefully same as a ford ranger. anybody know for sure?
 
#23 ·
thanks for the info on the 96's and about the bolt pattern. I have a new set of rims and tires on my truck now, that i would like to keep just in case i need them. Besides when i bought the truck i convinced the dealship to give me a second complete set of stock rims and new tires. By that i mean a set of 5. lol tires still have the nubs on them. lol they are highway tires but still worth getting for free. I am going to go look at a few jeeps this weekend. I will inform you guys what they are and what i think later in the week. ANd thanks agian for all your help.
 
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