Looking at getting another Jeep

rws

rws

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Sold my built JKU several years ago, and in hindsight I truly regret it. Built a couple hotrods in the interim that are pretty slick, but it's time to get another Jeep now that our girls are getting older (19 and 16) and it's time for me and the wifey to do some fun stuff. One would be heading out west and having a rig that can handle high speed fun stuff without getting yelled at by the boss :) So here's my thoughts and I'm weighing and want to get some input and opinions from fellow Jeepers..

There's a couple Jeeps that I can grab right now, and they both really interest me but not sure which direction would be more fun or cooler. One is a stock 392 Rubicon that's local. Low miles and a great price. Not much to say other than it's a great platform, but no idea of what's offered for suspension systems or if those systems will be comparable or better than the JK options. I ran a 5.5 X-Factor LA and it performed phenomenal.

The second platform is one that I've always loved, an LJ. It's an 06, 70k on the clock, 4.0 auto, California/Texas history. My thoughts are to repower, built up some tons, and stretch it with an RK coilover kit.

A scrambler or a Cherokee Chief would be super cool, but there's not much out there for them and would be kind of a shame to cut up. Thoughts?
 
The eight speed transmission which started with the JL is quite valuable and beats the old four speeds hands down. The 392 is very fast, but won't be as good for rock crawling as other modern jeeps due to the compromises they made to the drivetrain.

It would be a shame to cut up any classic rig unless it came from a junkyard.
 
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I would take the 392 over an LJ all day. I’ve had stretched TJ’s in the past, great off road but terrible on road. I have a 392 and it’s a beast on & off road.
My 392 does everything the stretched TJ does but easier and more comfortably.
 
Disciple Off Road said:
You mentioned wanting to do high speed stuff so, hands down the 392. I'd still pick the 392 regardless and there are a ton of suspension/armor options now for them. I'd be buying a 392 myself right now if I could.
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How are the JLU suspensions comparing to the JKU setups like the Evo Double throw down and cantilever system?

With the stretched LJ, Id repower it with a higher hp LS based drivetrain so the power to weight ratop would most likely favor the LJ, but I have no experience with the new JLU 396 at all. The new tech does scare me off tbh though which is why I'm heavily weighing a built LJ with a Holley system. Thoughts?
 
Another vote for the 392. While I absolutely love LJs both totally stock and completely built up, if you have the money the 392 is obviously the way to go as aside from the fact it's a newer, modern vehicle, it's pretty much ready to go for what you want to do with it and a blast to drive on and off road. Rides great too.
 
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