Ok, Opinions Needed

thardy

thardy

Banned
It's been on my mind since the day I got rid of my old rig, and I'm still about 2 years away for getting another one, but hey, I like to plan. So, I want to get my Wayalife family's opinion on what I should go with next. No matter which direction I go, the end goal will be a reliable rig, built properly to handle 37s and have 4 doors. The obvious choice would be JKUR, but I keep going back to either an XJ or WJ. So, what would your choice be and why? Keep in mind that it won't be a DD, but I also don't want a trailer queen. I also will have access to a shop where it can be built and or stored during breaks if necessary.
 
I hate to state the obvious, but you can take the top and doors off a wrangler. Especially for a trail rig, for me, that is huge.
 
Sharkey said:
I hate to state the obvious, but you can take the top and doors off a wrangler. Especially for a trail rig, for me, that is huge.
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Just to add a little extra on top. At least with a wrangler (specially a JKU) if you need to get rid of it you'll recoup some of what you spent on it, if not all plus some.
 
MR.Ty said:
07-10 JKU(R) or wait the extra time for the JL. :thumbup:
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The JL definitely peaks my interest, but not knowing what they're actually going to do with it and if it changes too much, it'll take bit for the aftermarket to catch up, somewhat deters me. The diesel option could bring me back though.

Sharkey said:
I hate to state the obvious, but you can take the top and doors off a wrangler. Especially for a trail rig, for me, that is huge.
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I agree with you there, which is why an XJ or WJ would have a full cage so I could remove the doors on them too. Doesn't fix the top portion but it's better than nothing.

TC2019 said:
Just to add a little extra on top. At least with a wrangler (specially a JKU) if you need to get rid of it you'll recoup some of what you spent on it, if not all plus some.
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Also a valid point, but hopefully one I won't ever have to deal with.

I think the only reason I like the idea of XJ or WJ is just because you don't see too many of them well built that aren't a trail only rig.
 
My two cents is pretty cheap. I am glad to see that you plan ahead more than I do. I felt a little weird looking at Spring of 2016 for my rig.

I am going with the JKUR because of the size. I have a wife and two children. This is a vehicle that we will be taking on trips to adventure around the local desert here in Nevada and further on to Utah, Arizona, etc. Eventually we plan to get an off-road trailer, much like they have in Australia. I have no plans to drive this to work and will store it in my back yard. I also plan to use it for rifle practice, since the distances I shoot are extensive and need to be away from a lot of people. So being able to carry large steel targets, rifles and friends was also important.

Again, just my two cents. Might I suggest you involve the family, then you can get more of a budget towards the build. At least for me, it is hard to head over to the war department (read wife) and discuss a budget that has nothing to do with her or the family. It is so much easier when she sees benefit to the whole family. So my rock crawler will also be a family adventure vehicle. It's all in how you sell it.
 
NevadaZielmeister said:
My two cents is pretty cheap. I am glad to see that you plan ahead more than I do. I felt a little weird looking at Spring of 2016 for my rig.

I am going with the JKUR because of the size. I have a wife and two children. This is a vehicle that we will be taking on trips to adventure around the local desert here in Nevada and further on to Utah, Arizona, etc. Eventually we plan to get an off-road trailer, much like they have in Australia. I have no plans to drive this to work and will store it in my back yard. I also plan to use it for rifle practice, since the distances I shoot are extensive and need to be away from a lot of people. So being able to carry large steel targets, rifles and friends was also important.

Again, just my two cents. Might I suggest you involve the family, then you can get more of a budget towards the build. At least for me, it is hard to head over to the war department (read wife) and discuss a budget that has nothing to do with her or the family. It is so much easier when she sees benefit to the whole family. So my rock crawler will also be a family adventure vehicle. It's all in how you sell it.
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The family is why a four door is a must and all of my selections are. I've got it extremely good in that the Jeep, no matter what I decide to go with, is an easy sell to my wife. Hell, while I didn't want to get rid of the one I had, I actually had to convince her that it was the right decision. She's already on board with any of them and wants to drive it to work, since I won't be.

JKUR is definitely the top choice. Honestly, I was kinda curious to see if anyone would fight for the XJ or WJ.
 
My .02 Cents...

I like to plan as well... So I get the concept of being able to look at this from all sorts of angles before you buy...

I bought a 2008 JKU, my Brother-in-Law got the JKR... Sure he was more capable off the showroom floor... But with our driving styles I went everywhere he went.. (With a few added scrapes).

My reasoning was that I knew I'd be upgrading certain items.. Axle Shafts, drive shafts, lift, CA's, Radio, Etc.. I spent less than him at first... but now my Jeep is exactly the way I want it.. and I'm not upset about swapping out the factory things since they weren't Rubicon quality. For me... it was the right decision..

