I posted something very similar in another post. But I have decided within the next 3 months I will indeed pull the trigger on my first jeep. Before you all jump my case and start rubicon-sahara gang wars, let give you all the details.
I'll be using this jeep as a daily driver with some decent off roading. The off roading consists of flat trails with some decent mud. Not rock crawling or mud. Contemplating around a 2 inch lift with 32" or 33" tires. I will be replacing radio and add my own radio and speakers in there. I don't care about leather and all that crap. Now would a sport suffice? Sahara, or Rubicon. Aaaannnnnddddd.......fight!
Any of those will suffice and just make sure you get a D44 in the rear. Rubicon would be overkill but might save you from a re-gear if you go with 33" tires and you'll probably retain the extra $$$ spent in resale value.
Wish I would have read up on axles before I bought mine.. 03 X..
My only thing was not to buy a 4 banger..
And it had to be a 5spd.. I'm not a fan of autos
I've had mine a year now and I'm happy with it had 50k on it stock with 31s and in great shape for a good price.. owned by a older person..
It's my dd.. I'm just scared to do much with the d35 don't wanna break it right now and don't want to put any money into the d35..
I have a ford 9inch that will go in one day but no time soon.. bout to be a daddy
My opinion..
I bought an 04 rubicon around five years ago.mint condition,lady owned,highway driven and for less than what most non rubicon models were going for.i don't do hardcore wheelin with it but it has gone to some pretty impressive places with just the stock suspension and factory sized 31s.id still like to put a small 2-3 inch lift and possibly 32"/33" tires.the oil pan is quite low on tjs in my opinion and that's really my only worry.everything else has skid plates..it would have cost me alot more money to buy a non rubi and add larger diffs,lockers ect..
For what you're looking to do with it, and the fact that you don't care about all the bells and whistles...I'd just go for a base model wrangler. The money you'd save by not getting a Rubicon..there's your lift, tires and upgraded stereo.
A lot depends on what you want to wind up with. If you want light wheeling trails etc. and don't plan on going more drastic, or if you enjoy building your own, get a Sport. If on the other hand you see yourself getting into more technical wheeling, the Rubicon comes already equipped with D44 axles and lockers. You can add that stuff to a Sport, but it's a lot cheaper to spend the extra on a Rubi than it is to buy axles and lockers.
I own and drive a Sport because I enjoy building my own.
I have an '05 X and I built it, or I should say, had it built. It cost me a ton of money to swap out the D30 and D35 to D44 F&R, and everything else I did. I could've purchased a gently used fully loaded Rubicon with money to spare. Choose wisely.
I will be getting a 4 door JKU probably Rubicon in a year and leave this one for my son or make this my toy. We will see. I do have mechanical skills and also brothers do as well. Only going with i6 as well. Thank you all for your help!
Like I said...get the best value you can find and make sure it has the D44 rear. I second the V6 and rust free as well. That is the most important stuff.
My .02 - even though you already have good stuff to go with.
I knew I wanted a TJ, 4.0, and 5-spd. What I failed to research was axles and gears. I ended up with a D35 w/3.07 gears. I also bought mine knowing I had rust issues on the frame...but it is only surface rust though I have to admit I also did not know about the tendency for TJ's to rust out.
Having said that - I like what I have, I'm not afraid to turn a wrench...and have for many years on various cars, and I don't plan on doing heavy rock crawling. I'll definitely take it on some challenging trails, but I work too hard for my money and don't want to go breaking things just to say I'm man enough to go anywhere...and if that makes me a wimp, well, then I'm a wimp.
I plan on putting on a 2" suspension lift (BDS - Coils/Shocks) and a 1" BL and stay on 31's - just my preference. I may invest in additional skid plate protection (am already installing sliders). This is my DD, I want it to look good but also want it to be very capable without having to spend tons to be a hard core crawler.
I do think I'm good with the D35. I am slightly concerned about the gearing. However, fairly confident I can re-gear to my liking. Guess I'll have to see what my complaints are when I do get it. I and manual to me us a must. As is a/c.
If you're not going any bigger than 33's the D35 is fine. It's not optimum...but it will work.
I'm a fan of overbuilding, so I have an 8.8 in the garage waiting to go in the Jeep....it's not necessary for 33's.
For your uses the Sport is more than enough. I've owned a 01 5 spd and now a 99 auto. I'd suggest you get an auto. Jeep manuals are just terrible (I'm used to sportscars with nice manual transmissions). If you enjoy driving dumptruck sticks, get the manual.
Yes the 35 is fine. I'm running an 06 X with a manual, and 3.73's on 33 12.50's. I don't do hardcore stuff, moderate trails. The 35 has held up fine for over 60k miles.
And dump truck stick shifts are what makes it so fun!!!!
If you are patient, you can find a gently used Rubicon, 05 - 06 for a good price, that will save you some $ and some headaches waiting to get back on the road.
If you're going to be seeing mud, I'd be mindful of the vent hole on the 32RH automatic transmissions which was available from 1997 to 2002. If you don't relocate it, you run a chance of ingesting mud and/or water and messing it up good. I have a 32rh on mine and wish I had done the relocation mod when I had the trans rebuilt.
Let's move on to my next question. Now that I am actively looking, I'm seeing a good but of really nice tj's for sale. But these people are extremely proud of them. What's a good price that you guys would say. No details just round about averages or examples.
Just kbb or nada what your looking at..
Jeep ain't cheap..
I thought i did good on mine at 13k for a 03 with 50k miles..in great shape clean inside an out spotless underneath. No dirt no rust. Nothing.. I think it was a nice weather vehicle for the man that had it before me
Depends on where you live. I bought my 97 4.0 5 speed with 130k miles on it for $5500. It was completely rust free inside and out and living in NY that is huge. I may be selling it in a year or less for an LJ and can easily get around 10k based on the market here now
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