Jeeps

[toothfangclaw]

What years of Jeeps are the best years? I am looking for the 4 door kind. Wranglers, etc? What about motors? I know the 4.0 straight 6 is awesome. What about the 5.2? What are things to avoid?

Thanks!

[OEFvet1986]

The best jeeps are called Toyota

[Mudman]

Best???  For what use?  The four doors are drivers more than wheelers.

[pianoman9701]

I have a Grand Cherokee 2001 with the 4.0. If you buy this same model, I'll have to come kick your butt for being stupid. I've had to replace absolutely everything in it over the last two years, including the engine with only 110K miles on it. Good luck.

[toothfangclaw]

Best???  For what use?  The four doors are drivers more than wheelers.

Country living in Republic. Snow, passes etc..

[toothfangclaw]

I have a Grand Cherokee 2001 with the 4.0. If you buy this same model, I'll have to come kick your butt for being stupid. I've had to replace absolutely everything in it over the last two years, including the engine with only 110K miles on it. Good luck.

Noted!!  Thanks! I think the ones I see in my price range are early to mid 90's.

[JackOfAllTrades]

We have 165,000 miles on our 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Lorado. We bought it one year old. It's loaded. 5.2L is the old Chrysler 318 with fuel injection.  Great engine. The transmission is pretty much the TF727 with an overdrive unit. It's always had once size up BFG AT's on it. Great in the snow. I just had to replace the headlight switch... Things do wear out. Replaced the Infinity stereo head many years ago. I rebuilt the front differential some 80,000 miles ago since that string of years developed a howl in the ring/pinion. Twice the dealership mechanics tried to do it by the book. I did it my way and it's been fine since. At 100,000 miles or so, the CV joints at the front axles needed new seels. I've replaced two ball joints, one muffler and gutted the CAT. (it was rattling inside) The brake rotors are thin, (like Ford suv's), but aftermarket upgrades do quite well. The wife is looking to update to something bigger. She's just tired of this one. I suspect we'll have it on the market before the end of the year. It has been a great vehicle.
 
-Steve

[huntinguy]

What years of Jeeps are the best years? I am looking for the 4 door kind. Wranglers, etc? What about motors? I know the 4.0 straight 6 is awesome. What about the 5.2? What are things to avoid?

Thanks!

4 door wrangler is the newer JK. Impressive... Way to big for my taste. Runs a V6. Test drove one... stable as a rock. But IF I am going to drive something that big it will be a truck.

TJ was the last decent machine. No four door though. Best of the best was the Rubicon.

Cherokees in the 95-2001 range have poor heater cores and need the dash taken off to fix them... also you have to remove the AC. Real PIA.

Grands... I have known folks that love theirs and ones that hate them. I just can't bring myself to buy one.

Pick the transmission carefully. Fulltimes are hard on gas and can have issues. Part times are okay depending on the one in the machine.

Straight sixes, IMHO, are the best. Not a fan of dodge V8s.

[toothfangclaw]

What do you mean by "pick your transmission wisely "? What one are the better one? Are manuals typically between?

[TheHunt]

CJ 5 and CJ 7's are good jeeps.  Finding a good one these days will be tough.

[Mudman]

It seems to me if ya want a 4 door then get a truck.  More choice better built and way more usefull.  I like jeeps but they are kinda useless except for transport of people and fun.  A truck can do that and more.  Jeeps dont get stellar fuel mileage either.

[toothfangclaw]

It seems to me if ya want a 4 door then get a truck.  More choice better built and way more usefull.  I like jeeps but they are kinda useless except for transport of people and fun.  A truck can do that and more.  Jeeps dont get stellar fuel mileage either.

If you mean by truck a burban or Tahoe. Just getting 14 MPG highway with a tail wind and a 700r4 trans doesn't thrill me.  It's on the list to look at though. I've just always loved the look of Jeeps and that they are on the smaller size. But I've at least always heard how four wheel capable they are. If I can get between 2000-2500 for my car, that's all I have to spend. And what I get for my truck is our moving money.  I have some leads on early 90's Jeeps that are for sale at Olympic 4x4 that they have gone through and say they are sound for around 2k. Idk.... lots of new territories for me in trying to get ready for the move. Trying to learn as much as I can about 4wd vehicles.  Lol maybe I should just stick to a Chevy squarebody because I know those. Lol

[Mudman]

Hate to tell ya but jeeps dont get good mileage.  A 4cyl not lifted will do good but thats it.  A 4cyl wrangler not jacked to sky,33inch with lockers and a winch and maybe regeared a little would probably do ya well and pull 15-22mpg.  My 6cyl cherokee got 18+ highway stock.  My 2001 powerstroke does that and it has 4 doors.  2k is a tight budget.  Samuri? My Dads 2000 Ext cab 4cyl toyota 4x4 20mpg.  Subaru?

[pianoman9701]

Hate to tell ya but jeeps dont get good mileage.  A 4cyl not lifted will do good but thats it.  A 4cyl wrangler not jacked to sky,33inch with lockers and a winch and maybe regeared a little would probably do ya well and pull 15-22mpg.  My 6cyl cherokee got 18+ highway stock.  My 2001 powerstroke does that and it has 4 doors.  2k is a tight budget.  Samuri? My Dads 2000 Ext cab 4cyl toyota 4x4 20mpg.  Subaru?

Ha! You're not kidding. my 6 Cyl 4.0 gets 10 -13 city, 18 hwy. It's a bottomless hole for gas to be poured in.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I've had cherokees and Toys, both were similar for mpg.  I'm a huge fan of the straight 6 4.0 over any toy product.  If you plan on modding at low cost, get the jeep, toys cost a little more.  I drive a tundra and samurai now.