We still go the to same places on the same trails.. but now I'm more capable IN my 4-door AND more comfortable since I know each one of my parts AND I can carry more Beer... (Bugs the crap outa him).

To make a long story short... If you know you're going to change and add stuff... Get a price idea of the new parts vs the added cost of the Rubicon... But either way, have fun with it!
 
I do love the look of a properly built XJ and really they can be had for fairly cheap these days. So that's not t bad options by any means.

But....maybe consider something like this if Chrysler actually decides to produce it.....

Jeep-Chief-concept-101-876x535.jpg


jeep-chief-concept-for-moab-easter-jeep-safari-2015_100505071_l.jpg
 
Mike Chapman said:
To make a long story short... If you know you're going to change and add stuff... Get a price idea of the new parts vs the added cost of the Rubicon... But either way, have fun with it!
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If I go newer, it will definitely be a JKUR. I want the front 44 and transfer case. But I understand what you're saying.

Sh0rtBus said:
I do love the look of a properly built XJ and really they can be had for fairly cheap these days. So that's not t bad options by any means.

But....maybe consider something like this if Chrysler actually decides to produce it.....

Jeep-Chief-concept-101-876x535.jpg
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If they were to make it, doubt they will, I'd be all over it.
 
I had a semi-built XJ on 35's before I had my JKU. I really liked it, I have a soft spot for XJs. But one thing I forgot was: even though it has 4 doors, the interior is really small. I'm 6'1" but even still, sitting in the back seat was not comfortable and even in the drivers seat it still felt kinda cramped compared to my JKU. So with a family it might feel kinda small, especially bouncing around on the trails. Just my opinion. 👍
 
EZ-E said:
I had a semi-built XJ on 35's before I had my JKU. I really liked it, I have a soft spot for XJs. But one thing I forgot was: even though it has 4 doors, the interior is really small. I'm 6'1" but even still, sitting in the back seat was not comfortable and even in the drivers seat it still felt kinda cramped compared to my JKU. So with a family it might feel kinda small, especially bouncing around on the trails. Just my opinion. 👍
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That's probably one of my biggest hesitations with an XJ, cause I'm 6'3".
 
Sh0rtBus said:
I do love the look of a properly built XJ and really they can be had for fairly cheap these days. So that's not t bad options by any means.

But....maybe consider something like this if Chrysler actually decides to produce it.....

Jeep-Chief-concept-101-876x535.jpg


jeep-chief-concept-for-moab-easter-jeep-safari-2015_100505071_l.jpg
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That is sooooo sexy
 
thardy said:
If XJ, it would be something like the below, except 37s instead of 40s, and exo-cage.

View attachment 159747
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That's badass. Four Wheeler magazine did a 6 part build this past year called "disposable hero". They stuck JK Width axles under it. Turned out pretty awesome. They're running 37" Treps on it. Worth a look If you're leaning that way.
 
XJs and WJs are cheap, but then again, they don't have as much after market support as a JK. And if you go with a JK and plan on running 37s, I would go with a Sport model instead of a Rubicon if you're going to be switching stuff out. That's why I got my Sport, I'm going to build for 40s and junkyard 60s. I already have a plan for it lol. Plus that'll save you a bunch in the long run. But a nice built XJ and WJ are rare and very nice! My buddy has a XJ on 36s and another friend with a WJ on 35s. Both get a lot of complements every where we go. But that's just my two cents bud! Good luck!!!!
 
EZ-E said:
That's badass. Four Wheeler magazine did a 6 part build this past year called "disposable hero". They stuck JK Width axles under it. Turned out pretty awesome. They're running 37" Treps on it. Worth a look If you're leaning that way.
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I'll have to check that out. Thanks.

jkwebbie said:
XJs and WJs are cheap, but then again, they don't have as much after market support as a JK. And if you go with a JK and plan on running 37s, I would go with a Sport model instead of a Rubicon if you're going to be switching stuff out. That's why I got my Sport, I'm going to build for 40s and junkyard 60s. I already have a plan for it lol. Plus that'll save you a bunch in the long run. But a nice built XJ and WJ are rare and very nice! My buddy has a XJ on 36s and another friend with a WJ on 35s. Both get a lot of complements every where we go. But that's just my two cents bud! Good luck!!!!
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Thanks man. Yeah all of them have the benefits that's for sure. The reason I would go Rubicon versus Sport, with the plane to go 37s, would be the sway bar and the transfer case more than anything. Not to mention that because it has the front 44, whenever I need to go PR44 I can easily swap the internals over and it wouldn't cost me as much.

MedixJK said:
Id say it depends on if your going to wheel it or not. To me, theres no comparison.
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Oh I'm going to wheel it, there's no doubt there. I definitely see where you're coming from. While the initial cost of a JKUR is a good bit more than the others, it would cost a LOT more to make an XJ or WJ as reliable as a JK to make a trip out west! ;)
 
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